Feng Shite: A Little Book of House Messing

by Anna Crosbie | Humor |
ISBN: 0752261495 Global Overview for this book
Registered by constantweader of Manchester, Greater Manchester United Kingdom on 2/21/2006
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This book is in a Controlled Release! This book is in a Controlled Release!
25 journalers for this copy...
Journal Entry 1 by constantweader from Manchester, Greater Manchester United Kingdom on Tuesday, February 21, 2006
This book is too scary! I suspect the author may have visited my flat.
Tiny book, good for a laugh of rueful recognition.

Journal Entry 2 by veganknitter from Bolton, Greater Manchester United Kingdom on Saturday, February 25, 2006
I was bought a copy of this by a dear friend who knows me so well. Picked up this extra copy at the Bookcrossing meeting today, courtesy of constantweader.

I follow the dictates in this book all the time - ie I do no housework (as Quentin Crisp so wisely said, the dust doesn't get any worse after 2 years)

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Sent to pooh-bear71

Journal Entry 4 by pooh-bear71 from Leeds, West Yorkshire United Kingdom on Friday, March 24, 2006
Arrived in post, thanks veganknitter

Journal Entry 5 by pooh-bear71 from Leeds, West Yorkshire United Kingdom on Friday, April 21, 2006
amusing little book

Journal Entry 6 by pooh-bear71 at on Friday, April 21, 2006

Released 17 yrs ago (4/22/2006 UTC) at

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Journal Entry 7 by veleta from Willesden, Greater London United Kingdom on Thursday, April 27, 2006
See the forum and my profile for an updated list.

Journal Entry 8 by veleta from Willesden, Greater London United Kingdom on Thursday, April 27, 2006
An easy-to-understand tiny book. The concept behind the writing is ABSOLUTELY brilliant. Funny and very easy to read.
My flat would look like that if my mother would allow it! I'm glad to hear that stains and mess are useful parts of modern lives. This little inteligent book comes to prove that our karmas benefit from dust and crammed rooms!

Journal Entry 9 by veleta from Willesden, Greater London United Kingdom on Tuesday, May 2, 2006
Reserved for a bookray. The idea is that, if anyone is interested, the book will eventually stay at an English speaking country.

Journal Entry 10 by veleta from Willesden, Greater London United Kingdom on Monday, May 15, 2006
Ready to rock'n'roll! I sent the book to the first person on the list on Saturday morning.

Journal Entry 11 by boirina from Mallorca - Calvià, Illes Balears/Islas Baleares Spain on Monday, May 22, 2006
The book was sent to me by veleta.

Journal Entry 12 by veleta from Willesden, Greater London United Kingdom on Wednesday, August 16, 2006


I hope that you all like it, as much as I did. I really enjoyed it.

Journal Entry 13 by boirina from Mallorca - Calvià, Illes Balears/Islas Baleares Spain on Friday, August 18, 2006
An enjoyable, easy read.

The book left today for Tazzell in Scotland.

Journal Entry 14 by Tazzell from Laurencekirk, Scotland United Kingdom on Tuesday, August 22, 2006
Arrived today what a cute wee book.

Journal Entry 15 by veleta from Willesden, Greater London United Kingdom on Thursday, September 21, 2006



You must admit this: My mistake (not telling Boirina in Portugal this was actually a Ray) goes perfectly well with the ... ehem... spirit of the book. I'm sure that my karma has benefited greatly from my own chaos!!! Just pity on those who have to suffer me!!!

Journal Entry 16 by Tazzell from Laurencekirk, Scotland United Kingdom on Monday, September 25, 2006
Great little book and I think I've cracked the whole concept of it ;)
Off in the post to bargainqueen today.
Thanks for sharing veleta :D

Journal Entry 17 by bargainqueen from Avondale, Queensland Australia on Friday, October 6, 2006
Wow arrived today, looks like it's already had a life of its own. Thanks for the postcard, too! Will read and pass on asap. Cheers!

Journal Entry 18 by bargainqueen from Avondale, Queensland Australia on Saturday, October 7, 2006
Yes so my parents are here for a visit from Germany and they just don't get the whole concept! They keep asking me why all by cupboards are crammed full of books, and my clothes live on the floor in all the rooms. But it's simple isn't it? Wardrobe+Book= no space in wardrobe= clothes on floor.
Loved the book, and loved the little message veleta sent me. Thanks! So I will pm the next person and send it on it's merry way. Thanks so much for sharing!

Journal Entry 19 by wingGoryDetailswing from Nashua, New Hampshire USA on Monday, October 30, 2006
This cute little book arrived safely in today's mail, along with some lovely bookmarks from the Australia BC convention; many thanks! [Not that I need any help in getting my house messy, but having another book to read gives me an excuse for not doing any cleaning up {grin}.]

