Free Books
Ok, so I finally managed to gather some free eBooks on simplicity and minimalism. This is, of course, a work in progress. So, please be patient with me and make sure to check back often.
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Focus
By: Leo Babauta
As you probably already know, Leo writes one of my favorite blogs on simplicity – ZenHabit.net. So, I’m excited to announce that he has a new e-book out on “finding simplicity in this Age of Distraction, and finding the focus you need to create, to work on what’s important, to reflect, to find peace.”
Leo has a free version and a premium version of this book. So, if you want a more detailed book or to support his work, you can order his premium book @ http://zenhabits.net/focus-book/.
Homestead Simplicity: A Primer
By: Lisa Barthuly
I love this book for the recipes, like her Home-made Laundry Soap and Sweet Smelling Vacuum. I recognized a few I’ve done in the past too, like Ginger Tea as a remedy for colds and Vinegar as a natural cleanser. Anyway, this is a great book to have on hand. I recommend printing it if you have access to a printer.
I was deeply inspired by these words: “I want my family to have homemade bread and clothes cleaned without a bunch of chemicals. I want my son to be able to crawl on a floor that wasn’t swiped with toxins; I want my girls to be able to grab a yummy cookie from the jar; I want to can the healthiest fruits and veggies for my family… I want my children to remember Mama in the kitchen baking bread, making laundry soap, reading God’s Word to them, teaching them how to can, tending to the chickens, or taking a walk in the woods, not living a life ‘on the run’, ‘stressed out’, and “of the world”.”
Homestead Simplicity is an easy-to-follow book that shares the Barthuly family’s tips and recipes for “natural cleaning, cooking from scratch (easily!), planning and stocking your pantry, and easy ways to provide loving care for your homestead and those in it.”
Lisa has a great blog that offers advice on homeschooling, wonderful recipes, freebies, contests, and other great stuff. Just click here: Happy Hearts at Home to read more.
Minimalist Health
By: Tammy Strobel
Tammy is another great writer who is focusing her website on simple living. You can visit her at RowdyKittens.com.
Her book, Minimalist Health, is a manifesto on how to improve health and inspire the world with minimalist concepts. If you are not a big reader, get bored easily, or are in a hurry, this book is perfect for you. It’s short and sweet with helpful ideas and beautiful pictures to boot.
The Minimalist Within
By: Faith Janes
This is another wonderful book with gorgeous pictures. Can you tell yet I’m a sucker for pretty pictures?
In The Minimalist Within, Faith discusses her journey to a minimalist lifestyle and provides steps for you to get started on your journey. She helps you understand your why’s and the how’s of minimalism. I like the points she makes, like the importance of asking questions, the right questions. The book is 32 pages short, but it’s surprisingly detailed with a lot of useful information.
For more information, you can visit her at: http://www.minimalistathome.com/
The Minimalist Woman’s Guide to Having It All
By: Meg Wolfe
This is a 48-paged book with a lot of great information. If you need details, this is the book for you. Here’s a synopsis from her website: “This book begins with the premise that you live in a consumer culture and would like to take steps to feel like you have it all, regardless of how much stuff you have. The book is divided into three main parts, each one focusing on a concept and a project that work toward understanding our consumer-based culture and how to step back from it. This detachment creates enough freedom in your life and mind to experience real contentment. Contentment is the key–it is not complacency, but more akin to satisfaction and cherishing.”
If you like her book, Meg welcomes donations on her website, http://minimalistwoman.com.
The Simple Life
By: Charles Wagner
Though it is old, (published in 1901), this book is still very charming and insightful.
“Simplicity and lowly station, plain dress, a modest dwelling, slender means, poverty—these things seem to go together. Nevertheless, this is not the case. Just now I passed three men on the street: the first in his carriage; the others on foot, and one of them shoeless. The shoeless man does not necessarily lead the least complex life of the three. It may be, indeed, that he who rides in his carriage is sincere and unaffected, in spite of his position, and is not at all the slave of his wealth; it may be also that the pedestrian in shoes neither envies him who rides nor despises him who goes unshod; and lastly, it is possible that under his rags, his feet in the dust, the third man has a hatred of simplicity, of labor, of sobriety, and dreams only of idleness and pleasure.”
If you have time, I recommend you read The Simple Life. Here are the topics covered: Our Complex Life, The Essence of Simplicity, Simplicity of Thought, Simplicity of Speech, Simple Duty, Simple Needs, Simple Pleasures, The Mercenary Spirit and Simplicity, Notoriety and The Inglorious Good, The World and the Life of the Home, Simple Beauty, Pride and Simplicity in the Intercourse of Men, and The Education for Simplicity.
The Simple Life is provided free of charge thanks to Project Gutenberg. Project Gutenberg offers 36,000+ free eBooks to download on to your PC or portable devices.
