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One Good Deed: 365 Days of Trying to Be Just a Little Bit Better
A “funny, wise, and winning” memoir chronicling a year in a woman’s life as she tries to do one good deed every day (Susan Orlean, New York Times –bestselling author of The Library Book ).
Erin McHugh had spent the better part of her adult life doing community work, but in more recent years, the minutiae of life and working as a bookseller kept her busy and away from those higher impulses. Then one day she learned a distant relative was actually going to be canonized. Was this a sign?
What followed next was McHugh’s sincere urge to recapture a sense of charity, and so she set out on her birthday to do one good deed every day for an entire year. Maybe she wouldn’t be saving orphans from burning buildings, but she wanted to take one small daily detour and make someone else’s life just a little bit better. One Good Deed is the inspiring, smart, and frequently funny chronicle of that year, in which each page represents a day in McHugh’s journey to reclaim the better part of herself, inspiring readers to do the same.
“Her memoir will inspire you to flex your do-gooder muscle without being preachy or a Pollyanna.” — Fitness
“Engaging . . . One Good Deed is a measure of humanity and of McHugh’s own striving towards it.” —Susan Orlean, author of Rin Tin Tin and The Orchid Thief
“This instructive, funny, utterly relevant book reminds us that the simple (but not-so-simple) act of paying daily attention can make a profound difference—to the world around us, and to our very selves.” —Dani Shapiro, author of Devotion: A Memoir
“The best book in the world . . . because it makes us our best.” —Nichole Bernier, author of The Unfinished Work of Elizabeth D.
Erin McHugh had spent the better part of her adult life doing community work, but in more recent years, the minutiae of life and working as a bookseller kept her busy and away from those higher impulses. Then one day she learned a distant relative was actually going to be canonized. Was this a sign?
What followed next was McHugh’s sincere urge to recapture a sense of charity, and so she set out on her birthday to do one good deed every day for an entire year. Maybe she wouldn’t be saving orphans from burning buildings, but she wanted to take one small daily detour and make someone else’s life just a little bit better. One Good Deed is the inspiring, smart, and frequently funny chronicle of that year, in which each page represents a day in McHugh’s journey to reclaim the better part of herself, inspiring readers to do the same.
“Her memoir will inspire you to flex your do-gooder muscle without being preachy or a Pollyanna.” — Fitness
“Engaging . . . One Good Deed is a measure of humanity and of McHugh’s own striving towards it.” —Susan Orlean, author of Rin Tin Tin and The Orchid Thief
“This instructive, funny, utterly relevant book reminds us that the simple (but not-so-simple) act of paying daily attention can make a profound difference—to the world around us, and to our very selves.” —Dani Shapiro, author of Devotion: A Memoir
“The best book in the world . . . because it makes us our best.” —Nichole Bernier, author of The Unfinished Work of Elizabeth D.
385 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 1, 2012
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1063 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 68 reviews
January 18, 2014
I gave up on this book after reading about a months worth of 'good deeds'. It was just too shallow for me and most of the 'good deeds' are things that considerate, thoughtful people would do anyway. I was hoping for more enlightenment. I don't think basic consideration, politeness, or simple unselfishness should be considered a good deed. For instance, one day the good deed was giving up the window seat on a train/bus (the author apparently loves her window seat) so that an elderly couple could sit together. That's not a good deed to me. It's just basic decency and the proper thing to do. It's a sad world when that's considered a good deed, especially when the couple had to ask her - she was not so kind as to offer the seat to them. I don't believe random acts of kindness should have to be extraordinary all the time, but it was like the author wanted to be commended for doing basic human acts of decency. This book started on a July date and by September, I had enough of it.
November 5, 2012
The devastation of Hurricane Sandy makes One Good Deed a most timely book. I live in NYC, and for the last week have seen not only the worst that Mother Nature can do, but also the best that human nature can be; and being a better human being is what this book is all about.
Erin McHugh chronicles her 365 day journey to be "a little kinder, a little more helpful, a little more thoughtful" by doing one good deed a day. The deeds don't have to be big, they can be as simple as bringing a friend flowers to cheer her up, buying a co-worker a soda, or purchasing the ugliest cupcake at the church holiday fair. McHugh relates a story about one good deed multiplying: she purchased several boxes of Girl Scout cookies from a persistent young lady, and then donated a few boxes back to the Girl Scouts who arranged for them to be donated to a feeding program. She received a note from the troop leader describing a homeless veteran who was so happy to receive Girl Scout cookies because it reminded him of being a kid again, and he said that "it was the first time in a long time I felt like a person again." It brought tears to my eyes.
