The Book of (Even More) Awesome: Junk Drawers, Puppy Breath, the Smell of Sizzling Bacon, and Other Simple, Brilliant Things (The Book of Awesome Series)

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

The Book of (Even More) Awesome, the follow-up book to Neil Pasricha's original literary masterpiece that has rightfully claimed a spot on bestseller lists for 50+ weeks (The Book of Awesome), is certainly the must-have volume two for anyone who owns the first book. After winning an online contest and receiving a galley copy of The Book of (Even More) Awesome in the mail about a month ago, I have been thinking of what I would say in this review in order to do the book justice.Pasricha jumps right in with an eloquent and eye-opening introduction that lightly touches on his own personal and harrowing life experiences: loneliness, a broken marriage, and a close friend who fell victim to suicide. The message is clear without being preachy or overly-optimistic: when faced with the bad news, pain, and heartbreak that many of us experience on a daily basis, we have the choice to observe and enjoy small moments in life, allowing them to improve our frames of mind - even if only for a bit, or we have the choice to continue to "swirl in gloomy darkness forever".And that's just the introduction.The remaining pages are not filled with any kind of typical self-help advice, philosophical reflections, or mundane clichés about how we can turn our lives around and begin to see the glass half full. Rather, readers are treated to well-written and hilarious anecdotal observations and personal stories that illustrate tiny moments of joy that each of us has no doubt experienced.As I read my awesomely-acquired advance copy, there was a constant recurring thought: "Yes! Exactly!" Pasricha truly has a way with words that uncannily captures readers' exact emotional responses on topics ranging from:* the kid's table at holidays* dropping your cellphone and realizing it survived the fall* going on a field trip in elementary school* when someone saves you a seat: "... They're expressing your friendship to the world by deciding twenty minutes of stinkeye is worth making sure you sit together ... AWESOME!"* fitting every last thing in the dishwasher* taking a break from shaving* the moment of anticipation before a first kiss* when your roommate cleans while you're away* going to the gym yesterday: " ... Because now you can take a break today. AWESOME!"This book is for anyone who has ever experienced a high or low in life. Yes -- it is perfect for literally everyone. Readers old and young alike will find themselves relating to the myriad of awesome things covered in The Book of (Even More) Awesome. I speak from personal experience in that Pasricha's books are the most-appreciated and well-liked gifts I've ever given. Who doesn't love something that feels like it was written with them in mind?If you're still not convinced, go to 1000awesomethings.com/book2 and read the first 20 pages.

We got the Book of Awesome for a thirteen year old boy that has only really been interested in Archie Andrews and his beanie friend. He LOVED it, and we've since supplied him with this sequel which he is thoroughly enjoying as well.I hope it launches him into a love of reading. Great start!

Love that you can just turn to a random page and get your spirit lifted up.

Fun book with short stories that any age group can connect to. I read some of the stories to my students and they were able to personally relate just as much as I did.

My son liked this book

This is a great book for someone who gets enjoyment out of just how wonderful everyday stuff can be. The author has a good sense of humour too.