Book Shorts. Reviews in a Nutshell.

Endangered Pleasures: In Defense of Naps, Bacon, Martinis, Profanity, and Other Indulgences

By Barbara Holland

A witty collection of essays that celebrate life’s simple pleasures — naps, take-your-time breakfasts, gardening, reading, and other life-in-the-slow lane pastimes. Holland champions the concept that we have become over-focused on being productive, forgetting how important simple pleasures are to a well-lived life. The book feels like a conversation with a clever and opinionated friend (of which I have several). A very few of  her topics are dated (like wearing fur) but they don’t at all distract from the message of savoring life’s small pleasures. The book is a delightful, lighthearted read for anyone who enjoys essays, humor, and reminders to slow down and enjoy life. I loved this book; I’m already a believer in slowing down (ask anyone who knows me) and noticing how small pleasures make life so much richer. Amen.

Review by Lynda Bernard
June 26, 2026