Some good ideas, and a more sensible approach to minimalism than some. One still has to be a bit well-off to be able to afford to go out and buy those ~$20 items that one keeps just in case, and to have access to shops when you need these things. Similarly, if you have limited access to laundry facilities or other basics your stuff-needs may be quite a bit less minimal than what these guys can manage. Still, the basic ideas seem sound enough. ( )

I liked the topic, Minimalism, as I'm in a phase of life where I am getting more time to think about my consumption pattern. I like the spirit in which this book has been written but not its form or its substance.

The gist of the book is "eliminate life’s excess and focus on the essentials" and essentials being health, relationships, passion, growth and giving back to the society.

It might sound like nitpicking but I was appalled to see about a minimalism book giving a shout out to a particular brand blender that needs to be used, if you have to focus on your health by drinking juices. I know it sounds odd. Let me stop my nitpicking here.

Its not a bad book but could have been better. If you are not a nitpicker like me or if you can overlook these flaws, it might connect with you.

Thoreau's Walden should have been my first place, if I had to learn about consumption and life, in general. But after reading this book, I'm all fired up to read Walden. ( )

This is a collection of blog posts from the Minimalists. I read their blog from time-to-time, so there was not a lot of new content here. But by collecting blog posts by topic (technology, finances, health), the experience of reading them is different. I also find that reading books like this motivate me even if I've read the ideas before. Right now, I'm trying to cut down on my stuff (except books, of course) and my schedule, so the timing was good for this book. ( )