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It's the Little Things . . .: An Appreciation of Life's Simple Pleasures
In 1996, Craig Wilson began writing a column for USA Today called “The Final Word.” In it, he extolled the virtues of the true pleasures in life—clotheslines, freshly cut firewood, sweet corn, and Adirondack chairs—and looked back on his childhood in the country with fondness and an infectious sense of humor. Wilson’s message struck a nerve, and now he receives hundreds of letters and e-mails each week from readers who share his sense of nostalgia and appreciate his warm, thoughtful observations on daily life.
It’s the Little Things... showcases the best of “The Final Word,” with the pieces arranged by season. In fall, for example, Wilson remembers his mom’s Thanksgiving gravy and his crush on his first-grade teacher; in winter, he holds forth on aluminum Christmas trees and the kiddie table; in spring, he writes about the joys of walking to work and puttering in the garage; and in summer, his thoughts turn to white bucks, front porches, and outdoor showers. The result is a delightful book to share with others and to relish throughout the year.
It’s the Little Things... showcases the best of “The Final Word,” with the pieces arranged by season. In fall, for example, Wilson remembers his mom’s Thanksgiving gravy and his crush on his first-grade teacher; in winter, he holds forth on aluminum Christmas trees and the kiddie table; in spring, he writes about the joys of walking to work and puttering in the garage; and in summer, his thoughts turn to white bucks, front porches, and outdoor showers. The result is a delightful book to share with others and to relish throughout the year.
- GenresNonfictionMemoirEssays
240 pages, Paperback
First published September 10, 2002
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59 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
July 14, 2024
Reread? Yes.
I'm going to tell myself my reading slump was because I never wrote this review.
Maybe it might be.
It's hard writing a weekly lifestyle column. I know because I tried to do it after reading this book. Reading a weekly column and writing one are two different things.
Wilson's way with words kept me glued the whole way through. I wish he would've considered another edition considering how short this book is and how many columns didn't make it in.
Thank you for your work Craig. I hope you see this.
I'm going to tell myself my reading slump was because I never wrote this review.
Maybe it might be.
It's hard writing a weekly lifestyle column. I know because I tried to do it after reading this book. Reading a weekly column and writing one are two different things.
Wilson's way with words kept me glued the whole way through. I wish he would've considered another edition considering how short this book is and how many columns didn't make it in.
Thank you for your work Craig. I hope you see this.
March 23, 2017
slow down. It's the little things.
March 19, 2022
This was in a stack of books I bought at a charity sale to give away. It caught my fancy as one to read first and, having done so, I think I may pass it around my book group.
At first, I thought that this reminded me a bit of Robert Fulghum, but not as profound. Or Andy Rooney but not as cranky. Gradually, I came to appreciate the author's voice as his own, which is a combination of those two things but more besides. It helped that in the first essay he affirmed my belief that the year truly begins in autumn, with the return to school and fresh notebooks and pencils. And he managed to capture a few smells and places in my life that I have not thought of in ages. In the last essay he mentioned the smell of being inside a tent in the hot summer sun and that one took me back -- and I hate camping. When he described the cottage at the lake he described a slightly nicer version of the one I grew up in, with the chipped plates, the old furniture, the walls decorated with out of date calendars, and the wooden screen door on a spring -- Whap! It was the first time I felt like my memories of going to the lake were not colored by the sense of being poor because our cabin was so ramshackle. And the garage -- when he brought up his dad's garage, I was immediately back in the one attached to my childhood home (yes, attached -- even though he says they don't count). I could picture the ancient cardboard box next to my dad's workbench filled with who-knows-what and topped with an old blanket, where his favorite cat loved to sleep and supervise his work. The repurposed kitchen shelves filled with peanut cans of rusty nails and screws were close enough to touch.
The subtitle of the book suits it well - it helped me to remember and appreciate life's simple pleasures, including some that were long buried in the back of my mental attic.
At first, I thought that this reminded me a bit of Robert Fulghum, but not as profound. Or Andy Rooney but not as cranky. Gradually, I came to appreciate the author's voice as his own, which is a combination of those two things but more besides. It helped that in the first essay he affirmed my belief that the year truly begins in autumn, with the return to school and fresh notebooks and pencils. And he managed to capture a few smells and places in my life that I have not thought of in ages. In the last essay he mentioned the smell of being inside a tent in the hot summer sun and that one took me back -- and I hate camping. When he described the cottage at the lake he described a slightly nicer version of the one I grew up in, with the chipped plates, the old furniture, the walls decorated with out of date calendars, and the wooden screen door on a spring -- Whap! It was the first time I felt like my memories of going to the lake were not colored by the sense of being poor because our cabin was so ramshackle. And the garage -- when he brought up his dad's garage, I was immediately back in the one attached to my childhood home (yes, attached -- even though he says they don't count). I could picture the ancient cardboard box next to my dad's workbench filled with who-knows-what and topped with an old blanket, where his favorite cat loved to sleep and supervise his work. The repurposed kitchen shelves filled with peanut cans of rusty nails and screws were close enough to touch.
The subtitle of the book suits it well - it helped me to remember and appreciate life's simple pleasures, including some that were long buried in the back of my mental attic.
