What a great book, especially right now in these crazy times. I can’t remember highlighting a book as much as I did this one – I need to go back and digest all the evocative ideas. Through sharing some very personal stories, the author weaves in many powerful, positive ways to change our lives. We are continually influenced by the world, people around us, and our “internal meanie”, all working to bring negativity into our lives daily. But we have the power to change how we react, and Nicole Phillips walks us gently through ways to change our perspective. “Hurry, worry, and jury” will stay with you after reading this book, and you’ll have kindness at the forefront of your mind.

Thank you to JustRead tours and NetGalley for a copy of this book. I was under no obligation to write a positive review; all opinions are my own. ( )

I am not a huge non-fiction reader but I am getting better at it because really sometimes it is needed. This book is definitely very needed in today's current events and the way society deals with things. I have always taught my former students and now my children that being kind trumps everything else. You not only feel good but you never know how that response may trigger a chain of reaction on the other person.

Nicole explains this in greater detail and to perfection in her book. She does so by sharing personal stories along with other people's stories, so she makes the book relatable and easy to read because it is something that she lives not that she's just spouting off to make a book. She touches on some very important and deeper issues of being nice to those that have hurt us but she also acknowledges that sometimes acts of kindness may not go as planned.

The conversational style makes it feel like you are chatting with a friend over a cup of coffee. I definitely recommend this as an addition to your non-fiction bookshelf.

(I received this book for review. I was not required to post a positive review. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.) ( )

I have always considered myself a pretty kind person. I always am as polite as I can be, and try to put the needs of others before my own, but I've never really sat and thought about my level of kindness, and where I lack, until I picked up The Negativity Remedy.

Most nonfiction books are easy to get lost in the information, but The Negativity Remedy is so engaging! Filled to the brim with personal stories from the author, as well as other acquaintances, you feel like you're chatting in a coffee shop with friends rather than reading about these instances.

Though a bit redundant, and on the repetitive side, with a topic like kindness I believe this to be an unavoidable trait. Plus, the stories kept the book fresh and intriguing, which helps break up the repetition.

Since reading this book I have already caught myself unconsciously doing some of the things recommended, especially since COVID, and all of the negativity that is currently in our world, which has seeped into my own life, but I truly believe Nicole Phillips has found the best cure for negativity, and I plan to fight the negativity with kindness! Thank you Nicole Phillips for a positive, uplifting, and motivational read!

*I have voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book which I received from the publisher, Baker Books, through NetGalley. All views and opinions are completely honest, and my own. ( )

I read The Negativity Remedy then flipped to the front and read through it again to glean even more wisdom and inspiration about kindness. This book simultaneously convicted, challenged, and inspired me. Whether give generously, can use some generosity, or are somewhere in between, everyone should read this book.

Using personal stories as well as ones from friends and those she’s received for her kindness column, Nicole J. Phillips shares the physiological and emotional results as well as what hinders us, how to deal with being taken advantage of and more. But she also speaks to those who are on the receiving side of kindness. I can relate to turning down kindness but Phillips offers a mental shift to my knee jerk reaction when I feel that others need kindness more than I do with this one sentence: “Sometimes people are offering to help us paint a room or weed a garden or taxi children simply because they need to get out of their own space.”

The book also includes practical applications for changing your mentality around kindness (and on the opposite side of that when people are rude to you). There’s also a list of ideas to spread kindness that, if you exercise one a day, will last you an entire year.

Y’all, we need more kindness in our world. Wouldn’t you rather log onto your social media and be uplifted, encouraged, and inspired rather than finding another argument or negative post? It’s through kindness we show Jesus to others. We may not ever see that person we offer a kind word or smile or buy lunch or a tank of gas for, but that act of kindness will lead to another and for those moments, God’s love and light shines on both you and the recipient.

Disclosure statement: I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own. ( )