Key takeaways:
- Begin with the foundational title that coined the modern “slow movement” and then explore nine follow-ups that deepen or broaden it.
- Slow living is not a matter of inactivity; rather it is a matter of deciding with intention, awareness, and love of neighbor which things to do.
- Among others, you will encounter the topics of practical rituals, minimalism combined with mindfulness, home design, and the career/hustle-culture aspect.
- I included one mini-case: how I incorporated a slow ritual into my week and what results I noticed.
In this article, I’ll highlight one book that is the historical reference of the movement, and then to other 30+ slow books, which in each case bring new insights.
We should examine it more closely.
Check Out: 50+ Free Things to Get on Your Birthday in 2025 (Legit Deals & How to Claim Them)
Why this is the book to start with
In Praise of Slow by Carl Honoré (2004)
This book is often seen as the primary handbook for slow living intervals: Honoré demonstrates how the “speed cult” affected aspects of food, cities, leisure, work, parenting, and much more.
Basically: the best slow living book to help you ground yourself.
What makes it different:
Honore is a journalist from the real world, who looked at real-world examples (like Slow Food in Italy, time-use in business).
The book has been translated into more than 30 languages and keeps being relevant.
Besides critiquing, it also offers actionable and story-based insights: how slowing down improves digestion, relationships, work rhythms.
The first time I read this book was at a time when my career was very demanding—I was traveling to the city, juggling client calls, feeling like I was losing the simple joy of an evening walk. I applied one suggestion: set a “slow hour” each evening (no email, no social media) for 30 minutes. Within two weeks, I noticed my anxiety level dropped. It wasn’t magic—but it was a significant change.
If you are allowed only one title to comprehend the slow-living movement and how to integrate it into your daily life, it would be this one.
Other Essential Slow-Living Reads Worth Your Shelf
The Things You Can See Only When You Slow Down – Haemin Sunim (2017)
A beautifully illustrated mindfulness guide that reminds us to find peace and clarity amid chaos and constant motion.
The Little Book of Hygge: Danish Secrets to Happy Living – Meik Wiking (2016)
Discover the Danish concept of hygge — a cozy, contented way of life built on simplicity, warmth, and connection.
Destination Simple: Everyday Rituals for a Slower Life – Brooke McAlary (2016)
Practical daily rituals to help you reclaim calm and focus in an overwhelmed world.
Wintering: The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times – Katherine May (2020)
A poetic reflection on embracing life’s winters — both literal and emotional — as essential seasons for growth and renewal.
The Kinfolk Home: Interiors for Slow Living – Nathan Williams (2015)
A stunning visual journey into homes that embody the principles of intentional living and mindful design.
Slow – Brooke McAlary (2017)
An inspiring personal story of simplifying life and learning to live with purpose, presence, and gratitude.
The Lady Farmer Guide to Slow Living – Mary E. Kingsley (2020)
A practical guide to cultivating sustainable simplicity and reconnecting with nature close to home.
Slow Living: The Secrets to Slowing Down and Noticing the Simple Joys Anywhere – Helena Woods (2022)
Gentle wisdom on finding everyday magic and joy through slower, more intentional living.
How to Do Nothing: Resisting the Attention Economy – Jenny Odell (2019)
A powerful critique of productivity culture and a manifesto for reclaiming time, attention, and meaning.
Chasing Slow: Courage to Journey Off the Beaten Path – Erin Loechner (2017)
A vulnerable memoir and guide on redefining success and embracing imperfection in pursuit of peace.
Soulful Simplicity: How Living with Less Can Lead to So Much More – Courtney Carver (2017)
Learn how simplifying your space and commitments can open the door to a more intentional, joy-filled life.
Slow Productivity: The Lost Art of Accomplishment Without Burnout – Cal Newport (2024)
A fresh perspective on productivity rooted in depth, focus, and sustainable creativity — not hustle.
Slow Living: Cultivating a Life of Purpose in a Hustle-Driven World – Stephanie O’Dea (2024)
A guide to building a life anchored in meaning, rest, and alignment with your true values.
Still: The Slow Home – Natalie Walton (2020)
A serene exploration of spaces and stories that embody the essence of calm, slow living.
Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less – Greg McKeown (2014)
A life-changing framework for focusing only on what truly matters — and letting go of the rest.
The Cottage Fairy Companion – Paola Merrill (2022)
A whimsical and heartfelt invitation to reconnect with nature, creativity, and self-sufficiency.
Simple Matters: Living with Less and Ending Up with More – Erin Boyle (2016)
A minimalist’s guide to living with intention and finding beauty in simplicity.
Seeking Slow: Reclaim Moments of Calm in Your Day – Melanie Barnes (2019)
An accessible introduction to slow living with simple steps to infuse mindfulness into daily routines.
The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry – John Mark Comer (2019)
A spiritual yet practical roadmap to slowing down and staying emotionally healthy in a frantic world.
Slow Seasons: A Creative Guide to Reconnecting with Nature the Celtic Way – Rosie Steer (2023)
A poetic guide to rediscovering rhythm and balance by syncing with nature’s seasons.
