My Favorite Simple Living Books

Looking back, I’ve always longed for a quiet, simple life even when I couldn’t express it in that way.

As an adult, I’ve been intentionally pursuing a simpler life for over twenty years. David and I have experienced success and failure with simple living. There have been serendipities I could have never foreseen. There have been hindrances such as illness and financial setbacks that were not a part of our plan.

But no matter the state of life, I’ve never lost my desire for a quiet life that is focused on the things that truly matter and bring me joy and contentment. A large part of that journey was shaped by my favorite simple living books.

The simple living books below are ones I’ve found personally helpful while on my journey. Some have had a tremendous impact on my life, shaping my thinking in significant ways. Some were just the right pick-me-up when I needed it on the journey. There are books on the list that go in and out of print. There are newer books. Some are practical, how-to books. Some are more philosophy.

Whatever they are, they are on my bookshelf.

I hope you will find inspiration in the following resources.

Please note: The inclusion of a book is not an endorsement of all its content or the author.

Books About Simple Living

These are books specifically about the big ideas of simplifying your life.

Practical, How-to Simple Living Books

These books deal more with the daily life choices involved with simplifying your life.

Financial Simplicity

Some of the very best books for thinking about financial simplicity and money. The Complete Tightwad Gazette is dated in terms of its design and numbers, but the principles are timeless.

Inspiration From The Past

I absolutely love reading books like these with inspiration from the past. These are three I own. The first two are also fantastic for reading short stories about the Great Depression with your children.