Library
Here is a collection of books related to simple living, sustainability, poverty, and social business that I have read and recommend. If you click on the book cover or the title, you can purchase the book from BetterWorldBooks. I prefer this site to other online booksellers because the company focuses on sustainable business practices (and they have FREE carbon-neutral shipping!).
Or, better yet, you can try to find it at your local library.
Simple Prosperity: Finding Real Wealth in a Sustainable Lifestyle
This is the book that once and for all convinced me that living a simpler life is the way to go. David Wann, the author of Affluenza, discusses a multitude of issues related to living a more sustainable and meaningful life. My biggest takeaway is the emphasis on community and the true wealth (and security!) that comes with having solid relationships.
Radical Simplicity: Small Footprints on a Finite Earth
This book by Jim Merkel and Vicki Robin was instrumental in shaping my thoughts around not taking more than my share. The books starts out with the question: “Imagine you are at a potluck buffet and see that you are the first in line. How do you know how much to take?” Part One explores the “Journey to Simplicity” and Part Two offers a toolkit for learning to take only your share. The three tools are: Ecological Footprinting, Your Money or Your Life, and Learning from Nature.
Voluntary Simplicity: Toward a Way of Life That Is Outwardly Simple, Inwardly Rich
This seminal work by Duane Elgin is a must-read for anybody thinking about moving toward a life of voluntary simplicity. In fact, it is the bible of voluntary simplicity. This book is a bit more philosophical (read denser) in nature than the two books above. The ultimate message is about finding balance in a world that is quickly becoming more complex than ever.
The Simple Living Guide
Author Janet Luhrs is a lawyer turned simple living guru. This book is an all-encompassing guide to living a simpler life. I pick it up sometimes when I’m feeling like things aren’t going so well, because just reading it makes me feel relaxed. It covers a variety of topics like Money, Work, Families, Cooking and Nutrition, and Travel. My favorite part is the real-life stories at the end of each chapter. You’ll revisit this again and again.
The Better World Handbook: Small Changes That Make a Big Difference
I purchased a signed copy of this book at Luther College where my husband and one of the authors of the book, Brett Johnson, happens to teach. The title pretty much says it all. This book provides very practical and actionable advice for how to contribute to a better world in the following categories: Money, Shopping, Food, Personal, Friends & Family, Community, Spirituality & Religion, Home, Work, Media, Politics, Transportation, Travel, and Organizations. I learned a lot about sustainable investing and shopping from this book.
Your Money or Your Life: 9 Steps to Transforming Your Relationship with Money and Achieving Financial Independence
Have you ever dreamed of quitting your job and doing what you love? If so, this book is for you. It will guide you through the nine steps to becoming “financially independent” (i.e. the income from your investments exceeds your expenses). If you are willing to embrace a simple lifestyle and take the time to figure out where you want to spend your “life energy,” you can be free to do whatever!
Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Food Life
Barbara Kingsolver is one awesome author. In this non-fiction book, she details her family’s year of eating only local food. It starts with a move from Tuscon, AZ to the family farm in the southern Appalachians, because it’s hard to grow your own food in the desert. Family members contribute to the book with informational sidebars & recipes to create a wonderful mix of storytelling, investigative journalism, and practical tips. (My favorite part: how to get heirloom turkeys to mate…) A must read and re-read.
Ready, Set, Green: Eight Weeks to Modern Eco-Living
From the cool people over at TreeHugger comes this simple and practical guide to eco-friendly living. I learned most of what I know about being kind to the planet from this book (and chronicled my journey here on my deprecated blog). These days, we’re pretty much bombarded with information about green living (which is great!), so you may already know it all. However, if you want the info in one place, this is your book!
The Circle of Simplicity: Return to the Good Life
You can’t really be into simple living without reading this book at least once. Cecile Andrews is one of the leaders of the voluntary simplicity movement and is especially recognized for her approach to community education through the so called “Simplicity Circles” (an idea adopted from my native Sweden, mind you). It is a fun, educational, and motivational book that will leave you uplifted and ready to simplify your life!
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