McHugh writes with such humanity about her journey, but this book is never preachy. I found it funny, moving, inspiring and thought-provoking. Her tone is conversational, and you feel like you are reading a friend's journal. And as someone who worked in retail for many years, I related to one of her good deeds, when she didn't lose her cool with a rude customer. Been there, done that, and I applauded her self-control.
As I watch people dropping their own lives and volunteering to help feed and clothe hurricane victims and clean up the mess left behind by Hurricane Sandy, I can't help but feel that One Good Deed came around at the perfect time. After reading this, you feel that doing something small and simple can help someone else have a better day, and with many people gathering together to do good deeds together, we can make a huge difference.
One Good Deed is a book that I will be giving many people this year for Christmas because it inspired me to look at the people around me a little more closely with a little more care, and I think it will inspire others to do the same. Wouldn't it be great if all the people who read Fifty Shades of Grey read One Good Deed next? Just think how we could change the world.
Erin McHugh chronicles her 365 day journey to be "a little kinder, a little more helpful, a little more thoughtful" by doing one good deed a day. The deeds don't have to be big, they can be as simple as bringing a friend flowers to cheer her up, buying a co-worker a soda, or purchasing the ugliest cupcake at the church holiday fair. McHugh relates a story about one good deed multiplying: she purchased several boxes of Girl Scout cookies from a persistent young lady, and then donated a few boxes back to the Girl Scouts who arranged for them to be donated to a feeding program. She received a note from the troop leader describing a homeless veteran who was so happy to receive Girl Scout cookies because it reminded him of being a kid again, and he said that "it was the first time in a long time I felt like a person again." It brought tears to my eyes.
McHugh writes with such humanity about her journey, but this book is never preachy. I found it funny, moving, inspiring and thought-provoking. Her tone is conversational, and you feel like you are reading a friend's journal. And as someone who worked in retail for many years, I related to one of her good deeds, when she didn't lose her cool with a rude customer. Been there, done that, and I applauded her self-control.
As I watch people dropping their own lives and volunteering to help feed and clothe hurricane victims and clean up the mess left behind by Hurricane Sandy, I can't help but feel that One Good Deed came around at the perfect time. After reading this, you feel that doing something small and simple can help someone else have a better day, and with many people gathering together to do good deeds together, we can make a huge difference.
One Good Deed is a book that I will be giving many people this year for Christmas because it inspired me to look at the people around me a little more closely with a little more care, and I think it will inspire others to do the same. Wouldn't it be great if all the people who read Fifty Shades of Grey read One Good Deed next? Just think how we could change the world.
February 23, 2013
I'm so glad I had the opportunity to read this & I'm going forward with the last line of the book...."little is fine. Little & constant is life-changing."
May 19, 2013
I was really looking forward to reading this book, as I myself am currently working to perform one good deed (or act of kindness, as I've been calling them) per day. It was my new year's resolution- the first one I've ever been excited to work on and the only one I've ever tried to keep. I started my project long before I even heard of this book, and when I saw this title on my library's list of new books, I was really excited to read it, because I thought it would be full of recommendations and good ideas for good deeds. I was disappointed. There are some really good bits in this book, but sometimes it is self-serving, and other times I really don't think the author should have bothered to write down what she did that day. For example, one day she noticed a woman wearing a tacky outfit, and she didn't tell the woman "wow, your clothes are ugly." We're supposed to consider that a good deed? Does that mean there are actually people who go around telling complete strangers that they hate their clothes in regular practice? I have never met such a person, and it was a little disconcerting to read that the author considered holding her tongue on this day to be a "good deed." Another time, she truly did something nice for someone. She mentioned that it was a "two-part" good deed. So on the one day, she tells us about this act of kindness (something about helping an acquaintance with a project, I think) and the next day, the acquaintance stops by the author's workplace and thanks her for her help- then hands her a receipt, as the acquaintance had bought lunch for the author as a thank-you. The end. How is that a good deed? Was the good deed accepting a free lunch? I don't get it.
