This book has some great ideas and I actually took some of the things that was said and placed it in hat and pulled one piece out on days where I felt like there was no kindness left. However, when I did that it made me look at things in such a different light. Sometimes what you give out to the universe is exactly what you get in return. I lost my 2 yr old son to bacterial pneumonia and I was angry. Very angry for a very long time. Yet after reading this book I was able to see things in such a way that I knew that I had to give of myself in a way that others would see my son through me. I do not usually read self help books but this one caught my attention because I felt as though I was too angry to accept change and kindness from others much less give it. I am glad that I did read this book because I know that in order for all of us to get along and help each other out we must exude kindness and give it to others so that we may be able to continue to get along and hope that this world will one day be a better place.


Thank you to netgalley as well as the author/publisher for allowing me to read this book in exchange for my honest review.

More than a little in love with this book. A YEAR OF LIVING KINDLY brings us on a journey to uncover the importance of kindness and reminding us of ways to bring it back into our lives. Cameron even points out that if she did these things all the time, she wouldn't have created the book. I appreciated her sharing that vulnerability so honestly. It's hard to follow a book like this if the author comes across as condescending and/or preachy.

I also enjoyed the "kindness in action" tips at the end of each section. It's nice to have a concrete way to incorporate lessons into your life in books like these.

To be honest, I don´t like self help books I just got this one because someone recommended it. Even when I don´t agree with some of it, I Just took what it was helpful and encouraging. Have you ever feel like you are not as kind as you used to be? Like you see small children and you miss being that way? that is why I picked up this one for... I´m embarrassed to say, but I´ve changed a lot in this area. Kindness has the power to soften hearts and give you friendship opportunities that may disappear another way. Sometimes when you are hurt, you just step back a little bit, and when you step back you are quiet, silent, enjoying your space, but if it takes not too long until it becomes a pattern. Don´t let that happen to you. Take the right choice and move on, keep living kindly. Donna may encourage to do so.

It is a useful and interesting self help book. I kindly recommend it for everyone who needs to learn the lesson of gratitude and kindness.

I was lucky enough to receive a free copy by of this book via netgalley! Very informative and useful!

A Year of Living Kindly is a very enjoyable and thought provoking book that I would recommend especially in today’s times. Donna Cameron writes about her experience of committing 365 days of kindness. The books is divided into 52 chapters and is divided into four seasons ( Discovery, Understanding, Choosing, and Becoming). By dividing it into 52 you can concentrate on one concept per week and work your way through a year. She explains how kindness can be easy, difficult, strengthen our kindness muscle, improve our health and outlook, improve relationships, and how kindness can lead to unexpected consequences. In each of her 52 chapters she has stories, lessons, strategies, and food for thought that encourages generosity, mindfulness, and courage, Each of the 52 chapters ends with “Kindness in Action” which are questions for you to contemplate and put into action for that week. This is a book that I plan on rereading on a yearly basis.

A Year of Living Kindly is a beautifully written book about kindness.

In this book, Donna shares personal stories about what she learned during her year of living kindly and encourages the reader to strive towards the same goal. The book includes the health benefits of being kind and how it contributes to our overall happiness. At the end of each chapter, she leaves us with ideas to help us apply these concepts to our lives.

A Year of Living Kindly is filled with inspiration that will help the reader make significant strides towards becoming a kind person and thus creating a kinder world. I would highly recommend to everyone.

I would like to thank NetGalley, She Writes Press, and Donna Cameron for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Within the first few sentences of this book, I felt off.

Perhaps this is my bias rearing it's ugly head - I'll get to that in a moment - or maybe it's that I read WAY too many self-help books. (I do. Several hundred a year). Either way, I bristle when a book starts with a premise that I can't ascribe to being True. With a capital T.

What do I mean?

First sentence of the book: "Kindness is in short supply these days".

Is it really? Is that true, 100% of the time, always, for everyone?

It sure isn't in my life.

Can I be more kind? Definitely, that's why I wanted to read this book. Yet when I read a first paragraph that purpots to have me on board that kindness is hidden, elusive and difficult... well you've already lost me.

Chapter One starts with a variation of, "Kindness is everywhere, if you look for it". Well, that's a bit better, I would have preferred that the book start there. Again.... I'm biased.... :)

Each chapter, all 52 of them, reflects on a certain frame of kindness, and then has a "kindness in action" section at the end. Some chapters resonate way more than others, but for the most part, I felt disjointed and without purpose as I read. I didn't feel the author truly embodied kindess in action, other than perhaps a lot of paying for things (nice vs kind, which she covers at the start).

Again, my perception and bias. Perhaps I'm kinder than I realize, or maybe this isn't the book for me. It felt a bit like this was a blog turned into a book - and then I read, it was.

