Life Is Good: The Book

by Bert Jacobs, John Jacobs

From Life is Good founders and brothers Bert and John Jacobs, this inspiring book of wisdom celebrates the power of optimism: the driving force behind their beloved, socially conscious clothing and lifestyle brand, now worth more than $100 million.

Following the chronology of their personal and professional journeys, Bert and John share their unique ride—from their scrappy upbringing outside Boston to the unlikely runaway success of their business. The brothers illuminate ten key "superpowers" accessible to us all: openness, courage, simplicity, humor, gratitude, fun, compassion, creativity, authenticity, and love. Their story, illustrated with the company's iconic artwork, shows how to overcome obstacles and embrace opportunities—whether it's growing stronger from rejection, letting your imagination loose, or simplifying your life to focus on what matters most.

In these colorful pages, Bert and John's plainspoken insights are paired with inspiring quotations, playful top-ten lists, deeply moving letter from the Life is Good community, and valuable takeaways from tapping the power of optimism to live your best life. Both entertaining and profound, Life is Good: The Book is the ultimate guide to embracing and growing the good in your life.

Genres: Nonfiction, Self Help, Business, Biography, Inspirational, Personal Development, Memoir

272 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2015

About the author

In 1989, brothers Bert and John Jacobs designed their first T-shirts. They began selling their designs in the streets of Boston and out of an old van at colleges and street fairs. Today, the company offers more than 900 different items in 14 categories, and products are sold in approximately 4,500 retail stores in the U.S., and in 30 countries worldwide.

Reviews

[Dorota · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was just an adorable, positive and optimistic reading experience. A little bit of a biography, a little bit of a feel good book. Not life changing maybe, but reinforcing the power of positive thinking for sure.

I love Life is Good products, I love their story and their message. I think it's awesome that they created their business, which is thriving now, from scratch, and I admire how they "do what they love and love what they do".
And I wish them all the best!

My favorite things in the book:
1. Each time they talk about one of what they call "superpowers" (gratitude, creativity, courage, simplicity, compassion, humor, etc) they give you a list of songs (for example, after talking about courage, there's a list of 10 strong songs of courage). Thanks to the book I now have several awesome playlists to listen to.
2. The way they talk about their mom. She clearly was a wonderful human being and an awesome parent. And the closeness between the authors and their mom is heart- melting.
3. Changing your attitude from "have to" into "get to". For example, instead of saying "I have to go grocery shopping", start thinking "I get to go grocery shopping with all that dough that I made". I'll try to apply it to almost everything now. Love it.

Last, but not least, word of advice for people on the budget. My library didn't have this book, so buying was my only option. Getting the book on Kindle app will cost you half the price of the paper one. Another advantage of getting it through Kindle, you can always open the app on your phone and find your highlights and bookmarks (I have plenty in this book) when you need some encouragement.

[Teresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I saw an author event being hosted in the Frederick, MD library one evening by the Curious Iguana bookstore and decided to go. I didn't have any obligations that evening & didn't have to cook dinner for anyone. I'm so glad I did! This book is the true story based on the founders of "Life is Good" - Bert & John Jacobs - business plan celebrating the power of optimism. I have purchased a few of their products and have always considered myself to be a "glass half full" type of person. (Yes, I bought that shirt.) I didn't know their story and thought it would be a fun, upbeat kind of evening. I wasn't disappointed.

Bert & John Jacobs are the youngest of 6 children who grew up outside of Boston. They credit their mother as the inspiration for "Life is Good." Both described their childhood challenges - financial and emotional following a near death car accident in which their father lost the use of his right hand. They said their mother held everything together and her mantra at the end of the day was to "tell me something good." To quote them, "She showed us that optimism is a courageous choice you make every day, especially in the face of adversity." Their mother died two years ago and they ended their talk with the description of Joan's goodbye. Very moving!

The book has become a permanent resident on my coffee table since meeting these authors. The contents are inspirational and fun to refer to as needed. Bert & John break up the chapters into what they call "the superpowers" that help us tap into the joys of life. They are: openness, courage, simplicity, humor, gratitude, fun, compassion, creativity, authenticity, and love. Each chapter comes with inspirational quotes, really cool top ten listings of songs, and beautiful stories from their experiences & fans.

