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15 Best Books on Minimalism and Simple Living (Must Read)

by James Brown | Last Updated: May 23, 2022

Are you looking for a way to simplify your life?

If you’re like most people, the answer is yes.

And one of the best ways to simplify your life is by adopting a minimalist lifestyle.

Minimalism is all about getting rid of the things that don’t matter and focusing on what’s important.

If you’re interested in learning more about minimalism, check out these 15 books!

These books will teach you everything you need to know about living a minimalist lifestyle.

You’ll learn how to declutter your home, get rid of distractions, and live a happier and more productive life.

Purchase one or more of these books today and declutter your mind; make things simple!

Best Books on Minimalism and Simple Living

Best Books on Minimalism and Simple Living

I’m so excited to share my favorite book on minimalism with you all today! 

It’s number one on the list, and I think it might just change your life too.

1. The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing by Marie Kondo

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In December 2015, I purchased this book, and my life has not been the same since!

I read it from cover to cover in one sitting and immediately began decluttering my home.

This book is truly magical, and it will change the way you think about your belongings.

Marie Kondo’s book is a great starting point for anyone interested in learning about minimalism and simple living.

With the KonMari method, you will declutter your home in no time and feel happier than ever before.

The KonMari method is an easy and effective way to get rid of all the unnecessary clutter in your life.

Does it Spark Joy? is a question you will begin to ask yourself about everything in your home, and this is what Marie focuses on.

You will be amazed at how much stuff you own that does not Spark Joy and how much better you will feel once it is gone.

I cannot recommend this book enough!

It is life-changing and will help you declutter your home once and for all.

2. The Minimalist Home: A Room-by-Room Guide to a Decluttered, Refocused Life by Joshua Becker

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This book is a room-by-room guide to decluttering and refocusing your life.

Joshua Becker walks you through each house room and provides tips and tricks for decluttering.

He also helps you focus on what is essential in your life and how to let go of the things holding you back.

Joshua’s philosophy is that less is more and that by decluttering your home, you can declutter your life.

I found this book to be beneficial and insightful.

Joshua Becker has a lot of wisdom to share, and I would recommend this book to anyone looking to declutter their home or their life.

If you’re anything like me, you might be feeling a bit overwhelmed by all the stuff in your life.

You might feel like you’re constantly cleaning and organizing, but it never seems to make a dent.

If that’s how you’re feeling, I will encourage you to read The Minimalist Home.

3. Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less by Greg McKeown

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I was flipping through the pages of this book, and I could not put it down. It was so engaging, witty, and informative. The author had me hooked from beginning to end.

As I read, I learned about the importance of essentialism – the disciplined pursuit of less.

According to the author, when we focus on what’s essential, we can create more value in our lives and work.

This book showed me how to simplify my life by getting rid of distractions and pursuing only what’s essential. It was a great read, and I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for ways to simplify their lives.

It offers strategies for reducing stress and chaos by identifying and pursuing what is truly important.

The author, Greg McKeown, is a CEO who struggled with this concept himself before discovering its benefits.

He shares his own story and others who have adopted the essentialism mindset.

The mental fog and anxiety that come from trying to do too many things at once are lifted when we focus on what is truly essential.

This book is a helpful guide for anyone who feels overwhelmed by the demands of life and work.

It can help you identify your priorities and let go of the rest.

Greg McKeown’s Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less is a book about learning to focus on the essential things in life and letting go of the rest.

It offers strategies for reducing stress and chaos by identifying and pursuing what is truly important.

If you’re like me, you are constantly trying to do too many things at once and feeling overwhelmed.

This book was a game-changer for me.

It helped me focus on what is truly important and let go of the rest.

I highly recommend it!

4. The More of Less: Finding the Life You Want Under Everything You Own by Joshua Becker

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Life is simple, and you should be simplified, too- that’s the message Joshua Becker tries to impart in his book, The More of Less.

As a minimalist, he believes that living with less can lead to a more fulfilling life.

While I don’t think I could ever be as minimalist as Joshua Becker (I love my clothes and shoes too much), I appreciate the sentiment.

