Best Books on Minimalism

Book rating updated 9.05.2024

Find joy in simplicity! Best books on minimalism of all time sorted by rating. Popular minimalist living books recommended by Matt D’Avella, Steve Harvey, Ryan Holiday, Justin Kan, Jason Ferruggia and other famous people.

  1. Essentialism

    4.6
    18 543 ratings
    Greg McKeown
    The heart of this book, embracing the way of the essentialist, is all about less doing and more finding. This is an ascetic, systematic approach in seeing where our highest point of contribution lies and then making the doing of those things nearly effortless. The author is of the view that by focusing on the vital few instead of the trivial many, then the highest possible contribution toward what really matters is likely to be attained. It teaches us, through practical tips and real-life examples, how to prioritize your task, say no to the things not of great importance, and get back our own choice again.
  2. The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up

    4.5
    59 014 ratings
    Marie Kondō
    Marie Kondo has provided through her method a way to turn crowded places into tranquil landscapes where one keeps only the things that spark joy. By so doing, you not only are enabled to bring order into your home but also in leading you to live a more meaningful and joyful life by treasuring what is important from this very Japanese art.
  3. Spark Joy

    4.7
    8 991 ratings
    Marie Kondō
    This book just goes on to develop so much more about the KonMari Method of cleaning and organizing. With great detail, she provides an explicit guide on the throwing away process for each category of possession, down to clothes and even things of sentimental value, to use your space effectively for maximum happiness and efficiency. It really focuses on how one can be mindful and grateful for decluttering.
  4. Digital Minimalism

    4.5
    7 720 ratings
    Cal Newport
    Newport advocates for a intentional approach to technology use in our increasingly connected world. He introduces the concept of digital minimalism: the practice of selectively using technology to support one's values and goals. The book offers strategies for decluttering digital life, reclaiming attention, and fostering meaningful offline activities. Newport draws on philosophy, psychology, and case studies to illustrate the benefits of a more mindful relationship with technology.
  5. Goodbye, Things

    4.5
    5 598 ratings
    Fumio Sasaki
    A memoir and guide to the advantages of minimalism penned by a Japanese man who radically reduced clutter in his home and life. The book provides counsel on practical means and philosophical wisdom toward releasing possession and living in contentment with less. It is a deep insight into the reasons for overconsumption: psychological and cultural, respectively, with strategies tailored to break away from materialism.
  6. The Year of Less

    4.3
    5 712 ratings
    Cait Flanders
    A memoir of a year-long experiment in which the author bought nothing beyond the bare essentials, detailing the difficulties and triumphs of living with less—saving money, reducing waste, and coming face-to-face with bigger questions of identity and self-worth. All of these are meant to be eye-openers for and inspiring works on readers in search of a simpler life, free from consumerism.
  7. Minimalism

    4.4
    5 248 ratings
    Joshua Fields Millburn, Ryan Nicodemus
    A duo of celebrated bloggers and podcasters, this is a collection of essays on philosophy and practice in minimalism. It is a call to let go of excess possessions and distractions to get down to what is really important in living an intentional life. It offers practical tips on how to declutter, simplify, and find one's purpose and passion in life.
  8. The More of Less

    4.5
    3 445 ratings
    Joshua Becker
    Recommended by: Jason Ferruggia
    Joshua Becker's "The More of Less" encourages readers to find happiness and fulfillment through minimalism. Sharing his own experience and journey of decljsonutering toward a more simplified way of living, Becker shares very practical advice on living meaningfully but with less, and his main argument was that if we reduce our stuff, we would experience more freedom and less stress.
  9. The Minimalist Home

    4.6
    2 578 ratings
    Joshua Becker
    A guide to decluttering and simplifying the house, room by room, based on the principles of minimalism. Ways to help you let go of all that stuff and instead make functional and pretty spaces that bring you peace within your house and a sense of being more at peace with everything in your life. Offers advice on how to get your family involved and keep your home free from clutter in the long term.
  10. The Joy of Less

    4.5
    2 424 ratings
    Francine Jay
    Comprehensive handbook to the simple living through minimalism. Practical decluttering of things in the house and on the schedule, and finding joy with essentials. It also states that through the loss of excess, possessions and commitments can allow so much more to be made for creativity, connection, and fulfillment. Advice and exercises on how to help one think like a minimalist.
  11. Minimalista

    4.8
    1 905 ratings
    Shira Gill
    A stylish guide to creating a beautiful, functional home through minimalism principles. Offers room-by-room strategies for decluttering, organizing, and styling your space to reflect your taste and values. Emphasizes quality over quantity and encourages investing in timeless pieces that bring joy and purpose. Includes tips for maintaining a clutter-free home and cultivating a sense of peace and inspiration in your surroundings.
  12. Outer Order, Inner Calm

    4.2
    1 400 ratings
    Gretchen Rubin
    Recommended by: Julie Zhuo
    Rubin explores the connection between external order and internal well-being. She offers over 150 practical tips and strategies for decluttering and organizing various aspects of life. The book emphasizes how creating order in one's environment can lead to increased productivity, creativity, and peace of mind. Rubin's approach is flexible, acknowledging that different organizational strategies work for different personalities.
  13. Soulful Simplicity

    4.6
    1 462 ratings
    Courtney Carver
    A roadmap to live a more intentional, simpler life: This book records one woman's trek from a life of stress and clutter to one of purpose and joy, all through the process of letting go of extraneous stuff and obligations. It gives inspiration and motivation to anyone willing to simplify their lives in order to find more meaning and depth in life. Offers practical tips on decluttering, establishing boundaries, and self-care.
  14. The Power of Less

    4.2
    944 ratings
    Leo Babauta
    This is a guide to doing more by doing less, using Zen and minimalism principles. The argument lies in the fact that by the simplification of life, we can be able to reduce stress, and in so doing, raise productivity and find even greater fulfillment. Advice is given on setting priorities, staying focused, eliminating distractions, and cultivating habits that support goals and values. Also, tips are proffered on how to apply the principles of minimalism to work, relations, and personal growth.
  15. Travel Light

    4.6
    185 ratings
    Light Watkins
    The guide to simplify your life, find inner peace, and breathe by indulging in minimalist and meditation practices. How to declutter your physical and mental space, develop mindfulness and presence in your every activity, and find joy in the present. This book uses the background of the author's meditation teaching and world travels to paint the many beautiful aspects of living with less for more lightness and freedom.

FAQ

  • What are the best minimalism books ever written?

    These are the top 10 best books on minimalism of all time and for this year (2024) sorted by rating:

    1. "The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up" by Marie Kondo
    2. "Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less" by Greg McKeown
    3. "The More of Less" by Joshua Becker
    4. "The Joy of Less" by Francine Jay
    5. "Minimalism: Live a Meaningful Life" by Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus
    6. "The Minimalist Home" by Joshua Becker
    7. "Everything That Remains" by Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus
    8. "The Power of Less" by Leo Babauta
    9. "Soulful Simplicity" by Courtney Carver
    10. "The Minimalist Way" by Erica Layne.
  • What are the best books on minimalist living?

    List of good books about minimalism and simple living:

    • "The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up" by Marie Kondo
    • "Essentialism" by Greg McKeown
    • "The More of Less" by Joshua Becker
    • "Minimalism" by Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus
    • "The Joy of Less" by Francine Jay
    • "Everything That Remains" by Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus
    • "The Minimalist Home" by Joshua Becker
    • "Goodbye, Things" by Fumio Sasaki.