For example, in the chapter about compassion they talk about their commitment to help children in need. 10% of their annual profits are given to their Life is Good Kids Foundation. http://content.lifeisgood.com/kidsfou... They talk about self-compassion on a page highlighting the quote "If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion." - Dalai Lama XIV They tell us to be kind to ourselves, too. Their top ten song list of compassion is: "You Are Not Alone" by Mavis Staples, "The Weight" by The Band, "A Little Bit of Everything" by Dawes, "High Tide or Low Tide" by Bob Marley, "If There Was No You" by Brandi Carlisle, "Join Together" by The Who, "Us" by Brother Ali, "Let It Go" by Michael Franti & Spearhead, "Shelter From the Storm" by Bob Dylan and "Lean On Me" by Bill Withers. There is a story about twin boys who survive a car accident. And, they list 3 ways to practice compassion - 1) Help Yourself. 2) Just Like Me and 3) Give Presence - all with a descriptive paragraph of instruction.

Meaningful yet never preachy book. If anyone is the real life example of authenticity, Bert & John would be perfect examples. New favorite (& at a time when I really needed it.)

[Agnė · Rating 4 out of 5]

Life Is Good: The Book is the ultimate celebration of optimism. It's lighthearted, insightful, wise, relatable, and extremely uplifting. Oh, and very well-designed :)


This is one of my favorite bits of wisdom from Life Is Good: The Book, and it reflects the book's vibe (i.e., playful and wise) perfectly:

FIVE LESSONS IN AUTHENTICITY WE CAN ALL LEARN FROM DOGS:
- If you want something, ask.
- Don't judge. Just love.
- If it looks fun, go for it.
- Squirrels are fast.
- Wag and the world wags with you.

[Joseph Roach · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everyone needs to read this book. I don't often say those words, but I can see no harm in reading a book that shows us how wonderful this life really is, regardless of circumstances or social status.

Highly recommend this book as a reminder that humanity is good DESPITE what the media shoves in our faces.

Life is Good!

[Shawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book as a Christmas gift a little over a year ago. My Mum wrote on the inside cover "Merry Christmas! Thought you might enjoy this!" Boy was she right. I've always been a huge fan of the Life is Good brand. I remember first finding their products in a little surf shop on Hilton Head Island. I loved the concept and they had some great golf themed shirts. For me, this book was the perfect blend of corporate biography with a dash of self help thrown in. Outside of the Introduction/Prologue and Afterword, each chapter focuses on one of the Life is Good "superpowers." These range from Love and Gratitude to Humor and Creativity. Each chapter discusses how that particular superpower played a role in building their company and the importance that characteristic can serve in your day-to-day life. To say I loved this book is a gross understatement. It was fantastic and I can't recommend it enough!!

PS - The "Afterword: Joan's Goodbye" really tugs at the heartstrings. You've been warned, go into that section emotionally prepared for war!

[Chelsey · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was ..ugh... I couldn't give it the lowest rating, since I read it the same time as The Revenant, which there is nothing I could possibly hate more right now [Other than Twilight and all things affiliated, but it is REALLY REALLY CLOSE OK]

Life is Good just felt like reading about a really proud school aged child tooting his own horn about his achievements. This doesn't feel like a self help book more than a biography, maybe a business profile book, but I don't understand how anyone thinks this could help people.

I had to force myself to finish reading this book, and that's not a good sign. The pictures were fun? And I can see myself maybe buying one or two of their shirts should I ever see them selling them anywhere not online [Their online shop is not that great]

But their book is boring, tough slogging and an all around rough read.

[Drew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hands down, one of the most uplifting books I have ever read. Already started using this book to help spread positivity at work and home. The other night, I applied Joan’s idea, and said to my mom, “Tell me something good that happened today.” A few minutes later, we were both in a great mood, laughing together. Incredibly inspiring, and this book makes me want to make a difference with the power of optimism.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a FANTASTIC book!!! It's essentially a business history and plan for the clothing company 'Life is Good,' but its such a positive, socially-minded organization that I think everyone would benefit from reading their philosophy. I like their t-shirts, but loved learning their story and was inspired by their words. Essentially it's the power of optimism. We can choose to be happy and I loved the ten "superpowers" they suggest for what makes life good. ;)

Superpowers:
* Openness
* Courage
* Simplicity
* Humor
* Gratitude
* Fun
* Compassion
* Creativity
* Authenticity
* Love

Here are a few more of my favorites:
"Life is not easy. Life is not perfect. Life is good (p. 9)."