So if you like that sort of thing, perfect!

Nice ideas, nice book.
This book has some good ideas and inspirations for anyone that wants to try live a bit more kindly and notice the smaller things more instead of constantly focusing on things we all know we shouldn't focus on.

Fifty Two short chapters, one to read each week. The idea of the book is that you can dip in when you like and wherever you like. At the end of each chapter is a KIndness in Action section with ideas of what you can do to develop a habit of kindness. I was a bit wary of this book when I read it was based on a blog. I'm cynical and imagine the blog has been written purely with an eye to writing a book based on it and that the writer may not be genuine in their quest or desire. However, I do believe this writer is sincere in wanting more people to embrace a lived kindness.

I found the writing confused at times. The writer was keen to entreat us not to be nice, by say holding a door open or thanking shop staff but then gave them as examples of everyday small acts of kindness. The difference was later explained as being intent. You need to genuinely hold a door open with a desire to care for the recipient of your kindness rather than with a vague, removed politeness. You need to perhaps go outside of your comfort zoe and look shop staff in the eye when thanking them. Some issues also seem unresolved . Several mentions are made of giving street beggars money. The author believes we should give the beggar the benefit of the doubt about whether they are a scammer, we should look them in the eye and engage and have a brief chat and wish them well. She thinks a friend who scolds her for giving a guy who asks for money on the street a few dollars is wrong. The friend points out that the money would be better donated to charity or questioning rather than facilitating drug purchase and encouraging more aggressive begging with menaces . It is a kind thing to do no question. Hmm. Perhaps she should visit my town.

There are not tjat many examples of the writer actaully being kind. She gives money to beggars and anyone who asks on the street and is kind and patient with work clients and employees. She entreats us several times to let cars merge in the traffic, to imagine that irate drivers and overbearing customers ad bosses are having a hard time. She mentions several times that we could offer our neighbour leftover soup and bread as a kindness? Really? Maybe if they were old and infirm but otherwise I'm not sure my neighbour would be impressed. She also mentions several time that she is not Mother Teresa ( nor do we need to be) and still has the odd cranky thought herself(has she read about Mother Teresa's views on many issues?). We are also entreated to never gossip or grumble with colleagues and to intervene when others are and to not gossip or complain about other s at home (in earshot of children). We are also entreated to do random acts of kindness .Pick up a strangers coffee shop tab, pay their parking. This diturbed me as a lot of the kindness seemed to involve money. She also entreats us to not keep score in a relationship as regards housework and chores. Empty that dishwasher, clear up your room mates mess but when is it a kindness (do they even notice?) and when are you just being a doormat? is not discussed.

By the end of the book I felt quite disgruntled. She is a right Pollyanna. I do think we should all practice loving kindness, but jeesh! everyone needs to let off a little steam sometimes. Sunshine and light with no degree of shade. Very middle class, money orientated, liberal luviedum. Too sugary for me

I will never get bored of books that promote happiness and general positivity. This is a great book with some useful insights.

Thank you to NetGalley, She Writes Press and Donna Cameron for an ARC ebook copy to review. As always, an honest review from me.

Donna Cameron set off on a year long commitment to live more kindly. After realizing she was consistently nice but not always kind, she wanted to change that behavior within herself. First she started a blog about her journey and then she wrote this book.

To clarify, nice is benign, easy, passive, safe. Kind is going above and beyond to truly connect with another person on a human level, even if only for a few minutes.

I enjoyed the book and overall concept. We definitely need more kindness in the world. There were many examples of ways to be kind in all areas of life. If one doesn’t know where to start, it’s easy to take the author’s examples and mimic them until you find your own way. She inspired me to jot down little quotes or encouragement on post its to leave for family and friends, to make sure they know they are seen and appreciated. I definitely wouldn’t have done this if not for reading the book. I also liked the benefits listed for living more kindly. I wrote down a lot of relevant information for myself.

However, I wish there was a bigger focus on kindness to oneself. She states it’s the most important type of kindness, but doesn’t focus on it much. Also there are many chapters about kindness and raising children. For someone who doesn’t have kids, this isn’t particularly relevant.

A Year of Living Kindly is good but has a lot of information to take in. Perhaps a book to reread and possibly even discuss in a book club if you participate in one.

I love how the author emphasized that kindness is a strength and not a weakness, as most in our society view it as. This book offered easy to follow advice and was an excellent read!