I think we could all do with a little decluttering in our lives, whether it’s getting rid of material possessions or simply letting go of mental clutter.

Don’t allow others to lie to you and tell you that more is better.

The More of Less is an easy and quick read, but it will leave a lasting impression.

It would help if you learned how to gather the essential things in your life and let go of the rest.

I recommend this book to anyone who feels like they could do with simplifying their life– even if it’s just a little bit.

5. The Joy of Less, A Minimalist Living Guide: How to Declutter, Organize, and Simplify Your Life by Francine Jay

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Why did I purchase this book?

I read this book to get rid of my unnecessary things and learn how to live a more minimalist lifestyle.

I learned that our society tells us that we need to consume more, and that is why we are in a cycle of buying things we don’t need.

This book has helped me break out of that cycle, and I can now focus on what is important to me.

The key to happiness is not having more but enjoying what we have.

One of the things I love about this book is that it doesn’t tell you to get rid of everything you own.

Instead, it helps you declutter your space and your life to focus on what is important to you.

The Joy of Less is divided into four parts:

Part One: Inspirational pep talk on the joys of minimalism and rewards of paring down.

Part Two: The Streamline method guide with ten easy steps to avoid clutter.

Part Three: (Room by Room), the outlining specific on the way to tackle each room.

Part Four: Get your family into the new environment and live gracefully on the earth and more lightly.

6. 12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos by Jordan B. Peterson

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Jordan B. Peterson’s 12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos has quickly become a bestseller thanks to its simple yet profound advice.

Rule number one is “stand up straight with your shoulders back.

Peterson argues that our posture reflects our mental state, and by standing up straight, we can trick our brains into feeling more confident.

He also suggests that we take responsibility for our own lives and not try to blame others for our misfortunes.

Rule number three is “Make friends with people who want the best for you.

We should surround ourselves with positive people who will support us rather than negative people who will bring us down.

Finally, Peterson advises us to “set your house in order before you criticizing the world.”

In other words, we should focus on improving ourselves before trying to change the world.

These are just a few of the powerful insights contained in 12 Rules for Life, which will lead readers on a journey of self-discovery.

7- The Art of Simple Living: 100 Daily Practices from a Japanese Zen Monk for a Calmer, Happier Life by Shunmyo Masuno

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I recently read The Art of Simple Living by Shunmyo Masuno, and it was one of the most eye-opening and valuable books I’ve ever read.

The book is about Masuno’s experiences as a Japanese Zen monk and how he has applied the principles of Zen to his daily life.

One of the things that I found most interesting is how Masuno views work.

For him, work is not just about earning money or getting things done. Instead, he sees work as an opportunity to improve oneself and contribute to society.

This attitude is something that I want to adopt in my own life.

Another thing that I learned from the book is the importance of taking time for yourself.

Masuno advocates taking time each day to do something you enjoy without stress or pressure.

This can be as simple as reading a book, taking a walk, or meditating.

I think this is excellent advice, and I’m going to incorporate it into my own life in the future.

Overall, The Art of Simple Living is a highly insightful and practical book, and I would highly recommend it to anyone interested in taking a more mindful approach to life.

8. The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment by Eckhart Tolle

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I enjoyed reading the book “The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment by Eckhart Tolle” because it was informative and exciting.

It showed me that there is more to life than just the materialistic things we see in the world.

There is a deeper meaning and purpose to life, and this book helped me understand that.

It also opened my eyes to the present moment and how important it is to live in the present instead of dwelling on the past or worrying about the future.

This book was an eye-opener for me, and I would recommend it to anyone looking for a deeper understanding of life.

9. The Paradox of Choice: Why More Is Less by Barry Schwartz

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In the book The Paradox of Choice: Why More Is Less, Barry Schwartz makes a compelling case that the abundance of choices we have in today’s world leads to increased levels of anxiety and dissatisfaction.

Schwartz argues that this “tyranny of choice” results from our culture’s emphasis on individualism and self-reliance.

