THE TOO-BUSY BOOK: Slowing Down to Catch Up with Life

Numerous recent books have encouraged readers to slow down and chill out, but this one is distinguished by its particular focus on Christian women and its practical, hands-on approach. Andersen, a retreat leader and author of five books, writes in "coffee-break length chapters," encouraging women who may feel powerless to stop the never-ending treadmill of duties and responsibilities to step back and evaluate their lives. "The premise of this book is that you have chosen what to do with your time, and you can still choose," she writes. Brief chapters address the need for a Sabbath, the difficulty of saying no and setting limits and understanding when you have enough, among other topics. Each brief chapter is followed by a prayer, questions for reflection, and journaling exercises that are designed to help women slow down and carefully weigh the choices they make with their time. Andersen says that because she is a cancer survivor, time has never been so precious to her, and that the three-year illness taught her how to think and pray. She learned the difference between busyness, which is full-speed motion to meet the demands of self and others, and fruitfulness, which is a serene way of being "a branch [of God] and not a self-sustaining vine." This helpful book can assist others in acquiring that same wisdom. (Sept. 21)