How to Do Nothing by Jenny Odell

About the Book

If you feel like your phone owns you more than you own it, this book was written for you. Jenny Odell digs into why our attention has become the most traded resource on the planet, and she offers a real, thoughtful way to take it back without throwing your phone in a lake.

About the Author

Jenny Odell is an artist, writer, and educator based in Oakland, California. She teaches in the Department of Art & Art History at Stanford University and has completed artist residencies at the San Francisco dump, the Internet Archive, and the San Francisco Planning Department. Her writing has appeared in the New York Times, the Paris Review, and McSweeney’s.

Who Is This Book For?

This paperback is perfect for anyone who feels burned out by constant notifications, social media pressure, or the endless hustle culture that demands productivity every waking minute. It’s a great pick for students, remote workers, artists, and anyone curious about slowing down without dropping out of life completely.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is How to Do Nothing by Jenny Odell a self-help book?
Not exactly. It reads like a self-help book at first, but it grows into a bigger cultural argument about attention, technology, and community. It’s part memoir, part philosophy, and part guide.

What is How to Do Nothing about in simple terms?
It’s about learning to step back from the constant pull of social media and productivity culture so you can pay attention to real life again, like nature, art, and the people around you.

Is this book good for someone new to Jenny Odell?
Yes. This paperback edition is a great starting point for new readers, and it’s written in an accessible, conversational style that doesn’t require any background in tech or philosophy.