We are bombarded with messages telling us that we should be striving for perfection in every area of our lives and have the power to control our destiny.

This pressure can be overwhelming, leading us to believe that we are constantly falling short.

Schwartz provides convincing evidence that achieving happiness is not by striving for more choices but by learning to appreciate the options we already have.

This book was eye-opening for me and has changed how I think about goal-setting and decision-making.

I now approach choices with a more realistic mindset and am more accepting of imperfection.

I would recommend this book to anyone who feels like they are struggling to keep up with the demands of modern life.

Thanks, Barry Schwartz!

10. You Can Buy Happiness (and It’s Cheap): How One Woman Radically Simplified Her Life and How You Can Too by Tammy Strobel

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We have all heard the saying, “money doesn’t buy happiness.”

But is that true?

Can having money make you happier?

It’s no secret that money can’t buy you, love.

But it can sure buy you a lot of other things.

And research shows that, up to a point, those other things can make you happy.

For example, studies have shown that people who live in poverty are more likely to experience negative emotions like sadness and anger.

And people who have more money are more likely to report feeling positive emotions like happiness and contentment.

So it stands to reason that if you want to be happy, it won’t hurt to have a little extra money in your pocket.

Of course, there are limits to how much money can buy happiness.

Once your basic needs are met, additional income doesn’t make much of a difference.

And in some cases, having too much money can lead to problems like anxiety and depression.

So it’s essential to strike a balance between materialism and idealism.

Those who believe money doesn’t bring happiness probably don’t know what to do.

11. Present Over Perfect: Leaving Behind Frantic for a Simpler, More Soulful Way of Living by Shauna Niequist, Brene Brown

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It was 8 am on a Sunday, and I was lying in bed, scrolling through Instagram.

As I scrolled through my feed, I saw post after post of people living their best lives.

They were all on exotic vacations, at beautiful weddings, or spending time with their perfect families.

I felt a sense of envy wash over me and quickly closed Instagram.

I struggled with envy for a while, and I knew it wasn’t healthy.

I decided that it was time to do something about it.

I picked up my copy of “Present Over Perfect” by Shauna Niequist and began reading.

Shauna’s book taught me that envy is created when comparing our imperfect lives to perfect lives!

There’s no such thing as a perfect life or a perfect person.

We’re all flawed, and that’s what makes us interesting.

If we were all perfect, we’d be boring.

Life is messy and complicated, and that’s what makes it beautiful.

Embrace your imperfections and learn to love yourself, warts and all.

Only then will you be able to find true happiness.

Of course, that’s not to say that you shouldn’t strive for excellence.

We should all aim to be the best versions of ourselves.

But perfection is an unattainable goal, and chasing it will only lead to disappointment. So go out into the world and live your life to the fullest.

Be kind, be brave, be yourself. 

And don’t worry about being perfect – it’s overrated anyway.

12. The Power of Less: The Fine Art of Limiting Yourself to the Essential in Business and Life by Leo Babauta

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When Leo Babauta published his book, “The Power of Less: The Fine Art of Limiting Yourself to the Essential…in Business and in Life,” it quickly became a best seller.

The book’s premise is that you can focus on what’s important and achieve more success by simplifying your life.

Many people were skeptical of this approach at first, but after reading the book and trying its techniques, they found that it worked for them.

They could reduce their stress levels, improve their productivity, and achieve more happiness in their lives.

Since then, Leo’s philosophy has caught on around the world, and many people are now using the power of less to improve their lives.

We are under constant pressure to achieve more, learn more, and do more in today’s society.

As a result, many have become knowledge hoarders and goal hoarders.

We take pride in being able to multitask, but in reality, this just increases our stress levels.

We need to learn how to declutter our lives, bodies, and minds and rearrange our priorities.

This book will show you how to cut down the number of goals you have and make it easier for you to achieve them.

It will also help you reduce the amount of clutter in your life and make it simpler and more manageable.

By following the advice in this book, you will be able to declutter your life and achieve your goals with less stress and more ease.

