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raoulalexander's review against another edition
Self help books are not for me. But this was a gift, so I did read it. It was alright.
The book says that it's supposed to be a "messy" collection of thoughts, quotes, and other short writings that brought the author comfort, so I won't knock it too hard for not being something it never tried to be, but it fell flat for me. The metaphors in this were clunky and not very refined, and many of the quotes he presented seemed less resonant than they might have been in context.
It feels to me that, when it came to publishing what would become this book, there could have been an opportunity to reflect on and explore why these thoughts brought comfort to him, rather than just collecting them. As it is, it falls into the trap that seems characteristic of self help books to me, that is in trying to make it as broadly applicable as possible the author's specific experience is watered down so that the advice becomes simplistic and repetive. I don't expect everyone to feel comfortable publishing a deep exploration of their struggle with mental health, but this book felt like a missed opportunity. Considering this, as well as the fact that I knew I didn't like the genre, I won't give this book a rating, since that seems unfair.
The book says that it's supposed to be a "messy" collection of thoughts, quotes, and other short writings that brought the author comfort, so I won't knock it too hard for not being something it never tried to be, but it fell flat for me. The metaphors in this were clunky and not very refined, and many of the quotes he presented seemed less resonant than they might have been in context.
It feels to me that, when it came to publishing what would become this book, there could have been an opportunity to reflect on and explore why these thoughts brought comfort to him, rather than just collecting them. As it is, it falls into the trap that seems characteristic of self help books to me, that is in trying to make it as broadly applicable as possible the author's specific experience is watered down so that the advice becomes simplistic and repetive. I don't expect everyone to feel comfortable publishing a deep exploration of their struggle with mental health, but this book felt like a missed opportunity. Considering this, as well as the fact that I knew I didn't like the genre, I won't give this book a rating, since that seems unfair.
Content Warnings
Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Panic attacks/disorders, and Mental illness
kellylynnthomas's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
3.0
This doesn't affect my star rating, but the audio quality on the audiobook version of this is not great. It sounds like it was recorded in a big open space and has an almost echo-y quality to it.
While there is a lot of great insight and comforting observations/affirmations in this book, it also felt very superficial in a lot of ways. A few chapters went a little deeper into the author's actual mental health struggles, and those chapters were the most interesting and meaningful. The rest of the book felt like I was reading inspiration Instagram posts—not inherently a bad thing, but you have space in a book to go deeper, and I think it's a missed opportunity that he didn't.
While there is a lot of great insight and comforting observations/affirmations in this book, it also felt very superficial in a lot of ways. A few chapters went a little deeper into the author's actual mental health struggles, and those chapters were the most interesting and meaningful. The rest of the book felt like I was reading inspiration Instagram posts—not inherently a bad thing, but you have space in a book to go deeper, and I think it's a missed opportunity that he didn't.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts
maeve_littooij's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Mental illness
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders
sarahthethoms's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
slow-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Mental illness, and Suicide
velsbooknook's review against another edition
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
This book is a collection of little snippets of life. They sometimes feel like a warm hug or a good advise from a friend. Some chapters are just some quotes, others are filled with random facts about this world, which made me appreciate this planet a little more.
My favourite chapter was "Rain" and I actually want to rip out this page and frame it.
It was my third book by the author and I love his writing and view on life. It is definitely a book I'll pick up again when I'm in need of it. Just browsing through the pages, reminding myself that I am not the rain.
My favourite chapter was "Rain" and I actually want to rip out this page and frame it.
It was my third book by the author and I love his writing and view on life. It is definitely a book I'll pick up again when I'm in need of it. Just browsing through the pages, reminding myself that I am not the rain.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and Suicidal thoughts
heidi_downing's review against another edition
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
4.75
This book provides hope and wisdom through a variety of quotes, anecdotes, stories, maxims and insights that Haig writes poetically in a minimalistic style. Deeply meditative and memorable although starts to get a bit repetitive and reiterative of the same few messages - so don't rush reading it. Definitely a book worth revisiting and reading slowly to take in all the important and validating messages.
Content Warnings
Minor: Suicidal thoughts and Mental illness
cinnamonandchaos's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Mental illness
queenneehola's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Suicidal thoughts and Mental illness
water_and_shade's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
3.5
I love Matt Haig's writing, and while I normally wouldn't go for a book like this, it came to me at the right time. A very helpful book if you're feeling low, flat or uninspired. A little repetitive, but the joy evident in the flow of Haig's writing makes up for it. Loved the quotes and segments of poetry. Overall a sweet quick read, but not something I'll pick up again.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Mental illness, and Suicide
james1star's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
4.5
I read this on a long journey and back as forgot a book so downloaded the audiobook narrated by Haig himself via BorrowBox and am very happy I did so. There is no real structure instead consisting of a mixture of quotes, case studies, anecdotes, notes, messages and many more. The running theme is comfort (who’d have guessed?) and it acts like part self help, part guide, part quote book and part memoir as well and I think Haig gets a perfect balance of these aspects. He struggled heavily with anxiety and depression and injects a lot of honestly into the pages (…or recording?) which I did like - I wouldn’t say I enjoyed it as the subject matter is evidently a challenging one but the key messages of moving/looking forward were put across very well. As someone who struggles with my mental health I not only could relate to parts but picked up lots of useful tips and ideas/quotes to ponder on. I think it would’ve been more beneficial to have read this book in small chunks or one to go back to instead of within a day but oh the whole I enjoyed it and would certainly recommend it. Personally it wasn’t that amazing or life changing with content I have engaged with before but the personal touches were my favourite.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Addiction, and Suicidal thoughts