Like a big, warm hug, this read is a beautiful love letter to humanity, by humanity. The vast majority of the stories included, some as short as a single paragraph, reflect on how an entire life can be changed by a (perceivably) small action of a stranger. It's not only reassuring in this day in age, like an updated <i>Chicken Soup for the Soul</i>, but also inspiring as to what us humans can do for each other.

I, personally, have followed UpWorthy on social media for years and this book truly feels like a love letter to the community. The creators mention in the introduction that they were inspired not by the stories they shared on the platform, but the comments they received from those of us sharing similar stories. This is a long way of saying I cried through at least 50% of the book, starting 3 seconds into the first page. I truly look forward to revisiting this to turn to a random page and take 5 minutes to remind myself how full of love the world truly is.

This is a book of accumulated first-person true stories about human acts of kindness, some random, some intentional, all meant to inspire. Complete with whimsical illustrations, the collection has been compiled and edited by the editors of the website Upworthy. It's a book to dip in and out of during low moments, or when you're looking for evidence of good things happening in the world. This seems like a timely title. It's rough out there, and this aims to remind you what human decency looks like.
[Thanks to National Geographic and NetGalley for an opportunity to read an advanced reader copy and share my opinion of this book.]

This new book from Upworthy, Good People, is exactly what it says it is - stories from the best of humanity. It's also a much-needed reminder that WE are the best of humanity and that it doesn't take a lot of effort to make someone's day better or make a difference in someone's life. Whether it's a kind note, a few words of encouragement or simply taking the time to listen to someone and really hear them...any bit of kindness matters.
Thank you to Upworthy for creating this book and thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review the free ARC of this book.

I love upworthys Instagram posts and really loved having a book of these stories. It is a feel good read and gives you some faith in humanity!

Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for this review copy

Upworthy Good People is that feel-good kind of book that you’ll want to keep on your bedside table for a dose of sunshine to begin every day. These short stories are uplifting, beautifully written, thoughtful and sure to make you smile.

Warning: Kleenex likely needed

I only made it 12% in before my eyes were welling up. There's no better time to publish this book as hope is in short supply.

Some of the stories weren't very touching - or interesting. If it weren't for the duds I'd have given this a full 5/5.

I love following Upworthy on Instagram. When I saw this book, I knew I had to read it. It's full of very short accounts of amazing things that ordinary people do for one another. This is so easy to pick up when you just need to read something good in the world.

What a treat to read. The stories literally lifted my spirit at just the right time. This is such an easy read. The stories went by so quickly.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! Highly recommend it to those who need reminded that there are great people still in this world.

Thanks to NetGalley and National Geographic for an advanced reader copy. This is my honest opinion of this book.

This book could not come at a better time. With so much divisiveness and so much us versus them, we have lost the ability to see others as human beings and all the being human encompasses. There is so much negative noise that it is hard to parse out any goodness. Then I started to read, and I was quickly reminded of what I used to know before everything went awry: there is inherent goodness within us. The stories included show that inherent goodness from strangers, acquaintances, coworkers, family, and friends. They show the incredible power of a kind word or action to change the trajectory of someone’s life. Reading these stories brings me hope. It also showed me where I had lost my own way in putting too much focus on the overwhelming negative stories we are bombarded with every day. It is a reminder to be kind to everyone because we truly don’t know what someone is going through, and we do not know our own power to bring goodness, kindness, and love to our fellow human with the smallest of action, the kindest of words. We do have the power to embody what we wish to see in the world, and it starts with us.

A lovely uplifting collection of feel good essays.I Upworthy Good People was a pleasure to read essays that put. a smile on my face will be recommending.#netgalley #natgeo

Good People was a breath of fresh air in this wave of constant fear and negativity. While I absolutely binged these stories of hope and kindness, I would definitely purchase this book to read a story a day in the morning with my coffee, but I honestly couldn’t get enough of this book once I started it to do that the first time around. I’ve been battling my own forms of negativity lately and reading these stories of the good and kind people in the world did wonders for my brain chemistry.

Sending all my thanks and good vibes out to those who notice when someone is struggling and take action. May your actions inspire those around to do the same.

Many thanks to both National Geographic and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an early copy of Good People.

“A small, active kindness can lift someone’s spirits in unimaginable ways.”

While it often feels like we are living in dark and dramatically polarized times, this book is a true light on the best of humanity. I decided to read a little at a time to be able to consider each story and how it impacted and shaped the lives of the writers. How different our world would be if each of us performed one unsolicited act of kindness each day!

Thank you to NetGalley and National Geographic for my advance copy in exchange for my honest feedback.

(While this is not technically a memoir, it is a book composed of true stories - of people's experiences, thoughts, and feelings - and so I am choosing not to assign it a rating, thereby placing it in the same category as memoirs. However, because NetGalley requires a reviewer to assign a rating, I have done so here for the purpose of NetGalley - the other places this review is posted do not carry an assigned rating with this title.)

This is not a criticism: This title is the modern version of Chicken Soup for the Soul. That's what it is! Uplifting, restoring faith in humanity, true stories. And we could all use a good dose of that medicine. The good folks at Upworthy compiled 101 stories centered around themes such as: What’s the kindest thing a stranger has ever done for you? Who’s the teacher who changed your life? When did the “little things” make a difference? Who was there for you when you needed it most? Is it a coincidence that Upworthy is releasing this book to the masses as the USA is embroiled in another distressing election cycle and citizens of said country are trying to navigate all the broken systems we are asked to live with? No, I don't think it's a coincidence at all. It's meant to keep that tiny spark of hope alive. *fingers crossed*

This book was a wonderful collection of short snippets, stories, and essays about the goodness of humanity. I love Upworthy’s Instagram account, so having a bunch of stories all in one place was great. It’s a perfect book to read from for a quick uplifting story and I think is best read a little at a time when you want a pick-me-up. It really reminded me of the Chicken Soup for the Soul books that I used to read!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.

I absolutely love Upworthy's Instagram account (I had a comment featured on a post!). Even better is having wonderful stories in book form!
Love this book, When I need a reminder of what is good in the world, I open it.

Good People is a heartening collection of 101 uplifting stories from Upworthy. Each tale, beautifully illustrated, showcases the inherent kindness and decency in the world. This delightful book offers a refreshing dose of hope and positivity, perfect for anyone seeking reassurance and inspiration in humanity's goodness.

I loved this collection of feel good stories about the humanity. At times, I felt that the book was too long, but all these are stories worth sharing and knowing. I’d read a few to take a break and that felt great, so this book is meant to be read slowly.

This book was filled with little uplifting stories. It reminded me of being younger and reading the chicken soup books. Maybe this will be the new version of that!
Thank you for this lovely book!

What a much needed breath of fresh air this book is! If you are feeling down, just pick this up, pick a story and start reading. This would be a wonderful gift, and it would be relevant for many demographics: teachers, students, parents, and more. Wonderful book.
Thank you to National Geographic and NetGalley for a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

Incredibly moving and uplifting, like a modern Chicken Soup for the Soul. This was exactly what my heart and mind needed to read to restore some faith in humanity 💖.

Special thanks to NetGalley and National Geographic Partners for sharing this digital ARC with me in exchange for my honest review.