The Book Of Awesome

The title says it all, really. Recently, I logged onto goodreads to see what others were saying, and was somewhat surprised by the results. Although The Book Of Awesome has been receiving considerable media attention, it could only obtain 3.9 stars (still a good score, but still...). Most reviews, as expected, were positive. However on the opposite end of the spectrum, the negative reviews were scything. Dan C said that The Book Of Awesome is "not really re-readable." Mr. "T" said that he "slogged through it across six months."  Eva said that the book was "sad... annoying and incredibly stupid." I say that these people have no soul.
Lets look at Eva's comment. She said that this book was "sad." I would just like to point out that this entire book revolves around celebrating the little "awesome" things in life that make life so wonderful. She also said that this book was "annoying." Although I suppose that constantly cheery, bubbly and optimistic attitudes could start to grate after too long, the writing in this book was so sincere, so relatable, that I could never get irritated by the writing. She also said that the book was "incredibly stupid." Well, if celebrating things like popping bubble wrap is stupid, then I don't know what isn't.
This book started out as a blog, 1000awesomethings.com, (I couldn't figure out how to make a direct link, but if you highlight the name and select "search with google" it will bring you one click away from the blog) and eventually became a best-selling book. This book is quite obviously modelled after the blog, with every awesome thing being essentially a copy of one of his blog posts. And so admittedly, you are not going to read this book from cover to cover in one go. However, if you are ever feeling down or are simply in the mood for a laugh, this book is the place to go. It's really incredible how many of the things in this book we take for granted, or that you had no idea other people also did. For example (and now comes what is inevitable for anyone reviewing this book; a list of there favourite awesome things); old, classic board games, the sound of ice cracking in a drink, cutting your sandwich into triangles, and the sound of rain on a hot sidewalk. And my friends, if these things aren't worth sharing and celebrating, then I don't know what is.
And now I ask you to remember Dan C, who posted on goodreads that The Book Of Awesome was not re-readable. And perhaps the chances of this mysterious Dan C actually finding this blog, then finding this post, and reading to the very end are one in 100 million.  However, Dan, if you are reading this right now, then I have something to say. The Book Of Awesome has to be the book I have re-read the most times out of my entire collection. I have never become tired of reading about friends saving me seats, or smiling at strangers, or friends with swimming pools. And I hope that someday everybody can appreciate all these wonderful things that we experience every day, without even realizing it. Truly, the best things in life are free.

-Mark Jones

If you'd like to hear Neil speak, use "search with google" on http://www.ted.com/talks/neil_pasricha_the_3_a_s_of_awesome to hear his speech at TED talks in 2010. As always, thanks for reading and leave a comment below!