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One Good Deed: 365 Days of Trying to Be Just a Little Bit Better
Erin McHugh had spent the better part of her adult life doing community work, but in more recent years, the minutiae of life and working as a bookseller kept her busy and away from those higher impulses. Then one day she learned a distant relative was actually going to be canonized. Was this a sign? What followed next was McHugh’s sincere urge to recapture a sense of chari...more
Hardcover, 384 pages
Published
September 1st 2012
by Harry N. Abrams
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I won this book on Goodreads and was looking forward to opening its cover and curling in a chair and reading. Having come from a long line of glass-half-empty people and having adopted their precepts, I have made an effort through the years to change this flaw. I was anticipating this book would be the perfect guide to keep me on the right track. On a closer look, however, I was partially mistaken.
The author, McHugh, gives prompts for good deeds, such as offer to give directions to someone in a...more
The author, McHugh, gives prompts for good deeds, such as offer to give directions to someone in a...more
The devastation of Hurricane Sandy makes One Good Deed a most timely book. I live in NYC, and for the last week have seen not only the worst that Mother Nature can do, but also the best that human nature can be; and being a better human being is what this book is all about.
Erin McHugh chronicles her 365 day journey to be "a little kinder, a little more helpful, a little more thoughtful" by doing one good deed a day. The deeds don't have to be big, they can be as simple as bringing a friend flowe...more
Erin McHugh chronicles her 365 day journey to be "a little kinder, a little more helpful, a little more thoughtful" by doing one good deed a day. The deeds don't have to be big, they can be as simple as bringing a friend flowe...more
4 likes · like · see review
Anyone who wants to be a better person will be able to take something away with them after reading this.
The main crux: Be aware of the people around you and try to make their lives better.
I really just meant to do a quick flip through, but for some reason it pulled me in. The writing style is very conversational, the author isn't preachy and each page tells a story that is relate-able.
P.S. Based on the blog: http://onegooddeedbook.com/
P.P.S. I like that author's a lesbian, but it's not a boo...more
The main crux: Be aware of the people around you and try to make their lives better.
I really just meant to do a quick flip through, but for some reason it pulled me in. The writing style is very conversational, the author isn't preachy and each page tells a story that is relate-able.
P.S. Based on the blog: http://onegooddeedbook.com/
P.P.S. I like that author's a lesbian, but it's not a boo...more
I always enjoy books about people that step out of their comfort zones and try to make their lives better and more meaningful. Erin McHugh gave herself an impressive goal to do one good deed a day for an entire year. McHugh's personality really shines in this book and some of the deeds she describes are quite funny. After finishing the book, though, I found myself a bit let down. While some of the deeds McHugh's does are original and very thoughtful, a lot of them are just simple things that any...more
1 like · like · see review
Erin not only inspires others with her project of doing a good deed a day for a year, her actions inspire others to extend these acts of kindness to more people. What a delightful domino effect ensues.
Moreover, Erin's attitude toward herself is augmented as she recognizes the effects of her good deeds. She makes the following suggestions on the day entitled "Pass it On".
"Today speak as kindly to yourself as you do to others.
Allow someone else to help you the way you help other people.
Give your...more
Moreover, Erin's attitude toward herself is augmented as she recognizes the effects of her good deeds. She makes the following suggestions on the day entitled "Pass it On".
"Today speak as kindly to yourself as you do to others.
Allow someone else to help you the way you help other people.
Give your...more
I was really looking forward to reading this book, as I myself am currently working to perform one good deed (or act of kindness, as I've been calling them) per day. It was my new year's resolution- the first one I've ever been excited to work on and the only one I've ever tried to keep. I started my project long before I even heard of this book, and when I saw this title on my library's list of new books, I was really excited to read it, because I thought it would be full of recommendations and...more
I wasn't sure what this was going to be, but the preview sounded interesting and, frankly, it was a free nook book. I found that I couldnt put it down because everything in it is just so relatable. I've also found that I'm paying more attention to things, too: on the way home from work, I saw an elderly woman raking her lawn and it looked like she could have stopped. I'll be honest and say that I didn't pull over and offer, but I think recognizing that there are other people in the world is just...more
I was very happy to have received a review ebook copy from netgalley.com.
The idea of a book with 365 good deads was pretty exciting! I do love a "feel good book".
This book is written as a journal and, as the title say, this extraordinary lady will make you smile with her daily random acts of kindness.
