Essential

Essays by the Minimalists

By: Joshua Fields Millburn, Ryan Nicodemus

Narrated by: Justin Malik

Length: 5 hrs and 56 mins

Publisher's summary

The best of the Minimalists!

This book by Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus collects the most relevant essays - some short, some long - from their popular website, TheMinimalists.com. This collection has been edited and organized to create an experience that's considerably different from reading individual selections online. From simple living, decluttering, and finances to passion, health, and relationships, Essential is for anyone who desires a more intentional life.

©2015 Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus (P)2016 Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus

Podcast is better

I like The Minimalists — a lot. They’ve changed my life. As for this books of the “essential” essays cultivated from their blog, it was just all right. They are short and good for reading one or two before bed, and I think it may be too easy to dismiss some of the essays without noticing that each one is often just a brushstroke in a broader picture. And that broader picture is awesome. But, honestly, I get more out of their podcast than I did from this book. Grade: B

Narration is excellent.

Redundant With Patches of Golden Truth

If you know anything about minimalism it is a philosophy that is inherently minimalistic. The essays is this book are more like a personal journal of particularly Joshua Fields Millburn in which he has to repeatedly remind himself of what is truly important in life. While I can see the necessity and value of such an exercise in his own life it presents itself as quite redundant for the listener. The most enjoyable and impactful aspect of the book by far are the stories of others practicing forms of the minimalist philosophy which brought so much meaning to their lives. Not the impersonal mantras. My advice: don't buy the audiobook. Buy a physical copy, read it slowly over months, and then give it away. As a kind of book of proverbs, perhaps it will be perceived as less tedious by the end.

Minimal!

The authors should take their own advice. This book could have and should have been condensed to one magazine article. After an hour, I couldn't bare it any longer, even in rush hour traffic.

Not great, but not horrible.

Is there anything you would change about this book?

The narrator is just not made for this kind of work. I think I would have preferred a robot voice reading these articles.

Would you be willing to try another one of Justin Malik’s performances?

I have already purchased another book where he is the narrator. I will get through it, but would not search him out.

Any additional comments?

A little preachy, but good at times to get the ideas across. I like the frank speaking at times, but it sometimes comes across as a few bros trying to just toss it out there for other hipster potential converts. But not so bad overall.

Eye opening. Maybe my favorite for this year!

Hope that helps me on my way to a more meaningful life. Thanks for the authors I will definetly read this again, and I already made huge differences.

Narrator speaks like he is on Meth

Reader speaks way to fast, like he in a race. The result is that diction suffers and there are times when I had no idea what was said. Content, when understandable, was great.

Powerful

In addition to their podcasts this book makes you analyze and question so many aspects of your life you never would have even given a second thought to. Thank you for sharing your lives and ideas, it has help myself and my family take positive steps forward to have a more meaningful and intentional life.

Beautiful. Just beautiful. Thank-you

I've been following the Minimalists for some time now. This book articulates the many reasons for the impact they have had on my life and so many others. Beautifully written.

Same message read a different way

Get the first book it’s better. In my opinion Leave this one and save yourself the money.

Couldn't finish

I tried, but couldn't finish this book.  I consider myself open minded and I enjoy learning about different lifestyles and self help methods.  But this book was different.  Instead of empowering and exciting, or even thought provoking, I found the authors' tone condescending and insulting.
There was constant contradiction and widespread generalization.  The authors seem, quite ridiculously, to think that they are experts on a wide variety of subjects including diet, exercise and business. They imply that the average American has a miserable, unfulfilling existence.
If this book is a compilation of their best essays, it's safe to say I won't be reading any more material from these authors.
I also got super tired of the narrator saying "quote unquote".  

mumbling narrator destroys great content

the minimalists have some great content, but here the mumbling narrator destroys it. I'd suggest listening to their podcasts instead, they're significantly more engaging.

Adds value to your life

I recommend this book to anyone that would like to take a path in a valuable direction. I chose to listen to this book after watching the minimalists documentary on Netflix and after regularly listening to their podcasts. They have guided me to find a new lease of life and it has been interesting to follow their journeys and listen to their advice and ideas. You don’t need to be a minimalist to enjoy this book but it’s even better if you prefer a minimalist lifestyle or if you are interested in leading a minimalist lifestyle. The narrating is too fast for my own taste, so I have the speed slightly slower and it sounds great, relaxing and interesting. Enjoy!

Great book, highly recommend

Really love this book, and started me on my minimalism journey. It’s helped me kickstart changing my life around without even realising.

I was struggling with mental health a lot last year and this helped not only in ‘minimising’ my possessions, but it’s helped me align my values and put things into perspective. I don’t throw things away wherever possible! I reuse, reduce, recycle first and try and only buy things I need or really want, instead of throwing things away when not needed or buy another if I accidentally forget it. Thank you!!! I really enjoy your podcasts too, please come to the UK!!

So good!

I absolutely love this book and have already listened to it twice. So many nuggets of advice. When I finished reading it I felt lighter! I would definitely recommend this book.

This Audiobook Spoke To Me.

I've heard of the concept of 'minimalism'. However it wasn't until I finished listening to this audiobook that I began to understand it. Minimalism is not a religion... it is a way of life. In this awesome audiobook you will find one nugget of truth that will change your life. Maybe even more. I look forward to listening to this audiobook again because there are other things which I listened to, but may not have paid attention to. God bless you.

Ruined by the narrator

What a great book. Fantastic content. Unfortunately, for me, the narrator flattened the experience for me. I forced myself through to the end.

Some useful info but repetitive and monotonous delivery.

Some useful info but repetitive and monotonous delivery. Vocal performance is monotone and sounds disinterested and the heart of the message, whilst good, is delivered early on and the rest is just filler treading the same ground from a slightly different perspective.

An essential part of life

This book is a given part of my library. I go back to it when I seek advice or when life is tought. When writing this it will be the third time I listened to it, with two reread's.

great book and nice narration.

loved it. I'm a fan of the minimalist and following the ways of life. this book reiterates some of the basic principles

Insightful

Interesting and inspiring book on minimalism. It changed they way I look at many things.