If you ever find yourself wondering what is wrong with human beings that they feel the need to be so cruel try reading Random Acts of Kindness by Dete Meserve and Rachel Greco. This book is a collection of uplifting stories about people getting caught being kind. Each section is short but concise. The collection covers simple acts like buying pizza for a girl with cancer to buying a $45,000 (if I remember the exact number correctly) van for a disabled mother (to replace the continuously broken-down van she had been using to ferry her children to their activities).
It is my advice to everyone who reads this not just to read it but to put it somewhere you will see daily and to read a section every time you need a reminder that you can change someone’s world with one kind act. Don’t let this sit on a shelf where it will gradually fade from memory. Read it and let it change you, display it and let it remind you, share it and let it help others grow.
My absolute favorite part about this book was that the people who used someone else’s idea to do good (like the shoppers who paid for someone else’s purchase) didn’t feel the need to say that they came up with the idea on their own. Rather they were honest by saying that they saw someone else do a good deed and thought, “that was amazing and simple. I can do something like that.” That’s what I hope this book does for everyone who reads it. There are a million small things we can do every day that we forget we are capable of.
I especially enjoyed the stories where the good Samaritan didn’t buy something (or at least didn’t spend more than $10) but rather found another way to help someone. If there is ever anything that stops me from helping someone it is the fear that I don’t have the money to do it and still survive. That isn’t to say that I don’t donate, which I do less often than I’d like to and more often than my budget likes, but it’s still nice to be reminded that I can be a good and helpful person without breaking the bank.
I was touched by every story in this collection. Two in particular were of interest to me because in some ways they were exact opposites: one man bought a $45,000 van for a complete stranger and a woman chose to do one kind act every day for a year for strangers and people she knew. One is a grand gesture for someone this person has never met and the other is a small act each day for anyone who needs it. Both are amazing and touching and illustrate both the same idea and a widely diverging idea. The similarity is that it is possible to do good in this world you just have to choose how you want to do it. The differing idea is that we often think of a good act as one we do for a stranger, but that doesn’t have to be the case. It is not self-serving to help someone whom you also know and care about, nor is it rude to help a stranger instead of focusing on family or friends. Both are positive and far-reaching: like I hope this book will be.
My favorite piece told about a group called A Sense of Home that helps people who have aged out of the foster care system and thus have no home. A Sense of Home uses donations to furnish a home with all the things a person or family will need. I spent a very short amount of time in foster care, but I still got a pretty good feel for it and I can’t imagine hitting 18 and basically being kicked out with a “good luck” and little else. Just look at these statistics from Foster Focus magazine. https://www.fosterfocusmag.com/articles/foster-care-and-homelessness
• Within 18 months of emancipation 40-50% of foster youth become homeless.
• Nationally, 50% of the homeless population spent time in foster care.
• 65% of youth leaving foster care need immediate housing upon discharge.
Needless to say I was very glad this book included information about how to help people who age out of foster care.

I have absolutely no idea how anyone was capable of writing this book without shedding buckets of tears! I found myself weeping over the beautiful acts of service devoted to making the world simply a better place. These real life Good Sams are nothing short of angels walking among us. Absolutely beautiful and so inspiring. I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley and was under no obligation to post a review.

This book was such a great read, especially with so much going on in today's world. If you want reassurance that there are still so many wonderful people out there, you must read this book! It definitely made me smile and also tugged ar my heart strings! Loved it!

This is a short collection of feel-good stories that reminds me of the Chicken Soup series of books. Short, uplifting tales to brighten your day. And a great antidote to the gloom and doom all around us. Some of the stories I'd heard before, some not. But a good selection regardless of whether you're familiar or not.

I read it in a couple of sittings, but really think it is one of those to keep on hand to dip into every once in a while.

This book is what everyone needs today, to hear about the good in the world. I really enjoyed reading all the stories about everyday people helping others. If yohh need a break from the doom, gloom, and negative controversy that fills our nightly news and headlines, pick up this boom. Your heart will feel lighter and your soul will be refreshed and just maybe inspired to share a little joy of your own.

What an inspirational read! The author really proved that a random act of kindness can have far-reaching effects! It was nice to read something positive in these divided times.

This companion to Meserve's novel "Good Sam" is comprised of example after example of true stories of people caught in the act of kindness. When you need a break from the news of the day, enjoy a story or two from this book and your spirits will be lifted as you're reminded that there are plenty of good people left in the world - we just don't get to hear about them enough.

Heart felt and sincere! Such a refreshing read! I fell in love with each and every story. It was such a welcome break from all the terrible stories and events going on in the world that are blasted in our faces every waking moment. I focused on starting and ending my days with this book and it inspired me to be a better person during the day and sleep better at night. This book gave me an overall sense of well-being and happiness.

Thank you Netgalley and Melrose Hill Publishing for this advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

INSPIRATIONAL!

RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS by Dete Meserve & Rachel Greco should be required reading for EVERYONE, EVERYWHERE! We are surrounded and bombarded 24/7 by all the horrific atrocities that place all over the world. Two authors have decided to flip the switch and spread Good News for a change. In a mere 135 pages, they manage to share many inspirational stories of life changing random acts of kindness. As you read, you will be challenged to examine your own life and consider what random act of kindness can you choose to do every single day that could truly change someone’s life forever? You think that’s too daunting of a task, but really it’s not. As you read this wonderful book you’ll realize we all make multiple choices every day that can all impact random acts of kindness. What will you choose?

I was provided an ARC of this book by the author and NetGalley. The opinions expressed here are completely my own and without influence.