Journal Entry 20 by wingGoryDetailswing from Nashua, New Hampshire USA on Thursday, November 2, 2006
Cute concept, if often too close to home! I especially liked the "Holiday Unpacking Formula" which mapped the number of days on holiday to the length of time one leaves one's half-unpacked bags lying around (my record is almost a month of not-unpacking for a 4-day trip), and the "Things Pending Wall," though in my case the "things I intend to file someday" live in an increasing number of paper bags in the basement. [I figure if they fall to pieces before I get around to needing them or filing them then there's no great loss; hope I don't prove myself wrong someday!] Also liked the bit about "storage systems," aka "tarted-up shoeboxes you've paid a fortune for" -- I've managed to avoid falling for the "system" concept but do have some tarted-up shoeboxes lounging (empty, of course) in the basement.

The one about not putting CDs back in the correct cases (which "will create hours of fun for your anally retentive loved one") did backfire, as I'm quite retentive enough myself, thanks, and while I don't mind (much) if my CDs are scattered throughout several drawers and shelves, I rely absolutely on the correct CD being in the correct case, and would prefer that they not be re-cased at all to being put into the wrong case. Why that pickiness does not translate to more useful areas, such as keeping up with the dish-washing, I do not know.

Will pass this along as soon as I get azuki's address, along with a couple of the bookmarks (I'm keeping one for myself). Thanks for sharing this!

Update: the book's on its way to azuki in Florida. Enjoy!

Journal Entry 21 by wingAzukiwing from Miami, Florida USA on Friday, November 10, 2006
Hi I received the book yesterday. I had no clue what was in the package when opening it. Boy, I didn't expect the "little" book to be so teeny!! The bookmark is bigger than it! I read some pages to my clean-freak husband (whom my mom kept saying she couldn't imagine how we get along) and he didn't find it least bit amusing. ha ha.

Journal Entry 22 by wingAzukiwing from Miami, Florida USA on Saturday, December 9, 2006
Yikes this book is scary. When I first got it, I leaved through a few pages and thought that this book, like heavy liquor, is best taken in little sips. So I placed it next to the phone, figuring that I can read bits and pieces when I am on hold or listening to a boring conversation. But this books knows what it is supposed to do. It defies to be read, followed me around the house, attracting a following of clutter everywhere.

Finally I realized how ridiculously long I have kept this teeny book with me, so I sat down and finished the rest of it so I can kick it out of my house! (which is not to say I didn't enjoy reading it)

Journal Entry 23 by vainilla79 from Pinto, Madrid Spain on Monday, December 18, 2006
I received it today, thank you very much!

Journal Entry 24 by veleta from Willesden, Greater London United Kingdom on Tuesday, December 19, 2006
00000

Journal Entry 25 by vainilla79 from Pinto, Madrid Spain on Sunday, February 18, 2007
I really enjoyed the book, actually it made me laugh, which I need:)
Now it is on its way to Cross-patch!! I posted it yesterday, sorry I couldn't before:(
Thank you Veleta for organising this bookring!:)

Journal Entry 26 by wingCross-patchwing from Leicester, Leicestershire United Kingdom on Wednesday, February 21, 2007
Arrived yesterday. Thank you very much.
I'm so ashamed! Every page, yes, every page scores a hit. Very funny.

Journal Entry 27 by Tregossip from St. Austell, Cornwall United Kingdom on Saturday, February 24, 2007
It's here and already raised a laugh
Anna Crosbie forgot the stairs. A wonderful place for leaving things to be taken up, leave them long enough and you'll need them sooner downstairs than if they'd managed to get to the right room.
Thanks for posting and sharing one and all
Off to Xanthe-pup next

Journal Entry 28 by veleta from Willesden, Greater London United Kingdom on Monday, March 12, 2007
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Journal Entry 29 by Tregossip at -- Controlled release in St. Austell, Cornwall United Kingdom on Tuesday, March 13, 2007

Released 17 yrs ago (3/15/2007 UTC) at -- Controlled release in St. Austell, Cornwall United Kingdom

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Off to Singapore and Toyjoy by air-mail

Journal Entry 30 by toyjoy on Sunday, April 15, 2007
Hi! I had just received the book, I will take a while to pass it on as I’m had several other books too. Hope you don’t mind!

Journal Entry 31 by toyjoy on Friday, January 25, 2008
Very interesting, I do have some of that habits. Ha ha, on its way to Norway...