Lagom: The Swedish Art of Balanced Living – Linnea Dunne (2017)
Explore lagom — the Swedish philosophy of “just enough” — and how it fosters balance and wellbeing.
Digital Minimalism: Choosing a Focused Life in a Noisy World – Cal Newport (2019)
A practical guide to reducing digital noise and reclaiming focus, depth, and purpose.
The Art of Slow Living: Embracing Nature’s Pace – Samar Cajal (2024)
A beautifully written reflection on embracing slowness, simplicity, and seasonal rhythms.
Slow Down: 50 Mindful Moments in Nature – Rachel Williams (2020)
Short, mindful prompts to help reconnect with the natural world and rediscover wonder in simplicity.
An Intentional Life: A Guide to a Slower and More Peaceful Existence – Kathryn Bardsley (2021)
Encourages readers to live with awareness and purpose through gentle, mindful choices.
Slow Living: A Simple Approach to a Meaningful Life – S. Hashi (2023)
A grounded, modern take on slow living — balancing mindfulness with purpose and creativity.
The Slow Fix: Solve Problems, Work Smarter and Live Better in a Fast World – Carl Honoré (2012)
Shows how applying the slow philosophy to problem-solving can lead to smarter, more sustainable results.
The Discovery of Slowness – Sten Nadolny (1983)
A literary masterpiece exploring the profound power of patience and deep perception.
Slowly, Softly, Sincerely: A Memoir of Slow Living – Jamie Dean (2025)
A heartfelt 2025 release chronicling the author’s journey from burnout to deep contentment through slow living.
The Joy of Missing Out: Live More by Doing Less – Tanya Dalton (2019)
A motivational guide Book to intentional productivity and living joyfully without overcommitment.
In Praise of Idleness and Other Essays – Bertrand Russell (1935)
A timeless philosophical essay arguing that leisure and reflection are essential to human happiness.
Grounded: Slow, Grow, Make, Do – A Companion for Slow Living – Anna Carlile (2020)
An inspiring manual for embracing creativity, sustainability, and slow craft as daily rituals.
How to choose which book fits you best
- In case you are feeling over-rushed and overwhelmed, get In Praise of Slow to see the big picture and figure out your “why”.
- If you are after workable habits that you can implement this week then it would be best to get a copy of Destination Simple or Slow: Simple Living….
- For those of you who reside in a city and are in need of some slow lifestyle changes that you can do right away, I would recommend Slow Living (Helena Woods).
- In case your main point of contention is work/office/hustle burnout, then Slow Productivity is the right choice for you.
- If your goal is to concentrate on the home space, design, and atmosphere then The Kinfolk Home or The Little Book of Hygge would be excellent choices.
- If you are enthused by nature, seasons, and place-based rhythms, then you should consider reading The Lady Farmer Guide… or Wintering.
Here’s a quick decision table:
| Your situation | Best starting book |
|---|---|
| I’m always in a hurry & want to slow down fundamentally | In Praise of Slow |
| I’m burnt out and want simple daily rituals | Slow: Simple Living… / Destination Simple |
| My stress is work- or office-related | Slow Productivity |
| My space/home feels chaotic | The Kinfolk Home or Hygge |
| I live in city and want practical slow habits | Slow Living (Helena Woods) |
| I’m drawn to nature, rhythm or sustainability | Wintering or Lady Farmer Guide… |
A mini-case study from the City
While living in the City and working remote, I experimented with what I’ll call the “slow evening ritual” drawn from these books I listed above:
-
For one week, from 8 pm to 9 pm, I switched off work notifications, avoided social media, chose one analog activity (reading, walk, cooking).
-
I journalled three things I noticed in that hour: ambient street sounds, the texture of dinner, the feel of the evening breeze.
-
After the week: I felt calmer, slept better, and noted that one of my key “drivers of hurry” was continuous email-checking.
Insight: A major barrier to slow living is the invisible pace—that habitual checking, backdrop noise of tasks. Slowing the “default speed” (device notifications, ambient busyness) gives you space to breathe, choose, respond rather than react.
Common mis-steps (and how to avoid them)
- The slow life is not to be mistaken for a passive/idle one. It is not about doing less, rather it is about doing what matters with clarity.
- Waiting for a perfect “time”: You cannot live slow properly unless you say let’s do it right here, right now.
- Considering slow living merely as a fad. The aforementioned books are about changes in thinking, not taking a one-time “detox” session.
- Going by the idea of complete transformation overnight. It is a gradual practice—rituals, environment, and mindset change over time.
Conclusion
If someone were to inquire what the best book on slow living is, I would say that “In Praise of Slow” is the one because it provides the basis. But the really inviting truth is that it is just one book that speaks to where you are, pick it and let the rest grow around it.
Regardless of whether you are living in New York, London, or Cape Town, the message remains the same: in a world that highly values speed, meaning is most of the time found in the pause. Select the speed that liberates you. Begin reading, and let the ideas become part of your daily life. Slow living is not about putting a bookmark in a book—it’s about giving more presence and intention to your hours.
Read: 15 Journaling Techniques That Will Transform Your Life in 30 Days
One thought on “30+ Essential Best Book on Slow Living that You Must Read for a Calmer Life”
Comments are closed.