Courtesy Random House

Web Exclusive. . . Seven Sins Discussion Guide By Lindsay Mergens; online discussion through January 23, 2006, April 2006 Read about Seven Sins for a Life Worth Living, check out an excerpt from the book, then join a dialogue about self-indulgence on our message board

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About the Book

Forget those pleasure-depriving resolutions. In Seven Sins for a Life Worth Living author Roger Housden offers his own theory of what's ultimately best for your health and emotional well-being. He contends that Americans' relentless quest for self-improvement—and the success and satisfaction it promises—has trumped the pursuit of joy. The pressures of our stress-filled, status-conscious world are wringing the last drops of enjoyment out of our lives, he argues, and in the book he shares some simple, sound ways he's found to rediscover life's uncomplicated pleasures and be truly happy.

Housden weaves personal anecdotes about his own path to a fulfilling life with illustrations of what he calls the Seven Pleasures and all they have to offer: Do nothing useful. Celebrate the ordinary. Embrace your imperfections. Be comfortable not knowing. Feel at home in your own skin. Give time to all five senses. Let your guard down and be foolish.

While it may seem all but impossible to squeeze these pleasures into our overcrowded schedules, Housden believes we make a greater mistake if we don't indulge ourselves. "The driven life is not much fun," he says, "and if there's no pleasure in it, then it's hardly worth living."

Just in time for the start of '06, Seven Sins for a Life Worth Living will help you rethink the definition of self-improvement—and start living for pleasure this year, and years to come.

Read an excerpt

Discuss on Our Message Board

The new year signifies a time of reflection and renewal, when most people come up with resolutions to eliminate a pleasure-filled habit or behavior. Consider these questions and share your thoughts on our message board:

What "sin" do you allow yourself? Does indulging in it help you in some way? How?

Do you believe that there can be too much of a good thing?

What are some societal or cultural "sins" that you think should be reconsidered as actually positive or beneficial?

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