Everything That Remains

A Memoir by the Minimalists

By: Joshua Fields Millburn, Ryan Nicodemus

Narrated by: Justin Malik

Length: 5 hrs and 25 mins

Publisher's Summary

What if everything you ever wanted isn't what you actually want? Twenty-something, suit-clad, and upwardly mobile, Joshua Fields Millburn thought he had everything anyone could ever want. Until he didn't anymore.

Blindsided by the loss of his mother and his marriage, Millburn started questioning the life he had built for himself.

Then he discovered minimalism...and everything started to change.

Four years later, Millburn had embraced simplicity. In the search for something more substantial than compulsory consumption and the broken American dream, he jettisoned most of his material possessions, paid off loads of crippling debt, and walked away from his six-figure career.

Once everything was gone, what was left? Not a how-to book but a why-to book, Everything That Remains is the touching, surprising story of what happened when one young man decided to let go of everything and begin living more deliberately. Heart-rending, uplifting, and deeply personal, this engrossing memoir is peppered with insightful interruptions by Ryan Nicodemus, Millburn's best friend of 20 years.

©2014 Joshua Fields Millburn, Ryan Nicodemus (P)2017 Joshua Fields Millburn, Ryan Nicodemus

Wanted to like it...

I like that these guys are spreading the message of minimalism, but there are other much better books on the subject.* Overall, the book is awkward. It doesn't help that Millburn's narration is flat. He sounds bored and a bit sad. And Nicodemus seems sidelined with providing only snippy remarks. I give them credit for making his book happen as taking on the task of writing a book and actually finishing it is no easy feat. But unfortunately, the book really falls short. Many other reviewers mention the very things about the book that donned not work for me: the repetitiveness of irrelevant information, the overly flowery descriptions (it as, after all, a book on minimalism), the need to use obscure words to impress the reader (also unnecessary), and the attitude towards women seems juvenile. I wanted to like this book and I tried to get through it, but in the end, I was ready to move on to something else. *Try "Goodbye Things" by Sasaki - that's a book that really rang true from begging to end.

Audio is best format for this

Big overlap with their podcast content but this is a good telling of how The Minimalists became The Minimalists, although it’s mostly about Joshua’s journey. I think the audio version is probably the best format because Ryan’s words are handled as footnotes, and in the audio version, they are read right where they should go, maintaining the flow better, IMO. Grade: A-

Excellent narration.

helping me reach some goals in tidying/minimizing

After seeing Minimalism a Documentary (2-3 times), I became inspired to get this book. I listened to it on Audible since I've been very busy. It was actually really fun to hear it after than reading myself, and I accomplished several tasks to tidy my house while listening. I had specific goals in mind this weekend, but I knew I would struggle with doing them before dinner time, as I am a "structured procrastinator". Listening to it as I walked in and out of the speaker room really pushed me to keep going with organizing and discarding items. I also did some hobbies while listening, and it was relaxing, not overwhelming, to my surprise. The only thing I was a little surprised about is I expected to hear more on recycling and reusing, but it's possible I missed a moment. Plus, I know that sustainability is not everyone's priority and that's not the point of the book. Overall, great book and excellent mission and purpose. Thanks for reading...

You don't possess your possessions, they possess u

I give this book 3.5 stars. The first half of the book was dull. It was a shallow recollection of the hard times in the author's life (what prompted his minimalist journey) - an alcoholic mother, her early death from cancer, and his failed marriage. He doesn't even mention what led to the divorce other than that it was a good marriage, but not a great marriage (yawn... hardly a page-turner). Then there are interruptions, interjections, and comments from his friend inserted into the first-person narrative. Like a private joke known only between friends, most of these smart-alecky insertions aren't amusing to outsiders. The second half of the book is okay. Some of it is interesting (going from Brooks Brothers suits and a high-paying corporate job to a tiny apartment and no television). It prompts you to reflect on your own life and all your material possessions - things you have to pay off, things you have to keep organized, and things you have to clean. Soon you don't possess your possessions, they possess you.

Minimalism for the real world

Some people might be turned off by this if they feel like they're being pushed into getting rid of all material things, but that's not the message I got from the book at all. I work in the D.C. Metro area and can tell you I see a lot of the same things Josh and Ryan talk about, namely never being satisfied. Always wanting more, more, more. I first heard of them through a Netflix documentary as I really enjoyed it so I went ahead and got the book. I'm very glad I did! It was totally worth the read (or the listen as it were). I appreciated the perspective of keeping your wants in check and separating those from actual needs. Highly recommend it!

