Inspired by a nice idea, Neil Pasricha's descriptions of daily life's delightful moments in The Book of Awesome (2010, AEB/Putnam, Penguin Group, 393 pages) fall short of what the title promises. Most pages tell not of “awesome” things, but mildly pleasing ones.
An “average guy” from the suburbs of Toronto, Pasricha reassures us that despite wars, political chaos, economic mayhem and climate change, life remains full of joys. They're often free and taken for granted.
“With so much sad news and bad news pouring down upon us, it is fun to stop for a minute and share a universal high-five with humanity,” Pasricha said. Pleased by the easily available pleasures that anyone can share, he uses insight, humor and enthusiasm to highlight scores of “awesome” things.
Sure, everyone holds different notions about what's “awesome”. Much of the fun comes from reading the author’s examples and then nodding or scoffing.
The following deserve nods:
-- sniffing bakery air;
-- fixing electronics by smacking them;
-- popping bubble wrap;
-- sneaking your own cheap snacks into cinemas;
-- waking up and realizing it's Saturday;
-- when a vending machine gives you two things instead of one;
-- when what you wanted to buy already is on sale;
-- getting off an airplane after a long flight;
-- the smell of a grocery stort's coffee aisle;
-- frozen walls of air conditioning hitting you on hot days; and
-- a long hug when you really need it:
“It seems like maybe these tiny moments make an awesome difference in our rushed, jam-packed lives,” Pasricha said.
What does the author deem awesome that probably isn't?
-- the smell of gasoline (nauseating);
-- wearing underwear just out of the dryer (such fleeting warmth);
-- tripping and realizing no one saw you (it still hurts);
-- being first into a crowded movie theatre and getting prime seats (no help if the movie's dull);
-- eating a free sample of something you have no intention to buy (grocery-store giveaways are too small to matter);
-- when you don't play the lottery and your numbers don't come up (not winning still rankles); and
-- when you know your TV remote so well that you don't need to look at the buttons (that never happens).
The Book of Awesome results from Pasricha's award-winning Website, www.1000awesomethings.com. The author also has written for Cosmopolitan and New York magazines.
Since the book mentions so many enjoyable, but hardly awesome, things, perhaps it needs a different title. Maybe The Book of Nice Moments?
No one will agree with everything that Pasricha writes, but everyone should concur with many parts. That's quite an achievement – maybe even an awesome one!
Approval rating: 73 per cent.
For more information: www.1000awesomethings.com
(May 3, 2010)
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