For every truly interesting or inspiring good deed the author presents, there are three lame ones. I was happy to read the positive life changes the author experienced through her experiment, but all in all, I ended up feeling that this book was a waste of my time. After reading so much in the book about the life of authors and the struggling publishing industry, I'm a bit ashamed to say this, but I am glad I didn't spend any money on it. : /
For every truly interesting or inspiring good deed the author presents, there are three lame ones. I was happy to read the positive life changes the author experienced through her experiment, but all in all, I ended up feeling that this book was a waste of my time. After reading so much in the book about the life of authors and the struggling publishing industry, I'm a bit ashamed to say this, but I am glad I didn't spend any money on it. : /
October 25, 2012
Erin not only inspires others with her project of doing a good deed a day for a year, her actions inspire others to extend these acts of kindness to more people. What a delightful domino effect ensues.
Moreover, Erin's attitude toward herself is augmented as she recognizes the effects of her good deeds. She makes the following suggestions on the day entitled "Pass it On".
"Today speak as kindly to yourself as you do to others.
Allow someone else to help you the way you help other people.
Give yourself the same permission to make mistakes that you give to others.
Do this for yourself today. You deserve it."
On the day titled "talk to someone you think you have nothing in common with" she received the following response from a man who said "Every day is beautiful, . . .Today is beautiful. Yesterday, when it rained, was beautiful. Tomorrow will be beautiful." This reply given without "irony or preachiness" came from a garbageman.
One of Erin's great ideas is for a summer hot-dog fest with grilled hot dogs and buns plus eight different stations set-up with an international assortment of hot dog recipes and condiments. We've got to try it! While I'm on a food note, Erin suggests that we "Celebrate Anything." How does a half-birthday party sound for six months into your birthday year? How about celebrating with Erin's recipe for wine cake? She includes the easy recipe. The Cranberry Surprise Pie is a keeper, too. Thanksgiving will be here soon. Make one for eating and one for sharing.
I now have a sticky-note on the screen of my computer that says "Good Deed of Omission". This is great advice.
I've read about creating a gratitude journal but Erin suggests a gratitude drawer for items that remind you of the nice things happening to you. I like it.
This was a fun and inspiring read. I need to remember to pull it out to reread when I'm feeling like a curmudgeon.
Moreover, Erin's attitude toward herself is augmented as she recognizes the effects of her good deeds. She makes the following suggestions on the day entitled "Pass it On".
"Today speak as kindly to yourself as you do to others.
Allow someone else to help you the way you help other people.
Give yourself the same permission to make mistakes that you give to others.
Do this for yourself today. You deserve it."
On the day titled "talk to someone you think you have nothing in common with" she received the following response from a man who said "Every day is beautiful, . . .Today is beautiful. Yesterday, when it rained, was beautiful. Tomorrow will be beautiful." This reply given without "irony or preachiness" came from a garbageman.
One of Erin's great ideas is for a summer hot-dog fest with grilled hot dogs and buns plus eight different stations set-up with an international assortment of hot dog recipes and condiments. We've got to try it! While I'm on a food note, Erin suggests that we "Celebrate Anything." How does a half-birthday party sound for six months into your birthday year? How about celebrating with Erin's recipe for wine cake? She includes the easy recipe. The Cranberry Surprise Pie is a keeper, too. Thanksgiving will be here soon. Make one for eating and one for sharing.
I now have a sticky-note on the screen of my computer that says "Good Deed of Omission". This is great advice.
I've read about creating a gratitude journal but Erin suggests a gratitude drawer for items that remind you of the nice things happening to you. I like it.
This was a fun and inspiring read. I need to remember to pull it out to reread when I'm feeling like a curmudgeon.
October 25, 2012
Anyone who wants to be a better person will be able to take something away with them after reading this.
The main crux: Be aware of the people around you and try to make their lives better.
I really just meant to do a quick flip through, but for some reason it pulled me in. The writing style is very conversational, the author isn't preachy and each page tells a story that is relate-able.
P.S. Based on the blog: http://onegooddeedbook.com/
P.P.S. I like that author's a lesbian, but it's not a book about her being a lesbian.
Favorite Tidbits & Quotes
"I started to think: I could be doing a little better than this. A little more each day. A little kinder, a little more helpful, a little more thoughtful."
