This isn't so much a review as much as it's me praising this book and its author. I had the most amazing opportunity to meet Neil at the Indigo holiday party and he has got to be one of the most genuinely nice people I've ever met. Even though my friend and I were super nervous/excited to meet him he had a way of making us feel a lot more calm and relaxed. He's a person that you just feel comfortable around; you want to stay and chat too because you feel you could have some amazing conversations, and this is a quality that Neil has been able to cross over into his writing
I've been following Neil's blog 1000 Awesome Things for a number of years now (he was in the 700's then) and hearing how the idea for the blog came out from a negative experience in his life makes all the little happy moments he's shared even more inspirational. Not only can these awesome moments make you laugh hysterically or reminisce, they also give the reader a sense of belonging, that, "hey! someone else thinks this is awesome too! I totally agree", and let you appreciate the smaller things in life that we sometimes don't take the time to notice, the awesome things.
The Book of (Holiday) Awesome is a collection of holiday themed bits of awesome. (Hehe, there's going to be so much awesome in this review!) From putting up the Christmas tree (for me it's the first weekend of December) or having the whole strand of lights work or finally being able to pull out those insanely warm sweaters/socks/scarves that have been hidden away until the next snowfall. Or finding an elusive chocolate egg buried in the sofa cushions from Easter, your cool mom, and the awesomeness that is summer. These moments are the kind that make you all warm and fuzzy inside, especially now with the holiday season approaching.
Christmas has got to be my favourite holiday. The hustle and bustle, putting up lights, hauling up those boxes of ornaments from the cave under the stairs, hearing the first Christmas song on the radio! I love it all. For me it's like time slows and there's nothing better than sitting on the couch under a thick blanket with a good book, some tea, watching those classic TV shows like Rudolph or Frosty the Snowman while the Christmas tree glows in the background. It's got me smiling just thinking about it.
Bottom Line
Neil's books are truly awesome. They let you notice the little things in life, and he does a fantastic job at pulling you in and could probably get even the grinch to crack a grin. These are books that absolutely anyone can enjoy, kids and adults alike; they'll all find at least one thing they can smile at and agree with. And it being a holiday book and all, it would make a fabulous present. I know I'll be gifting his other books this Christmas. Maybe you can all guess why awesome is a word I say a lot ;)