13. A Simplified Life: Tactical Tools for Intentional Living by Emily Ley

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As I sit here, flipping through Emily Ley’s new book, A Simplified Life: Tactical Tools for Intentional Living, I can’t help but feel inspired.

The woman has style and grace, both inside and out.

And her story?

It’s sure to engage and inspire readers everywhere.

You see, Emily didn’t always have it all together.

She spent years working herself to the bone in a high-pressure job in New York City.

Her life was anything but simple or intentional.

But then something changed.

She became a mom, and suddenly she realized that she wanted more for herself and her family.

So she made a significant change; she simplified her life.

It is a sad but actual fact that many people only start living when faced with death.

It is as if we need a reminder that life is fragile and should not be taken for granted.

While it is perfectly natural to reflect on our lives when confronted with our mortality, it seems like a wasted opportunity to wait until disaster strikes to start living.

After all, life is the greatest gift we will ever receive, and we should cherish it while we can.

One way to start feeling more alive is to simplify your life.

Too often, we become bogged down by the unnecessary clutter in our lives, which can lead to feelings of unhappiness and discontentment.

By learning to live with less, we can free up time and energy to pursue the things that truly matter to us. We can also use this opportunity to connect with others and build relationships based on love and mutual respect.

So let us not wait until it is too late to start living.

Now is the time to enjoy all that life has to offer.

Now is the time to use our talents and skills to their fullest potential.

Now is the time to discover the joy of intentional living.

It is never too late to start feeling alive – let Emily Ley’s A Simplified Life show you how!

14. Meet the Frugalwoods: Achieving Financial Independence Through Simple Living by Elizabeth Willard Thames

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You’re probably wondering why you should read this book.

Aren’t there enough finance books out there already?

Why does this one need to be added to the mix?

Let me explain.

This book is different because it’s written by Elizabeth Willard Thames, a woman who achieved financial independence at the young age of 30.

And she did it through simple living!

In these pages, she shares her story and offers helpful tips on how you can achieve the same thing.

The word frugal has taken on a bit of a negative connotation.

When we think of a frugal person, we tend to imagine seniors, as if discovering how to live a simple life is something that’s bound by your age.

However, the truth is that learning to be more frugal can be beneficial at any stage of life.

For one thing, it can help you to save money and reduce your environmental impact.

But more importantly, it can help you to free up your time and energy to focus on the things that are truly important to you.

So what does it mean to be frugal?

Essentially, it means living with less stuff.

It means decluttering your home and getting rid of anything that doesn’t bring you joy.

It means learning to cook simple meals from scratch rather than relying on processed food.

And it means finding ways to enjoy your hobbies without spending a lot of money.

Of course, living a more frugal lifestyle isn’t always easy.

It requires some effort and discipline.

But if you’re willing to make an effort, it can be advantageous.

Not only will you save money, but you’ll also find yourself with more time and energy to pursue your passions.

And that, ultimately, is what life is all about.

If you’re interested in learning more about frugal living, I recommend reading Meet the Frugalwoods by Elizabeth Willard Thames.

In it, she shares her own story of how she could achieve financial independence through simple.

15. Minimalism: Live a Meaningful Life by Joshua Fields Millburn, Ryan Nicodemus

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You’ve probably heard of the minimalist movement.

Maybe you’ve even watched a few YouTube videos on the topic.

But what does it mean to live a minimalist lifestyle?

For Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus, two guys who turned their lives upside down after realizing they were living far beyond their means, minimalism is about much more than just getting rid of your stuff.

It’s about living a meaningful life with fewer distractions and more focus on what’s truly important.

We all want to lead meaningful lives, but sometimes it can be hard to figure out where to start.

If you’re feeling lost, this book is here to help.

You’ll learn how to improve your health, relationships, and overall sense of purpose.

You’ll also find out how to declutter your mind and your home so that you can focus on the things that matter.

So what are you waiting for?

Pick up a copy today and start living the life you’ve always wanted.

Final Words

In final, what is your favorite minimalism book?

what is your favorite minimalism book?

let me know in comment section below!

There are so many minimalism books on the market that it can be hard to know which one is right for you.