Book description:
Do the things on your desk betray the thoughts on your mind? Does your dining room décor carry clues to your character? Award-winning psychologist Sam Gosling has dispatched teams of scientific investigators to poke around bedrooms and offices, check out iPods, and peek at personal websites—to see what can be learned about us simply from looking at our belongings. What he has discovered is intriguing: When it comes to the most essential components of our personality—from friendliness and flexibility to openness and originality—the things we own and the way we arrange them can say more about who we are than even our most intimate conversations.

Packed with original research and a wealth of fascinating stories, Snoop is a captivating guide to our not-so-secret selves, and reveals how intensely connected we are to the places in which we live and work.

“Gosling's work, reminiscent of Martha Stout's The Sociopath Next Door in its vivid, true-to-life portraits of people and places, is a unique blend of scholarly research and accessible vignettes. Expect future books from this young scholar, whose storytelling skills prove he's capable of bridging the gap between ivory-tower dwellers and street denizens.”–Library Journal, starred review


“Gosling, a psychology professor, shows us how the bits and pieces of our everyday lives can reveal more than we ever imagined. Did you know that the stuff you keep on your desk can tell a shrewd observer not just your likes and dislikes, but also your political leanings, your sexual interests, your fears, even your secret self-image (as opposed to the version of yourself you present to the world)?”–Booklist


“The basic premise behind "Snoop" is that you can tell an awful lot about a person based on their apartment; their work space; their favorite music; their style of dress - even their trash. (Gosling approvingly quotes Ward Harrison, a professional scavenger who made a career rummaging through the trash of celebs, who once said, "Garbage is a window into the soul.") This thesis puts "Snoop" firmly in "Blink" or "Freakonomics" territory.”–New York Post


“Gosling’s entertaining and very informative guide to personality and social research should be an occasion of joy for teachers.”—The Journal of Social Psychology

I am torn about this book. I found some sections very interesting. I was disappointed that so much focus was spent on The Big Five personality system, though from a structural point of view, I can see why the author did this. I just was never all that interested in that aspect. I did like learning the workings of the author's approach when he was investigating a space. I was also fascinated to learn the things that we attribute to certain characteristics that really have no bearing and those that actually do.

Offered in the March nonfiction swap on Bookobsessed.com.

Got this in the mail yesterday. Thanks Ri!

Unfortunately I couldn't get in to this book. I read about 50 pages and then decided to give up for a couple of reasons. First, at 50 pages I already felt that the author was repeating himself. Second, it felt like I was reading a text book at times, with all the graphics and psychological descriptions. Finally, this book put me to sleep on the train multiple times and that generally means I need to find something new to read!

I already have a future home in mind for this.

Mailed to my birthday partner today.

Thanks - excellent Birthday gift!!