Journal Entry 32 by wingLeishaCamdenwing from Alna bydel, Oslo fylke Norway on Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Yay, Feng Shite is here ... !! :-D Found the book in my mailbox when I got home from working overtime tonight. What a great little surprise. :-) Thanks for the cards & bookmarks, always fun when books travel in company. I've looked at the book a little already - I can tell I'm going to love it ... !!

Journal Entry 33 by veleta from Willesden, Greater London United Kingdom on Thursday, January 31, 2008
Updated list - see above


Journal Entry 34 by wingLeishaCamdenwing from Alna bydel, Oslo fylke Norway on Monday, February 11, 2008
I've read the book ... actually I brought it to a friend's house last weekend (February 2nd-3rd) and read it out loud to her ... and yesterday the book went with me to the BC meetup here in Oslo. :-) It got laughs all round, not surprisingly. :-)

I soo agree with constantweader - Crosbie must have been to my apartment! LOL! Actually, I'm trying to get a handle on my house mess, and this book I think can actually be helpful in that endeavor. Because there are things in here that do tend to highlight how mess arises and what you should NOT to if you don't want that kind of mess. Gasp!! Is this book in fact attempting to subliminally subvert us away from the very beliefs it claims to promulgate ... ??? :-o

A very entertaining book, in any case! I'll have to look through it and pick a few favorites to post here. Thank you for sharing, veleta! The book will travel soon ... I have another bookray which is going to Hippolein next, I'm reading it now and will send both when I've finished it.

Am really looking forward to seeing where this book will travel in the future ... ! :-D

Journal Entry 35 by wingLeishaCamdenwing from Alna bydel, Oslo fylke Norway on Monday, February 11, 2008
Some favorites ... :-)

CREATING BALANCE IN YOUR ENVIRONMENT
Use the top of the wardrobe to build a structurally challenged pile of things you might one day either throw away or store in the loft.

POT PLANTS
Kill them. Leave them in situ for six months before burial.

DISH MOUNTAIN
‘This needs soaking’ is a House Messing mantra. Use and abuse it.

COFFEE TABLES
Buy one with a lower shelf designed to display posh, oversized photographic books (Big Cats Close Up and New York Loft Architecture type of thing). Use the lower shelf to create an 8ft2 living sculpture called I Think My Lost Car Keys Are In There Somewhere.

FENG FRIDGE
Cover your fridge door with magnets, memos, alphabet sets, shopping lists, favourite greeting cards and cartoon strips. This will replace a clean, white empty surface with a random visual explosion – Feng Shite at its finest.

PENS
Never, EVER throw one out.

CUPBOARDS
Are not for storing things. They are for hiding things.

THE POWER OF PROCRASTINATION
Where possible, buy clothes that require hand washing. They will linger in your laundry for considerably longer than machine-washable items and take twice as long to dry.

I’M BORED OF THIS NOW
Constantly start new hobbies and quickly learn to dislike them. Their incomplete creations make a unique breed of House Mess.

IT MIGHT BE WORTH SOMETHING SOME DAY
Live in false hope that if you keep all your phone cards, postcards and cartoon character bubblebath bottles, they might one day be of value at some nondescript Collectibles Fair.

BUBBLE WRAP
Is an endangered species! Save all used bubble wrap regardless of how much you already have saved and how little space you have in which to store it.

Journal Entry 36 by wingLeishaCamdenwing from Alna bydel, Oslo fylke Norway on Monday, March 3, 2008
Just a heads up that I'm having trouble getting hold of hippolein, but have not given up yet ... :-) Although I don't think I have been affected by the recent troubles with PMs, there's no knowing for sure, so I'll keep trying a little while longer. :-)

Released 16 yrs ago (3/10/2008 UTC) at To the next participant in Bookring/Bookray, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- Canada

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This little gem is finally on its way to Hippolein in Finland. Better late than never. :-) I actually sent it off yesterday but forgot to journal it then. Happy travels, little book! It's travelling with another book.

Thank you for sharing, veleta and everyone!! :-)

Journal Entry 38 by winghippoleinwing from Helsinki, Uusimaa / Nyland Finland on Monday, March 17, 2008
Book arrived today in the mail, my wife started reading in it right away, as the last page looked so much like our flat ;-)

Looking very much forward to check this one out, then send it to the next person (is a VERY small book with lots of text...)

Journal Entry 39 by winghippoleinwing from Helsinki, Uusimaa / Nyland Finland on Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Loved this book a lot, wonder how the writer managed to get over to Helsinki and have a look at our flat ;-)
My wife liked it a lot too, she's still having a second look at the book to find the points that are not ok in our appartment ...

