Top 5 Best Books on Minimalism關于極簡主義的五本佳作

伊內斯·莫賴斯　王昊堃/譯

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.

在成為極簡主義者的道路上，你是否被消費主義無情的魔爪抓住并迫切需要逃出生天？我們都有過這樣的經歷，也都需要從當今這個充斥著消費主義的晚期資本主義世界中解脫出來。解決問題的辦法就是極簡主義。但該從哪兒開始？又該如何開始呢？來看一看關于極簡主義的推薦書單吧，或許在你開始嘗試這種全新的生活方式時，它們會有所幫助。

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

《數(shù)字極簡主義：在喧鬧的世界里專注生活》，2019

Author： Cal Newport

作者：卡爾·紐波特

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.

這本書探討了當代最具爭議的一個話題。作者邀請讀者與他一起探索對數(shù)字世界的依賴，這種依賴對我們產生了什么影響，我們又該如何應對。答案就在數(shù)字極簡主義中。數(shù)字極簡主義者是一場遠離社媒運動的參與者。他們發(fā)現(xiàn)，拒絕社交媒體能夠讓人享受生命中真正有價值的事，不同性格的人會因而獲得不同的滿足感。

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.

紐波特并不是“技術恐懼者”。他的書只是教人們如何以一種有用的方式使用技術幫助自己實現(xiàn)價值和目標。無論你是意識到自己需要從社交媒體中解脫出來，還是正努力改變每五分鐘左右就得看看手機的習慣，對你而言這都是一本精彩、有益的讀物。

Minimalism： Live a Meaningful Life， 2011

《極簡主義：過有意義的生活》，2011

Author： Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus

作者：喬舒亞·菲爾茨·米爾本、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.

兩位作者都是典型的勤奮工作的美國人，生活目標就是追逐即將成真的美國夢。然而，與美國夢并存的還有抑郁，以及一種深陷消費主義的惡性循環(huán)。米爾本和尼科迪默斯在極簡主義中看見了曙光，從此放棄了報酬豐厚的工作，過上了更有意義的生活。這本書帶著讀者一起回顧作者從企業(yè)員工到成為極簡主義者的旅程——極簡主義讓他們擁有更少，卻過得更好。

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.

本書與其說是一本指南，不如說是一系列想法的集合；與其說體現(xiàn)了極簡主義，不如說是在講述作者的故事。他們向讀者傳授了理論知識，卻并未提及實操的方法。讀完這本書，讀者會疑惑“我該怎么做？”，但無法在書中找到答案。

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

《極簡：在你擁有的一切之下，發(fā)現(xiàn)你想要的生活》，2016

Author： Joshua Becker

作者：喬舒亞·貝克爾

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.

如果你剛開始嘗試極簡主義，那么貝克爾的這本書再合適不過。它對什么是極簡主義做出了很有見地的解釋，并對為何要追求極簡生活及簡單的生活方式會對身心產生什么影響等問題給出了回答。

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.

作者在敘述中提出了幾條建議，指導讀者從收納整理開始。然而，這些建議會顯得有些激進，對于那些希望一步步做減法、慢慢整理收納的人來說并不合適。

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.

有些讀者甚至抱怨這本書過于主觀，對成為一個真正的極簡主義者并無幫助。還有讀者指出，該書另一個缺點是觀點重復，對于那些已經有所研究并讀過其他相關書籍的極簡主義者來說，沒有什么新意。

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，還有一點要注意，喬舒亞·貝克爾的書處處引用《圣經》經文，這點并非所有人都能欣賞。盡管如此，這本書總體上對初學者還是有所幫助的。

The Little Book of Contentment， 2015

《知足小書》，2015

Author： Leo Babauta

作者：利奧·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.

利奧·巴伯塔的書是一本關于精神極簡主義的十分有用的指南。《知足小書》是一部振奮人心的勵志之作，提供了看待生活的新視角。它告訴讀者，簡單的思考與行動會讓人遠離焦慮與擔憂，獲得自我滿足與快樂。

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.

如今的普通人被一種體系圍困，使他們相信幸福存在于各種商品中。然而，巴伯塔在書中表示，滿足感就在每個人心中，并且自己可以掌控。幸福來自于珍惜我們已經擁有的，而不是我們沒有卻認為自己想要或需要的。在生活中設定了目標，結果卻以消費主義告終——相比這樣的行為，只擁有自身看來有意義、有需要的事物，會給我們的幸福帶來更深刻的影響。

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

《極簡主義101：極簡生活如何助力斷舍離》，2018

Author： Kevin Garnett

作者：凱文·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.

《極簡主義101》是一本直奔主題的書。它簡單易讀，最重要的是非常實用。有意思的是，這本書本身的條理就非常清晰。內容分為三部分：為何要選擇極簡主義、如何成為極簡主義者，以及如何長期堅持極簡生活。

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.

讀了加尼特的書，可以學到什么是極簡主義、為何我們會有積攢雜物的傾向。讀者會獲得關于居家斷舍離的技巧、竅門和方法，也會學到如何避免家里再次堆滿雜物。

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.

讀者將從書中獲得一些信息，包括極簡主義的諸多好處、極簡主義新手入門指南、如何將極簡主義的理念運用到日常生活中，以及非常重要的一點，如何讓極簡主義成為一種習慣。這本書解釋了什么是極簡主義運動，我們如何參與其中，以及如何養(yǎng)成極簡的習慣。

（譯者為“《英語世界》杯”翻譯大賽獲獎者）