"And--then as now--our customers helped to plot our course for the long haul....Their courageous stories demonstrated how optimism can empower us even in the hardest times. We were inspired and moved by all of these stories, which we started calling 'Fuel.' But we never knew what to do with them--until it occurred to us to share them (p. 10)."

"Optimism is a powerful and pragmatic strategy for accomplishing goals and living a fulfilling life...optimism enables us to explore the world [the obstacles and the opportunities] with open arms and an eye toward solutions, progress, and growth (p. 11)."

"Our mom was the first powerful optimist in our lives. We weren't the kind of family that could fly to Disneyland on vacation, but Joan taught us how to travel in our minds. She didn't just read us bedtime stories at night; she sang to us, danced, and acted out the stories (p. 23)."

"'It is important to remember that we all have magic inside us (J.K. Rowling, p. 23).'"

"Eventually we became conscious of the fact that joy doesn't come from your circumstances. It comes from your disposition (p. 27)."

"We were all children once, and we lived our lives with arms wide open. As we grow older, we sometimes grow more cynical and guarded. We catch ourselves being more close-minded, which prevents us from exploring opportunities (p. 32)."

"enjoy the ride (p. 43)."

"Optimists are able to view rejection as an opportunity to adjust and improve, embracing the chance to learn, grow, and try again (p. 53)."

"Opportunities multiply as they are seized (Sun Tzu, p. 53)."

"The work will teach you how to do it (p. 54)."

"When you try, you either succeed or you learn. In both, you win (p. 59)."

"fear. less. (p. 67)"

""Our life is frittered away by detail...Simplify! Simplify! .... I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately...and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived (Henry David Thoreau, p. 71).'"

"'Life is Good' said more with three words in one hour than all our elaborate pitches, messages, and designs had said in five years....We had found our rallying cry for optimists, and those three simple words would change our lives forever (p. 79)."

"'Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication (da Vinci, p. 80).'"

"How can we reclaim our lives? How can we slow down, regain our handle, and focus on the things that matter most: time with our favorite people, fulfilling projects, activities or hobbies that bring us joy (p. 81)?"

"We can all take a hard look at separating the inessentials from the essentials in our lives (p. 84)."

"Fresh air and a bit of unmarked time can do us all wonders. Imagine uninterrupted time: you and the people you love outside, just talking, roaming, playing. Physical clutter, mental clutter: gone. That's what nature an do for us all....Mother Nature is always at the ready to help clear your noggin and refresh your senses (p. 85)."

"take it outside (p. 89)."

"We all love to laugh....Laughter is also the great connector (p. 93)."

"Laughing regularly reduces stress and anxiety, releases muscle tension, boosts our energy, lowers our blood pressure, improves overall cardiac health, triggers the release of endorphins and dopamine (our natural happiness transmitters), strengthens our immune system, and helps us sleep better. Now that's a superpower! Laughter is more infectious than the common cold, and a lot more fun. So go ahead: start laughing more, and get your friends and family laughing more too (p. 94)."

"'By the way, what's the smiley guy's name?' We decided to call our man Jake, short for Jacobs. Only much later did we learn that 'jake' is also an old-fashioned expression that means 'Everything's all right' or 'Everything's cool (p. 96).'"

"'Does Jake ride a mountain bike?' .... 'No, but he will...if you pay in advance (p. 98).'"

"Laughter has no foreign accent (p. 102)."

"'My LIG hat is just like me, weathered and well tested, but still in the game (Doug Smathers, p. 105)!'"

"'We both have extra challenges in the world-but at the end of the day we still have each other (p. 116).'"

"Kids are generally pretty good at staying in the present: in the drawing, in the bathtub, in the sand castle of their little moments. As adults, we often let distractions fracture our moments. And we spend precious hours dwelling on the past or projecting too far into our future. Focusing on the simple pleasures--on the good we are experiencing here, now, today--can do wonders. Otherwise, we can find ourselves defining happiness in terms of someday (p. 117)."

"Even--in fact, especially--in the darkest times, people are drawn to the light. We mourn what we've lost, but we cherish what we still have. We all want to help make things better. We saw it in our team, in our business partners, and in the country as a whole (p. 128)."

"Fun doesn't require much beyond a playful, open mind. A ball doesn't hurt either (p. 143)."