Going for a trip to the UK now ;-)

Journal Entry 40 by Midlifecrisis from St. Austell, Cornwall United Kingdom on Thursday, April 10, 2008
Received today. I have so far only had time to glance through it, but am wondering why I never thought to write it! I am clearly well qualified.

Journal Entry 41 by Midlifecrisis from St. Austell, Cornwall United Kingdom on Sunday, April 20, 2008
Absolutely wonderful! I particularly liked the hint about bin bags. I am pm'ing the next person for their address, meanwhile MAKING my daughter read it!!

Journal Entry 42 by Midlifecrisis from St. Austell, Cornwall United Kingdom on Monday, April 21, 2008
This was posted to the States today, along with a couple of other books KarmelK might be interested in. I am a bit strapped for cash, so sorry, had to send them surface mail, so hope they won't take too long.

Journal Entry 43 by KarmelK from Jerome, Michigan USA on Tuesday, April 29, 2008
I HAVE SEEN THE SHITE AND IT IS ME!!!

this cute slime green book came today in the mail from midlifecrisis in the UK. Thanks for passing it on, I think. It's not growing anything and it didn't stick to my fingers, so I'm sure I'll get it read quickly and sent on. Thanks for making this a BXing book ConstantWeader! And hey Veleta, this was a great idea for a ray.


Journal Entry 44 by KarmelK from Jerome, Michigan USA on Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Feng is still here with me. As is fitting for this messy book, things have gotten disorganized. I'm now on the list twice! LOL I'm waiting on veleta to find out what to do next.
Sorry veleta, I didn't know the list had changed as the changes were made by editing a journal entry instead of making a new one that would go out to everyone.

Journal Entry 45 by veleta from Willesden, Greater London United Kingdom on Wednesday, July 16, 2008
That's what I wanted to prevent (to interrupt the flow of the book) I've made some changes in the list. Would this be right with everybody?

Journal Entry 46 by Midlifecrisis from St. Austell, Cornwall United Kingdom on Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Sorry Veleta and anyone else involved - I don't understand what is happening or what I have done wrong?? Can someone enlighten me please??

Journal Entry 47 by Ktbean from Creston, British Columbia Canada on Saturday, August 9, 2008
Received today. My poor mail man had a stack for me. Three book boxes and two rings. Lots of reading to do.
What a cute little book. Totally fits in with my life style :P Thanks for organizing this ring!

Journal Entry 48 by Ktbean from Creston, British Columbia Canada on Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Loved this book. The only issue is that it is too small so it kept getting lost.
Found it and am sending it off sometime this week end.

Journal Entry 49 by wingMartin1960wing from Crawley, West Sussex United Kingdom on Monday, November 17, 2008
Just discovered I forgot to make a journal entry upon receipt of this book ---ooops. A fun little read, some of the ideas are ones I follow or at least have done in the past :-) Have pm'd the next person in line to move it on.

Journal Entry 50 by DSP from Leeds, West Yorkshire United Kingdom on Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Arrived in the post today. Looks fun ! Thanks Martin1960.

Journal Entry 51 by DSP from Leeds, West Yorkshire United Kingdom on Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Absolutely hilarious ! I intend to continue to live by these rules !

Journal Entry 52 by DSP from Leeds, West Yorkshire United Kingdom on Sunday, February 15, 2009
On its way to Daisy123 after no response from Crazylilfairy.
Sorry for the delay.

Journal Entry 53 by DSP at Bookring/Bookray, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- Canada on Sunday, February 15, 2009

Released 15 yrs ago (2/16/2009 UTC) at Bookring/Bookray, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- Canada

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Sending to the next participant. Hope you enjoy it !

Journal Entry 54 by daisyflower123 from Gütersloh, Nordrhein-Westfalen Germany on Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Cute little book. A fun read. I really have to make sure that my boyfriend doesn't get his hands on this one ;)

Journal Entry 55 by daisyflower123 from Gütersloh, Nordrhein-Westfalen Germany on Monday, April 6, 2009
On its way to the next bookcrosser.

Journal Entry 56 by chich from Ibiza - Sant Antoni de Portmany, Illes Balears/Islas Baleares Spain on Sunday, April 12, 2009
Image hosting by Photobucket I received this tiny little book yesterday, thanks so much for passing it on daisyflower123 and thanks for starting this ray veleta!

Happy easter everyone, don't eat too much chocolate;o)

Journal Entry 57 by chich from Ibiza - Sant Antoni de Portmany, Illes Balears/Islas Baleares Spain on Monday, April 20, 2009
What a fun little book! Thanks again for sharing veleta:o)

Journal Entry 58 by chich from Ibiza - Sant Antoni de Portmany, Illes Balears/Islas Baleares Spain on Monday, April 20, 2009
Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting
Book sent to voveryte today, enjoy!



