It's an unquestioned truth of modern life: we are starved for time. We tell ourselves we'd like to read more, get to the gym regularly, try new hobbies, spend more time with our friends and family. But then we hit a wall because there just aren't enough hours to do it all.

There has to be a better way . . . and Laura Vanderkam has found one. In 168 Hours, she explains how to thoughtfully structure our week so that when plans inevitably go wrong or we run out of time, only our lesser priorities will suffer. By using data-backed strategies to get the most out of our days—like streamlining our working hours, filling unexpected blocks of free time, and identifying our core competencies—along with big-picture planning tools like the 168 Hours Log and the List of 100 Dreams, readers will find that 168 hours a week is more than enough time for what’s truly important.

Vanderkam shows that with a little examination and prioritizing, we can sleep eight hours a night, exercise five days a week, take piano lessons, or finally write that novel—without giving up quality time for work, family, and the things that really matter.