7 days of simplicity A season of living lightly

Bestseller Hatmaker follows up 7: An Experimental Mutiny Against Excess with excellent advice for pursuing a "spiritual exercise both in living simply and in living more sustainably." Hatmaker uses the same seven section titles as her first book--"Kitchen," "Fashion," "Stuff," "Streaming," "Tossing," "Spending," "Stressing"--and reflects on how she and her family live differently with less, and provides faith-based tips for trimming excess. ("He is our portion where food and clothes and comfort fall woefully short," she writes of her faith in God.) Simple suggestions abound: use what one has before buying more, shop at secondhand stores, turn one's text notifications off at bedtime. "Reflections on a Season of Simplicity" sections provide thoughtful commentary on simple living, noting it is "a path toward peace of mind and a peaceful home" and "an act of grace and gratitude." Hatmaker's scripture-based perspective and the book's attractive design (it's based around gilded leaf patterns and biblical quotations) make it a joy to read. Newcomers to Hatmaker and fans alike will appreciate her heartfelt thinking on simpler living. Agent: Mike Salisbury, Yates and Yates (Sept.)