10 Books to Keep When You Sell Everything and Build a Tiny House

1. The Tiny House Design and Construction Guide, by Dan Louche
Let’s not get cocky. At least one of these books should be a manual on how to build, repair, and live in a tiny house. This book covers all the basics.

2. One Morning in Maine, by Robert McCloskey
Reading a beloved picture book is like getting a warm hug from your mom, which is useful if your tiny house is not particularly temperate. And picture books are skinny! Does that mean you can choose more? I think it does.

3. In the Small Kitchen, by Cara Eisenpress
This cookbook will be a great go-to for when you need to cook dinner without taking over every surface in your tiny house. There are recipes for soup, sandwiches, and even risotto. (Also useful for city apartments.)

4. His Dark Materials trilogy, by Phillip Pullman
Although technically classified as children’s books, Pullman’s writing is really about the nature of evil, curiosity, science, religion, and truth. That’s a lot to fit into one trilogy—but packing a lot into a little is kind of your jam now.

5. The Gifts of Imperfection, by Brené Brown
If Brené Brown doesn’t have the answers to your problems, no one does. Her sharp, empathetic thoughts always cut through and make sense when nothing else does. This book is a step-by-step guide for understanding the burden that comes with being a perfectionist, and how you can step away from the madness.

6. What the Heart Knows, by Joyce Sidman and Pamela Zagarenski
If the chi is off in a tiny house, you can’t hide from it. The poems, chants, and blessings in this book are a lovely way to make any space feel sacred and hopeful. There are passages that build courage, while others may help you ask for forgiveness (always helpful if you’re not the only one living in your tiny house).

7. We Took to the Woods, by Louise Dickinson Rich
A thoughtful story of a family that moved to a cabin in the woods, it’s the perfect thing to read aloud as you fall asleep next to someone you love. If you have a skylight that lets you gaze up at the stars above your tiny house as you read, all the better.

8. Benny and Shrimp, by Katarina Mazetti
An unforgettable book about a romance between a reserved librarian and a really reserved farmer. It’s a tough call to pick just one romance for your tiny house, but this one is a strong contender. If anyone knows when the sequel is going to be translated into English, do tell!

9. A Sideways Look at Time, by Jay Griffiths
This author knows how to think deeply and differently. A philosophical treatise and an anthropological study all in one, Griffiths looks at how time is perceived by cultures around the world, and how our perception of time influences our lives in ways big and small. I always return to this book when I need a shot of inspiration and fresh perspective.

10. The Gold Bug Variations, by Richard Powers
A book about the place where science and music intersect. I dare you not to talk about language, genetics, and honest-to-goodness themes after you read it! A must-have for the tiny house that has everything you need, and nothing more.
What books would make the cut in your tiny house?