It's a touch difficult to follow as an audiobook, but the overarching ideas and intentions come through. I found the book to be awkward and unnatural at times because the activities feel forced or contrived. However, I do like the overall concept and aim of being kind. It's an average book that might be good for someone who is open to these types of experiences and activities.

This is a good book that helps you think about how being kind to others is also be kind to yourself.

Those of us of a certain age may remember the 1970's-90's preoccupation in schools with "self esteem" - the forerunner of participation trophies, this concept was intended to make children feel better about themselves. However, there was rarely any basis or opportunity provided for these children to do things that might lead to actual pride of achievement, so the desired outcome was rarely accomplished. In their warped baby boomer way, I believe that most of the adults involved with these materials and programs had positive intent - they just didn't have the understanding of psychology, human nature, or basic vocabulary to implement anything better.

This book is very much of that era. I realize it was published in 2019, but as the kids would say - same energy. The first problem is right there in the title - kindness isn't about making yourself feel happier. The author never defines kindness - which is a bit odd for a book purportedly about the concept - but what he seems to be going for is more of a general self-help workbook. Several of the proposed actions - notably, cold-calling someone from your past to apologize without preamble for past wrongs - are nearly textbook examples of unkindness. They may bring some small amount of comfort to the person doing the exercise, but at the (completely ignored in this book) cost of failing to prepare for or even consider the feelings of the person receiving the call.

The author's personal story continues the theme - he got tired of his desk job and decided to drive around the Americas and Europe in unreliable vehicles completely reliant on the kindness of others. If you're St. Francis and doing this to demonstrate the moral merits of complete poverty in an effort to get others to join you and achieve eternal salvation, that's kind. If you're an apparently quite privileged man doing this just to see what happens while ignoring the inconvenience you create for people along with way who register only as side characters in your hero's quest (there is seriously a suggestion that sharing your grief at the loss of your pet with others stranded along the road in central America is "kind"), then you are a twatwaffle.

It is odd to consume a workbook in audio form, but in this case, I think that was the only way to make it through the entire thing. I truly hope that this is an elaborate satire, but even then - there's a reason the Stuart Smalley skits were only a minute or two long on SNL.

If you are truly interested in how to be more kind (as we all really should be, especially now), there are both secular and religious resources available both online and in printed form at no cost that will be much more helpful - because they are focused on how you can help others without focusing on how the arrangement will benefit you. So ditch the toxic positivity, Google kindness non-profit, and write yourself out of the main character role.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

Such a positive book, we need more like this. I don't like how short it was though. Way too short for such an important topic.

If this book could be put into the hands of every person in the world - this could truly start a transformation of the world we live in. It’s sad but true that kindness is becoming rare and just this year I’ve had acts of kindness towards me, where I’ve been left emotional and grateful, as it’s just not something that occurs all the time anymore.

I always aim to bring kindness into every single day and I love how this book brings daily adventures that you can easily complete to keep spreading that kind bug. It will also hopefully start a chain reaction and have the next person doing the same. Some will have you stepping outside of your comfort zone, some will open your eyes to the wonderful world and humans that are still out there and you may even find a new friend along the way (I know I did 🤩)!

Being kind, brings connection and happiness and that’s exactly what I want in my life ❤️

This is a positive, slightly cheesy, simple self help book. It is also life changing, easy to apply and full of inspiring actions. I love that it focuses on being kind to others and yourself.