Don’t Collect All Four!

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 .

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