Simple and Free: 7 Experiments Against Excess

Funny, relatable, humble, and honest. Loved this book. A great look at materialism!

Many many ideas and thoughts to embrace. I love a book that makes me think and also touches my spirit.

Good read

Love this book!!

This book is an updated version of Hatmaker's book "7" which focuses on seven areas for simplifying life and getting ready of excess (i.e. food clothing, etc). This edition contains new remarks and commentary from Hatmaker that were not included in the first version; and Hatmaker has had several significant life changes since the first book was published. The insights from the author and her family were quite interesting and challenge the reader to stop and reflect on the excess in their own lives.

I have had 7 on my TBR list for a few years now, so when I was given the opportunity to read Simple and Free, I jumped on it. To me, this book felt like typical Jen Hatmaker writing. It gave me some things to think about, challenged me at times, and made me laugh. Some of it did feel dated because I know about the author’s evolving beliefs, but I appreciated being able to see her comments on how her beliefs have changed in this book. She left the original content from 7 and added comments and updates about what she thinks about what she wrote, where she is now, and how her life and her thinking have changed since she wrote 7. All in all, I am glad I took the time to read this book. I think that some of the themes in this book have become more commonly talked about than they were at the time of the original writing which does not make the book less impactful, but maybe not quite as revolutionary as it it may have felt at the time of the original writing.

"Simple and Free" is the updated version of Jen Hatmaker's book, "7" written 10 years later. Jen went through and kept the original writing of "7" but she added commentary. She added in where she was wrong about things, things she did right, things she did wrong, etc. Its refreshing to see how humble she can be to acknowledge this. I loved "7" when I read it last summer. "Simple and Free" is a book that makes you think how you can change to better not only your life but other people's lives as well. Fasting from food, media, possessions, wearing only 7 items of clothing for a month, reduce waste, reduce spending and adding prayer/rest. Jen is honest about how hard this is to do. Her writing is raw and very well cited with facts about world poverty, pollution, etc. I love this book so much. Her audiobook is fantastic as well.

LOVED this book!