Kyle MacDonald had a paperclip. One red paperclip, a dream, and a resume to write. And bills to pay. Oh, and a very patient girlfriend who was payi...
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reviews
May 20, 2008
Elizabeth
rated it: 
What a sweet little book! The writing style is a bit clumsy (which at first I attributed to that I started reading it from page 130, finished it and then started again at the beginning, but it's actually just awkward writing) but when I read it as a long, chatty email, I didn't really care. My tiny mind is warmed by how excited people get about each other doing cool things. I'm not going to say the story is "inspiring," but it's very affirming, and reminds you that people actually
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Aug 31, 2011
Dana
rated it:
Kyle MacDonald is an unemployed slacker. He realizes he is sponging off his girlfriend and decides to trade a red paper clip eventually for a house. The idea is to trade bigger and better. His first trade is a paper clip for a fish pen; his last a movie role for a house.
The writing in this book is atrocious with many repetitive sentences seemingly to fill up space. Also Kyle writes what he considers hilarious events which for this reader fell dead. Although the trades were interesting More...
The writing in this book is atrocious with many repetitive sentences seemingly to fill up space. Also Kyle writes what he considers hilarious events which for this reader fell dead. Although the trades were interesting More...
Jul 09, 2009
Beth
rated it:
I read this book about a year ago. It's about a young guy from Canada who started with a red paperclip and traded his way up to a house. Kyle MacDonald was mostly unemployed and living with his girlfriend. He felt guilty about having his girlfriend pay most of the bills, but wasn't sure what he wanted to do with his life. He hatched the idea of trying to play the game "Bigger or Better," where you keep trading items with people, to get a house. He started a website on this topic.
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Aug 10, 2010
Skyring
rated it:
A bit of fun. One of those internet things that take on a life of their own, fed by obsessive folk, not least the author, who discovered another use for one red paperclip right at the end of the book.
Some philosophical observations at the end of each chapter, most of which I skipt, but overall, it's pretty much a textbook on how to become an internet sensation. Nowadays, he'd use Twitter and Facebook and Youtube and the process would probably take a month instead of a year.
Th More...
Some philosophical observations at the end of each chapter, most of which I skipt, but overall, it's pretty much a textbook on how to become an internet sensation. Nowadays, he'd use Twitter and Facebook and Youtube and the process would probably take a month instead of a year.
Th More...
Aug 13, 2008
Danielle
rated it: 
What a great book! A funny, fast read just perfect for a long flight. There are plenty of lessons to learn, too. After all, it's all about the journey. Next time you're faced with a big decision, ask yourself: What would you do if you weren't afraid?
I'm afraid I may have to read this book again!
I'm afraid I may have to read this book again!
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Sep 23, 2007
Trin
rated it: 
That guy who traded up from a red paperclip to a house in Saskatchewan tells his story. Unfortunately, he doesn't tell it particularly well. It's a great story, don't get me wrong, but MacDonald's style...I don't want to call it too "bloggy," as there are a lot of well-written blogs out there. But I could understand someone leveling that criticism, because MacDonald's writing, whether the product of blogging or not, is unfocused, not terribly descriptive—none of the places he visits ev
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Jun 03, 2008
Samilja
rated it:
Oh, how I thought I'd love this book. Twenty-something embarks upon a quest to trade for a house. A house! Starting with a paper clip. A paper clip! And the story is very interesting. But oh, the writing! Glib, ironic, oh-so-clever and witty! Way over the top. A lot like this paragraph. I seriously considered throwing in the towel about 1/3 of the way in.
Luckily, as the story improves with each bigger & better trade, so does the writing. To be fair, our author Kyle was, at the time, More...
Luckily, as the story improves with each bigger & better trade, so does the writing. To be fair, our author Kyle was, at the time, More...
May 11, 2009
Janet
rated it:
It takes a special kind of person to look at a red paperclip and think “house.” And Kyle is definitely that kind of person. His book chatters to the reader at full speed, screeches to sudden stops (sometimes in the middle of a thought), and spins off in new directions seemingly at random. Just imagine a grade schooler hyped up on sugar and you’ll get the idea. It’s a friendly, quick and somewhat schizophrenic read that, if you don’t let it get too distracted, is most enjoyable.
Aug 18, 2009
Elizabeth
rated it:
Book #1 for week "one", this is the story of a guy who made 14 trades in a year to get from a paperclip to a house. The writing was well done and the story is quite interesting and often funny. At the end of every chapter (trade) are a couple of "motivational quotes" which are silly, but short, and therefore survivable.
I would never have read this book if it weren't for my silly idea to read books with numbers in the title, but I'm glad that I did.
I would never have read this book if it weren't for my silly idea to read books with numbers in the title, but I'm glad that I did.
Jul 31, 2011
Connie
rated it: 
Obviously the work of a first-timer, so don't expect emotion and the like. Though it starts off slowly, MacDonald narrates with what seems like honesty and the pace picks up as the trades are wonderful in themselves. Surprisingly addictive, and done in one day! The photos are very helpful in setting the scene. A very sweet story and a sweet ending. 2 stars for a writer, but 3 for MacDonald for the effort in transporting what really happened with little romanticism.
Jan 06, 2009
Tracey
rated it: 
Enjoyed it but I could have found out the story from a long article. Very padded out. Very repetitive. He tells you something at least three times in three different ways just to make sure you've got it and that is in the same paragraph. The tips at he nd of the chapters don't mean anything and I didn't even bother reading them after the first couple. I'm sure that if I met Kyle Macdonald he would definitely say 'Dude' !
