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amandag's review
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
1.75
I think I was expecting a little more from a memoir, but this essentially short descriptions of the author’s self imposed attempts to try and get his life back together after moving back in with his parents. There’s very brief allusions to anxiety, alcoholism, and divorce but no details in a way that makes his “challenges” (i.e. he challenges himself to take a yoga class for the first time) make sense. It’s a really easy read, short chapters and helped pass time while commuting, but I wouldn’t ever sit at home and read this or feel the need to finish if I didn’t have dedicated reading time.
oram's review
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
I really enjoyed this book and found it easy reading.
snazzybooks's review against another edition
4.0
Book reviews on www.snazzybooks.com
What and funny and sweet read Born to be Mild is. I have been a big fan of the Very British Problems Twitter account for years- it never fails to make me smile and think ‘ahh me too!’. Well, think of this book as a longer version of those tweet -, but not as laugh-out-loud, as it has some heavier themes running through it.
Rob tries to answer the question – can socially awkward, anxious people get out there and have a good time regardless? Can they take on exciting new experiences and have adventures?
Rob decides to take on lots of new experiences, which he relays to the reader. He also takes us through various points in his life where his anxiety and ultra mild-mannered-ness has impacted his life, and how he, therefore, interacts with others. His success with Very British Problems, how this led him to work from home permanently and that in turn resulted in a persistent and, at times, debilitating feeling of anxiety for Rob.
Though you don’t want to feel as if you’re laughing at Rob’s life, I found this book really funny and, to me, it didn’t feel like you were laughing at his expense – rather laughing along with Rob as he relays lots of humorous, albeit awkward, experiences that lots of people can no doubt relate to, whatever their personality type. It just sums up so much of what it means to be ‘British’ in a humorous, entertaining way – but the inclusion of Rob’s personal experiences and very difficult times add a very real and important message about mental health to this book. You might not assume that someone who manages a funny, light-hearted social media account could be suffering from anxiety, but you never know in reality. It manages to drive home the impact of poor mental health without feeling preachy or over the top, and remains a entertaining and fun read.
I really enjoyed Born to be Mild – on the whole it was very easy to read, thought-provoking and I found myself completely absorbed in Rob’s tales. Definitely recommended!
What and funny and sweet read Born to be Mild is. I have been a big fan of the Very British Problems Twitter account for years- it never fails to make me smile and think ‘ahh me too!’. Well, think of this book as a longer version of those tweet -, but not as laugh-out-loud, as it has some heavier themes running through it.
Rob tries to answer the question – can socially awkward, anxious people get out there and have a good time regardless? Can they take on exciting new experiences and have adventures?
Rob decides to take on lots of new experiences, which he relays to the reader. He also takes us through various points in his life where his anxiety and ultra mild-mannered-ness has impacted his life, and how he, therefore, interacts with others. His success with Very British Problems, how this led him to work from home permanently and that in turn resulted in a persistent and, at times, debilitating feeling of anxiety for Rob.
Though you don’t want to feel as if you’re laughing at Rob’s life, I found this book really funny and, to me, it didn’t feel like you were laughing at his expense – rather laughing along with Rob as he relays lots of humorous, albeit awkward, experiences that lots of people can no doubt relate to, whatever their personality type. It just sums up so much of what it means to be ‘British’ in a humorous, entertaining way – but the inclusion of Rob’s personal experiences and very difficult times add a very real and important message about mental health to this book. You might not assume that someone who manages a funny, light-hearted social media account could be suffering from anxiety, but you never know in reality. It manages to drive home the impact of poor mental health without feeling preachy or over the top, and remains a entertaining and fun read.
I really enjoyed Born to be Mild – on the whole it was very easy to read, thought-provoking and I found myself completely absorbed in Rob’s tales. Definitely recommended!
nerdinosa's review against another edition
5.0
Thank you Rob for planting the Nutella - tinfoil image in my head. It'll be a constant companion from now on.