This feel like this is a anthology of stories, thoughts, and questions that were thought provoking. These question and subjects made for great table topics. I would recommend it to someone looking for examples of bettering themselves.

I really enjoyed "Be Amazing" and found it to be very uplifting. It shows us how to create an amazing life for ourselves. This was a good read. I'm not sure how I feel about the question and answer format, but the information presented is invaluable. I would reccomend it.

I would like to thank Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy free of charge. This is my honest and unbiased opinion of it.

Be Amazing is a good uplifting book. The question and answer is a bit annoying. He could just inform the reader what he wants them to know.

If you are looking for an optimistic and uplifting self-improvement book, you have found it in Be Amazing: Discover Your Purpose, Conquer Your Fears, and Fulfill Your Potential by Paul S. Boynton.

Paul Boynton is the kind of guy who always looks for the good, the positive, the amazing in every situation and finds it. He wants to help readers find it too - you get what you look for. This book is an easy read full of "remember this" information and loads of affirmations. He wants to share his happiness and joy, and he does.

The one thing I didn't care for is his question/answer format. Just tell readers what you want them to know; please don't presume to know/anticipate questions they might have. I found this highly annoying.

Thanks to NetGalley and Skyhorse Publishing for allowing me to read an ARC of this book in exchange for an unbiased review. All opinions expressed here are my own.

Book: “Be Amazing: Discover Your Purpose, Conquer Your Fears, and Fulfill Your Potential,” Paul S. Boynton, Skyhorse Publishing, 2020

Book Review by Mary Mikawoz

Book available: January 7, 2020

“Be Amazing” was an inspirational concept and experience that Paul S. Boynton received after visiting and receiving outstanding service at a restaurant. From there, he goes on to explain that giving your all is necessary in your endeavours. He writes, “It starts with a desire to be the best we can be in a specific area, followed by a decision to actually make it happen.” That is the essence of the book as Paul outlines a number of other people and situations that were outstanding in his opinion.

He outlines six points for Amazing Qualities. One of the quotes that he writes that I like is when you are doing that one special thing, you don't have to be the best and as a Zen saying goes, “Flowers don't compare themselves to other flowers, they just bloom.” That is a very encouraging thought and causes some self-reflection.

Mr. Boynton goes on to say that people know when people are being authentic and when they are with the “real deal.” People can recognize a disingenuous smile and reaction.

He gives out some steps on being amazing. They are as follows:

1. Find your “Spirit Blueprint”
2. Making a decision
3. Discover what amazing will look like
4. Making it happen

He writes his book from a question and answer process. This is how he engages the reader. I understand why Paul does this although I am not sure I like this process. I would prefer he just wrote the book in a straight-forward manner with the assumption that the reader has had those questions and he would answer them without indicating each time what the question was or is.

I like how the end finishes with a quote such as: “Remember, every book began with a single sentence. And every garden started with just a few seeds.”

This book was rather short. I would have preferred a longer version with more stories and examples of excellence.

For an inspirational short read, I give this book a 3.75 out of 5.

Tags: Paul S. Boynton, Skyhorse Publishing, Amazing, Purpose, Fears, Potential, Self-development, Self-help, Spirit, Spiritual, Power of Yes, Begin with Yes, Spirit Blueprint, Decisions, Action, Motivation, Inspiration, Mary Mikawoz, Mikawoz, Book Review

Living in the cold and bitter UK, I have inherited an equally cynical sense of humour, since sarcasm accidentally became my first language from an early age, which may come across as quite gloomy and self-deprecating at times. In comparison, 'Be Amazing' reads like an actual ray of sunshine, so bright and enthusiastic that it could almost be blinding, but instead, I found it a genuine and heartwarming read. It was like holding a cup of hot chocolate on a cold day; comforting and practical.
This is not a book full of well-meaning, yet empty platitudes, but meaningful advice, which can be deployed in any reader's life depending on how serious they are about being amazing. Most importantly- for me, at least- it contains personal anecdotes from the author and their experiences, but without overshadowing the main context of the novel, which is YOU.
That is how YOU are addressed throughout this text and the second-person Question and Answer format is sure to placate even the most anxious or pedantic of readers if they too are genuine in their desire to flourish as a person and achieve the goals of their 'spirit blueprint.' (I did find this terminology slightly "cheesy", but it does aptly summarise the idea of identifying what elements nurture your spirit and are important in your own life.)
Overall, this is a book to be read thoughtfully, rather than speedily, I listened to the advice in the book and took breaks to consider what is most important to me- how do I want to be amazing? It may not have changed my personality, sometimes I did find the overwhelming positivity as being just that (overwhelming), but this just meant I needed to take a break to think and reflect- but it has changed my outlook. I think this will be a book I return to whenever I want a boost in morale or to encourage myself about the progress I have made in my own goals, because as Paul S. Boynton has written; we all have the potential and we all deserve to 'Be Amazing.'

(I also really want to have the pancakes mentioned at Walla Walla, Washington, because they too sound utterly, well, amazing...)