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Mar 01, 2010
Hayley
rated it:
I was really looking forward to reading this book; it seemed like it would be a great read - a guy who trades from a paperclip to a house should have the makings of a great book. Unfortunately, although MacDonald has a brilliant story to tell, he just doesn't tell it well. I only kept reading because I was intrigued to know what he traded in between the paperclip and the house, and how ultimately he got the house. His writing style was irritating and I almost gave up at times. Nevert More...
May 01, 2011
Jassanja
rated it:
I think I would have loved the story about how a guy managed to change stuff until he made a paper-clip into a house way more if he would have done this without the major help of the media.
Things like that just get easier once you got the publicity - But then I think the best part is the one that involves Alice Cooper
Things like that just get easier once you got the publicity - But then I think the best part is the one that involves Alice Cooper
Jun 12, 2010
Cathy
rated it:
This is a lazy Sunday afternoon read that will teach you that an item is only worth whatever somebody is willing to give you for it, but if you don't get in there and trade away your "one red paperclip," then nothing is going to happen except that you still have "one red paperclip."
I am willing to trade this book for. . .?
I am willing to trade this book for. . .?
Sep 09, 2009
Matt
rated it:
An entertaining easy read about a guy who makes a series of trades to go from a paper clip up to a house. I didn't like the motivational bullet points at the end of each chapter - I'm guessing the publisher asked for these, and frankly they weren't necessary - however, it's a fun book for a commute or when travelling.
Dec 02, 2008
carlie
rated it:
I love the book, I love the cover, I love the message.
This is an entertaining one day read that I absolutely could not put down. The author's sense of humor is spot on and his novelty is refreshing, as he trades one red paperclip for something a little bit better, then that for something a little bit better...
This is an entertaining one day read that I absolutely could not put down. The author's sense of humor is spot on and his novelty is refreshing, as he trades one red paperclip for something a little bit better, then that for something a little bit better...
Jan 16, 2011
Geweldig leuk boek over een jongen uit Montreal die net zo lang spullen ruilt totdat hij van een paperclip een huis heeft gemaakt. Niet erg goed geschreven, maar ik vond het wel zo boeiend dat ik het binnen twee dagen uit had. (Er is trouwens ook een Nederlandse versie van.)
Jan 22, 2008
Stephanie
rated it:
This was a good, light, quick read and a lesson on how resourcefulness can merge with motivation (or procrastination, depending on how you look at it). I felt more like I was reading emails from a funny twenty-or-thirty-something friend than a book. I think it will appeal most to those who either know what Craigslist is, have ever had to live on the cheap, or have ever wanted to skip out on their job to do something more interesting that they don't otherwise have time to do. The author gives
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Dec 21, 2008
Gina
rated it:
This is a book about a great idea - trading up from a red paperclip to eventually trading in a house. The book is really all about the idea and his real life journey, than any kind of writing.
It's a quick read, and at times quite heart-warming.
It's a quick read, and at times quite heart-warming.
Aug 01, 2011
Calyn
rated it:
We can live passionately.What we need is the courage to dream, determination to stay positive and people who will encourage us along the way. We just need to remember how Kyle have done it. Kyle writing style is funny and funtastic
Apr 23, 2011
Frank
rated it:
Neat idea. Would be a good book for young adults as it is also peppered with corny inspirational sayings.
I mostly just skimmed through the book, but MacDonald had a nice light tone and was moderately humorous.
I mostly just skimmed through the book, but MacDonald had a nice light tone and was moderately humorous.
Jun 18, 2009
Sarah
rated it:
My friend Jenny gave me this book while we were in Ireland. I read it on my flight from Dublin back home to NM. A very quick read (if you have nothing better while you're sitting on a plane!)...and a cute story.
Dec 10, 2011
Paul
rated it:
The book starts off letting you know the basic premise (Guy has paperclip, wants something else, trades to get it), but the real story is about the people he meets, the adventure he has and the goal he is striving to reach. I can't discuss much more without ruining the ending for anyone who wishes to read it. All I can say is you really should give this a go, and it's perfect for the person who only reads a chapter at a time since most of the chapters are fairly self-contained stories. Do give i
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Jan 18, 2009
Andre
rated it:
An interesting true story about a guy who trades a paperclip for lots of things and eventually gets to a house. It was a bit silly at some points and it would be very hard to do again.
Sep 25, 2007
Bill
rated it:
Canadian slacker decides he'd rather play Bigger and Better (a game where you start with a small object and trade for progressively better things) than look for a job. He starts with a paperclip, and over a dozen or so trades, winds up with a house, and becomes an internet celebrity along the way. I think the synopsis of the story is more interesting than the actual telling, but maybe that's just me. I could have completely done without the bogus, high-school-motivational-speaker-esque affirm
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Aug 06, 2011
Jenni
rated it:
Loved - great story about how people and the journey is what it's all about. Enjoyed the casual writing style and yeha to Kyle!
Jan 03, 2011
Robin
rated it:
An amazing storry that really inspired me to believe that any dream can come true if you don't give up and just work on it!
Nov 10, 2009
Zachary
rated it:
the story is interesting, but i can not stand the writing style of that guy. he makes bad jokes and explains way too much.
Dec 31, 2011
Sarah
rated it:
Loved it. Much in the the vein of a Danny Wallace of Dave Gorman book. Nice feel good reading.
