People sometimes ask why we wrote four books. “That’s not very minimalist!” Hehe. Well, when you’re a minimalist, everything you do is steeped in irony. In truth, each book communicates a unique perspective on simple living.
Everything That Remains is the why-to book. Our personal story of letting go. This book documents our five-year journey into minimalism, and it answers these questions: Why have I given so much meaning to material possessions? Why have I been so discontented? What if everything I ever wanted isn’t what I actually want? Of everything we’ve written, this is our favorite. Perhaps that’s why it’s our #1 bestseller!
Minimalism is the what-to book. It highlights the five values we focus on to live a meaningful life, and it answers these questions: What is a meaningful life? Who is the person I want to become? How will I define my success after letting go of the excess stuff?
Essential is the how-to book. The “best of The Minimalists,” this collection of 150 essays focuses on twelve distinct areas of intentional living and answers this question: How would every area of my life be better with less?
Love People, Use Things is the who-to book. It describes, in detail, the seven essential relationships that benefit from simplifying, and it elucidates The Minimalists’ core message: love people and use things because the opposite never works.
For the best experience, we recommend reading them in the above order: why, what, how, and who. Of course, you don’t need to collect any of our books; once you enjoy your copy, pass it on to someone who might find value in its words.
–Joshua & Ryan
P.S. Our books are also available in these languages. For a short list of books that have influenced us over the years, check out our book recommendations .
You May Also Enjoy
How to Start a Successful Blog Today
Learn how to start a blog in less than an hour. Follow the step-by-step instructions we used when starting our blog, which now has reached more than 20 million people. Creating this blog is one of the best decisions Ryan and I ever made. After all, our blog is how we earn a living. More important, it’s how we add value to other people’s lives. Read more
30-Day Minimalism Game
Let’s play a simple game together. We call it the 30-Day Minimalism Game. Find a friend, family member, or coworker who’s willing to minimize their stuff with you next month. Read more
11 Ways to Write Better
We are all writers now. Whether you write books, blog posts, emails, Instagram captions, or text messages, you are a writer. No matter your preferred medium, here are a few tips to help you write more effectively. Read more