What a wonderful, heartwarming book from Dete Meserve and Rachel Greco! Random Acts of Kindness is filled with everyday people who are making a difference in the lives of others. These are true stories about kindness, compassion, a helping hand, a better solution and paying it forward. These people never looked for praise or reward. Their actions came from their hearts. A delightful way to spend some reading time as you think - - What can I do to make the world a better place?
I received an advance copy of this book from NetGalley and I voluntarily wrote an honest review.

This book reminded me of the older “chicken soup for the soul” books. It was a quick easy read. The stories definitely helped restore my faith in humanity. It’s nice to hear the good that’s done for once. Especially when the bad is everywhere. It’s worth the read if you need a pick me up.

Are you looking for a feel-good book that will restore your faith in humanity? Random Acts of Kindness by Dete Meserve and Rachel Greco is just what you need. Meserve and Greco have collected stories of a wide variety of good deeds done by people whose only motivator was to be kind. Just like a breath of fresh air, these two authors have done an excellent job of writing and editing these tales so they flow smoothly and leave one feeling uplifted.
This is the type of book that you can pick up anywhere, at any time and have a quick read. Each story is a stand alone parable that always has a happy ending. The attention to detail by Meserve ad Greco includes writing their book using clear, concise and uncomplicated language, thereby making it suitable to share with a young family. The vocabulary is easily accessible to those reading at a middle school level. Uncompleted and straightforward, this is a book that can be enjoyed at an inter-generational level.
I received a free copy of this ebook from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

The stories in the book really tug on the heartstrings and do remind you that there are good people out there and every gesture no matter how small matters! After being hammered day in and day out with all the nastiness in the world around you as well as seeing it around you in the community because sometimes people find it easier to be mean to one another it was nice to come home and read these stories because it helped me remember that there are kind people in this world. Thank you Dete and Rachel for compiling these stories fo.r us! I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book from NetGalley

I received this book "Random Acts of Kindness" from NetGalley and all opinions expressed are my own. It was an okay book - reminds me of Chicken Soup books. Quick read.

WOW! WOW! WOW! Kudos to Dete Meserve and Rachel Greco, authors of “Random Acts of Kindness” for this inspirational, emotional, gratifying unique, and amazing collection of “Random Acts of Kindness”. These are short examples of people from all backgrounds, ages, occupations, and talents, who haven given from their hearts, not expecting anything back in return.

Random Acts of Kindness by Dete Meserve and Rachel Greco is a breath of fresh air! We live in a world and society that too often focuses on negative news. This collection of true stories is a refreshing look at ordinary people who saw others in need and stepped forward to meet the need, or who did something to benefit the world and make it better. They did so not for personal gain or recognition, but because it helped others, and was the right, and caring thing to do.

How amazing it would be if each of us would take the time to step out of our self-imposed “bubbles” and performed an act of kindness! Often our actions have much more of an impact than we ever realize, for good or for bad.

Kudos to the authors for bringing us these stories and to the people whose stories of unselfishness they told!

“I think a hero is any person really intent on making this a better place for all people.” Maya Angelou

Many thanks to NetGalley and Melrose Hill Publishing for allowing me to read an e-ARC of this book in exchange for an unbiased review. All opinions stated here are my own.

Random Acts of Kindness by Dete Meserve and Rachel Greco. In 2015 my cousins daughter who was 16 passed away and one of my cousins slogans was Be Kind. This book is beautiful. Kindness is very important in the world some of the acts in this book are beautiful. Like coming up with better ways to help the homeless. Helping people who cannot mow lands themselves. The ladies that made tiny angel gowns for baby that have passed away. Thankyou Dete Meserve and Rachel Greco for writing this book.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ecopy of this book for my Kindle.
The stories are inspirations to anyone who reads this book. There was only one story in the book that I was familiar with, so it was interesting to read so many "acts of kindness" stories.
People from all types of backgrounds and areas throughout our country touch people in need whether it's physical need or a kind word. This books shows readers that all of us can pay forward or show acts of kindness every day of our lives.
What an uplifting and encouraging read!

Random Acts of Kindness was a sweet and heartwarming compilation of real life acts of love both given and received. It was uplifting and inspiring, and I teared up several times while reading it. I am already dedicated to committing random acts of kindness, but this book definitely reinforced my principles, and I hope it inspires others to do the same.

I don't want to include any spoilers in my review, but I do have to say that my favorite story was about Lillian Weber, the 100 year old woman who, after the loss of her beloved husband, found a renewed purpose in her life by sewing a dress a day for girls in need for the nonprofit Little Dresses for Africa. Beautiful.

Location: Alabama, California (Long Beach), Florida (Brevard Co), Georgia, Indiana (Greenfield), Iowa (Bettendorf), Massachusetts (Boston), Michigan (Grand Haven and Howell), Nevada, Oregon, Pennsylvania (Philadelphia), Utah, Washington, Wisconsin, and Canada (King City, Ontario).

I received an advance copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

I usually give my reading preference to fiction, but I decided that this year I should give non-fiction books another try, and I am very happy to start with "Randon Acts of Kindness".

This book combines multiple stories from across the US that unites people of different age, ethnicity, and status. And the only factor that unites them is a desire to help others. Each person described in the book has different reasons that pushed them towards their act of kindness. Each story is unique, heartwarming and inspiring.

Every individual act of kindness described in the book reminds the reader that there are good people left in this world who do countless selfless good deeds and motivate us to continue the goodwill.

Thank you NetGalley and Melrose Hill Publisher for a free and advanced copy of this book, and another huge thank you to the authors Dete Meserve and Rachel Grego for sharing these wonderful stories and restoring our faith in humanity.