The Art of Doing Nothing: Simple Ways to Make Time for Yourself

"This book has lots of great information in it. It really makes you start thinking about how you are living your life. Are you rushing through it? Or, are you enjoying it? Highly recommended for all."
~ Written on 2006-12-05

"Instinctively, I picked up these two small but wonderful books while browsing the local bookstores during one weekend:

1. The Art of Doing Nothing: Simple Ways to Make Time for Yourtself, by Veronique Vieene;
2. The Art of Napping, by William Anthony;

Ever since I have read Jeff Davidson's Breathing Space: Living & Working @ a Confortable Space in a Sped Up Society, many years ago, I have always valued - & benefitted tremendously from - the power of time-out. In a world where the future is hurtling at breakneck speed with hurricane-force changes, all of us must learn to do some time-outs!

Donald Mitchell's earlier review sums up very much my sentiments about the first book.

As for the second book, which is also equally lighthearted & humourously illustrated, I find myself amused & entertained by the author's introduction to a napaphobic culture. In a nutshell, these are his fun stuff:

- profiles in napping (stories of legendary nappers, including JFK, Winston Churchill, Thomas Edision, Napoleon Bonaparte, Bill Clinton, Ronald Reagan!);
- napping strategies (noice to advanced levels);
- nap management (getting the most from your naps);
- the future of napping;

In some way, this book reinforces the chapter on 'The Art of Napping' in the first book. While the first book is beautifully illustrated by the co-author's photographs, the second book has several funny & bone-tickling cartoons.

To sum up my review, I want to say that these two books (plus, Jeff Davidson's book)are excellent handy guides for the time-pressed, over-achieving generation.
"
~ Written on 2005-09-17

"The author makes a pointed effort of using a tiring collection of little used eight letter words...in combination. End result: endless, rambling sentences. The content is quite dull and uninspiring. Exasperating considering I expected this piece to be a beautiful, pleasant read. To follow the author's recommendation, one must reside near a surplus of speciality and gourmet shops. For those of us in the middle to lower economic range, try a fragrant bubble bath from a local dollar store, lock yourself in the bathroom and listen to music.
The photographer is to be commended for her artistic talent. Although, as a heterosexual female, I would have much prefered a picture of a naked man floating in a pond to that of a naked woman!
The Art of Doing Nothing is worth...nothing. Not your time nor your money."
~ Written on 2003-01-03

"It's an ok book - the pictures are pretty - but I honestly haven't even been inspired to read it - it's more just for looking at"
~ Written on 2002-08-08

"I purchased this book in conjunction with "The Art of Imperfection" - and was completely disappointed with both books. This one particularly was, how shall I say, strange? I was expecting to get something out of this book and received nothing. No mind-opening statements, no inspiration, nothing. I wouldn't waste my money again."
~ Written on 2002-06-18