The Book of Awesome Paperback – March 1, 2011

Dear Amazon.com customer,

I know we don't know each other very well, and you're thinking: "Who does this guy think he is to tell me what books to buy?". And I really don't mean to be presumptuous, but I'd like to kick-off our relationship by doing you a tremendous favor and recommending to you a book you will not forget - The Book of (Even More) AWESOME.

You see, I've been following along with the AWESOME movement for some time now, when I first discovered the award winning blog over at 1000awesomethings.com. This is where Neil Pasricha kicked things off, posting an awesome thing every weekday. It wasn't long before I found myself checking in every day to have a big smile spread across my face while I read about the pleasures of sleeping in new bed sheets, getting a prime seat at the movie theatre or hitting a bunch of green lights in a row when you're late for work. I must not have been the only one enjoying reading about life's little pleasures because before long, the site was winning awards, increasing in popularity and releasing a book - the best-selling "The Book of AWESOME" - that is filled with more of Neil's beautiful writing, keen eye for life's happy little moments and tremendous sense of humor.

So, you can imagine the smile I had on my face when I got home from work today to my pre-ordered copy of this new book - another fantastic collection of moments in life guaranteed to make you smile.

Now that we're starting to get to know each other better, let me share an embarrassing fact with you.. I've been stuck at this point in the review for the last 20 minutes. I keep picking up the book to highlight a few of my favorite awesome things, but each time I pick one I want to mention (picking the fastest line at the grocery store), I read the whole post, and turn the page - just to see what the next one is going to be (getting a hug from someone you didn't know you were in a hug relationship with). So I end up reading that post, smiling some more. Lather, rinse and repeat.

Well, this is making for a great evening of reading, but a pretty terrible job of writing a quick and efficient review. But that's the thing about Neil's writing - it sucks you in. One page will turn into five which will turn into half the book.

And while I'm warning you of some things (because at this point, we're looking out for each other, right?), I should definitely mention that it's contagious. You won't be able to read this book without starting to see your own awesome moments all around you. Whether it's recognizing one of the awesome things from the book during a rough day and it picks you right up (like when someone saves you a seat!) or coming up with your own moments, you start to realize just how much AWESOME there is out there.

Be honest with me? How many books have you read that have truly changed your perspective on things? Not by TELLING you.. this isn't some schmaltzy self-help book telling you how to live your life.. no.. by SHOWING you all the wonderful little things in the world that are easily taken for granted, but should be recognized and celebrated. Like when you pack your dishwasher PERFECTLY full, or the sudden silence when you drive from a rough road onto a smooth one.

The last thing I'll mention is that the awesome things are so incredibly universal. Not only do I think "Yes! Exactly!" whenever I'm reading it, but I want to share it with others - so I inevitably end up dialing up a friend, and reading a few posts to, sharing laughs about how applicable these are to our own shared memories. And before long, I'm ordering extra copies for my friends and family, just to see the inevitable smiles that cross their faces the minute the start paging through the book. It is guaranteed to happen - try it yourself!

Ok - I won't keep you any longer. But do yourself a favor and get a copy of this book - you will LOVE it! And then come back here and share some of your thoughts and awesome things with the rest of us. I mean, at this point we're all friends, right?

Be awesome,
Freddo

A few weeks ago I read Mr. Pasricha's "The Happiness Equation" The Happiness Equation: Want Nothing + Do Anything = Have Everything and loved it! Learning about his other books ("The Book of Awesome" and "The Book of (Even More) Awesome") I wanted more.

When I ordered "The Book of (Even More) Awesome" I was not sure what I would be reading and it was different from many books that I have read. What I really liked about it was the HUGE reminder that there are so many elements of life that we too often overlook and rarely remember. In programs I deliver I often emphasize the importance of gratitude and I keep a monthly gratitude list. While reading during a recent business trip I smiled as I started to reflect on the many AWESOME things that happen to me each day. And, I started writing these down in the back "The Book of (Even More) Awesome." Bad stuff does happen and how many times each day do truly awesome little things happen. Focusing on these can have a major and positive impact on our mood, outlook, etc.

During this trip alone I wrote down some awesome events: thinking my luggage had been lost after waiting a long time only to see it roll onto the luggage carousel, returning home luggage first bag out, my cat running down the stairs to welcome me home, and more! (And, wrote down even more not related to this trip.)

If readers want a quick read that serves as a reminder of all the awesome events, experiences, and so much more that happen I strongly recommend this book. And, I believe reading it can help us to refocus from the bad "stuff" that happens to all for which we can be grateful.

Thanks Neil!

Ed Nottingham, PhD, PCC
Consulting and Clinical Psychologist
Author, It's Not As Bad As It Seems

This is a great easy read to remind us all of so many things we take for granted in this world. It's becoming too easy to focus on what's wrong with the world we live in rather than what's right that I found this book very refreshing. Not a bad gift for graduates that have their lives in front of them and see only the difficult challenges ahead of them. I also bought the Happiness Equation and between the two books Neil shines a light on how we can all sometimes get our priorities and thought processes out of sync and instead of taking the time to appreciate what is good around us, and doing those things that will bring internal rewards, we get caught up in doing things for the sake of keeping up with our neighbors.