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Summary: Not for the Average Joe
Review: If you are living in a large metropolitan area, wearing designer clothing and drinking $5.00 cups of coffee while chatting on your internet enabled handheld--then by all means buy this book! It was written for you and will, no doubt, help you simplify your life tremendously. However--if you are an average american--perhaps with a college degree and a family and a car that is more than three years old--think twice before buying this book. It has a lot of practical advice--don't get me wrong--but it is so common sense that most of you already do these things. Because, like most of us, you have to do them in order to pay the bills and feed the kids.
But the rest of you prada wearing people out there--put that coffee cup down and run out to pick up this book. You'll be happy you did.
Rating: 
Summary: The best book for those who want to simplify
Review: In this wonderful, inspiring book, Janet Luhrs provides myriad ideas for and insight into how simplifying your life can help you shift gears or even start over from scratch. The book offers loads of practical advice about how to implement changes in your life and escape the cycle of work, consumption, debt, and stress.The author states at the outset that the book provides a variety of options for those interested in simplifying. Some of these options--like living off the grid or on a boat--will appeal to only a small number of people. However, the great stories from real people's lives do make you think about your job, house, and possessions and how you could streamline. Most of the suggestions (e.g., improving eating and exercising habits and better managing money and time) can be implemented by anyone. I recently read Elaine St. James's Living the Simple Life and found it wanting and often impractical--foregoing sunglasses and wearing only three colors of clothing are not helpful suggestions to me! This book also focuses solely on the changes St. James and her husband made, with little mention of the wide spectrum of alternative approaches. Luhrs's book differs by providing a vast array of resources, in addition to using life stories to outline approaches that folks have successfully employed to create more time, less stress, and more joy in their lives. Buy this book and take from it the inspiration to help you realize who you really are!
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Summary: Living in the Sidebars
Review: Janet Luhrs brings her experience as the editor of Simple Living: The Journal of Voluntary Simplicity to the Simple Living Guide. Over 400 pages, this compendium of ideas for "less stressful, more joyful living" is heavy on the many philosophical ideas that fall under the simple living umbrella. In 14 topical chapters ranging from Money to Virtues Luhrs balances her occasionally redundant reflections with sidebars highlighting case studies, offering tips, and providing the nuts & bolts how-to's. Some of these are tremendously helpful and/or interesting. For example, in the chapter on Simple Pleasures and Romance, there is an article by Kirk S. Nevin about his family's decision to live without electricity or plumbing; and the chapter on Inner Simplicity includes a very practical article on dealing with insomnia. Other sidebars are less helpful, more a mish-mash of 12-step generalisms, such as Luhrs' list of the 28 secrets to happiness, including "get organized," "be humble" and "learn from the past, plan for the future, and live in the present". My two primary criticisms are that most of the ideas in this book are available elsewhere (see The Tightwad Gazette or Your Money or Your Life) and that some ideas aren't included. There is almost nothing here about permaculture, for example, and very little attempt at introducing serious or radical sustainability. This book is a great primer for people who may have never encountered simple living philosophies before; however, those steeped in an already-intentional lifestyle will find little here that is new.
Rating:
Summary: Living in the Sidebars
Review: Janet Luhrs brings her experience as the editor of Simple Living: The Journal of Voluntary Simplicity to the Simple Living Guide. Over 400 pages, this compendium of ideas for "less stressful, more joyful living" is heavy on the many philosophical ideas that fall under the simple living umbrella. In 14 topical chapters ranging from Money to Virtues Luhrs balances her occasionally redundant reflections with sidebars highlighting case studies, offering tips, and providing the nuts & bolts how-to's. Some of these are tremendously helpful and/or interesting. For example, in the chapter on Simple Pleasures and Romance, there is an article by Kirk S. Nevin about his family's decision to live without electricity or plumbing; and the chapter on Inner Simplicity includes a very practical article on dealing with insomnia. Other sidebars are less helpful, more a mish-mash of 12-step generalisms, such as Luhrs' list of the 28 secrets to happiness, including "get organized," "be humble" and "learn from the past, plan for the future, and live in the present". My two primary criticisms are that most of the ideas in this book are available elsewhere (see The Tightwad Gazette or Your Money or Your Life) and that some ideas aren't included. There is almost nothing here about permaculture, for example, and very little attempt at introducing serious or radical sustainability. This book is a great primer for people who may have never encountered simple living philosophies before; however, those steeped in an already-intentional lifestyle will find little here that is new.
