Rating: 
Summary: Take the time to read this one!
Review: There are books on frugal living, cutting costs and you'll find plenty of those in here, or in any bookstore. But let's start with the premise that 21st century life for many people - especially those who can afford to browse the Internet, and shop on-line, is paced far too fast to be truly enjoyable. Read this book and you'll find personal stories of many people like you, like me, who have found ways to continue living in the world while bringing more meaning into their everyday lives. Not an instruction manual, not helpful hints for practical savings, it's an inspirational boost for those of us who know, in the back of our minds, that we are speeding PAST life at breakneck speed - while realizing that life is too precious and too short to live like we do.
Rating: 
Summary: Good Stories about People Living Simply
Review: This book is a collection of anectdotes of people who have chosen to slow down and live more deliberately, frugally and simply. It is not a book of theory but a book of cases. Breen Pierce selected the stories of some of the people who responded to a series of questions for people who have chosen to live simply she posted on the internet. I enjoyed reading about these different people who all chose to get out of the rat race and live lives more meaningful to them. It's something that I want to do myself and it's informative and encouraging to read about others who are trying to do the same. Greg Feirman (gfire77@yahoo.com)
Rating:
Summary: Good Stories about People Living Simply
Review: This book is a collection of anectdotes of people who have chosen to slow down and live more deliberately, frugally and simply. It is not a book of theory but a book of cases. Breen Pierce selected the stories of some of the people who responded to a series of questions for people who have chosen to live simply she posted on the internet. I enjoyed reading about these different people who all chose to get out of the rat race and live lives more meaningful to them. It's something that I want to do myself and it's informative and encouraging to read about others who are trying to do the same. Greg Feirman (gfire77@yahoo.com)
Rating:
Summary: Great start to living a simple life
Review: This book is a great book to begin the journey of simple living. Breen-Pierce offers various examples on how you can bring simplicity into your life, from a family on the farm to city dwellers, this book is a great introduction to the art of simplicity.
Rating:
Summary: Choosing Simplicity:Real People Finding Peace and Fulfillmen
Review: This book is a wonderful companion to "Your Money or Your Life" by Joe Dominguez and Vicki Robin. It is a very well written and easy to read interpretation of an on-line survey and describes the creative lifestyles of a wide variety of people from a wide variety of economic circumstances and educations. This is packed with excellent content and inspiring stories. I loved every minute of reading this and plan to read it several times.
Rating:
Summary: Choosing Simplicity:Real People Finding Peace and Fulfillmen
Review: This book is a wonderful companion to "Your Money or Your Life" by Joe Dominguez and Vicki Robin. It is a very well written and easy to read interpretation of an on-line survey and describes the creative lifestyles of a wide variety of people from a wide variety of economic circumstances and educations. This is packed with excellent content and inspiring stories. I loved every minute of reading this and plan to read it several times.
Rating:
Summary: Really Inspiring!
Review: This book really resonated with me. I had a hard time putting it down. When I purchased it, I was a bit worried that it would be filled with trite or preachy suggestions about going back to the land & living in a tent, making your own jam & clothes, and helping out at the soup kitchen every Christmas in order to discover what's truly valuable in life. I don't in any way mean to knock jam-making, homesteading, or volunteer work - but I think we've all heard those kind of suggestions enough times already, thank you. Therefore, I was pleasantly surprised to see how many different paths the study participants profiled in this book take in order to simplify their lives. There are as many potential paths as there are individuals on the planet. Although most simplicity-seekers (myself included) tend to value the same things (e.g. nature, spirituality, and a rich inner life), there is no formula for attaining a life that privileges what you value. The stories here confirm that mental and physical uncluttering tend to go hand in hand. More importantly, however, the book addresses a broader, deeper, spiritual kind of unburdening that derives from simple living. In other words, simplicity is portrayed as a means to attain greater peace of mind and mindfulness; it isn't necessarily about ascetic living (although some persons choose that option). It most certainly is not about deprivation. Naturally, I related more to some profiles in the book than to others, but all were valuable to me in some way. I haven't read any of the other simplicity books, but now that I've read this one, I somehow don't feel the need to. This was enough to get me started on my own way. I really liked reading about these folks and think it was more helpful for me than any "how to simplify" guide, although those may be good too. One other feature I liked: the author interjects her own remarks into each section as she presents the views & experiences of various study participants. Her own remarks are set apart in boxes. Maybe it's because I teach, but I really enjoyed how these comments served to underscore salient meanings in the preceding narratives. These remarks helped synthesize the book - it became much more than a disjointed collection of individual lives and opinions. The author does this skillfully; she doesn't destroy the integrity of any participant's perspective by hogging the spotlight and filtering every remark made through her own lens. In other words, she doesn't demean the subjects by "interpreting" them for us. Instead, she just offers a thoughtful commentary now and then that this reader found "just right."
Rating:
Summary: Really Inspiring!
Review: This book really resonated with me. I had a hard time putting it down. When I purchased it, I was a bit worried that it would be filled with trite or preachy suggestions about going back to the land & living in a tent, making your own jam & clothes, and helping out at the soup kitchen every Christmas in order to discover what's truly valuable in life. I don't in any way mean to knock jam-making, homesteading, or volunteer work - but I think we've all heard those kind of suggestions enough times already, thank you. Therefore, I was pleasantly surprised to see how many different paths the study participants profiled in this book take in order to simplify their lives. There are as many potential paths as there are individuals on the planet. Although most simplicity-seekers (myself included) tend to value the same things (e.g. nature, spirituality, and a rich inner life), there is no formula for attaining a life that privileges what you value. The stories here confirm that mental and physical uncluttering tend to go hand in hand. More importantly, however, the book addresses a broader, deeper, spiritual kind of unburdening that derives from simple living. In other words, simplicity is portrayed as a means to attain greater peace of mind and mindfulness; it isn't necessarily about ascetic living (although some persons choose that option). It most certainly is not about deprivation. Naturally, I related more to some profiles in the book than to others, but all were valuable to me in some way. I haven't read any of the other simplicity books, but now that I've read this one, I somehow don't feel the need to. This was enough to get me started on my own way. I really liked reading about these folks and think it was more helpful for me than any "how to simplify" guide, although those may be good too. One other feature I liked: the author interjects her own remarks into each section as she presents the views & experiences of various study participants. Her own remarks are set apart in boxes. Maybe it's because I teach, but I really enjoyed how these comments served to underscore salient meanings in the preceding narratives. These remarks helped synthesize the book - it became much more than a disjointed collection of individual lives and opinions. The author does this skillfully; she doesn't destroy the integrity of any participant's perspective by hogging the spotlight and filtering every remark made through her own lens. In other words, she doesn't demean the subjects by "interpreting" them for us. Instead, she just offers a thoughtful commentary now and then that this reader found "just right."
Rating:
Summary: Enlightening
Review: This book was quite inspiring. I found connection with many of the folks whose stories were featured. Very informative and has a nice reference selection for books on similar subjects.
Rating:
Summary: Insightful and Inspiring
Review: This collection of stories will inspire you. These people come from all walks of life and there's something here for everyone.
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