Top 5 Best Books on Minimalism关于极简主义的五本佳作

伊内斯·莫赖斯　王昊堃/译

Did the merciless claws of consumerism catch you on your path to become a minimalist and you were in desperate need to break free？ We all have such experiences， and we all need a break from the modern world of late capitalism drenched in consumerism. The solution to that issue is minimalism， but where and how do you start？ Check out our list of the best books on minimalism that can aid you in this new lifestyle youre approaching.

在成为极简主义者的道路上，你是否被消费主义无情的魔爪抓住并迫切需要逃出生天？我们都有过这样的经历，也都需要从当今这个充斥着消费主义的晚期资本主义世界中解脱出来。解决问题的办法就是极简主义。但该从哪儿开始？又该如何开始呢？来看一看关于极简主义的推荐书单吧，或许在你开始尝试这种全新的生活方式时，它们会有所帮助。

Digital Minimalism： Choosing a Focused Life in a Noisy World， 2019

《數字极简主义：在喧闹的世界里专注生活》，2019

Author： Cal Newport

作者：卡尔·纽波特

This book addresses one of the most controversial topics of our time. Cal Newport invites you to join him in the discovering of the dependency of the digital world， what it is doing to us， and what we can do about it. The answer is in digital minimalism. Digital minimalists are part of a movement that distances itself from social media. These minimalists are finding out that saying no to social media allows them to enjoy the truly valuable things in life that bring satisfaction according to each personality.

这本书探讨了当代最具争议的一个话题。作者邀请读者与他一起探索对数字世界的依赖，这种依赖对我们产生了什么影响，我们又该如何应对。答案就在数字极简主义中。数字极简主义者是一场远离社媒运动的参与者。他们发现，拒绝社交媒体能够让人享受生命中真正有价值的事，不同性格的人会因而获得不同的满足感。

Newport isnt a “technophobe1”—his book just teaches you how to use technology in a useful way that supports your values and goals. Whether youre aware you need a break from social media or youre struggling to stop looking at your phone every 5 or so minutes， Newports book is a wonderful， helpful read.

纽波特并不是“技术恐惧者”。他的书只是教人们如何以一种有用的方式使用技术帮助自己实现价值和目标。无论你是意识到自己需要从社交媒体中解脱出来，还是正努力改变每五分钟左右就得看看手机的习惯，对你而言这都是一本精彩、有益的读物。

Minimalism： Live a Meaningful Life， 2011

《极简主义：过有意义的生活》，2011

Author： Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus

作者：乔舒亚·菲尔茨·米尔本、瑞安·尼科迪默斯

The authors lived the life of typical hard-working Americans who run toward the American Dream on the horizon2. However， next to their idea of the American Dream， was also depression and a downward spiral3 of consumerism. Millburn and Nicodemus found the light in minimalism and have since given up on their well-paid jobs to live a more meaningful life. This book takes us through their journey from corporate members to minimalists enjoying life much more while having much less.

两位作者都是典型的勤奋工作的美国人，生活目标就是追逐即将成真的美国梦。然而，与美国梦并存的还有抑郁，以及一种深陷消费主义的恶性循环。米尔本和尼科迪默斯在极简主义中看见了曙光，从此放弃了报酬丰厚的工作，过上了更有意义的生活。这本书带着读者一起回顾作者从企业员工到成为极简主义者的旅程——极简主义让他们拥有更少，却过得更好。

The book is more of a cluster4 of ideas than a guide; its more about their story than minimalism. They give you the theoretical lessons but leave out5 the practical lessons. Readers end up wondering ‘how do I do it？ and cant find the answer in the book.

本書与其说是一本指南，不如说是一系列想法的集合；与其说体现了极简主义，不如说是在讲述作者的故事。他们向读者传授了理论知识，却并未提及实操的方法。读完这本书，读者会疑惑“我该怎么做？”，但无法在书中找到答案。

The More of Less： Finding the Life You Want Under Everything You Own， 2016

《极简：在你拥有的一切之下，发现你想要的生活》，2016

Author： Joshua Becker

作者：乔舒亚·贝克尔

Beckers book is great if youre just getting started on minimalism. It provides you an informed explanation of what minimalism is. It also provides you with several answers as to why you should pursue a minimalist life and what a simple lifestyle does to your body and mind.