October 28, 2020
Read for a book club, while I find some passages more enjoyable then others this book is hard to give an overall rating. Since I didn't care for some of the passages, it's not as if it was written wrong or anything, I just did not enjoy the overall tone of some of the passages. I know I'm in the minority for this book, since it has rave reviews, but it's just not my cup of tea. I however do like the message of just taking time to enjoy the little things.
February 21, 2024
3.5 ** I feel like as a 21 year old in the 21st century some things I cannot relate to as someone who has grown up in a suburb. “September is the beginning of the year” “time of course is the ultimate luxury”. Related to the entire Father’s Day chapter! Overall this book did exactly what it said: captured life’s pleasures and made you feel good. Hope to find a book similar that caters to my age group and things I grew up around.
May 22, 2025
A lovely read - lots of stories where one realizes one has to live slow and in the moment.
June 1, 2025
I loved these essays, I wish the book were longer!
April 30, 2023
It's the Little Things: An Appreciation of Life's Simple Pleasures by Craig Wilson is the best of his USA Today column called "The Final Word".
To be perfectly honest, I smiled the entire time I read this book because it brought back so much of my childhood. The author is practically family as he conjures plenty of memories involving Western New York. The book is organized seasonally: Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall and I have adopted favorites in each section. A delightful read at any time and most thoroughly enjoyed in a few sittings or all in one go. My First-Grade Teacher was promptly sent to my first best friend who is a first grade teacher and she replied “that came at exactly the right time”. I cannot explain how much I loved "Tinsel" except to say it was revelation and and cathartic! "many families I know -- certainly my own memories prove this true -- cannot decorate a Christmas tree and still be talking by the time the treetop angel is finally put in her place”. Wilson touches upon all the "little things" that delight and hold reverence - some fraught with unpleasantness, all indelible in our minds. Craig shares his wonderful thoughts with us so it is fitting that I share his book with other writers. Perfectly charming.
To be perfectly honest, I smiled the entire time I read this book because it brought back so much of my childhood. The author is practically family as he conjures plenty of memories involving Western New York. The book is organized seasonally: Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall and I have adopted favorites in each section. A delightful read at any time and most thoroughly enjoyed in a few sittings or all in one go. My First-Grade Teacher was promptly sent to my first best friend who is a first grade teacher and she replied “that came at exactly the right time”. I cannot explain how much I loved "Tinsel" except to say it was revelation and and cathartic! "many families I know -- certainly my own memories prove this true -- cannot decorate a Christmas tree and still be talking by the time the treetop angel is finally put in her place”. Wilson touches upon all the "little things" that delight and hold reverence - some fraught with unpleasantness, all indelible in our minds. Craig shares his wonderful thoughts with us so it is fitting that I share his book with other writers. Perfectly charming.
September 14, 2007
I received a copy of It's the Little Things . . . : An Appreciation of Life's Simple Pleasures as a birthday present - I'd not heard of Craig Wilson before, and now I see what I've been missing.
His short essays - in this collection, grouped by season - remind me of a cross between Garrison Keillor and James Lileks, with a dash or two of David Sedaris. Wilson's childhood in upstate New York and current residence in Washington DC give him plenty of material in which he compares and contrasts his life experiences. Some of the simple pleasures he discusses include firewood, dad as Santa, prom night, and a cottage at the lake. There are occasional profound moments, but the majority of the essays are easy and comforting, with an occasional laugh or sigh as punctuation.
Recommended as light reading to those feeling a bit nostalgic.
His short essays - in this collection, grouped by season - remind me of a cross between Garrison Keillor and James Lileks, with a dash or two of David Sedaris. Wilson's childhood in upstate New York and current residence in Washington DC give him plenty of material in which he compares and contrasts his life experiences. Some of the simple pleasures he discusses include firewood, dad as Santa, prom night, and a cottage at the lake. There are occasional profound moments, but the majority of the essays are easy and comforting, with an occasional laugh or sigh as punctuation.
Recommended as light reading to those feeling a bit nostalgic.
January 22, 2011
LOL! A feel good book! I LOVED this book. It was such a great quick read. Or something you could pick up and put down in between things including other books. Being from the same place as the author, I truly appreciated his stories because there were close to home. I have plans to buy multiple copies as gifts!
March 23, 2016
I really, really liked it. It was a good mix of happy and profound in bits. However, not overwhelmingly so. I tend to judge other life essay books based on his. It's not the best of the best, but it holds together pretty well. It's very readable, funny and at times poignant enough.
December 21, 2023
Once again, this is my favorite book. Craig Wilson is incredible and that is an undeniable fact. His stories never fail to strike a chord inside of me and every time I read the stories I learn something new about my self or about life. will continue to read this every once in a while.
August 14, 2008
If you are from Central New York you MUST READ THIS BOOK!! It is so funny and a great bed-time read because it is broken into short essays. VERY VERY GOOD!
March 13, 2010
A great collection of personal essays that will make you laugh out loud.
April 11, 2012
This was a funny and heartwarming collection of articles. It was really sweet at times, sad at times, and at times really hilarious. I would definitely read it again.
March 29, 2015
Love this book. A collection of short personal memories!
A trip down memory lane!
A trip down memory lane!
May 3, 2008
It was a really good book and very fun to read since our grade heard/met Cragin Wilson.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews