Little Pieces of Hope

Title: Little Pieces of Hope: Happy-Making Things in a Difficult World

Author: Todd Doughty

Illustrator: Josie Portillo

Publisher: Penguin Life

Genre: Nonfiction, Self-Help

Source: Library

My Review:

I had never heard of Todd Doughty before one of my bookish friends recommended this book.

I loved the title and cover which prompted me to get Little Pieces of Hope: Happy-Making Things in a Difficult World from the library without knowing anything about it.

In the beginning, Todd explains how this book came about. If you take the story in the vain that he intended it, you will enjoy it. There are many of his comments that we will all find relatable. For example: "Someone believing in you." There are others you might not get like "Kevin!" (I laughed because my son has made us watch Home Alone so many times that I got it). As Todd said in the introduction: "If you enjoy something listed here that was previously unknown to you, then we have shared that moment. Conversely, you may not like something on the list, and that's okay too."

Todd has included themed lists, random lists, short essays, and sections called "Things You Might Consider Doing Today." There were some things I got and others I didn't. I enjoyed the shared moments and moved quickly through the ones that were not relatable to me. 

I would have enjoyed seeing the lists broken up a little more. I would have also liked to see more illustrations. Overall, this is an enjoyable read, especially to someone needing a little hope today. Some of the things on Todd's lists might not resonate, but they will help you create lists of what does make you happy.

★★★⭑/5

Synopsis (from Goodreads): 

Named by The Washington Post as one of the best feel-good books of 2021, Little Pieces of Hope is an enchanting collection of lists, musings, prompts, and illustrations that will inspire you to cherish all of the things--from the extraordinary to the everyday, from the big to the little--that bring hope into our lives

On March 11, 2020, the day the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a global pandemic and all of our lives began to change in unprecedented ways, Todd Doughty knew he needed to do something to help him stay connected to the everyday joys of daily life. So he wrote down a list of things that make him happy: The musical intro to "All Things Considered." Someone forgiving you. Someone believing in you. Your foot sticking out from under a blanket in order to find the cool spot. Freshly cut yellow tulips. A really good burger.

Many, many lists later, Little Pieces of Hope pulls together the best of Doughty's lists along with never-before-seen entries, essays, musings, prompts, quotes, and playlists that offer solace, connection, and a daily touchstone of joy in a difficult world.

A beautiful keepsafe full of glorious illustrations, Little Pieces of Hope is brimming with the pleasures of life, inspiring readers to look for and celebrate the good things that surround us.