如果你刚开始尝试极简主义，那么贝克尔的这本书再合适不过。它对什么是极简主义做出了很有见地的解释，并对为何要追求极简生活及简单的生活方式会对身心产生什么影响等问题给出了回答。

Becker includes several tips in his narrative to guide you through the first steps of decluttering6. However， these guidelines may come out as a bit intense and not appropriate for someone who wants to start decluttering and organizing their space in baby steps7.

作者在叙述中提出了几条建议，指导读者从收纳整理开始。然而，这些建议会显得有些激进，对于那些希望一步步做减法、慢慢整理收纳的人来说并不合适。

Some have yet complained the book is too subjective and thus useless in helping the reader become a true minimalist. Another downside8 many have also pointed out is that the ideas in this book are repetitive and bring nothing new to minimalists who have done their research and read other books.

有些读者甚至抱怨这本书过于主观，对成为一个真正的极简主义者并无帮助。还有读者指出，该书另一个缺点是观点重复，对于那些已经有所研究并读过其他相关书籍的极简主义者来说，没有什么新意。

Finally， just a side note： Joshua Beckers book is filled with scripture references， which arent appreciated by all. Even so， its an overall helpful book for starters.

最后，还有一点要注意，乔舒亚·贝克尔的书处处引用《圣经》经文，这点并非所有人都能欣赏。尽管如此，这本书总体上对初学者还是有所帮助的。

The Little Book of Contentment， 2015

《知足小书》，2015

Author： Leo Babauta

作者：利奥·巴伯塔

Leo Babautas book is a very useful guide on mind minimalism. The Little Book of Contentment is an uplifting and motivational work that gives a new perspective on life. It teaches you that thinking and acting simplistically makes you let go of angst and worry， leading to personal fulfillment and happiness.

利奥·巴伯塔的书是一本关于精神极简主义的十分有用的指南。《知足小书》是一部振奋人心的励志之作，提供了看待生活的新视角。它告诉读者，简单的思考与行动会让人远离焦虑与担忧，获得自我满足与快乐。

The common person nowadays is stuck in a system that convinces them happiness is in commodities. Nevertheless， according to Babautas book， contentment is within you， and you can control it. Happiness comes from appreciating what we already have rather than the things we dont own but think we want or need. Owning only the things that have meaning to us and we need contributes as a far more deep impact on our well-being than establishing goals in our lives that end in nothing other than consumerism.

如今的普通人被一种体系围困，使他们相信幸福存在于各种商品中。然而，巴伯塔在书中表示，满足感就在每个人心中，并且自己可以掌控。幸福来自于珍惜我们已经拥有的，而不是我们没有却认为自己想要或需要的。在生活中设定了目标，结果却以消费主义告终——相比这样的行为，只拥有自身看来有意义、有需要的事物，会给我们的幸福带来更深刻的影响。

Minimalism 101： How Minimalist Living Can Help You To Declutter， Tidy Up Your Stuff and Say Goodbye to Things You Dont Need， 2018

《极简主义101：极简生活如何助力断舍离》，2018

Author： Kevin Garnett

作者：凯文·加尼特

Minimalism 101 is a book that goes straight to the point. Its a simple book， its incredibly easy to read and， most importantly， its very helpful. Interestingly enough， the book itself is extremely organized. Its divided into three parts： Why Minimalism？， How to Become a Minimalist， and lastly How to Stay a Minimalist.

《極简主义101》是一本直奔主题的书。它简单易读，最重要的是非常实用。有意思的是，这本书本身的条理就非常清晰。内容分为三部分：为何要选择极简主义、如何成为极简主义者，以及如何长期坚持极简生活。

By reading Garnetts book youll be learning what minimalism is and why do we have such tendencies to accumulate clutter; youll get several tips， tricks， and tools to declutter your home， and youll learn how to prevent your home from clogging up9 again.

读了加尼特的书，可以学到什么是极简主义、为何我们会有积攒杂物的倾向。读者会获得关于居家断舍离的技巧、窍门和方法，也会学到如何避免家里再次堆满杂物。

Youll get access to information such as the many benefits of minimalism， the first steps for a beginner minimalist， how to apply minimalism ideals in your daily life， and—very important！—how to make minimalism a habit. Its thus a book that explains what the minimalist movement is， how you can join it， and how you can make it a habit.

读者将从书中获得一些信息，包括极简主义的诸多好处、极简主义新手入门指南、如何将极简主义的理念运用到日常生活中，以及非常重要的一点，如何让极简主义成为一种习惯。这本书解释了什么是极简主义运动，我们如何参与其中，以及如何养成极简的习惯。

（译者为“《英语世界》杯”翻译大赛获奖者）