I didn't have high expectations of a book called "The Book of Awesome" and I'm really glad I hadn't gotten my hopes up on it. I saw it on the library ebook database and decided "what the heck - it's a bestseller for a reason, right?"

Essentially the book is short essays on the awesome things in life. The unexpected simple pleasures that are out there to be enjoyed: Snow Days, Bakery Air, Finding Money in Your Pocket...the list goes on and on.

Commence rant: The one thing I discovered about myself in reading this book (well, reading might be an overstatement...after a bit I started to just flip pages to read headings and only delved into the ones I actually agreed on), was that I really dislike the concept of blogger gets book contract and reprints half of blog. Then, based on success of first book, blogger gets to publish second book along same vein. I don't begrudge them their success - they did write the content originally, anyway. I just wish they would take the opportunity to get creative and write a book of new content. Or to reinvent the content in some way.

I have not read Mr. Pasricha's blog. It's not really something that interests me. That alone should have been enough to keep me from downloading this book.

The book is not without some redeeming quality, though. I do think it has a great place as a bathroom reader. The combination of long and short pieces make it ideal for that kind of reading. As a book that one would expect to find any real substance within - it falls seriously short. I did, however, enjoy the write upon making the most of your trick-or-treating. It's just somewhere around 25 years too late for me.

If you're looking for a bathroom reader - pick up a paper copy of it. Otherwise - just read the guys blog. http://1000awesomethings.com