Inside: Read about 10+ popular books that will inspire simple living and minimalism. This is my list of my 10 favorite books for choosing simplicity. These are popular books about living simply that I have read and enjoyed. These are the best books about minimalism and simplifying life this year.
When I first started learning about simple living and minimalism I devoured books and articles on the subject. I knew I liked to be organized but what I didn’t know was that my life could actually be easier by living a simpler and more minimal lifestyle. I read both long and short books and was able to glean new information from most of the books I read.
When I began my simple living journey I had no idea what books to read. I ended up buying (read: spending money on…ouch) and reading books that were just not that helpful. I hope that by sharing 10 of my favorite books that will help you simplify your life below you at least have a place to start.
This list is not by any means comprehensive of all the books out there on simple living and minimalism. This list merely includes some of the books that I have actually read and enjoyed.
These books inspire living with less and removing the excess from your home.
I hope you are able to find some new books on this list!
10 BOOKS THAT WILL INSPIRE SIMPLE LIVING
Simplify: 7 Guiding Principles to Help Anyone Declutter Their Home and Life
by: Joshua Becker
From Amazon: Simplify is a celebration of living more by owning less. Written by Joshua Becker, who inspires hundreds of thousands of people on his personal blog, this is a book that calls for the end of living lives seeking and accumulating more and more possessions by highlighting the enjoyment of living with less.
minimalism: live a meaningful life
by: The Minimalists
From Amazon: In their debut book, Joshua & Ryan, authors of the popular website TheMinimalists.com, explore their troubled pasts and descent into depression…After a pair of life-changing events, Joshua & Ryan discovered minimalism, allowing them to eliminate their excess material things so they could focus on life’s most important “things”: health, relationships, passion, growth, and contribution.
The Nesting Place: It Doesn’t Have to Be Perfect to Be Beautiful
By: Myquillin Smith
From Amazon: Perfection is overrated.
Popular blogger and self-taught decorator Myquillyn Smith (The Nester) is all about embracing reality―especially when it comes to decorating a home bursting with boys, pets, and all the unpredictable messes of life.
By: Rachel Jones
From Amazon: Discover how to simplify the every area of holiday prep and planning so you can cut back on all the time and energy spent on shopping, wrapping, giving and receiving gifts. You’ll be able to write out a game plan, get your gifts prepared and sitting under the tree, so you can spend the days leading up to the holidays with people you love.
Present Over Perfect: Leaving Behind Frantic for a Simpler, More Soulful Way of Living
By: Shauna Niequist
From Amazon: Written in Shauna’s warm and vulnerable style, this collection of essays focuses on the most important transformation in her life, and maybe yours too: leaving behind busyness and frantic living and rediscovering the person you were made to be.
Freed from Clutter: Organizing Your Home in 30 Days
By: Becky Mansfield
From Amazon: This book is filled with tips for how to declutter and organize each room and area in your home (bathrooms, bedrooms, garage, pantry, kitchen, cabinets, drawers… even how to keep your papers and mail from taking over your countertops, etc…)
>> There is also an e-course companion to this book! The digital version of the book actually comes free when you sign up for the e-course. Check it out here!
Grace, Not Perfection: Embracing Simplicity, Celebrating Joy
By: Emily Ley
From Amazon: Have you been told you can have it all, only to end up exhausted and occasionally out of sorts with the people you love? … Learn to live a little more simply. Hold yourself and those you love to a more life-giving standard in Grace Not Perfection,and allow that grace to seep into your days, your family, and your heart.
The Cozy Life: Rediscover the Joy of the Simple Things Through the Danish Concept of Hygge
By: Pia Edberg
From Amazon: This book will inspire you to slow down and enjoy life’s cozy moments! Learn about the Danish cultural phenomenon of Hygge, and the secret to why Denmark is consistently rated the happiest country in the world. Embrace the little things and take simplicity and minimalism up a notch.
The More of Less: Finding the Life You Want Under Everything You Own
By: Joshua Becker
From Amazon: The More of Less delivers an empowering plan for living more by owning less. With practical suggestions and encouragement to personalize your own minimalist style, Joshua Becker shows you why minimizing possessions is the best way to maximize life.
Mindspace: 10 Practices To Help You Let Go Of Mental Clutter And Make Room For More Joyful, Creative Living
By: Melissa Camara Wilkins
From the product page: It starts as soon as you wake up, some days: the mental chatter, the never-ending to-do list to keep track of, the digital distractions. The comparisons, the fears and frustrations, the little voice whispering that you need to keep up.