"From the start I found I had to get myself in training. I tend to look at the sidewalk when I walk - a bad habit. You miss a lot that way. It means I'm looking inward, thinking about my day, my problems, whatever, while literally missing what's right in front of me. I tried actually changing my outlook by making a concerted effort to notice what was going on around me - and trying to be more observant helped my good-deeding enormously."
When trying to do nice things for people, it helps to make your good deed unique to that person.
Just sharing a memory you have of a person shows that you care, that you notice them, that they're important.
[about complimenting kids on their Halloween costumes] "Often you're complimenting them on one of their very first choices in life, and it's thrilling."
The main crux: Be aware of the people around you and try to make their lives better.
I really just meant to do a quick flip through, but for some reason it pulled me in. The writing style is very conversational, the author isn't preachy and each page tells a story that is relate-able.
P.S. Based on the blog: http://onegooddeedbook.com/
P.P.S. I like that author's a lesbian, but it's not a book about her being a lesbian.
Favorite Tidbits & Quotes
"I started to think: I could be doing a little better than this. A little more each day. A little kinder, a little more helpful, a little more thoughtful."
"From the start I found I had to get myself in training. I tend to look at the sidewalk when I walk - a bad habit. You miss a lot that way. It means I'm looking inward, thinking about my day, my problems, whatever, while literally missing what's right in front of me. I tried actually changing my outlook by making a concerted effort to notice what was going on around me - and trying to be more observant helped my good-deeding enormously."
When trying to do nice things for people, it helps to make your good deed unique to that person.
Just sharing a memory you have of a person shows that you care, that you notice them, that they're important.
[about complimenting kids on their Halloween costumes] "Often you're complimenting them on one of their very first choices in life, and it's thrilling."
March 12, 2013
"One Good Deed" is Erin McHugh's account of how she spent one year doing at least one good deed per day. The 'good deed' in question didn't have to be something big or elaborate - it could be something as simple as calling up a friend to let them know she was thinking of them, handing over a cup of coffee to somebody in need, or even just biting her tongue and letting something go.
While you could read "One Good Deed" in one sitting, it would really be doing it a disservice. To fully appreciate it, it is better read in small doses - a couple of days' worth here, a couple of days' worth there. That way the good deeds never get stale, and Erin McHugh is bound to put a smile on your face while reading it. It's such a breath of fresh air to read an entire book about somebody who's genuinely trying to be NICE - through no ulterior motive, but just because it seemed like a good idea.
While you could read "One Good Deed" in one sitting, it would really be doing it a disservice. To fully appreciate it, it is better read in small doses - a couple of days' worth here, a couple of days' worth there. That way the good deeds never get stale, and Erin McHugh is bound to put a smile on your face while reading it. It's such a breath of fresh air to read an entire book about somebody who's genuinely trying to be NICE - through no ulterior motive, but just because it seemed like a good idea.
January 21, 2013
Loved it - I expected a sweet little 1 hour read but ended up savouring this book over a few nights.
One Manhattan author, with a mission to do 365 good deeds, one day at a time. It was a wonderful glimpse into the generous, warm spirit of the author and a testament to how we can all make a difference, one small gesture at a time.
One Manhattan author, with a mission to do 365 good deeds, one day at a time. It was a wonderful glimpse into the generous, warm spirit of the author and a testament to how we can all make a difference, one small gesture at a time.
July 19, 2012
I was very happy to have received a review ebook copy from netgalley.com.
The idea of a book with 365 good deads was pretty exciting! I do love a "feel good book".
This book is written as a journal and, as the title say, this extraordinary lady will make you smile with her daily random acts of kindness.
My favorite good deeds must be when she goes to the first bus stop to make sure she gets her favorite seat and when she ends up with two ice creams!!
Overall I must say I did enjoy the book, even though I skipped a few days/chapters since they were a bit “slow”.
The Kindle ebook version will need re-editing since it was all stuck together and it wasn’t easy to see when a new day/chapter did start. A printed version of the book would have probably made it a better read.
I have read it in one go, but I would probably have enjoyed it more if I read a bit from time to time…
Would I recommend the book? Yes, I would.
The idea of a book with 365 good deads was pretty exciting! I do love a "feel good book".