"Maintaining a childlike appetite for fun every day is healthy, enjoyable, and good for business (p. 161)."

"'Give the world a reason to dance (Kid President, p. 161).'"

"Compassion is the concern for and willingness to help someone who is suffering. Identifying with another person--including identifying with their pain--is hardwired in us....there is a powerful connection between helping other people and feeling happy (p. 167)."

"A playmaker is someone who steps up and makes a winning contribution at a critical time in the game....A Playmaker is a difference maker, a compassionate game changer in the life of a child (p. 173)."

"Friend, foe, or stranger--each person we meet is dealing with some level of struggle in his or her life....Just like me, this person wants to be happy...Just like me, this person has known sadness, suffering, and despair. This perspective comes pretty easily when we engage with loved ones (p. 177)."

"Sometimes the best conversation is a game of catch (p. 180)."

"You likely have places and activities that spark your best creative thinking: in the shower or garden; at your workbench or a cozy nook in your home or office; deep in the woods or whenever you're in motion--walking, running, or on your commute. Cherish that spark, relish its source, and go to it often p. 194)."

"You can't use up creativity (p. 205)."

"Grow your own way. We all aspire to greet each day like Dagger. To run like a dog. To live genuinely, authentically. We want to stay true to ourselves, feel comfortable in our skin, and express ourselves naturally. We also want to live consistently in sync with our strongest values. 'This above all: to thine own self be true,' said the quotable Willy Shakespeare. But it can be a real challenge when external influences pressure us to be someone we're not (p. 212)."

"'Be yourself. Everyone else is taken (Oscar Wilde, p. 212).'"

"If you're real, people can trust and believe in you. Simple and true. Authenticity is a superpower (p. 213)."

"Remember where you came from (p. 218)."

"Staying true to ourselves requires a curious mix of self-awareness and self-abandonment. On the other hand, it takes dogged determination to openly acknowledge our flaws and keep striving to improve. On the other hand, trusting your instincts, tabling introspection, and hitting the trail at full stride like Dagger can feel like the ultimate expression of our best self (p. 223)."

"be-you-tiful (p. 225)."

"Sometimes love needs no words....Love is action (p. 236)."

"Do what you Love what you do (p. 240)."

"Everybody loves, but not everybody shares what they love enough. What do you love? Seriously, who and what do you love? The more you share your love, the more you connect with the people you love, the richer your life is. The recipe is time tested, and it will never change. So go ahead, spread it. Love is a superpower. Don't keep it in a jar. Spread it all around like peanut butter, because life is good (p. 249)."

"Take your love wherever you go (p. 251)."

"Choose what you do with your life very carefully, and protect that time with your life, because it is your life (P. 265)."

"The mission of Life is Good is to spread the power of optimism. That's our story and we're stickin' to it. And that story has only just begun (p. 266)."

[Curtis Rotheiser · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun and quick book that interweaves the story of how Life is Good was started with life advice. I especially liked the "Fuel" stories by LIG fans they included within each chapter.

[Garance Monnier · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the most random books I’ve read & probably the only business-related books you’ll (ever) catch me reading. Don’t even ask me, I don’t know 🤸‍♀️I kept giggling just thinking about how random this was, but honestly, even if there’s nothing groundbreaking about what they’re saying, it was cute ok???

[Edward Cheer · Rating 2 out of 5]

If I could have retitled this book, I would've called it "Citation Needed".

Life is Good is a massive pandering novel that glorifies how great the Life Is Good organization is and how much Bert and John Jacobs have worked to make their extraordinary T-shirt company what it is, and have graciously bestowed us with their knowledge of optimism.

I think optimism and pessimism, with either extreme, are terrible ways to live your life. It's unhealthy to be pessimistic because it can often keep you from actually enjoying your life, and optimism is foolish because it chooses to blatantly ignore the terrible things in the world and not worry about mitigating and preventing them for the future. It's a strong balance of the two that can lead to a well-balanced human being. Although, I don't argue against the qualities that the Jacobs brothers say one should have. I just don't see how it relates to anything else.

The Jacobs brothers also cite these quotes that support optimism, but then they use all these random phrases like "All scientists agree that..." or "So many people today think..." without any citations at all! That's ridiculous that they make such bold claims without any proper citations or evidence to back it up. Any claim, even if it is in a biography, MUST be supported by verifiable evidence or else the claim is invalid. And because of that, I couldn't take anything the Jacobs brothers said seriously.

