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barkylee15's review against another edition
3.0
I can see how this was a blog before, because I would have liked to read this in snippets. Although there were a lot of these "awesome" things that I agreed with and found myself nodding my head and saying "yes, exactly!" some of the entries were FAR too long, and I found myself not caring as much about it. Overall, kinda fun and heartwarming but really, you could read the titles of each entry and be good.
cozylittlebrownhouse's review against another edition
3.0
In a world where people are rushed, cranky, and impolite, it sure it nice to sit back with some general awesomeness to make you smile. I enjoyed this first installment, but preferred the quirkiness of the second more. Both are worth checking out, for sure!
dangermoves's review against another edition
3.0
I bought this book because it was cheap and id heard good things about it and i somewhat have an addiction to buying books. Anyways, it was popular and everyone was talking about it not too long ago but reading it wasnt as exciting as id hoped. Some of the "awesome things" seemed a bit under thought and forced, maybe i just dont find those things as awesome as i should. The word awesome got repetitive and it started to bore me, i was tired of some of the stupid commentary about it. I guess its meant to be humorous but i disnt find it funny. I liked the ending and it was a nice way to finish the book. So although i wasnt in love with it and wont read the second one or the holiday one i stumbled upon the other day, best of luck to those who find the little things awesome.
wingsofareader's review against another edition
Oddly enough I enjoyed this book - obviously not because it has any sort of a narrative, and not simply because it can bring a small smile to my face and to my day, but because I do sincerely find that the reminders of these small moments of loveliness in everyday life remind me of the many, many reasons I have to be grateful for the life I live.
In my opinion, we live in a world - particularly in North America and in Europe, and in Australia and New Zealand, where the economy is driven by the creation of false "needs". We are taught almost from the time we can first perceive any form of content that we are not happy or 'enough' as we are. In order to BE happy and to BE enough, we "need" - toys, foods, cosmetics, clothing, cars, property, greener lawns, prettier faces, flatter stomachs, sexier shoes, bigger homes, more complex toys, more exotic vacations, more more more, bigger, faster, costlier, fancier... the list is never ending. We are taught that happiness bright yellow emojis and it is bubblegum pink, it is loud and it is extreme, almost orgasmic. We are led to believe that if we are not always grinning broadly, feeling joyfully ecstatic about following our passion every moment of every day well then we must perforce be UNhappy. If we are not infatuated then we are UNhappy, perhaps even unlovable, or in what is destined to be a loveless relationship or perhaps doomed to remain alone. There is little room in all of this generating of need, generating of fear in order to create need, for contentment, for moments of being at peace, for resilience, for enjoyment, for appreciation, little room for small smiles rather than jaw achingly broad grins, for chortles as well as for belly laughs, for deep breaths as well as for breathlessness.
This book is little more than a list of those little moments.
I particularly enjoy using it as a tool to prompt writing or reflection with my students, who often find that the observations truly resonate with them. I like to start my classes with some quiet reading time, and for some kids, especially kids who can be really ramped up, this book is a great choice. The fact that there is no complex narrative to follow means a kid who is upset or having difficulty concentrating is a plus, and the fact that it is about being mindful of moments, of appreciation, is often fairly grounding, as well as a bit cheering.
It's not a miracle or a silver bullet. It is a not a class of exemplary writing in terms of adroit application of the art of language. It is, however, a little book with it's own small charms, and I'm grateful both as a human being and as an educator that one day, on a whim, I snagged it and added it to my cart of more needful items. I have not regretted it.
In my opinion, we live in a world - particularly in North America and in Europe, and in Australia and New Zealand, where the economy is driven by the creation of false "needs". We are taught almost from the time we can first perceive any form of content that we are not happy or 'enough' as we are. In order to BE happy and to BE enough, we "need" - toys, foods, cosmetics, clothing, cars, property, greener lawns, prettier faces, flatter stomachs, sexier shoes, bigger homes, more complex toys, more exotic vacations, more more more, bigger, faster, costlier, fancier... the list is never ending. We are taught that happiness bright yellow emojis and it is bubblegum pink, it is loud and it is extreme, almost orgasmic. We are led to believe that if we are not always grinning broadly, feeling joyfully ecstatic about following our passion every moment of every day well then we must perforce be UNhappy. If we are not infatuated then we are UNhappy, perhaps even unlovable, or in what is destined to be a loveless relationship or perhaps doomed to remain alone. There is little room in all of this generating of need, generating of fear in order to create need, for contentment, for moments of being at peace, for resilience, for enjoyment, for appreciation, little room for small smiles rather than jaw achingly broad grins, for chortles as well as for belly laughs, for deep breaths as well as for breathlessness.
This book is little more than a list of those little moments.
I particularly enjoy using it as a tool to prompt writing or reflection with my students, who often find that the observations truly resonate with them. I like to start my classes with some quiet reading time, and for some kids, especially kids who can be really ramped up, this book is a great choice. The fact that there is no complex narrative to follow means a kid who is upset or having difficulty concentrating is a plus, and the fact that it is about being mindful of moments, of appreciation, is often fairly grounding, as well as a bit cheering.
It's not a miracle or a silver bullet. It is a not a class of exemplary writing in terms of adroit application of the art of language. It is, however, a little book with it's own small charms, and I'm grateful both as a human being and as an educator that one day, on a whim, I snagged it and added it to my cart of more needful items. I have not regretted it.