Okay, stop me if I’m missing something, but… this book bills itself as being an antidote to the news cycle. But Rupert Murdoch, the news media tycoon, owns National Geographic. And NatGeo printed this book. So what’s the angle here, exactly?

I wasn’t familiar with UpWorthy, but the people involved in launching the platform have worked on other things I do appreciate, so I still figured I’d check it out. There are some compelling stories in here, and then a lot of fluff. It was nice to come across some stories of people dealing with big life events (injury, loss, neurodiversity, etc.) who encountered people who responded to them in meaningful ways. Some of those provide some food for thought.

There are a lot of super-short pieces that are like, “One time I needed gas, and some guy gave me gas!” Okay… but I don’t know why I need to be sold a book that tells this two-sentence story.

Regarding layout: The early formatting for the ebook is a bit wonky on Kindle, but I expect they’ll sort that out before publication. Even when corrected for the print version, parts are strange. Occasionally they’ll repeat/highlight a sentence in one of those little boxes off to the side, and I was sometimes confused by which sentences they chose to highlight, and where. They sometimes came pages after where the sentence appears in the story. Other times they appear right next to it, which doesn’t add much. I’m not sure why they felt like this formatting choice was necessary. It’s like they followed a magazine layout, which again, just felt… odd.

I think this book was designed to be a coffee table title, to be picked up and read almost at random when life’s getting you down, or when you need to be reminded that people have the capacity for kindness. It’s not a “read it cover-to-cover” kind of book.

Tl;dr: I was a bit lukewarm on several aspects of this project. If you’re looking for something that will remind you that even small kindnesses stick with people, or want to reflect on the people who have helped you (and who you might be able to help in the future), I can see the value in this book. I absolutely understand the appeal of the stories people shared, and why this concept would be so warmly received in a community space. Making it into a marketable “product,” however, feels like a weird choice.

Read this through NetGalley and had some mixed feelings, obviously.

In a time filled with depressing stories, horrible news, and cranky people, this book is just what the doctor ordered. The short stories are uplifting, hopeful, and heartwarming. The stories are all of varying lengths, and all of them are amazing to read. This book is great if you want to read about the goodness in humanity and lift your spirits. The short story format is great for reading a little at a time, in small bites. So happy that I found this gem!

Thank you to Netgalley, Gabriel Reilich; Lucia Knell, and National Geographic for the ARC.
This book is a collsection of little bits of sunshine on our world. The world can seem very dark and make you lose hope in humanity. This is 100 plus examples of the goodness in people. Some simple examples are a smile for a stranger and how that smile helped to change the recipents mood and day. If you don't take anything else away from reading this book please remember that kindness is the gift that keeps giving.

I follow Upworthy on Instagram and saw them promote this book so was intrigued. I loved the idea behind it - 100 or so stories of people having great, meaningful, unforgettable encounters with strangers. For some reason the second chapter was my least favorite (which is odd because it’s about impactful teachers, and I’m a teacher) but I found it repetitive. Besides that, I liked the book overall and really was surprised by some of the stories highlighting the kindness of strangers.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

There is nothing to not like about a book filled with good deeds by kind people. May we all be inspired.!

When the news is relentlessly pessimistic and upsetting, this book reminds everyone that there are good, kind people in the world,

Upworthy Good People is a beautiful collection of bite-sized, good for your soul stories. It felt like a spa vacation to absorb myself in these tales of kindness. I adored it, and highly recommend reading either all at once, or in bits and pieces as you need a dose of positivity.

Thanks NetGalley and National Geographic for granting access to a digital ARC in response to my request.

