I Strongly Believe in Incredible Things: A Creative Journey Through the Everyday Wonders of Our World

by Rob Auton

A selection of the world’s most incredible things according to award-winning writer, comedian, artist and podcaster Rob Auton

I Strongly Believe In Incredible Things is a book of poetic prose, musings, short stories and biro drawings detailing a selection of the Earth’s incredible things by award-winning writer, comedian, artist and podcaster Rob Auton.

Unique, enchanting and utterly life affirming, this is a collection of pages that come together to create the opposite of the news, becoming the tonic for the complicated gin that is the world we find ourselves in today: a humorous and heartfelt book that is the ying to the yang that is politics ;a book of breathing space that gives oxygen to rediscovering the beauty of living on earth with the aim of fuelling people to return to the coal-face of everyday life with optimism and wonder in their pockets. Inhaling all we have in common, exhaling all we don’t.

From bubble wrap to Killer Whales; frog spawn to empathy, hand-dryers to parents, I Strongly Believe in Incredible Things wants to take you on a journey back to the incredible planet we live on.

Genres: Poetry

304 pages, Hardcover

Published September 16, 2021

Reviews

[Finlay]

Made me laugh, made me cry, made me think, made me feel human.

[Chris Best]

I discovered Rob Auton a couple of years ago and have loved spending time reading and listening to his output ever since. He has a unique brand of well articulated, thoughtful joy that is simple but inspiring. The world should have more Rob Autons in it

[Preston]

*Thanks to HarperCollins UK, Mudlark, and NetGalley for providing me with a digital ARC of this book, in exchange for an honest review.*

A lovely collection of short stories/essays; witty and humorous musings that will remind you of the little things in life. Great illustrations, too!

A quirky, heart-warming, feel-good read that is guaranteed to put a smile on your face :)

[Brad Benson (moved to StoryGraph) ⬇️]

3.5 stars

This was a fun read! The author implores himself to look at, appreciate, and describe common everyday things — full of wonder & as if seeing them for the first time. The result is a weird little Nathan Fielder meets Shel Silverstein meets a benevolent alien that is new to Earth and amazed by its bounty. Poetry isn’t my favorite method, and his punctuation (or lack thereof) drove me crazy, but it is a refreshingly wonderful challenge for a more awestruck existence.

[Catherine Henderson]

If you are a bit depressed, all you need to do is read a couple of pages of this book.
Funny, sweet and life affirming. He's also great live

[Seri]

I bought this from the lovely Rob Auton himself after seeing his show in Edinburgh two years ago. I have read it in dribs and drabs since. Very enjoyable dribs and drabs.

[Lucy]

I stunbled across Rob Auton at the End of the Road Festival earlier this year (not literally, but we'd arrived early at the comedy stage and had the unexpected delight of listening to him. He thanks people at the end of the book who have been to one of his gig "on purpose" and I really hope it's not too long before I can do that!)

This is a great book if you have a short attention span, have fallen out of the habit of reading, are feeling a bit sad or just really in any situation. If I was a doctor, I would prescribe reading a few entries every day to remind you of just how amazing it is to be alive which is something I think that past couple of years have made it easy to forget.

Rob's way of looking at the world is with childllike wonder, but with the ability to articulate the emotions perfectly.

It's one of those rare books that I keep wanting to say to friends "stop what you are doing and let me read this to you". I particularly loved "Jupiter" which was one of the readings at the gig and I would also say that I think this would make a great audio book too.

This book makes me smile and has lifted my spirits and I will keep a copy close by to me to pick up on days when I forget that "Living on the same planet as a koala bear and a ladybird and not being excited about it?"

Amongst all the sadness and stress there are some incredible things to appreciate and this book is one of them.

[🌶 peppersocks 🧦]

Reflections and lessons learned:
Nov 21:

“That’s what happens when you leave the house
Something that makes the day different to what it will definitely be”

Oh! Where to start with this one! I feel like I part share a brain with Auton but mine is a much more limited imagination. Wowsers - to be a flatmate with him would be amazing for the throwaway thoughts and deep daft conversations - the exact type and style of gently considered musings and appreciations that I needed to hear just now. So many page marks noted that I’m going to have to buy a print copy to properly savour…

Oct 23:

“I strongly believe in people…”

Do surreal wit, whimsy and wisdom through simple considerations with such conscience and caring analyses ever date when they’re this good? Maybe in 100 years, but I think that they’ll still stand testament for me then too. Just fab, and a wonderful form of affirmation therapy that, in an often smug and patronising world, there are still the dreamers out there willing to ponder with a totally open mind 💭

[Lianne]

A collection of writings, drawings and musings celebrating the wonder of the everyday from comedian and podcaster Rob Auton.

I really like Rob Auton's odd, observational humour. I found myself nodding and smiling throughout this and there are some lovely, heartwarming pieces that will really stay with me, like the one where Santa entrusts Rob with his Christmas wishlist. I read this on ebook and found I could 'hear' Auton's delivery in the writing. However, I think this will be even better on audiobook.

Thanks to Netgalley for this advanced review copy.

[Lisa O'Hare]

I absolutely loved this book.

I read it slowly over a number of months and it always made me feel better for reading it.

I am sorry I have finished it but I will definitely read this over and over again.

The observations of the beauty in the ordinary are so beautifully put they make you appreciate them as extraordinary. It made me feel lucky to be here and read a book as joyfully imaginative as this.

I don’t feel like that all the time but when I need to I know I can come back to this book now.

And that is an incredible thing.

[Emily John Garces]

Thank you for letting us into your strange little mind Rob. I feel I have made a new friend who’s company has changed the way I process the tiny little PROFOUNDLY HILARIOUS moments that surround me on all sides at any given moment.

[soluznya]

meraviglioso modo di vedere il mondo, mi sono sentita capita ma anche e soprattutto ispirata, poetico e pieno di emozioni che si legano tutte ad un più forte sentimento di felicità libertà e amore 🌼:-) belloo!!!!!!!!!!!

[Hannah Wood]

Ugh I just loved this book. Just like Rob Auton's shows, I didn't want it to end. I'll probably read it again in a few months. It restored my faith in humanity and the world.

[Clementine]

had such a lovely week listening to this whenever I was walking anywhere/doing laundry/cooking and giggling or tearing up constantly. want to listen the last page every day

[Georgie Fay]

Lovely snippets and observations of the everyday joys, moving and funny and some light relief in these strange times.