Lackluster

This was mediocre at best. T t e narrator had little to zero inflection in his voice. If they wanted someone that sounded similar to Josh, then why didn’t Josh just narrate his own book. I have been listening to their podcast for a few years and this is the first audiobook I’ve listened to from them and as a whole it lacked substance. The writing was decent in being descriptive. The same narrator voice for Ryan was super annoying. I don’t think I can succumb to purchasing another one of their books. This was just blah!

Fast and furious

I loved this. While I have never actually heard the author's real voice I certainly enjoyed the narration. Probably an eight hour book, the narrator speaks quickly, so listen fast for the about five and a half hours he takes reading. I enjoyed the book content. JFM is as transparent as the finest crystal. He discusses his weaknesses as well as his own strengths. Turning 60 six months ago was a serious issue with me. This book reminds me, it's never too late to change everything.

Excellent Story

The story, writing style, and narration are all fantastic. Very enjoyable and impactful. I have read it four times already.

Change Narrator

I listen to the podcast frequently and was disappointed the narrator lacked enthusiasm and had minimalist voice inflection and varying tones. Couldn’t finish the audiobook because of the narration.

So inspiring!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I would recommend this to anyone frustrated with the seemingly endless "work to live" grind or in any way disenchanted with the so-called "American Dream." This story gently and genuinely leads the reader towards a new way of thinking.

What about Justin Malik’s performance did you like?

Interesting and unique but highly listenable.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The gradual shifts in awareness that eventually transformed their lives.

average memoir, not inspiring regarding minimalism

didn't like how they talk about women. they didn't talk much on minimalism. too much bragging about their achievements.

this book is mostly a memoir about the author finding his passion. minimalism isn't his passion but it helped him find it. the book doesn't talk much about minimalism at all.

I mainly didn't like it because of the interruptions. they are pointless and do not add value, despite the authors talking about adding value all the time.

I listen to their podcast and have seen their documentary but I'm really falling out of love with these two. I think they mean well but I can't relate to them.

perhaps this will be a great book for someone who is financially successful but who isn't happy. you might relate more to their story from my background it's hard to relate to their story and self discovery.

Starts off great...

As a newbie to the minimalist lifestyle I was interested in this audio book. Hearing his initial story that started his. journey was fascinating, however the more the book goes by the more it seems like a book of flexing his own success. The last few chapters were frankly irritating and mundane.

Good story, boring narration

The story is interesting and engaging however the narration is robotic and makes it hard to listen to

Disappointing

I’m sad to say that my expectations were not met here. You can learn far more about minimalism by perusing the internet. If you sift through this audiobook, you will find some good information, but I found the delivery of the information to be narcissistic and trite. The narrator also managed to destroy any humour that may have been intended. I can’t work out whether the author wrote for cathartic reasons, or whether it was purely an ego trip....either way, I won’t be recommending the book in a hurry.

Disappointed it wasn't narrated by the author

Really enjoyed the book, but found the narrator a real struggle. His voice is so nasal and monotone I didn't know if I could continue after the first chapter.
I do really enjoy the minimalist podcasts so think I was expecting to hear JFM narrating.

I love the minimalists and find alot of value in their words. This book didn't bring anything new as I was already familiar with the concept but I enjoyed hearing it in story form.

If it wasn't for the grating narration, I'd probabaly recommend.

The Way Of The Future

I had already started down the minimalist road a couple of years ago but listening to Josh and Ryan's book helped bring some more things into focus. I realized I was unhappy, working long hours in a job i didn't like to pay for lots of stuff it turns out i didn't even need.

Today my life is much simpler and happier. I ditched all the stuff I didn't need and as a result have to work much less and in a job I actually enjoy because I could afford to do what I wanted to do instead of chasing the big bucks in a job I had to do.

I recommend everyone to look at the work of these 2 guys and take some of it away with you. A simple stuff free and stress free life is defiantly the way of the future.

Beautiful book

I loved this book: it is beautifully written and equally beautifully read. There is one section (I won’t reveal which) which felt very unnatural, but aside from this section I found the book utterly transformative.

After a recent separation and house move, this book has enabled me to reflect on how I want to live my life going forward and made it very easy to make the necessary changes to start to live an intentional life.

Excellent book!

After all the books I’ve read on lifestyle changes this by far the most useful. Just go ahead and read it!

great book, I would reccomend

Overall it was a great listen. Gives you a lot to consider in life.

too much repetition of Essential

too much repetition of Essential. If you read that book, this one will tell you little new.