I love minimalism and greatly enjoy reading books on minimalism and simplicity. I embraced minimalism back in 2014, learned a lot, and haven’t looked back. I’ve talked about minimalism extensively on my YouTube channel and couldn’t imagine living any other way. That being said, I still enjoy reading books on minimalism tremendously.
I greatly enjoy reading and books on minimalism are some of my favorites. This is a collection of books on minimalism that’s great for anyone who embraces the lifestyle and for those of you who wish to get started.
1. Goodbye, Things
This book is one of my favorite books on minimalism. Fumio Sasaki said goodbye to everything he didn’t absolutely need. Letting go of it all transformed his life. Fumio shares his personal story with clutter and offers tips on the minimizing process. He also included a handful of before and after pictures.
2. The Joy of Less
The Joy Of Less was the first book that I ever read on minimalism and it remains my favorite. Jay shares simple steps on cultivating a minimalist mindset, forming new habits and letting go of stuff. She also touches on life-changing events such as moving, having kids and downsizing.
3. New Minimalism
New Minimalism is a wonderful book on minimalism and simplicity. The book dives deep into the philosophy of minimalism and why we accumulate. It touches on the environmental benefits of minimalism and provides step by step instructions.
4. Stuffocation
This book is not your average decluttering book, it’s a lot more than that. This book is all about how we got where we are today.
5. The Year of Less
This book isn’t as much about minimalism as it is about intentional living. It’s a memoir about Cat’s life, her struggles, her addictions and how she turned her life around. The Year of Less documents Cait’s life for a year during which she committed to a shopping ban. In the last chapter of the book, she shares her tips on how to start and complete a successful shopping ban of your own. I’ve since started a shopping ban of my own and her book was a huge inspiration!
The Year of Less on goodreads.
6. Clear Your Clutter with Feng Shui
This book is definitely not for everyone. It’s about how to clear your clutter with feng shui. It explains that clutter is trapped energy that has far-reaching effects and the simple act of letting go of stuff can transform one’s life. Karen guides you through each and every step of the decluttering process and has lots of practical tips.
Clear Your Clutter with Feng Shui on goodreads.
7. The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying
This list of books on minimalism wouldn’t be complete without the life-changing magic of tidying up. Marie Kondo takes tidying to a whole new level. She is a huge advocate of the category-by-category decluttering approach. It’s an approach that I firmly believe in. If you are just starting out on your journey then this is a great book to get you started! I also just read that Marie Kondo is going to come out with a series, “Organize the world with Marie Kondo”, on Netflix!
The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying on goodreads.
8. The Simple Living Guide
This is one of the best books on minimalism and simple living. Although the book is a little dated, most of the information in it still holds true. Don’t want to work as much? Spend less. Don’t want to clean as much? Have less stuff. The book discusses everything from money to travel and is a great resource. The book is very dense and if you are not interested in everything, just read the chapters that are of use to you.
The Simple Living Gode on goodreads.
9. Simple Matters
This book is so incredibly beautiful. Erin shares her practical tips on simple living and mindful consumption. She also a huge advocate of shopping second hand and making things yourself. If you are on your journey toward reducing the amount of stuff you own as well as the amount of waste you produce, then this is your book
10. The Abundance of Less
This is one of my favorite books on minimalism. Andy tells the story of people who left their conventional lives in urban Japan behind to create a new life in rural Japan. The ten people in the book describe the transformations they underwent as they escaped the stresses of city life to embrace something new. This book is incredibly well written and to this day, one of my favorite books on minimalism and simple living.
The Abundance of Less on goodreads.
This was it for the best books on minimalism that I’ve read. While all of these are amazing books I do have a handful of favorites. My all-time favorites are definitely The Joy of Less, Goodbye, Things and The Year of Less.
What are your favorite books on minimalism?
Clear Your Clutter with Feng Shui was the first book that I read that exposed me to minimalism / simple living, and it helped me let go of boxes and boxes (and boxes and boxes) of books. I love it! I still own some physical books, and that is one that I will probably NEVER declutter.
Author
That’s amazing to hear! I think it’s a brilliant book with a really unique perspective on the subject! 🙂
The Joy of Less was my first minimalism book too, and still my favorite!
I also really liked Goodbye, Things and Suffocation has been on my TBR for a while now. One of my favorite books is Naomi Klein’s No Logo. It’s not a minimalism book but talks about fast fashion, advertising, and environmental impact in a way that resonates with many minimalists. It was one of the books that really pushed me to make a lifestyle change.
I would also recommend A Monk’s Guide to a Clean House and Mind for fans of Marie Kondo. Again, not exactly a minimalism book, but one that I think will appeal to many minimalists.
Great list!
Author
Thank you so much for your recommendation! I just put “A Monk’s Guide to a Clean House and Mind” on my reading list! Oh! Naomi Klein’s book is great! I read it a handful of years ago and remember greatly enjoying it! It’s a good one!
I’ll have to read the joy of less again – it’s been a minute that I read it! It’s such a great book!:)
Astonishing list of books! Thanks for sharing. So inspiring and helpful.
Regards
William
Author
Hey William,
I am glad you enjoyed it! 🙂
Do you have a current favorite?
I love to read!