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bookrecsanddnfs's review
reflective
medium-paced
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Alcoholism
tiernanhunter's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
fast-paced
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Alcoholism, Alcohol, Cancer, and Confinement
saryy's review against another edition
challenging
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
2.5
I kept trying to formulate an
coherent opinion on this book even while reading but always came up empty. The one word that kept coming up however is "meh"
It's not revolutionary, it's not a masterpiece, and it's not a new look on things, and this is all true despite it being my first ever book on the subject matter.
It's a bit misleading in its premise ngl. It's basically a biography where the author goes into harrowing detail about his depression. Which is fine, but it never really struck me as helpful for me to read, as a person who's suffering from mental health issues. It was just odd that even after this incredibly deep dive that he didn't really go into similar details when it came to his recovery, which is what I was looking for in the first place (with his past/present conversation being summed up as "it gets better." "how" "it gets better")
I find his take on medications really dangerous. yes he comes out and says he isn't anti pill, but that's after paragraph after paragraph dismissing medication and pills, when he never really bothered trying again when the first medication didn't help. it's his right not to take pills obviously but saying that he was grateful he didn't because it somehow helped him came off as him feeling superior because he manged to get out of it "without help."
Like I said the book wasn't really helpful. read, write, love, sure. people do all that and are still depressed. I wasn't going to pick this book up after reading The Midnight Library by him and finding its message extremely lacking and simplistic, but that's on me for changing my mind.
Another review mentioned how the author came from a place of great privilege, yet failed to recognize that, or even factor it when it came to his generalized advice.
The one thing I can say good in this book's favor is that it was written accessible-y, NOT well, just accesible. I would say it's easy to follow, in the sense that it's directly written, but definitely not an easy read, especially those first few chapters.
I don't think I'd ever recommend this book. I'm sure there are better self help books out there about mental health. and definitely my last ever Matt Haig read.
coherent opinion on this book even while reading but always came up empty. The one word that kept coming up however is "meh"
It's not revolutionary, it's not a masterpiece, and it's not a new look on things, and this is all true despite it being my first ever book on the subject matter.
It's a bit misleading in its premise ngl. It's basically a biography where the author goes into harrowing detail about his depression. Which is fine, but it never really struck me as helpful for me to read, as a person who's suffering from mental health issues. It was just odd that even after this incredibly deep dive that he didn't really go into similar details when it came to his recovery, which is what I was looking for in the first place (with his past/present conversation being summed up as "it gets better." "how" "it gets better")
I find his take on medications really dangerous. yes he comes out and says he isn't anti pill, but that's after paragraph after paragraph dismissing medication and pills, when he never really bothered trying again when the first medication didn't help. it's his right not to take pills obviously but saying that he was grateful he didn't because it somehow helped him came off as him feeling superior because he manged to get out of it "without help."
Like I said the book wasn't really helpful. read, write, love, sure. people do all that and are still depressed. I wasn't going to pick this book up after reading The Midnight Library by him and finding its message extremely lacking and simplistic, but that's on me for changing my mind.
Another review mentioned how the author came from a place of great privilege, yet failed to recognize that, or even factor it when it came to his generalized advice.
The one thing I can say good in this book's favor is that it was written accessible-y, NOT well, just accesible. I would say it's easy to follow, in the sense that it's directly written, but definitely not an easy read, especially those first few chapters.
I don't think I'd ever recommend this book. I'm sure there are better self help books out there about mental health. and definitely my last ever Matt Haig read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide attempt, Suicidal thoughts, and Mental illness
cassie5489's review
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
4.0
Definitely a good book to read when going through a rough time.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Suicide attempt
millie_blue's review
emotional
hopeful
informative
medium-paced
4.5
Matt’s experiences, while challenging to read about, are eloquently written about in ‘Reasons To Stay Alive’. His ability to put his story into words that are universally relatable is remarkable, and I admire his candidness in talking about mental illness.
I have no doubt that this book will continue to reach people who need Matt’s matter of fact tone to reach them at a time of hopelessness - just as it has done evidently for so many already.
I have no doubt that this book will continue to reach people who need Matt’s matter of fact tone to reach them at a time of hopelessness - just as it has done evidently for so many already.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide, Suicidal thoughts, Mental illness, and Suicide attempt
kizzywh's review
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
the book that i keep coming back to whenever i’m unwell. it really puts into perspective many thoughts we have when we are in this mindset, and i suppose the idea that i’m re-reading a book that previously really helped me is proof enough that you can get out of those depressive times.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Suicide attempt
macykey's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Suicide attempt
simp_librarian's review against another edition
dark
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide and Suicide attempt
naereads's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
Feeling alone I’m depression? This book proves you’re not. Matt opens up about his depression experience in a way that is relatable. It is intense at times due to the honest, deep feelings that are felt before, throughout, and after the dark days.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide, Suicide attempt, and Suicidal thoughts
Though I will highly recommend this book to everyone, especially those who suffer from depression, I would also add a trigger warning to the intense feelings that will be provoked. Especially if you are already in a fragile state. As soon as you feel emotionally supported enough, please read this. You will feel validated, seen, heard, and most importantly, you will feel more capable of being able to make it through your dark days.findingthefantasticstory's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
5.0
This should be a compulsory read. It has helped me with my depression and it will help others.
Content Warnings
Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, and Suicide