In the cruel atmosphere of the world we live in today this book is a bastion of civility. I so appreciate the ARC and opportunity to read this wonderful book for review. My opinion is my own. This is a 5 star rated book.
This is a definitive book on incorporating more kindness into our lives. The author has given the reader the gift of a year of suggestions to live by and how to change our course of thinking when we feel less then kind. The author shows how one act of kindness can turn someone's day around. As a person who was raised in civility and of the mindset of kindness it has become increasingly apparent that less and less people value kindness in our world. This is a guide for everyone and a very important book to keep by your bed side to read time and time again. Let it serve as your daily reminder to go forth in kindness and practice kindness first.
I found myself automatically thinking of more kindness throughout my day after reading this book, from the retail clerk to the mechanic, to the person that is cruel to you for no reason in a store, the author shows how we can persevere throughout cruelty and bad manners to be a example to those around us. it is a matter of class to me to exhibit kindness and always has been but this book is helping me cope in this very cruel world in which we live. The author has given the reader examples to live by and key ways to practice kindness in your own life. I highly recommend this book . I will be buying hard copies for gifts to give to friends. Very well done to the author. .

“Being kind is something most of us do when it’s easy and when it suits us. Being kind when we don’t feel like it, or when all of our buttons are being pushed, is hard. But that’s also when it’s most needed; that’s when it can defuse anger and even violence, when it can restore civility in our personal and virtual interactions. Kindness has the power to profoundly change our relationships with other people and with ourselves. It can, in fact, change the world.”

This book was so nice to read and nice to encourage others from. Donna Cameron has written something so compelling and so important for us to read and be reminded that kindness is important. Despite how popular belief, kindness shouldn’t be considered a weakness, but rather a strength.

Cameron provided a scene where she’s in an airport. She interacted with the gate agent at an airline, reminding the woman at the desk that she was doing a great job. She was immediately awarded when her flight was cancelled by getting booked on another flight. Kindness pays.

Kindness is important and benefits your health immensely.

“We can’t live a life of kindness toward others if we aren’t kind to ourselves.”

This is a must read, regardless of if you like non-fiction or not. This book is a must purchase for anyone. Kindness is crucial and we are in a desperate need for our life.

This book is informative, encouraging, and <i>kindly</i> challenging. It left me feeling inspired. I like how this book is organized. I'm paraphrasing the author's description by saying that the short chapters, which I would refer to as reflections, are organized by four seasons (Discovery, Understanding, Choosing, Becoming). Each chapter ends with "Kindness in Action" ideas and occasional "Check In" chapters help you set kindness goals.

I know I'll be talking about A Year of Living Kindly more properly in a bigger post at some point, but since it's been recently published, I just want to mention it at least in short now. This book talks about how, despite popular belief, kindness shouldn't be considered a weakness, but rather a strength, and that it is more likely to bring you success in life rather than get you trampled on. What I loved about it the most is that it analyzes kindness outside of the religious viewpoints, so it works for absolutely anyone. A Year of Living Kindly is comprised out of separate topic chapters, at the end of which you will find actionable insights on what things you should focus on in your own day to day life to help you strive to be more kind. It also explains in detail just WHY kindness is WORTH IT, and why you should try to be more kind, and I mean truly kind to others – not just nice. This book was amazing and I was so happy to find good thoughts on a topic that nobody really talks about, but everybody desperately needs to start discussion on, and especially OUTSIDE the religious context (because that is often something that builds more barriers between people, rather than encourage positive change.) I recommend this book from the bottom of my heart and think everyone should read it.

I thank the publisher for sending me a copy for review in exchange for my honest opinion. It doesn't affect my opinion.

Kindness is something I always need help with. I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it to others. I've copied down the Kindness Manifesto in order to help me be kinder.

I think this book was ok. It is a nice challenge for people to undertake and try to actively better themselves in a different way. The goal not to be perfect, but progressing. Improving. Trying. It encourages an active approach to changing how you interact and react and it’s better than just saying the words you’ve written in a book will be enough to change people by having them just read your incredible ideas. This author knows the reader has to take actions within their own life to truly affect the changes they seek.

I don't give out many 5 star reviews, but this one earned it. I'd like to read this again, one chapter a week rather than all in a few sittings as I did this time around. Spreading out the chapters would give more time for thought and time to work on implementing the various suggestions. As it was, I still got a lot out of this book - truly, judging by the number of highlights! Kindness is something our world is in dire need of these days. I grew up in the Midwest US which is known for being "nice". Now, as an adult, I'm working on changing some of those "nice" tendencies to true kindness. Learning to pause before we respond (I'm especially looking at you, social media), trying to assume the best of people rather than the worst and being more aware of what's going on around us so we can see opportunities to show kindness are main themes here. Most of the book focuses on kindness toward other humans, but I was happy to see a chapter included near the end regarding showing kindness to animals and the earth. The quarterly reviews are a nice touch as well. Each looks back at topics covered in the preceding 3 months of entries. I would definitely recommend this book!

Thank you to NetGalley and She Writes Press for the opportunity to read and review this thought-provoking book! All comments are my own, unbiased opinion.