“Upworthy - GOOD PEOPLE: Stories From the Best of Humanity” by Gabriel Reilich and Lucia Knell is a collection of 101 feel-good stories that aim to showcase the kindness and decency in the world. Here’s a balanced review based on the information available:

The Good:

Heartwarming Content: The book is filled with uplifting stories that highlight the goodness in people, providing a much-needed counterbalance to the often negative news cycle1.
Beautiful Illustrations: It features whimsical line drawings that complement the stories, enhancing the reader’s experience2.
Positive Reception: With endorsements from celebrities like Kristen Bell and Jennifer Garner, the book has received praise for adding joy to the world13.
Community-Driven: The stories are handpicked from Upworthy’s community, reflecting real experiences and emotions that resonate with many readers2.
The Potential Downsides:

Niche Appeal: While the book is inspirational, it might not appeal to readers who are looking for more diverse content beyond feel-good stories.
Repetitive Theme: Some readers might find the theme of constant positivity repetitive and may crave stories with more complex emotions or challenges.
Overall, “Upworthy - GOOD PEOPLE” seems to be a treasure trove of positivity and a testament to human spirit and kindness. It’s a book that could serve as emotional nourishment and a reminder of the good in the world, especially during tough times

I've been following the Upworthy account on Instagram for some time now, so I was happy to see that Gabriel Reilich wrote a book full of such heartwarming stories of kindness. If you are ever in doubt, this book will restore your faith in humanity and hopefully inspire readers to find ways to help others.

Thank you to National Geographic and NetGalley for providing and ARC of this book in exchange for my honest rating and opinion.

This is a lovely, kind book that reminds readers that humans have more in common than we may typically realize. These are short snippets of stories designed to uplift and remind us that we are interdependent. Many of these stories are quite current referring to COVID times, etc. The stories are also pretty unique from each other. I especially enjoyed the shorter snippet stories between the longer writings. Thanks to Net Galley for an early copy!

Thanks to NetGalley and National Geographic for my ARC in exchange for my honest review. This book will be published September 3, 2024.

Kudos to Upworthy for compiling these 101 short examples of good people doing good things. It inspires me to make the world a better place by offering help when I can.

These were my favorite stories:
When Words Get in the Way
Serenity Now
Sill de Cuisine
A Modern Fairy Tale
Away From Home

If you are ever doubting that good people exist, pick up a copy of this book and be prepared to be proven wrong.

I really enjoyed this collection and found myself relating to so many of the stories. I think this would be a great gift book, or even something to pick up when you need a bit of inspiration. I’m looking forward to getting a physical copy to read again when it’s released.

Great book full of feel good stories. Great read for when you need a happiness boost. Easy to read a few stories at a time or even one when you need it.

Great book, really enjoyed the advice and feedback in this book and I would definitely recommend to a friend.

4.5/5.0 ⭐

"Good People" is a book filled with 101 uplifting stories from Upworthy, showcasing the kindness of everyday people in beautifully illustrated tales.

Heartwarming, sweet, and the perfect reminder that there's still good in the world.

Thank you to National Geographic and NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book.

I am very excited to be reading this book! My full review to follow.
Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

There’s a lot going on in the world right now. Much of it bad and overwhelming to soul and mind. Something that brings focus to the good going on is a gift and this book, indeed, is a true gift.

What a wonderful, heartwarming collection of stories that made me smile, tear up, cry, and laugh.

A really great book to go through when you need to restore your faith in humanity.

Recommended.



Thank you to National Geographic and NetGalley for the DRC

Looking for a heartwarming pick-me-up to reaffirm your faith in humanity? Look no further than "Upworthy Good People: Stories From the Best of Humanity" by Gabriel Reilich and Lucia Knell. In a world often inundated with negativity, this collection of short accounts serves as a refreshing reminder of people's inherent goodness.

From random acts of kindness to awe-inspiring displays of compassion, each story showcases the remarkable ways in which individuals have touched the lives of others. These narratives are bound to leave you with a warm, fuzzy feeling inside. "Upworthy Good People" is perfect for those moments when you need a quick dose of inspiration or a reminder of the goodness that exists in the world. Whether you choose to devour it in one sitting or savor each story slowly, this book is sure to leave you with a renewed sense of hope and appreciation for the human spirit.

Thank you to NetGalley and National Geographic for this advanced readers copy in exchange for a thoughtful review.

This book is full of heartwarming stories that bring out the best of humanity. 🥰 It’s the kind of book you can put down and return to when your heart needs a little uplift. 🩷

Once I was able to get past the absolute mess the formatting was for this I really enjoyed it. Tears of happiness. Life is hard, so it's great to have reminders of how beautiful it can be. That people are kind, generous, heroic. A wonderful book that I will reread and reread and buy for friends and family.