We all tell ourselves that we have enough stuff, but then find ourselves at the store shopping for more and more. If you are looking for ways to simplify your life or just don’t know where to get started, these books on simple living are going to be the perfect guide to help you on your journey to a less complicated life.
Simplifying Your Home
For many of us, simple living begins with decluttering and organizing our homes.
However, this is easier said than done. Especially if you have a large family or if you "inherit" treasures from other family members. In our case, both of these situations apply.
Additionally, we all struggle with a "hoarding" gene! In my case, books and yarn are my downfalls. For Dan, it's, well, everything else. However, we're both working on it, room by room and box by box.
Luckily, some of the best books on simple living tackle simplifying your home.
Simple Living in Your Homestead
Many of our readers tell us they yearn to leave city life for a "simple" life of homesteading. Yet as many transplanted city folks will tell you, getting started homesteading isn't always simple.
To keep life simple, focus on one homestead project at a time. Select your gardening projects and homestead animals carefully.
Keep your homestead kitchen tools basic. (Go with cast iron everything if you can. It lasts forever.)
I find many lessons from business minimalism books helpful when it comes to simple living on a homestead.
Simplifying Your Homeschool
If you homeschool many children or have been homeschooling for many years, you know it's easy to get overwhelmed unless you have a plan.
And the best books on simple living from a business/lifestyle perspective helped me see the homeschooling and homesteading lesson connection.
20 Best Books on Simple Living
There is such a thing as becoming overwhelmed by your life and all of your things. This is why simple living has gained popularity in recent years.
No matter where you live or what stage of life you're in, learning how to declutter your home and life can help you save time, save money and even reduce your stress.
Tip: Overwhelmed by the wide range of titles? Why not keep it even simpler and grab a copy of the Encyclopedia of Country Living. The 50th anniversary edition is out now, and I just published a review. And a spiral-bound copy comes out in August 2025!
20 Best Books on Simple Living in 2025
The top 20 best books on simple living for 2025!
Walden
The original best book on simple living!
A new edition of Henry David Thoreau's 1854 classic work, Walden, a reflection on the simplicity and beauty of a life in nature.
Meet the Frugalwoods: Achieving Financial Independence Through Simple Living
One of my personal favorites - Elizabeth Thames is a delightful writer and this makes a great gift. Check out her blog as well.
Down to Earth: A Guide to Simple Living
A new edition and "how-to" on simple living for those who are ready to get started.
Simply Living Well: A Guide to Creating a Natural, Low-Waste Home
Simple living often includes choosing sustainable and low-waste options. Here's how to get started.
The Simple Home: A Month-By-Month Guide to Self-Reliance, Productivity and Contentment
A month-by-month guide to increasing your self-reliance activities and reducing your stressful activities.
The Simple Living Handbook: Discover the Joy of a De-Cluttered Life
Back in 2010 Lorilee Lippincott drastically decluttered her life - learn what she did, how she did it, and what she learned.
Slow: Simple Living for a Frantic World
Brooke McAlary shares the story of her journey from a diagnosis of post-natal depression alongside practical advice for simplifying in ways that work for your life.
The Lady Farmer Guide to Slow Living: Cultivating Sustainable Simplicity Close to Home
This guide not only includes an exploration of the damage done by our fast-food, fast-fashion, fast-everything culture but shares simple ways individuals can help heal.
In The Lady Farmer Guide to Slow Living you'll find stories, tips, recipes, resources, ideas, and questions to get you thinking about your own relationship to the planet, what you eat, what you wear, where you live, and how you live.
Destination Simple: Everyday Rituals for a Slower Life
Rituals, recipes, and projects for living simply and sustainably at home.
Present Over Perfect: Leaving Behind Frantic for a Simpler, More Soulful Way of Living
The story of Shauna Niequist's journey to simplify her busy life and focus on being present for the people who matter most in her life.
The Simple Life
Having made the decision to live frugally, embrace sustainability and opt out of the capitalist consumerist mindset, Rhonda Hetzel figured out how to achieve her goal by learning traditional skills, reducing her spending and environmental impact and focusing on the simple things like family, friends, and a home-cooked meal.
Chasing Slow: Courage to Journey Off the Beaten Path
Erin Hoechner of hgtv fame describes how her husband's brain tumour, bankruptcy, family loss, and public criticism led her to make drastic changes in her life by downsizing her possessions, responsibilities, and her expectations of perfection for herself.
Seeking Slow: Reclaim Moments of Calm in Your Day (Live Well)
Actional tips on how to get rid of never-ending to-do lists and reclaim calmness in your life. Part of the popular Live Well series.
The Joy of Missing Out: Live More by Doing Less
Productivity expert Tanya Dalton coaches you to identify your own individual real priorities to help cut down your massive to-do lists and say no to tasks that pull you away from those priorities.
When Less Becomes More: Making Space for Slow, Simple, and Good
Build a life based on your core values instead of slipping into a life dictated by society or what's "normal."
Soulful Simplicity: How Living with Less Can Lead to So Much More
When the author was diagnosed with MS, she decided to reduce her stress by pursuing practical minimalism. Here she teaches you how.
You Can Buy Happiness (and It's Cheap)
Moving from the frenetic life of a city dweller to a simpler existence is easy with these "micro-actions" to get you on the right path. Learn how Tammy Stroebel and her husband did just that.
Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less
This New York Times Bestseller teaches you to "do less, but better," in all areas of your life. And although many of the examples are business-based, I've found it helpful as a parent, homeschooler, and homesteader as well.
Organized Simplicity: The Clutter-Free Approach to Intentional Living
A practical, simple, 10-day plan to declutter and organize your home, room by room. By noted Christian author Tsh Oxenreider.
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