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Title: The Book of Awesome: Snow Days, Bakery Air, Finding Money in Your Pocket, and Other Simple, Brilliant Things
Author: Neil Pasricha
Series: The Book of Awesome #1
Genre: Nonfiction, Anthology
Audience: Adult, Young Adult
Format: E-book
My Synopsis:
Neil Pasricha has written a book of short essays about little things in our lives that make our days just a little more awesome when we encounter them.
My Review:
I needed this book in my life right now. I don’t even know how to follow that up without hijacking this review into my own political soapbox, so for future reference, I’ll just note that we’re in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic and may George Floyd rest in peace. I pray for justice and meaningful societal changes for him and so many countless others.
Anyway…
A reminder of small, awesome things is a welcome break from the daily hourly onslaught of bad news at the moment. The topics are so great that just reading the contents brings a smile to my face. “The smell of freshly cut grass.” One of my favorite smells in the world. “Watching The Price is Right when you’re at home sick.” That one brings back memories of staying home sick with my grandfather, who passed away two years ago. I don’t remember watching The Price is Right with him, but I remember Chuck Woolery hosting Scrabble. And that brings back memories of Papaw watching Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy literally every night that it was on. Another one that I haven’t experienced but I sure would like to: “When your suitcase tumbles down the luggage chute first after a long flight.” If that ever happens to me, I’m going right out and buying my PowerBall ticket. I think the lottery odds are better than the first-luggage odds!
I mostly read this before bed, because that’s when I like to read my nonfiction books, so over breakfast in the morning, I would read the chapter titles to my husband. That sparked some good conversations about whether we thought each topic was awesome or not (He thinks sleeping with one leg under the covers and one leg out is awesome, but I’m generally for being completely covered, even if it’s only a sheet). We’d also discuss any other memories the topics sparked, like my stories about my grandfather and game shows.
The book got just a bit too long for me. I looked back at the last several chapters, and I do mostly agree that they’re awesome, so I must have just run out of attention. But it also felt like, instead of a quick page or two, the essays got a bit longer. Whatever happened, I personally just wish the book had been maybe 25 pages shorter.
If you need a pick-me-up like I did, please give this book a try. You’ll walk away with a renewed appreciation for all the awesome little things that make up your day if you just have the eyes to see them.
Bonus!
Neil Pasricha is also an active blogger! Check out his continuing list of awesome things at 1000awesomethings.com
Similar Books:
If you liked The Book of Awesome, you might also like my reviews of
- Mama Makes Up Her Mind and Other Dangers of Southern Living by Bailey White
- Without Reservations: The Travels of an Independent Woman by Alice Steinbach
- Huck: The Remarkable True Story of How One Lost Puppy Taught a Family – and a Whole Town – About Hope and Happy Endings by Janet Elder
Purchase:
Buy The Book of Awesome from Malaprop’s Bookstore in Asheville, NC.
I have an affiliate relationship with Malaprop’s Bookstore/Cafe in beautiful Asheville, NC. I will earn a small commission at no additional cost to you if you purchase merchandise through links on my site.