This is called "Life Is Good: The Book". I was expecting a history behind the Life Is Good foundation. What I got was a ton of back-patting from the Jacobs brothers describing all the wonderful things they've done with their organization (shouldn't they have also described how one should stray from haughtiness along with all their exceptional qualities they've mentioned). It honestly felt like I was reading a 200-page advertisement for a Life Is Good T-Shirt. I've never owned any of their merchandise, and after reading this novel I have less of a desire to do so. Despite the good arguments for a better life, this is still a very poorly-written book with random lists for bland songs and movies shoved in to "inspire" you like it inspired the magnificent Jacobs brothers. This is just a garbage book.

[Joe · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The mission of Life is Good is to spread the power of optimism."

If that sounds right up your alley, you're probably going to enjoy this book. Written in a light conversational style, the Jacobs brothers cover their lean early years hawking shirts out of a beat up minivan, their family story, the birth and growth of the Life is Good brand, and their commitment to spreading optimism through their life's work.

This is not a heavy self-help book but rather the musings of a couple of upbeat and fun guys you might meet at a party. Will some people find them pretentious? Maybe. The pessimists will say that success makes them optimistic. The optimists will say their upbeat attitude drove them to success. Either way, read in the right frame of mind, this book can only raise spirits and have readers appreciate that even in the midst of adversity - life is good.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am always impressed when I read about entrepreneurs, risking it all on an idea or project they love. But this book for more about just the story of Bert and John creating Life is good. This book is a wonderful discussion on the important things in life and how to apply them on a daily basis. I particularly enjoyed the recommended songs in each section - made for a lovely playlist while reading!! The LIG music festivals are what drew me to the company so I was so excited it as a part of each chapter. I am not about to start my own business but I know will be reading a few of the chapters again when I need to remind myself to just enjoy the ride. Great book to keep on the bookshelf for years to come!

[S · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've always liked this company's products and when I saw this book, I had to give it a try. When I picked it up, I was surprised at its weight for 272 pages. They used some good quality paper. Anyway, it was a fun, quick read about the life of the founders and how Life Is Good came into being. Woven into their story are artwork, photos, letters from customers, recommended playlists and movies, and their beliefs on how to live a happy life. Their writing didn't feel preachy or sugarcoated, so I've been recommending this book to friends who might want a boost or want to learn more about Life Is Good.

[Tressie Landreth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honestly, I would have never purchased this book by itself but it was offered from Life Is Good with a shirt for a total price of $25 for the shirt and the book. I love to read, so why not? I am so happy that I got this book! I recommend it to anyone and everyone. It’s not just the story of how LIG started, but it is the foundation of the company and a great lesson on how to live and be able to truly say, “Life Is Good.”

[Jaime L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book is simple, elegant, and inspiring. it's an easy, quick, enjoyable read that gives both an entertaining tale of how Life is Good came to be and thrives today, as well as practical ideas for how to approach our own lives with a little more optimism and make our own life more "good". Definitely something i see myself referring back to and rereading in time

[Elisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

All business owners, employees and parents should read this. What a heartwarming positive optimistic happy tale. I want my children to remember me like Joan is recalled. This book has such heart and so much soul. I’m glad I picked it up and will recommend it to others who seem to be searching for that certain meaning in their lives.

[Lynne Reeves Griffin · Rating 5 out of 5]

As inspirational a story, as is the mission of the company. Life is Good is a wonderful and fun read.

[Stephanie Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Everyone should read this book. Much needed dose of optimism and a reminder of the important things in life.

[Sivan · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars

But first let's start with the good.
Melissa Farris!
👏Me👏lis👏sa 👏Far👏ris👏!
Melissa Farris did the interior design for this book and wow, it's awesome! So so beautiful! And a beautiful font as well! 1 million stars for Farris on this ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

As for the book, it's just about being an optimist. It's a really basic, average read.
I was actually really enjoying the story at the beginning (started reading this in 2023... 🫣) and even considered buying a Life is Good shirt! So you know, good advertising. But then... I went to the Life is Good website... Ugh. It was all these lame hipster stuff. I had to search for the classic Life is Good stuff! This was very disappointing for me.
When I didn't finish in 2023 I fell off a bit but luckily left a bookmark so finally picked it up again to finish the last two chapters. Again I was like "It's an alright book, nice even." But then there was one line that threw me off. I won't get into it but I got quite upset about it but then moved on.

