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marinajonesreads's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
sad
slow-paced
5.0
No book has ever inspired me to write my own version. But that’s what this book did. Once I started reading it, I started to write down my comforts in tandem to hearing Haig talk about his. With intense vulnerability and candor, Haig made me feel equal parts seen and comforted. I think anyone struggling with anything should read this book. It’s quick and easy. Although it took me awhile to finish, I think one can easily read this in one session. I kept returning to it in times of crisis throughout a difficult start to 2024. I’m glad I had it as a companion. It will absolutely be a book I reread throughout the years. Also, listening to it through Haig’s voice made me weep. It was amazing he was able to recount all of that and still inspire people who may be going through similar feelings.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief, Suicidal thoughts, Addiction, and Suicide
cleotheo's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts
reba_reads_books's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
3.5
This is a book of lists, essays, and other snippets of thought, so it was tough to follow the audiobook. I bought the hardback that I'm going to re-read, because I think I might like it better in that format. I loved the beginning but quickly grew bored with slow pacing and redundancy. I'm thinking this isn't a book you're supposed to read cover to cover but instead read out of order based upon your mood and what section sounds like it will inspire you in the moment. The author's message is important for anyone who's struggled with their mental health, so it's a good gift to subtly lift another's spirit.
Content Warnings
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
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
krisboss's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.25
Content Warnings
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
adanisan's review against another edition
hopeful
reflective
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide attempt