Book Summaries: Minimalism

Book Summaries: Minimalism & Simplicity

Minimalism and simplicity books, summarised in one paragraph. Follow the links to see more detailed book notes and related articles from the blog.

Digital Minimalism - By Cal Newport

Paper | eBook | Book Summary

Cal Newport explores one of the modern world’s biggest challenges: the impact of digitalisation on our well-being, creativity and productivity. The solution, he suggests, is a radical rethink about the way we use technologies. Digital Minimalism sets out a path for a more intentional and controlled approach to our digital communications, starting again from zero and reintroducing only those technologies that truly bring us value.

Related Article: Reset: The Benefits of a Social Media Detox

Essentialism - By Greg McKeown

Paper | eBook | Book Summary

Essentialists embrace their right to choose and the reality that more doesn’t necessarily yield better results. By exploring and evaluating our options, we can identify the essential and then apply extreme criteria in selection. As McKeown argues, the result is greater focus, greater results, and greater satisfaction.

The More of Less - By Joshua Becker

Paper | eBook | Book Summary

What started with Joshua Becker clearing out his garage became a life-changing journey in minimalism, for more reasons than one. Becker documented his journey at his blog, Becoming Minimalist, which became one of the most successful minimalism blogs on the internet. The More of Less is a consolidation of the key principles that Becker learnt along the way. The book introduces the basic principles of minimalism, its origins, and the practical steps the reader can take to change their own life for the better through minimalism.

The Nature Fix - By Florence Williams

Paper | eBook | Book Summary

Overwhelmed by work and our stuff, we’re spending too much time indoors. In a lively read, Florence Williams explains the latest cutting-edge research on how nature influences our well-being. Research has shown that the mere smell, sight or sound of nature can change our brains and potentially improve health and educational outcomes. If embraced by policymakers, the implications could be far-reaching.

Stuffocation - By James Wallman

Paper | eBook | Book Summary

James Wallman’s contention is that the materialism of the last 100 years has progressively made the developed world more anxious and more depressed, reaching a point of “stuffocation”. Backed by psychology research and socio-economic data, Wallman argues that the world needs to head towards a healthier dominant value system: experientialism. In fact, as the data shows, it’s already on its way.