This book is written as a journal and, as the title say, this extraordinary lady will make you smile with her daily random acts of kindness.
My favorite good deeds must be when she goes to the first bus stop to make sure she gets her favorite seat and when she ends up with two ice creams!!
Overall I must say I did enjoy the book, even though I skipped a few days/chapters since they were a bit “slow”.
The Kindle ebook version will need re-editing since it was all stuck together and it wasn’t easy to see when a new day/chapter did start. A printed version of the book would have probably made it a better read.
I have read it in one go, but I would probably have enjoyed it more if I read a bit from time to time…
Would I recommend the book? Yes, I would.
October 26, 2012
I wasn't sure what this was going to be, but the preview sounded interesting and, frankly, it was a free nook book. I found that I couldnt put it down because everything in it is just so relatable. I've also found that I'm paying more attention to things, too: on the way home from work, I saw an elderly woman raking her lawn and it looked like she could have stopped. I'll be honest and say that I didn't pull over and offer, but I think recognizing that there are other people in the world is just as important, too. Just a little while ago" k sent two separate emails to former teachers and mentors. I haven't heats from either of them in a few months so I just told them I wanted to say hello and joked the school year was going well. I've been looking for volunteer opportunities anyway, but I'm going to check out a couple that Erin mentions in the book. I can't really even put it into words, but this was so much more than I thought it would be - thank you!
January 22, 2013
Much different than what I expected as I thought this book would be a laundry list if charities and volunteering events. The author is a single woman living in New York City whose life is significantly different from mine. I appreciate that she sought out opportunities everyday to be thoughtful. Some acts of kindness were incredibly small and some large. My takeaway from this book is to be aware if others and seek out opportunities to be thoughtful whether by holding open a door or giving a genuine compliment or reaching out a friend to let them know you are thinking of them. Brighten the world a little bit with your love. I shall do my best!
March 2, 2015
I'm done! Huzzah! I can put it into the pile of books that are going to live somewhere else.
I originally wanted to read about a Random Act of Kindness every day of 2015 but a few weeks in I was not connecting to the author at all.
I feel that this book is a self-serving journal that tripped into the printing press and got published. I'm glad that she feels like a better person after this project but it's not worth your time.
I do NOT recommend this one.
February Wrap Up + March TBR video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_F4ND...
I originally wanted to read about a Random Act of Kindness every day of 2015 but a few weeks in I was not connecting to the author at all.
I feel that this book is a self-serving journal that tripped into the printing press and got published. I'm glad that she feels like a better person after this project but it's not worth your time.
I do NOT recommend this one.
February Wrap Up + March TBR video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_F4ND...
July 4, 2015
A writer from New Bedford, currently living in New York, chronicles her year of doing one good deed per day. As she does, she explores its impact on herself, her friends and loved ones, and the world at large.
I loved this book. In fact, if I had borrowed it from the library, I would have bought a copy to keep. I want to meet Erin McHugh and be her friend. She's that likeable, that loving, and that witty.
Highly recommended.
I loved this book. In fact, if I had borrowed it from the library, I would have bought a copy to keep. I want to meet Erin McHugh and be her friend. She's that likeable, that loving, and that witty.
Highly recommended.
January 8, 2013
Loved this book. Realized how easy it is to do a good deed daily and doesn't have to me montary. I put a challenge on my FB page for others to try and do a good deed a day, I will check back after a couple months to see how others are making out. Such an inspiration.
July 28, 2012
Read my review here: http://everydaygyaan.com/2012/07/one-...
February 11, 2013
Loved it! As I got to the middle of the book I was becoming more aware of my own daily good deeds!
January 21, 2023
I want to throw this book in the trash. That would be my good deed of the day- to not subject anyone else to reading this, as might happen if I were to donate it.
She calls people “dopes”, “jokers” admits to feeling resentful when she does something that she isn’t thanked for, wants to (but doesn’t) trip people, considers accepting a free coffee to be a good deed on her part, says she deserves a medal for not spitting on someone, and this is all in the span of January.
I thought reading a page of this book every day would be inspirational but it just made me feel like the author actually has no idea what “good” means. She also mentions being fat from the holidays, which made me cringe. I get that some of her writing is meant in jest but it didn’t land as funny to me.
