The Art of Imperfection: Simple Ways to Make Peace with Yourself

"Our innate idiosyncrasies are actually more endearing to others than our most glorious personal achievements," writes author Veronique Vienne in this pretty little book, with its intriguing, sepia-tone photographs by Erica Lennard. Vienne offers 10 meditative essays about how to be successful and happy without being perfect. Quirkiness, after all, is creative. She encourages you to "find solace in your shortcomings and even celebrate your most embarrassing lapses." The essays include "the art of making mistakes," "the art of looking like yourself," "the art of having nothing to wear," and "the art of being neither rich nor famous." Vienne envisions a world where people could bump into furniture and forget to return phone calls "without getting unduly annoyed with themselves," never consult shopping lists at the checkout counter, and "only carry bags you could use as pillows." This is a delightful book, but there's a major problem: anyone over 40 will have trouble reading it. The small, brown type on gray pages is artsy to the point of being barely legible, even with reading glasses. Buy this for a youthful reader! --Joan Price