My favorite good deeds must be when she goes to the first bus stop to make sure she gets her favorite seat and when she ends up with two ice creams!!
Overall I must say I did enjoy the book, even tho...more
The idea of a book with 365 good deads was pretty exciting! I do love a "feel good book".
This book is written as a journal and, as the title say, this extraordinary lady will make you smile with her daily random acts of kindness.
My favorite good deeds must be when she goes to the first bus stop to make sure she gets her favorite seat and when she ends up with two ice creams!!
Overall I must say I did enjoy the book, even tho...more
This book really highlighted to me the differences between a stereotypical Midwesterner, me, and a stereotypical New Yorker, the author. Coming, as I do, from the land that made Oprah famous, doing good deeds for others is a kind of second nature. That's why I thought this would be an interesting book, it would give me 365 ideas for doing good deeds for others, some of which I could use. As you start to read the first few days of good deeds, you see things that aren't 100% obviously good, like y...more
"One Good Deed" is Erin McHugh's account of how she spent one year doing at least one good deed per day. The 'good deed' in question didn't have to be something big or elaborate - it could be something as simple as calling up a friend to let them know she was thinking of them, handing over a cup of coffee to somebody in need, or even just biting her tongue and letting something go.
While you could read "One Good Deed" in one sitting, it would really be doing it a disservice. To fully appreciate i...more
While you could read "One Good Deed" in one sitting, it would really be doing it a disservice. To fully appreciate i...more
**I received a copy through a Goodreads giveaway**
I think this is a great challenge to accept. I think that each of us do good deeds for others every day, but like the author we often aren't even aware that we're doing it. Her challenge was to consciously do something nice for someone else every day. What she discovered was that even a simple gesture could mean the world to someone else. She also discovered how much she did on a regular basis that she never gave herself credit for.
One Good Deed:...more
I think this is a great challenge to accept. I think that each of us do good deeds for others every day, but like the author we often aren't even aware that we're doing it. Her challenge was to consciously do something nice for someone else every day. What she discovered was that even a simple gesture could mean the world to someone else. She also discovered how much she did on a regular basis that she never gave herself credit for.
One Good Deed:...more
Much different than what I expected as I thought this book would be a laundry list if charities and volunteering events. The author is a single woman living in New York City whose life is significantly different from mine. I appreciate that she sought out opportunities everyday to be thoughtful. Some acts of kindness were incredibly small and some large. My takeaway from this book is to be aware if others and seek out opportunities to be thoughtful whether by holding open a door or giving a genu...more
We were just spending a Saturday visiting bookstores, and this book practically jumped off the shelf and into my hands.
Erin McHugh shares her attempt to perform one good deed a day for one year. Her heartfelt desire to do right is countered by her natural feelings as a human, which is not always to do what is perfect.
In my father's death notice, he asked "Please don't send flowers, but do a kind deed for someone in Bill's name." I really think he would have enjoyed this book.
Erin McHugh shares her attempt to perform one good deed a day for one year. Her heartfelt desire to do right is countered by her natural feelings as a human, which is not always to do what is perfect.
In my father's death notice, he asked "Please don't send flowers, but do a kind deed for someone in Bill's name." I really think he would have enjoyed this book.
I really like the concept presented in this book of trying to do just one good deed a day. Readable and the author had some funny comments. However, I guess I was expecting something amazing and uplifting and it didn't quite get there for me. I guess, I will keep trying to do my good deeds when I can too! I liked the author's idea that sometimes biting our tongue and not saying what we want can also be a good deed too!!
*** I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway ***
I am just loving this book! It's not a book to read at once; it's a book to absorb day by day.
I have read the introduction and a handful of days and love the author's writing style. It's casual and animated. I can hear and picture her in my mind (she has great facial expressions and gesticulates a lot).
I was a little leery winning this book as I thought it might make me feel like a bit of a loser that I don't "do" enough. But it's quite the opposit...more
I am just loving this book! It's not a book to read at once; it's a book to absorb day by day.
I have read the introduction and a handful of days and love the author's writing style. It's casual and animated. I can hear and picture her in my mind (she has great facial expressions and gesticulates a lot).
I was a little leery winning this book as I thought it might make me feel like a bit of a loser that I don't "do" enough. But it's quite the opposit...more
I wasn’t sure what to expect when I picked up One Good Deed: 365 Days of Trying to Be Just a Little Bit Better by Erin McHugh. Mostly I was worried about how I would feel when I read it. Which totally defeats the purpose of the author’s project.