She calls people “dopes”, “jokers” admits to feeling resentful when she does something that she isn’t thanked for, wants to (but doesn’t) trip people, considers accepting a free coffee to be a good deed on her part, says she deserves a medal for not spitting on someone, and this is all in the span of January.
I thought reading a page of this book every day would be inspirational but it just made me feel like the author actually has no idea what “good” means. She also mentions being fat from the holidays, which made me cringe. I get that some of her writing is meant in jest but it didn’t land as funny to me.
February 14, 2013
This book really highlighted to me the differences between a stereotypical Midwesterner, me, and a stereotypical New Yorker, the author. Coming, as I do, from the land that made Oprah famous, doing good deeds for others is a kind of second nature. That's why I thought this would be an interesting book, it would give me 365 ideas for doing good deeds for others, some of which I could use. As you start to read the first few days of good deeds, you see things that aren't 100% obviously good, like yelling at drunks to "shut the hell up". And the deeds aren't even all deeds, like a day where the good deed was not killing the customers where she worked. Is that a New York thing to think that is a good deed? I don't think that counts in the Midwest, or maybe anywhere else. You'll also notice some cringe inducing attempts to involve children in her project -- I don't think she gets modern kids/parents. Keep reading, though. While many of the earlier deeds seem to have a focus on how the "deed" impacts her, I saw much less of that toward the end of her year, showing true growth. I was rooting for her. You'll also learn if she re-thought her idea of "good deed through omission" (she doesn't). What I think about the thought that you do a good deed by not doing something is that there are plenty of things that I don't do anything about. After the fact I don't come up with rationalization how my inaction could have done good. If you take that to the next extreme, imagine how many good deeds I could do when I am totally absent. Nonsense. Overall, I enjoyed this book although in a different way than I orginally thought. The author is a character, and her project gave me lots of things to think about in terms of doing good in the world, and what that means to me.
Won in Goodreads First Read contest.
Won in Goodreads First Read contest.
March 9, 2013
I won this book on Goodreads and was looking forward to opening its cover and curling in a chair and reading. Having come from a long line of glass-half-empty people and having adopted their precepts, I have made an effort through the years to change this flaw. I was anticipating this book would be the perfect guide to keep me on the right track. On a closer look, however, I was partially mistaken.
The author, McHugh, gives prompts for good deeds, such as offer to give directions to someone in a big city who looks lost or offer to take a tourist's picture or support a fellow artist in whatever ways necessary. Many of her ideas are mere reminders to be nice to people. I'm already nice to people, who often don't give a flying fig either way and will gladly take whatever good deed you're offering. I guess I was looking for something more concrete, like "Today, pack up your gently used clothes and take them to a women's shelter." She offers these kinds of ideas as well, but my overall impression of the book was that the author's purpose was to provide the reader with 365 ways to be nice to others, rather than good deeds. Bah humbug!
The author, McHugh, gives prompts for good deeds, such as offer to give directions to someone in a big city who looks lost or offer to take a tourist's picture or support a fellow artist in whatever ways necessary. Many of her ideas are mere reminders to be nice to people. I'm already nice to people, who often don't give a flying fig either way and will gladly take whatever good deed you're offering. I guess I was looking for something more concrete, like "Today, pack up your gently used clothes and take them to a women's shelter." She offers these kinds of ideas as well, but my overall impression of the book was that the author's purpose was to provide the reader with 365 ways to be nice to others, rather than good deeds. Bah humbug!
February 27, 2013
**I received a copy through a Goodreads giveaway**
I think this is a great challenge to accept. I think that each of us do good deeds for others every day, but like the author we often aren't even aware that we're doing it. Her challenge was to consciously do something nice for someone else every day. What she discovered was that even a simple gesture could mean the world to someone else. She also discovered how much she did on a regular basis that she never gave herself credit for.
One Good Deed: 365 Days of Trying to Be Just a Little Bit Better offers some great examples of simple things to do to help someone else. I like the message of this book, which I believe is just to be a bit more conscious with our kindness. I think that this book is best read in little spurts. It doesn't really read through like a novel or a memoir. The reader could join the author on the day that they are reading if they wanted.