This is never a book I would have picked myself. (If you couldn't tell, I don't own any Life is Good merch.) I actually got this book a while ago as a Book Award (quick flex 😏), so I will keep it forever and figured I might as well read it despite no interest in the book at all. Just another one for the coffee table I guess!

[sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I grew up wearing Life is Good clothing everyday. I loved getting to hear Bert and John’s story of how they made their dreams come true. Unfortunately, this book became very preachy. It’s also a kind of “self-help” book. They give advice on how to make sure your “life is good”. Granted, some of the advice was good, but at other times it was very generic and bland. They have a really fascinating story, so I would recommend picking this up and just skimming the advice parts! Bonus: the pictures were cool too!

[Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting inside look at the creators of the LIFE IS GOOD brand. This is a good blend of anecdotes, their childhood, and the history and driving forces of their business. This would be a great book to buy for a new graduate. It is filled with optimism, positivity, and creative outlooks on life and business.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story about their start. Love their product and all that they stand for.

[Jennifer Bedell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was pleasantly surprised by this book. Loved the way it was put together. Loved the formatting visually and informationally. Wonderful read!

[Casey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick easy read full of optimism and great life is good art. If I lived in MA I would love to work for this company. Thanks for the Christmas gift Jim!

[Brownd2 · Rating 3 out of 5]

the ability to choose optimism is hard to live by though this book does a good job trying to make that argument

[Cb60089 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very positive book. Love the products they make. The book impressed me with how the owners are such kind positive people. This book will brighten your mood.

[Laurie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a feel good book written in an original way. It is broken down into chapters that are the companies values. Within each value, they have their t-shirt designs, company history, and letters from customers about their product all relating to that value.

Openness: story of little boy talking to homeless woman (his mom didn't catch him in time to stop him). Ways to be open: imagine a child is your leader, use the phase "yes, and," and remember everything is a once in a lifetime experience.

Courage: His sister Berta was in a ski accident and worked hard to learn to walk again. Thework will teach you how to do it. Ways: join the TRY-athlon, See rejection as your best teacher, look forward.

Simplicity: We have access to to a sea of (electronic) information. Men are becoming the tools of their tools.Many of us choose to stuff our lives with busyness and distractions. We don't do well with this stress. Ways: Matter up (decide what and who is most important in your life), Unplug (cut down on media consumption), Take it outside (play outside).

Humor: Create your own happy hour (they do at their company). Laughter is a natural mechanism for releasing pent-up stress. Story of executives coming to their house for spaghetti and the fun they had. Ways: bring it home (start with something funny), work it around (laughter at work meetings), Get your vitamin L (laughter in addition to nutrition and exercise).

Gratitude: story of twins with "extra challenges" (blind, leg amputated), but at the end of the day we wtill have each other. They use the letters from customers (about their products) as FUEL. Story about the lady who lost her husband in the terrorist attacks and she gives Life is Good shirts to their relatives every Christmas. Ways pump your own fuel (send thank yous), Get to (we get to go to work), Celebrate Thanksgiving 365 (bless the food).

Fun: Dr. Seuss wanted to write some books that would be interesting to little kids (current kids books were boring). Having fun is good for you. They have held festivals: pumpkin lighting. Blur the line between work and play. Ways: customize (make things, laugh with friends, play outside - these things are hard wired), get a move on (physical exercise is good for you), let loose (have fun while you work).

Compassion: They started having Joy Clinics where they would help the helpers (caregivers of children. Ways: Help yourself (Have compassion on your self), just like me (everyone is fighting a battle), give presence (just be yourself, you don't have to have all the answers).

Creativity: The Beatles took a year off after their first album. They each studied a type of music that interested them. When they came back together, their songs had the "new" music from each of them. Ways: mind your space (colors, art), exploreate (kids need unstructured time, adults can learn about something they are interested in), team up (collaborate with others).

Authenticity: Be a dog, as they show their excitement. Know who you are and act like it (stay true to your values). Ways: take a stand (be the oddball), get lost, get found (lose yourself in your favorite activity), tune in (ask friends about 2 things you should never change about yourself).

Love: Story about Boston Marathon and accounting for employees, one was in the race and admitted to the hospital. Employees visited. Love is action. Ways: do what you lov%), take your love everywhere you go (carry photo), express yourself, today (express in words and actions).

