It Is Just You, Everything's Not Shit by Steve Stack (1-Oct-2007) Hardcover

by Steve Stack

The Optimist's Encyclopedia. In this A-Z of all things nice, Steve Stack takes the reader on an alphabetical tour of the good things in life. Trivial things such as dunking biscuits, drawing pictures in steamed up windows and the sound jelly makes. Big important things like falling in love, Nobel Peace Prize winners and the Internet. And pretty much everything in between from Lego to the shipping forecast, popping bubble wrap to meerkats with guest appearances from Sir David Attenborough, Oliver Postgate, Columbo and The Flaming Lips. It Is Just You, Everything's Not Shit is the perfect gift for the cynic in your life. It will cheer up even the most miserable of old gits.

Genres: Nonfiction, Humor

Hardcover

First published January 1, 2007

Reviews

[Rabia Khan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book made me so happy! On such a bleak day this was a more than welcome read 🙌🏽

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a book to make grumpy old men and miserable women smile, I think it hits the mark, especially if you come from the UK where many of his references and TV personalities came from. Many went over my head as an Aussie, but the other stuff is universal. This book is just an alphabetical list of things showing that the world (UK mostly) isn't going to shite and really is a lovely place.

[Beth Lawson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wasn't expecting much, but dug into this little book with an open mind. It was actually very good! Britons aren't known for being full of that inner glow of happy memories, and a positive outlook is anathema, indeed. But Steve Stack seems like a guy you'd genuinely enjoy getting to know. His sense of humour and eye for detail are a delight. I found that we shared in the joy of many of life's small pleasures, and through him I discovered new ones. My only criticism is that it could have been longer. I'm now looking forward to reading his other book.

[Scott E · Rating 3 out of 5]

Written as an antithesis to ‘is it just me or is everything shit’ and books of that ilk, it is glorious that this is no where near as good as any in that style. Reasonable read though, helped by its brevity. Believe it was written in 2007 so a lot of it is dated. This actually comes up as interesting as it makes you ponder things that aren’t applicable anymore which you wouldn’t necessarily think about.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

Steve Stack’s It Is Just You Everything’s Not Shit is a gentle response to the whingers in this world (who’ll find a reason to moan about everything from global warming to the temperature of their morning coffee).

The book is essentially an alphabetized collection of first-world-pleasures. And that’s okay. Because while horrid things will always exist, it’s fine to feel happy when cracking the top of a boiled egg; to feel soothed by Sir David Attenborough’s dulcet tones; and to relish lying in a hot bath reading a book. Basically, Stack is saying yes, there’s shit going down, but appreciate what you have, be grateful, and realise that while you’re busy fretting over the state of the world (and your first-world-problems), there is still lots of ace stuff to put a little ‘Yay!’ in the day.

Stack has a number of entries for each letter of the alphabet and goes into considerable detail for some. Peppered with historical facts, trivia and interviews with inspiring people and inventors, the book makes for interesting reading. But the real joy is that it’s thought-provoking. What makes you happy?

I’ve done my own list https://booksaremyfavouriteandbest.wo... (without descriptions and justifications, so make of it what you will). Note that it’s not a complete and exhaustive list (I like lots of things that begin with some letters but won’t pretend that x-rays brighten my day).

Ampelmann
Butter
Clouds
Dips as a main meal
Engraved pencils
Fresh bedlinen
Globes (and atlases)
Holiday planning
IKEA
John Irving books
john-irving-books
Keeping photo albums up-to-date
Lipograms
Mint green nail polish
Nana naps
Opera-length strings of pearls
Polarised sunglasses
Quick service when you’re anticipating the opposite
Reading on the beach
Social media from the international space station
Timpani drums
Violets
Words that sound like what they mean e.g. peevish
Yellow

4/5 Live a little.

[Hanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I debated between a 3 or a 4 for this book but the description of the ardvark is worthy of a 4 in and of itself, so the whole kit-n-caboodle got a 4. Where Robert Fulghum's "All I Needed To Know I Learned In Kindergarten" fails (miserably might i add, see my review) this book succeeds. It's described as a, "life-affirming (although slightly piss-taking) guide to all the things that make life great" and while "life-affirming" may be a bit much it is certainly an entertaining albeit light read of amusing anecdotes. Note, one should be familiar with all things British (or at least European) in order to appreciate much of the book.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

Steve Stack has managed to encapsulate the metaphorical "warm mug of cocoa, comfy armchair and a roaring fire on a cold night" in this book. Written with a delightful mixture of warmth with a touch of irreverence, this short book brings many smiles of happy recognition.

Exploring a breadth of delights from aardvarks to Zebedee and his sons, It Is Just You - Everything's Not Shit explores what is good in the world. Some of the subjects will be familiar, some will be new, but the whole is well worth reading to lift your spirits.

[Nik Perring · Rating 5 out of 5]

And, a book I only finished last night: It Is Just You, Everything's Not Shit, by the mysterious Steve Stack. It's a book that, without doubt, will stay with me for a long time to come. It seems to be a rare thing these days to celebrate the good things in life and that's exactly what this book does.The world, and the people in it, is more of a joy than I often give credit for. It's good to be reminded, and moved, by that. Thank you, Steve. I will try to be a little less grumpy in future.

(From http://nikperring.blogspot.com/)

[Clár · Rating 4 out of 5]

Found it in a charity shop.... read it aloud to my friend from said shop, across campus, to a coffee shop where we continued to read it aloud in turn, laugh and smile about things that we forgot about.
Book was a success!

(Also, in the bookshop found two textbooks I need for this year costing only £4 each- saved £26!!!)

[LaDawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Many of the entries made me smirk. Many made me smile. Some made me snigger. A couple made me fall about myself laughing with tears coming out of the corners of my eyes til my belly ached. It is impossible to read this and be in a bad mood.

[Ruth · Rating 4 out of 5]

A breath of fresh air! Very positive and made me laugh.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book made me smile, giggle and occasionally say aloud, "Oh yes! I remember that!" A lighthearted, feel-good book well worth a read.

[Nat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Instead of telling you everything that is bad about life, how about everything that is good. I enjoyed a sunrise this morning, myself.

[Janice Hill · Rating 2 out of 5]

Slightly amusing, a very quick read.

[Kelly Cuellar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun reminder of the good things in life.

[Don Gillette · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just a list of things the author likes and a short commentary on why he likes them. Light reading; trite reading. Good way to kill some time before you start on a difficult read.

[Clare · Rating 3 out of 5]

A sweet little book.

[Kevinjwoods · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another of those books whose entire purpose seems to be kills some time.