>> Note: Do you want to read the digital book but don’t have a Kindle? Now you can download the FREE kindle reading app to enjoy the digital books on your computer or other tablet device! <— This is what I do! Click the banner below to learn more!
>> You can also try Audible and get two FREE Audiobooks! Click the banner below to learn more!
FOLLOW ME ON PINTEREST
For more books on this topic, follow my Pinterest board, Books on Simplicity and Minimalism. I am always pinning new books there! Several other bloggers have done similar roundup posts of their favorite books on simplicity and minimalism. Therefore, when I come across these posts I try to pin them there as well!
WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE BOOKS ON SIMPLE LIVING AND MINIMALISM?
There are many more books out there and I am always adding to my TBR list. As I come across any that I love I will be sure to share with you!
Right now I know I want to read Unstuffed: Decluttering Your Home, Mind and Soul by Ruth Soukup, Everything That Remains: a Memoir by The Minimalists, and Chasing Slow: Courage to Journey Off the Beaten Path by Erin Loechner.
Ok, your turn – what are your favorite books about decluttering and simplifying life?
*Some of these links are affiliate links.
Photos by Aga Putra and Hope House Press on Unsplash.
I read the KonMari Method book (can’t remember the exact title… something like “the life changing magic of tidying up) and it was a total game changer! I devoured that book and it’s second “Spark Joy”. I read and researched A LOT about minimalism and even had read some things about KonMari method. Reading the book was so much better and gave a different perspective on the whole decluttering phenomenon.
Yes, the Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up! That is a great book with a ton of tips on decluttering. I have not read Spark Joy yet but it’s on my list to read! Decluttering seems like such a simple thing to do, but I find having a game plan or at least a few tips to try really helps me to follow through. Thanks for stopping by!
This is awesome. We are building a house and will be moving in the spring. My husband and I are using it as a good excuse to purge and live more minimally!! I followed your board (all of your boards actually) and will definately look into these books soon!
Hi Stephanie! Thanks for following on Pinterest! We just moved over the summer and it definitely helped us purge! It’s so easy to get complacent with what you have. It’s definitely a lot of work to declutter! Good luck with the move!
I have been SO interested in learning more about minimalism!! So happy you shared these books, definitely going on my reading list!!!
Hi Monica! I hope you enjoy some new books! They have really helped me. 🙂
I need some organization in my house and I am planning to read a book or two from your list. It’s just not easy to be organized all the time especially if you have a kid who loves to make messes. Thank you for sharing these great books!
Hi Claire, I can totally relate! I feel like some days I’m just following a tornado around picking up all the toys and stuff my kiddos leave behind. 🙂 It can be frustrating! When I feel this way I tend to remove a lot of the toys and we are all much happier. Hope you find some new books to check out!
What a great post. I am actively trying to keep my home and life simpler these days! There were several books that were intriguing. Simplify the holidays and It does not have to be Perfect to be Beautiful are going on my list!
Hi Sarah, thank you! I hope you enjoy!
Thank you for this list! I am by no means a minimalist, but I would like to declutter my life and learn to live with less. There are so many books and articles out there, I don’t know where to start! This is a big help.
Hi Erin, I don’t think you necessary need to be a minimalist to live with less. There are many benefits of living with less and you don’t have to count your belongings or anything like that. :). I hope you find a book or two that inspire you. 🙂
This is a great collection of reading! I know it’s not quite the same, but I like watching programs like Grand Designs, to see how other people style their homes, often from a minimalist perspective. The visual really inspires me 🙂
Hi Elizabeth, I have not heard of that show before. I’ll have to check it out! I could use some help in the decorating department! Thanks. 🙂
I’ve read Present Over Perfect, and absolutely loved it! Can’t wait to see what other great books your list has to offer! I’m due for a new read 🙂 thanks for the awesome list!!
I love Present Over Perfect too and anything by Shauna Niequist, really. 🙂 Hope you find some good ones on the list!
I read Simplify The Holidays. I really enjoyed the tips it gave and I feel it made my life a little less stressful.
Hi Magen! I can totally relate. The holidays can be super stressful so having a few tips to alleviate that stress are very welcomed in our home! Thanks for stopping by!
I am a huge reader! thank you for this list! I already added many of them to my library wish list!
That’s great!! What are your favorite books to recommend to others?
Well these aren’t exactly about minimalism, but I just have so many I love! Some recent favorites have been The Book of Essie (Meghan MacLean Weir), Year of Yes (Shonda Rhimes), As Bright As Heaven (Susan Meissner), and I Was Told to Come Alone (Souad Mekhennet)!