Entry #24 for the 2009 Keep Them Moving Challenge

Journal Entry 59 by voveryte from -- Somewhere in London 🤷‍♀️ , Greater London United Kingdom on Friday, April 24, 2009
What a cute little book! Will read asap!

Journal Entry 60 by voveryte from -- Somewhere in London 🤷‍♀️ , Greater London United Kingdom on Monday, April 27, 2009
Great! I have read it in couple of hours, smiling most of the time, with occasional laughing out loud. :) I must admit some parts were really irrelevant to me and my flat, as I'm a kind of neat freak and throw away all unnecessary stuff and put all scribbled down numbers and notes to my notebook immediately. Though I liked the formula of unpacked suitcases after the holiday (that happens to me, true) or mantra "This needs soaking" because it really needs soaking most of the time! :) I don't have kids yet, and I guess when I do have, this would be more relevant! :)

Waiting for seethroughfaith's address so I could send the book.

30 April: seethroughfaith asked to be skipped, PMing hakkalina

Journal Entry 61 by hakkalina from Budapest, Pest Hungary on Monday, May 4, 2009
What a teeny-weeny cute book! I didn't think that its title - "A little book of House Messing" - refers to its size. I think it won't take me ages to read. :-D

The list of next readers can be found here: Forum Post
Or can read here to make easier the followers's situation:
Bookguide (The Netherlands)
eMeReS (The Netherlands)
Violetcumble (Australia)
Erishkigal (USA)
Moriquen (Belgium)
Bongalonga (UK)

Updtae: 2009.05.22.
Sorry I forgot to post it, and now I am ill, but at the end of the next week I will try to mail it. Thanks your patience.

Journal Entry 62 by hakkalina at Budapest, Pest Hungary on Monday, June 1, 2009

Released 14 yrs ago (6/2/2009 UTC) at Budapest, Pest Hungary

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Sorry about the delay.
It goes by airmail to The Netherlands.

Journal Entry 63 by bookguide from Wijchen, Gelderland Netherlands on Friday, June 5, 2009
Goodness gracious, this book arrived yesterday, in two days. Thank you Hakkalina. I hope you're feeling better. I shall read this and post it off as soon as possible before it disappears into the chaos. It's so tiny, that even if I put it on my ringbook shelf, it could easily get pushed to the back and disappear. And I wouldn't want it to get bullied by the bigger books.
Thank you for the small but perfectly formed bookmark and I'm sure my daughter will love the fairy stickers ;-)

Journal Entry 64 by bookguide from Wijchen, Gelderland Netherlands on Friday, June 12, 2009
The author has ignored the potential for mess which is created by:
(a) teenagers (otherwise known as fully automatic mess-creating units;
(b) BookCrossing. Just think of all those piles and banana boxes of books, notebooks to keep track of rings, envelopes and packing materials, stickers, labels, sticky tape, bookmarks and postcards to send on ;-)
(c) Gardening mess. Obviously you need to collect a complete set of seeds from the seed catalogue, so then you need to amass large numbers of empty toilet rolls, pots of various sizes, several different sorts of soil, fertilisers, etc. etc. etc. And naturally you never put everything away, but leave it at the front of the potting bench so you have to reach over to get the stuff at the back, usually knocking something over in the process.

I was disappointed not to learn any new techniques; it seems that I already practise at an advanced level of house messing (not really a surprise!). I particularly liked (and already implement):
Sheng Chi - This is good chi: a positive energy that flows in a meandering fashion. Make it by leaving your briefcase, sports bag, or whatever else is necessary on pertinent areas of the floor, so it obstructs the most direct walking routes between rooms. Meander past it. - Check!
Harmonizing your inner & outer spaces. Keep stale bread inside your bread bin, and fresh bread outside your bread bin. - Check!
And, of course, Feng Fridge. - Check!

Journal Entry 65 by bookguide at Bookring, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases on Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Released 14 yrs ago (7/28/2009 UTC) at Bookring, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases

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I now feel very virtuous to be in some (very small way) to be decluttering my house by sending this book on to eMeReS. Or, alternatively, in the spirit of Feng Shite, I should be regretting the space it creates!

This book has been released as part of the following BookCrossing challenges:
- Reduce Mount TBR (To Be Read) - read and release books on the TBR list since before Jan. 2009. My reading goal is 46 books.
- The Ultimate Challenge - read and release books, with extra points for a monthly theme
- Pages Read Challenge - read a self-set target number of pages in 2009. My goal is 25000.

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