I think this is a great challenge to accept. I think that each of us do good deeds for others every day, but like the author we often aren't even aware that we're doing it. Her challenge was to consciously do something nice for someone else every day. What she discovered was that even a simple gesture could mean the world to someone else. She also discovered how much she did on a regular basis that she never gave herself credit for.
One Good Deed: 365 Days of Trying to Be Just a Little Bit Better offers some great examples of simple things to do to help someone else. I like the message of this book, which I believe is just to be a bit more conscious with our kindness. I think that this book is best read in little spurts. It doesn't really read through like a novel or a memoir. The reader could join the author on the day that they are reading if they wanted.
January 12, 2016
This was not the greatest book, but I truly enjoyed it. And just maybe it will inspire me to do more good deeds and be a better person. Perhaps because I read it first, I liked 29 Gifts, a similar book, more. However, it may be because it was 29 days as compared to a year. Erin wrote as if she were talking to a friend, which was both a positive and a negative. It was positive because she felt like a friend and negative because it was too much of the same.
Two recipes were included which I saved; that is always a plus. Erin mentioned her deceased parents often. She is an only child with an apparent deep connection to her parents and extended family.
One of the things I recall my own mother saying was "good deed for the day." (Could have been hers, mine or some one else)
"...but opening up to a friend is always a little bit of therapy, and it's the rare day that you don't both come out feeling a little better." (243)
Two recipes were included which I saved; that is always a plus. Erin mentioned her deceased parents often. She is an only child with an apparent deep connection to her parents and extended family.
One of the things I recall my own mother saying was "good deed for the day." (Could have been hers, mine or some one else)
"...but opening up to a friend is always a little bit of therapy, and it's the rare day that you don't both come out feeling a little better." (243)
November 30, 2012
I wasn’t sure what to expect when I picked up One Good Deed: 365 Days of Trying to Be Just a Little Bit Better by Erin McHugh. Mostly I was worried about how I would feel when I read it. Which totally defeats the purpose of the author’s project.
After discovering that one of her relative was being canonized for sainthood, Erin McHugh attempts a to do a good deed a day for an entire year. The book is written in journal form, which mirrors her blog of the same name. Erin chronicles each day’s good deed. Sometimes the good deed is something she’s done to help someone and other times, to her surprise, she’s the recipient of the good deed. Yes, we’re on a first name basis. I felt like we were friends once I finished reading One Good Deed.
Read the rest: http://www.fromlefttowrite.com/review...
After discovering that one of her relative was being canonized for sainthood, Erin McHugh attempts a to do a good deed a day for an entire year. The book is written in journal form, which mirrors her blog of the same name. Erin chronicles each day’s good deed. Sometimes the good deed is something she’s done to help someone and other times, to her surprise, she’s the recipient of the good deed. Yes, we’re on a first name basis. I felt like we were friends once I finished reading One Good Deed.
Read the rest: http://www.fromlefttowrite.com/review...
April 28, 2013
*** I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway ***
I am just loving this book! It's not a book to read at once; it's a book to absorb day by day.
I have read the introduction and a handful of days and love the author's writing style. It's casual and animated. I can hear and picture her in my mind (she has great facial expressions and gesticulates a lot).
I was a little leery winning this book as I thought it might make me feel like a bit of a loser that I don't "do" enough. But it's quite the opposite - I already do a lot, which makes me see how easy it is to just do a little more.
Who ever thought that recycling my Christmas tree was actually a good deed? Or tooting other people's horns? I do that all the time. This book has changed the way that I look at the small things I do and has great ideas for doing even more.
I am just loving this book! It's not a book to read at once; it's a book to absorb day by day.
I have read the introduction and a handful of days and love the author's writing style. It's casual and animated. I can hear and picture her in my mind (she has great facial expressions and gesticulates a lot).
I was a little leery winning this book as I thought it might make me feel like a bit of a loser that I don't "do" enough. But it's quite the opposite - I already do a lot, which makes me see how easy it is to just do a little more.
Who ever thought that recycling my Christmas tree was actually a good deed? Or tooting other people's horns? I do that all the time. This book has changed the way that I look at the small things I do and has great ideas for doing even more.
June 15, 2013
Wow, what a bunch of great ideas of how to improve your life, mainly by observing the world and its people, and meeting their needs instead of concentrating on our own.
