Simple and Free: Study Guide

Packed with tools and practices, this study guide takes us deeper into Simple & Free: 7 Experiments Against Excess by New York Times bestselling author Jen Hatmaker, helping us combat the areas of overindulgence and excess in our lives, freeing us to feel less stressed and more fulfilled.

In Simple & Free, first published as 7, Jen Hatmaker gave readers the story of how her reckoning with excess and materialism turned into a social experiment—which soon propelled a spiritual movement. Now, in this study guide, Hatmaker invites us to delve deeper into solutions and practices for our own seven areas of excess—from stress to spending to social media. This nine-week study guide walks us through these excesses and equips us with practical tools for creating solutions—and making this idea a way of life, not just an experiment.

Taking the best from Simple & Free and packing these points with Scripture followed by prompting questions, this resource is broken down into focused, thematically organized weeks for readers to explore patterns and solutions around sustainability and gratitude in greater depth.

What’s the payoff from living a deeply reduced life? It’s the discovery of a greatly increased connection with God—a call toward simplicity and generosity that transcends social experiment to become a radically better life.

Standard and Primary covers are widely available through general retailers. They often have higher print runs and can be cheaper, especially during sales.

In contrast, Direct Market (DM) and variant covers are primarily sold in comic shops. DM editions tend to have more limited availability and may be more valuable to collectors.

The main differences lie in artwork style, availability, price, and collector appeal. Ultimately, the choice between standard and variant covers depends on personal preference, budget, and individual collecting goals.

Comic book enthusiasts have various formats to choose from when collecting their favorite stories.
Here's a brief overview of the main types:

Omnibus

• Large, hardcover collections
• Usually contain complete runs or extensive story arcs
• Typically 800-1000+ pages
• Higher price point, often €100-€150

Oversized Hardcover (OHC)

• Similar dimensions to omnibus, but thinner
• Collect shorter runs or story arcs
• Usually 300-600 pages
• Priced between €30-€50

Hardcover (HC)

• Standard-sized hardcover books
• Collect 6-12 issues typically
• Similar dimensions to single issues, but with a hard cover
• Priced around €25-€35

Trade Paperback (TP)

• Softcover collections
• Standard comic book size
• Usually collect 4-6 issues
• Most affordable option, typically €15-€25

Other Formats

• Absolute Editions: Oversized, deluxe hardcovers (mainly DC Comics)
• Compendiums: Massive paperback collections
• Graphic Novels (OGN/GN): Original stories not previously released as single issues

The choice between these formats often depends on personal preference, budget, and collecting goals. Omnibus and OHC editions offer larger artwork and more content but at a higher price, while TPs provide a more affordable way to collect complete story arcs