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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
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
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
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
modrinkscoffee's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicide attempt, Alcohol, Alcoholism, and Drug use
sprucewillow's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
4.25
Completed as an audiobook
This was a really lovely book. Very simple and relaxing. Topics discussed in here ranged from very new ideas, familiar concepts, and comforting stories. Some of it felt shallow and ironic, but not all insight and advice regarding mental illness and mental health will resonate perfectly. I was willing to overlook the sappy stuff to hear the more insightful and passionate sections.
Some of the things in here my therapist has told me or asked me to being practicing in my life. So if you need a place to start in healing your mental health but don't want to or can't see a therapist right now, this book has some fine advice that could get you started.
This was a really lovely book. Very simple and relaxing. Topics discussed in here ranged from very new ideas, familiar concepts, and comforting stories. Some of it felt shallow and ironic, but not all insight and advice regarding mental illness and mental health will resonate perfectly. I was willing to overlook the sappy stuff to hear the more insightful and passionate sections.
Some of the things in here my therapist has told me or asked me to being practicing in my life. So if you need a place to start in healing your mental health but don't want to or can't see a therapist right now, this book has some fine advice that could get you started.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Mental illness and Suicidal thoughts
Author discusses his experience and recovery from major depression, panic attacks, and suicidal thinking.thebookpaiges's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide, Death, Grief, Suicidal thoughts, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and Homophobia
theinkedpath's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
sad
slow-paced
2.75
ES:
Este es el tercer libro del autor que leo, y el segundo dentro de su conjunto de textos no ficticios (ensayos). En este libro, Haig busca, a modo de cuaderno de ideas darle al lector una serie de temáticas, llenas de anécdotas personales, a través de las cuáles encontrar el lado más positivo de la vida...esta serie de trucos para entender que las experiencias negativas pasan y que, además, pedir ayuda está bien.
La idea en principio es buena pero me da la sensación de que con este collage de ideas el mensaje no cala tanto, o no me cala a mí, como otros textos similares del autor.
EN:
In this essay Haig explores, through an complex collage of experiences, personal in some cases, to let the reader now that bad periods of time will end and that it is okay to go through that but, at the same time, reminding the reader that good things are there waiting.
In my case, I do not connect as well with this book as well as other similar written by the author...probably because of the diversity of text did not explored the topics as much as I would like it.
Este es el tercer libro del autor que leo, y el segundo dentro de su conjunto de textos no ficticios (ensayos). En este libro, Haig busca, a modo de cuaderno de ideas darle al lector una serie de temáticas, llenas de anécdotas personales, a través de las cuáles encontrar el lado más positivo de la vida...esta serie de trucos para entender que las experiencias negativas pasan y que, además, pedir ayuda está bien.
La idea en principio es buena pero me da la sensación de que con este collage de ideas el mensaje no cala tanto, o no me cala a mí, como otros textos similares del autor.
EN:
In this essay Haig explores, through an complex collage of experiences, personal in some cases, to let the reader now that bad periods of time will end and that it is okay to go through that but, at the same time, reminding the reader that good things are there waiting.
In my case, I do not connect as well with this book as well as other similar written by the author...probably because of the diversity of text did not explored the topics as much as I would like it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Alcoholism, Panic attacks/disorders, and Drug abuse
cranberrybenjamin's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
4.25
Content Warnings
Minor: Alcohol, Suicidal thoughts, and Panic attacks/disorders