memoir or self-help?

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Not my norm, but I read someone else’s review before cracking my ARC of this book. That review included a comment about The Minimalists not being very minimal with their words and it rings true. As with many writings in the self-help genre, this book could have been a TED talk and the delivery likely would have been stronger. As it stands it feels watered down and repetitive.

Repetition and over-explanation are not my largest problems with this book. Both authors contribute, but I questioned multiple times whether I was reading a book about how to live with less or Millburn’s personal memoir. Separately either would have been fine, but the combination of the two feels forceful and sales-y. Finally, privilege and whiteness (writes the white female reviewer) pervade this book. While each author addresses their own path to minimalism there is little recognition of the privileged positions they speak from.

I had never heard of The Minimalists prior to reading this book, but in total honesty this work doesn’t make me want to subscribe to more of their content. Thanks due to Bookish First and Celadon Books for sending this ARC my way. @bookishfirst #CeladonReads @CeladonBooks #lovepeopleusethingsbook