After discovering that one of her relative was being canonized for sainthood, Erin McHugh attempts a to do a good deed a day for an entire year. The book is written in journal form, which mirrors her blog of the same name. Erin chronicles each day’s good...more
After discovering that one of her relative was being canonized for sainthood, Erin McHugh attempts a to do a good deed a day for an entire year. The book is written in journal form, which mirrors her blog of the same name. Erin chronicles each day’s good...more
Loved it - I expected a sweet little 1 hour read but ended up savouring this book over a few nights.
One Manhattan author, with a mission to do 365 good deeds, one day at a time. It was a wonderful glimpse into the generous, warm spirit of the author and a testament to how we can all make a difference, one small gesture at a time.
One Manhattan author, with a mission to do 365 good deeds, one day at a time. It was a wonderful glimpse into the generous, warm spirit of the author and a testament to how we can all make a difference, one small gesture at a time.
Wow, what a bunch of great ideas of how to improve your life, mainly by observing the world and its people, and meeting their needs instead of concentrating on our own.
Out of the 365 wonderful suggestions, here is a sampling:
Share a memory
Share the wealth
Share your knowledge
Count your blessings
Be nice
Do what you can
Make a little sacrifice.
Be as generous as you can
When you are wrong, apologize!
Renew a friendship
Do unto others
There is sheer joy in giving joy!
Hardest of all--Hold your tongue!
Love i...more
Out of the 365 wonderful suggestions, here is a sampling:
Share a memory
Share the wealth
Share your knowledge
Count your blessings
Be nice
Do what you can
Make a little sacrifice.
Be as generous as you can
When you are wrong, apologize!
Renew a friendship
Do unto others
There is sheer joy in giving joy!
Hardest of all--Hold your tongue!
Love i...more
Loved this book. Realized how easy it is to do a good deed daily and doesn't have to me montary. I put a challenge on my FB page for others to try and do a good deed a day, I will check back after a couple months to see how others are making out. Such an inspiration.
1 like · like · see review
I liked the concept of trying to be a bit better through performing good deeds every day. But sometimes I think the author needed to step back and search for a situation in need before determining what the good deed was. Occassionally she impossed her predetermined good deed on someone who had no need for or interest in it. I also did not enjoy her soapboxing about gay rights.
Anyone who wants to be a better person will be able to take something away with them after reading this. - Tamara, Computer Services
Reserve a library copy.
Reserve a library copy.
A great little read. I was surprised....and I thought it was going to make me feel bad about myself NOT doing good deeds as much, but the book kept me wanting to turn the page.
Disappointing. I was hoping this book would be inspiring, but at no point during my reading of it did I feel like this was inspirational or about "good deeds". I was reminded of Anne Hathaway's failed speeches during the awards season. It smacks of the whole, I"m trying to be humble but I want the attention and that's not why I wanted to read it. I hope this isn't too harsh since I did get it for free, but I guess my disappointment can't be hidden. Don't get me wrong, this isn't a bad book, it j...more
This is going to be a different kind of review. One Good Deed by Erin McHugh is the type of book that makes you take a hard look at yourself. After reading it, I wish I had her enthusiasm and altruistic spirit. I'm grateful for waking up everyday, but I can't say that I'm truly happy everyday. It doesn't take much for my mood to change. I spend too much time worrying and complaining about what I don't have instead of appreciating what I do have. I don't know if I could follow in Erin McHugh's fo...more
This was a book you could judge by the cover - literally one good deed per page. Not as insipiring as Life's Little Instructions.
I really like the idea of this book - "do a good turn daily" (to quote the Girl Scouts). The author decides she will do one good deed each day for a year - and write about it. The book starts out great, but by the end of the year, I feel the author was running out of things to write about, and it just became a series of entries about her daily routine. That said, it did make me start to think about what I could be doing to help other people - so I guess the author was successful in her goal to m...more
I really enjoyed this book....I saw it on display in Anthropologie and read it sporadically over a weekend.This book will leave you with the feeling of wanting to be your best self and always strive do the right thing,even when no one is watching.This is a Must read....
Read my review here: http://everydaygyaan.com/2012/07/one-...
I received this book through a Goodreads giveaway. Great book. Very inspirational. Not what I was expecting though. It goes through the author's personal experiences with this journey and shows how you can make a profound difference just by paying attention.
I had to force myself to finish this book. It was totally not what I expected. Very slow and ordinary.
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Cheryl
Nov 05, 2012 09:19pm