Review: The Book of (Holiday) Awesome
Neil Pasricha, the author of The Book of Awesome, is back at it again, this time with a book chock full of holiday goodness – The Book of (Holiday Awesome). This book isn’t just for the winter holidays – he covers holidays throughout the year. Each little tidbit reminds readers to focus on the positive, instead of getting caught up in the the hustle and bustle of the holidays.
Each awesome item is only a few pages long, making this an easy book to pick up and put back down. That’s really perfect though, since it’s not really meant to be read in one sitting. Some of my favorite awesome moments are:
- Plugging in your Christmas lights from last year and having them all work
- Driving around town to see all the Christmas lights
- When your favorite football team is in the big nationally televised game
- Getting a Christmas card from someone you thought you lost touch with
It may just be me, but there were times when I felt like The Book of (Holiday) Awesome was trying a little too hard, so some of the items really felt like a stretch to me. I realize he had a book to fill up, but somehow things like “Giving up something really easy for Lent,” “Boat waving,” and “Drinking with Grandma” just fell flat for me.
There were other times when I felt the book was right on the mark. It’s always nice to remember to savor those small, precious moments of life. This is a little book and overall, I thought it was pretty good. It would make a nice gift for that hard to shop for person on your gift list.
Challenges: Amy Einhorn Challenge
I haven’t read the first one but keep meaning to.
I have a little boy that turns 12 today and is depressed because he has to go to school. I think he needs to read this book. It would be a good thing to keep on hand when you are feeling low.
Not all of Neil’s awesome moments will fit everyone, but everyone will find something that resonates.
Never heard of this one but it sounds like parts of it could be very interesting.
It would be a fun book to read as a family maybe. Or it might make a great stocking stuffer. It’s those small things in life that can make us the happiest!
I have been meaning to read the first one, but haven’t gotten to it yet. I’m sure that awesomeness is a relative term – I, for example, love the boat wave! 🙂 Giving up things easily for lent? I’m with you there, it’s not supposed to be easy, that’s the whole point of it being a sacrifice!
Still, I live with Eb. Scrooge’s long lost brother – maybe he needs this book to magically show up on his nightstand this year!
I think you’re right – the need to fill up a book probably makes it necessary to add things like drinking with grandma!
It’s a new one to me but I like the title 🙂 And I’m reminded to go plug my tree lights in to see IF they light up 🙂
A card from someone you lost touch with does seem nice 😀
I have heard good things about these little books of awesome, and though some of it does sound like a stretch, it seems like this might be just the thing to combat the blues that some of us get during the holidays. Great review Kathy!
I’ve read various thoughts on these books, so glad you were honest.
It is the little things that matter, especially during the holidays. Nice review!
It sounds like a fun book to read and laugh with and not take too seriously…I might need this book…
I haven’t heard of either of these books…thanks for the review.
Not familiar with either of these books, so thanks for sharing with us Kathy.
I sort of felt that way about the 2nd awesome book, though I haven’t finished it yet. My first thought is that I would LOVE this one though because I am one of those people who absolutely adores the holidays and everything about them. I might be able to handle the stretches here and there.
I think I’d probably agree with you. Some of those awesome things just don’t resonate with me.
I don’t know, but I think “Drinking with Grandma” could be pretty good; if she’s a little tipsy, you may find out a lot more about who she is as a person and what her life was like! 🙂 Thanks for a great review!
Sounds fun. I love driving around and seeing lights.
This sounds like it would make a nice little gift book.
Holiday cheer (no matter what the holiday is!) is always a good thing. Awesome. 🙂
Drinking with grandma? I don’t know. That doesn’t sound so great.
I tried to be thankful and grateful today while everyone else left the table after I made dinner and went to enjoy their activities leaving me alone in the kitchen to put away the dishes from the dishwasher and to clear up the food and dishes. 😀
I’m still working my way through the original “Book of Awesome” It’s an especially good book when you’ve had a bad day and have trouble thinking about something positive.