[Nicole Castelblanco · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Life is Good: The Book written by Bert and John Jacobs, the authors use a powerful theme that influences their point of view and format. The Jacobs brothers embrace a simple message to drive their business: Life is Good. Their goal is to spread the power of optimism, which is the reason that I wanted to read it. This book was perfect for the beginning of the school year, because it reminds me of the importance of optimistic mindset. The school year can be stressful, and it is easy to complain than to be optimistic about the impact it will have in the future. This book’s theme has taught me the “superpowers” that help spread optimism. I have applied them to my everyday life, and the results have been unbelievable. Happiness is such a simple concept, but it is easily seen as an unattainable way of life. The authors tell their stories about their difficult childhood and the hardships of the beginning of their business with an optimistic tone. By telling the story of the business together, it shows the powerful relationship that the brothers share. I enjoyed how the story had two authors because it showed how much family impacts emotions. My family has always been a source of my happiness, and I loved reading about how supportive and loving the family has been throughout the Jacobs brother’s business. Being able to understand the point of view of both brothers allowed for me to understand the whole story of their business. Some people believe that we are who we surround ourselves with. Both brothers are optimistic, and they have stayed that way since the beginning of Life is Good. It is a reminder to keep those who make us happy close, because their energy becomes ours.
After explaining how the brothers realized a superpower and identified its importance, they include letters from their customers. These customers express their gratitude of the business by explaining how the business’s message helped them through difficult times. This was the most influential aspect of the book, because spreading optimism impacts everyone for the better. The letters were evidence that the message is not just a group of words that sounded good, instead, they are words that have the power to change everything. The letters made the book more meaningful to me. The letters had this impact on me by emphasizing that although everyone has a different story, having an optimistic view on life can be beneficial in every way. This book has changed my outlook on life, and I recommend it to everyone. No matter a person’s age, intelligence, and experiences, learning how to spread optimism is something that will benefit everyone. While reading this book, I was constantly reminded of the movie “Pursuit of Happyness.” The movie is about how a man goes through struggles in his job, which influences all other aspects of his life. The man, Chris Gardener, pushes through the obstacles with optimism of the future. It is his positive outlook on life that motivates him to work the best he can. We do not have control over many things in this world, but we have the power to be optimistic and to spread optimism to others.

[Richard Propes · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Life is Good: The Book" is a light, fun read by the founders of the Life is Good Company, Bert and John Jacobs.

Now then, true confession. Prior to reading this book, I'd never heard of the Life is Good Company. Weird, eh?

It's particularly weird considering how much of my activism is wrapped around optimism, hope, and healing. However, I saw the book on the shelf at the library and thought it looked like a pleasant read.

I was right.

"Life is Good" is not really a look at the company itself. While the book certainly deals with the company from its early days to the current days, the majority of the book simply deals with the simple philosophies serving as the company's foundation. Founded in 1994 by these two brothers, Life is Good has grown to a company of 200 employees with its line of optimistic t-shirts and hats.

Meant as an inspirational book promoting the positive impact of optimism, "Life is Good" is a beautifully designed book that is graphics heavy. The semi-lengthy book is a quick read because quite a few of the pages in the book are either photos or graphics. They write often about their family, the early days of Life is Good, and they essentially frame the entire book around key values such as compassion, love, fun, humor, etc. They fill the book with anecdotes, playlists, recommended movies, letters from customers, artwork, and their tips on living into the philosophy of optimism even when life isn't necessarily going your way.

There are poignant moments in the book, from a serious injury to one of their sisters to the Boston Marathon Bombing that occurred practically right next to their Boston office and injured one of their employees and into other areas of their daily lives.

If you're looking for hardcore research, you'll probably be disappointed. If you're hoping the book really delves into the business itself, you'll still be disappointed. "Life is Good" is simply a light, inspirational read written by two brothers who worked for years to become successful and whose devotion to optimism has fueled that success.

I most appreciated their list of superpowers -

Superpowers:
* Openness
* Courage
* Simplicity
* Humor
* Gratitude
* Fun
* Compassion
* Creativity
* Authenticity
* Love

Indeed, they go into greater detail about each of these and their approach is fun, creative, and inspiring. The book certainly led me to look up the company and I continue to be amazed that they've never been on my radar. They are now!