Out of the 365 wonderful suggestions, here is a sampling:
Share a memory
Share the wealth
Share your knowledge
Count your blessings
Be nice
Do what you can
Make a little sacrifice.
Be as generous as you can
When you are wrong, apologize!
Renew a friendship
Do unto others
There is sheer joy in giving joy!
Hardest of all--Hold your tongue!
Love is everything!
All of these admonitions are backed up with stories and anecdotes from the author's attempts to enact those goals. Some failures along the way too. Everything makes good lessons for us all!
OK, I am off to do a good deed, whether anybody wants it or not!
Out of the 365 wonderful suggestions, here is a sampling:
Share a memory
Share the wealth
Share your knowledge
Count your blessings
Be nice
Do what you can
Make a little sacrifice.
Be as generous as you can
When you are wrong, apologize!
Renew a friendship
Do unto others
There is sheer joy in giving joy!
Hardest of all--Hold your tongue!
Love is everything!
All of these admonitions are backed up with stories and anecdotes from the author's attempts to enact those goals. Some failures along the way too. Everything makes good lessons for us all!
OK, I am off to do a good deed, whether anybody wants it or not!
December 8, 2012
This is going to be a different kind of review. One Good Deed by Erin McHugh is the type of book that makes you take a hard look at yourself. After reading it, I wish I had her enthusiasm and altruistic spirit. I'm grateful for waking up everyday, but I can't say that I'm truly happy everyday. It doesn't take much for my mood to change. I spend too much time worrying and complaining about what I don't have instead of appreciating what I do have. I don't know if I could follow in Erin McHugh's footsteps. But I could try it in baby steps.
Read the rest of my review at: http://www.asiturnthepages.blogspot.c...
Read the rest of my review at: http://www.asiturnthepages.blogspot.c...
January 11, 2015
I really like the idea of this book - "do a good turn daily" (to quote the Girl Scouts). The author decides she will do one good deed each day for a year - and write about it. The book starts out great, but by the end of the year, I feel the author was running out of things to write about, and it just became a series of entries about her daily routine. That said, it did make me start to think about what I could be doing to help other people - so I guess the author was successful in her goal to make people think about being nicer! (She also includes a couple of recipes that I intend to try in the near future!)
March 27, 2013
Disappointing. I was hoping this book would be inspiring, but at no point during my reading of it did I feel like this was inspirational or about "good deeds". I was reminded of Anne Hathaway's failed speeches during the awards season. It smacks of the whole, I"m trying to be humble but I want the attention and that's not why I wanted to read it. I hope this isn't too harsh since I did get it for free, but I guess my disappointment can't be hidden. Don't get me wrong, this isn't a bad book, it just could have been so much more.
*I won this book in a GoodReads First Reads giveaway*
*I won this book in a GoodReads First Reads giveaway*
January 16, 2014
Not all of these counted as good deeds and some of them seemed a little redundant. However this book served as a reminder of a few things. 1. I am not the terrible person I believe myself to be in my head. Often I do many of these things without thinking of them as good deeds. 2. I needed a reminder that basic things like tipping at the coffee shop mean a lot to people and you should do it every time you can. I do like that the author gives a lot of money away to other people. She strikes me as a very generous person.
August 29, 2012
I should have probably read this book one deed a day, all together the feeling I had at the end of the book was that the author thought that some of the things I would have naturally done were such a big deeds. So I felt a little bit strange because I was thinking if maybe it was me that was too good? Obviously not but then this change all the book for me.
THANKS TO NETGALLEY AND ABRAMS FOR THE PREVIEW
THANKS TO NETGALLEY AND ABRAMS FOR THE PREVIEW
March 28, 2013
We were just spending a Saturday visiting bookstores, and this book practically jumped off the shelf and into my hands.
Erin McHugh shares her attempt to perform one good deed a day for one year. Her heartfelt desire to do right is countered by her natural feelings as a human, which is not always to do what is perfect.
In my father's death notice, he asked "Please don't send flowers, but do a kind deed for someone in Bill's name." I really think he would have enjoyed this book.
Erin McHugh shares her attempt to perform one good deed a day for one year. Her heartfelt desire to do right is countered by her natural feelings as a human, which is not always to do what is perfect.
In my father's death notice, he asked "Please don't send flowers, but do a kind deed for someone in Bill's name." I really think he would have enjoyed this book.
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