The Book of Idle Pleasures

From a founder and editor of The Idler, a gentle guide to goofing off—and finding stolen moments of contentment amid the madness of the world.

In this inspiring book, expert Idlers Tom Hodgkinson and Dan Kieran stand up for the simple pleasures in life . . . by lying down for a nap. With its tongue firmly in its cheek, The Book of Idle Pleasures renounces our world of ever-growing consumer overload in favor of the timelessly true adage that the best things in life really are free.

In its reflections on 100 simple pastimes—among them slouching, skipping stones, staring out the window, doodling, looking at maps, learning the names of trees, and, natch, taking a nap—The Book of Idle Pleasures is a charming celebration of simple pleasures for the sake of pleasure itself, making it a soothing antidote for our nonstop culture and an ideal restorative against the costly confusion of our daily existence.

Praise for Tom Hodgkinson’s How to Be Idle

“A true literary gem . . . irresistible.” —USA Today

“A joyful tribute to how we could live . . . lovelyto be savored.” —Providence Journal