Circle of Simplicity: Return to the Good Life

This book sat on my shelf for almost a year before I read it. Once I did it had a great effect on me. This year I bought everyone in my family and friends a copy and sent it to them to read. It is honest and in a time of this worlds great gluttoney it speaks volumes of "less is more". That you dont need all the fancy baubles as time is wasted in working to pay for all these things. It ask questions of what do you want to do with your time. It gets one thinking!

I first read this book about five years ago when I was yearning for SOMETHING in my life, but didn't know quite what. Cecile seemed to have read my mind and outlined the very needs of someone caught up in the "junk" of life -- both mentally and physcially -- and gave solid ways of untangling one's life. If you heard of "voluntary simplicity" but haven't yet caught the wave, this book is a wonderful introduction to the concept and will lead you on to learn more. You will see your life in a new light after the seed of simplicity is planted in your mind.

This book is one of the finest resources for someone contemplating a simpler lifestyle. The book succeeds on its strong points of which I found two. First, the philosophy of simplicity that is suggested is non-dogmatic. Recognizing that everyone starts from a different place and will find different solutions in their quest to simplify their lives. If you are expecting a one size fits all simplicity strategy, you won't find it here. The second point, and the jewel of this book is the concept of "simplicity study circles" a Swedish derived process that brings people together to explore that age old form of human wisdom -- conversation with kindred spirits. I cant think of a better way to insure the long lasting success of your personal simplicity program than to have the support of other like minded people. Buy this book and start to simplify your life today.

In this book, Andrews invites readers to explore volunteer simplicity along with her. She clearly states in the Introduction that she doesn't have all the answers and is not the Guru of Simplicity. Rather, she is a "fellow explorer" doing exactly what she sets out to do -- creating for us a thought-provoking exploration based on her own observations and experiences. I enjoyed the book very much and could relate to the author's experiences quite well. To me, writing about the human condition is far more meaningful when it is based on someone's deeply felt experience -- which is what this author does.

Feeling consumed by, rather than consuming, materialism? Too many trivial concerns cluttering your life? Ever feel like there's got to be a better way to live than the lifestyle mainstream society prescribes? Then you've got to check out Cecile Andrews's THE CIRCLE OF SIMPLCITY. It's more fun to read than WALDEN, more accessible than VOLUNTARY SIMPLICITY, and lots less holier-than-thou than Elaine St. James's plethora of "simple living" books. Andrews, in fact, seems like an old friend. Her writing style is immediately likeable and quite lucid. And I can assure you the book will change your life.