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notablebird's review against another edition
2.0
I did not know anything about Susan Calman when I picked up this book, which would seemingly be a terrific shock to her given how she goes on about her world renown for many, many pages. Those who know and love her might well deepen those feelings in reading it. For me, finding out more about her through reading this book was fairly painful as there is a fair bit of moaning and righteousness under the guise of enlightenment that I found unappealing. Her description of acting as an anti death penalty advocate was interesting, but I cannot imagine wanting to go to one of her comedy shows. I googled her shortly after I started reading and discovered she is worth £54m. Umm, yes I imagine she’s managed to find a way to some joy; her pretentions towards working class camaraderie only rankled from there on out. I don’t really know why I finished the book though I am predisposed to do so. Had I not, however, I would have missed the one funny part about what she named her cats. DCI Jane Tennison is a brilliant moniker for a feline and insisting on recognition of her cat’s rank is excellent. I hope surfacing that lone highlight saves readers slogging through 300 pgs of vanity publishing.
vikki_bird's review against another edition
3.0
Rounded up from 2.5. I enjoyed Calman’s first book, so picked this up on a whim when I saw it on sale. This book is about finding joy in the little things, and I can definitely get on board with that, but the book was far too long and rambling for my liking, and was mostly directionless.
katyboo52's review against another edition
4.0
I was given a copy of this to read by Amazon Vine. If you like Susan Calman you will love this, because it's basically her in book form. At its heart is the transformative effect that appearing on Strictly Come Dancing had on Susan. How it made her braver, how it made her think about the world differently. How, most importantly, it gave her joy, and how she translates that across into her every day life and tries to look at the world in a more positive way and share it with everyone. Having said that, it's not cloying, or annoying. It's funny and self deprecating and has a lot of asides about cats in it, and all of that is good. It is what she calls her Calmanifesto, and it's a good thing.
the_reading_wren's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
3.75
Susan Calman’s comedy isn’t usually my preferred style but she did make me laugh out loud quite a few times in this book. More importantly, she raised a lot of interesting and thought-provoking points.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia, Mental illness, Vomit, Murder, Lesbophobia, and Classism
Minor: Ableism, Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, Sexual assault, and Alcohol
kingarooski's review
4.0
A wonderfully warm and positive book about how to make the world better in small, individual acts of kindness. I love that Susan Calman writes just how she talks and I could hear her wonderfully cheery voice in her book.
dawnlizreads's review
4.0
Calman's basic philosophy in this book of "be kind & find joy where you can" isn't revolutionary. But, I don't think that matters. In fact, I think we need more reminders to be kind.
She is such a warm, down to earth author that book alone is joyful.
She is such a warm, down to earth author that book alone is joyful.