Rating:
Summary: A Wonderful Guide to Simplifying Your Life
Review: Reading this book made we literally want to sell my house in the big city and buy a small cottage out in the country. The idea of living my life based on what is important to me (family, spirituality, working with abused animals) is something that has become my new life's focus from reading this book. I've already started getting rid of my excess clutter and I feel less of a prisoner now to all my "stuff." I thoroughly enjoyed every bit of this book and am now using what I gleaned to make my life more simplified and much more enjoyable. Even the kids are enjoying the changes (and I thought this was going to be my hardest challenge). The reason they are embracing this fairly easily is because the less time I have to spend taking care of all the other inanimate stuff in my life, the more time I have to spend with them. Now, that is something worth spending my time on. Thank you Ms. Luhr's for opening my eyes to a whole new world in front of me.
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Summary: Life altering info contain within these pages
Review: Simply put, this book, along with The Complete Tightwad Gazette, have changed my life radically. The best part of this book is the constant reassurance that each journey is different from others and that it is up to me to figure out what is best for my life. So many other "simple" books made me feel that if I didn't do it exactly their way, I was a failure at simple living. I especially enjoyed reading about others and their journeys; this made the whole subject more real for me.
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Summary: Is 439 pages really simplicity?
Review: Some time ago, I purchased this book as I embarked upon my own personal quest to simplify my life. Somehow, I couldn't believe that a 400+ page, inch-thick tome would be necessary to guide me on that path. It has taken me over a year to read this book and I'm left with my initial first impression intact--why can 'simplicity' be made so complicated? This book is an incredibly dense read. There is so much information, so many statistics, so many examples and philosophy and suggestions that it leaves your head swimming. Some portions of it are so didactic that I felt like I was back in college doing a required reading assignment. To be completely fair, I do feel that The Simple Living Guide does indeed accomplish what its subtitle of "A sourcebook for less stressful, more joyful living" would suggest. It is a great SOURCEBOOK. With all this information packed in one place, it has become a useful reference and "jumping off point" for further study. On many occasions I've used the book to get a fresh perspective, find more in-depth information or contact outside organizations. Nearly everything you could possibly want to ferret out is in there somewhere. But if you're looking for a practical, day-to-day guidebook or introduction to the Voluntary Simplicity lifestyle, this is NOT it. A truly simple (and small) book like "Simplify Your Life" or "Living The Simple Life" by Elaine St. James is far more practical and user-friendly. After you're already on the road to simplification and want to deepen your commitment or understanding, that would be the time for The Simple Living Guide.
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Summary: An encyclopedia of simple living ideas
Review: This book is an encyclopedia of creative ideas for simplifying life down to include only what's really important to you. Covers housing alternatives, ideas for travelling cheap, shaving money off your food bill, how to garden anywhere, creative employment ideas, and more... all geared to help readers reduce expenses, break free from today's American debt albatross, and thus have the freedom to live the life they choose. Includes lots of real life examples of people who are doing just that, along with an extensive list of additional resources on each topic. Great inspiration!
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Summary: Impressive... WHAT DO YOU WANT FROM LIFE!
Review: This book ranges from RADICAL to SIMPLE ways to make your life what you want & need for it to be! Lots of "Food for Thought", great examples on what others have done to change & simplify their lives. Some of the reasons why, were infomative, as how they did it. This certainly isn't for everyone, but it is a great help for US who have a need for more DELIBERATE LIVING. Many of the steps were taken over periods of time. I didn't get the impression One needed to sale all thier worldly goods & go live in a cave,(well if it would make you happy), but offered real ways to enchance , enjoy, live life fuller...ie. Be Happier & Healthier with your self & future. Blessed be.
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Summary: Chock full of good things
Review: This is one great book chock full of so many helpful tips on how to make your life more simple and the rationale for doing so. The author touches on everything from meditation to housing and work to physical health and travel. Scattered throughout are examples of people who are following their own path to simplicity. There are tips on saving on travel that I've never seen elsewhere. The author has also included tons of references so you know where to go to do more reading. A great book you'll probaby refer to time and time again!
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