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3.92 AVERAGE
3.92 AVERAGE
reflective
medium-paced
I’ve really enjoyed Matt Haig’s writing in the past. Whether he's writing fiction or non-fiction, he has this way of blending relatability with wisdom, which usually leaves me with something to think about long-term. So naturally, I was excited to dive into Notes on a Nervous Planet. And while I did find parts of it relevant and well-written, the experience as a whole didn’t quite live up to my expectations.
Haig’s reflections on mental health, mindfulness, and modern life are timely and important. He’s honest, and you can feel that he genuinely wants to help people navigate the overwhelm that comes with existing in a fast-paced world. That said, I wanted... more. This book felt less like the essays or reflections I was hoping for and more like a memoir that kept circling the same points. Haig has discussed his mental health struggles in depth in other works, and here it felt like a retread rather than new territory. By the halfway mark, I felt like I’d gotten the gist.
And then there’s the technology talk. I get it: social media and smartphones aren’t good for our mental health. But for me, Haig’s “technology is ruining everything” stance didn’t align with my experience. Technology isn’t doom and gloom, and I would have loved for him to spend more time exploring how we can use technology in healthier ways instead of just focusing on its downsides.
Haig’s honesty is refreshing as always, but this book left me wanting something new, something that sparked original thoughts rather than rehashing old ones. If you’ve faced similar struggles to Haig’s or you’re looking for a casual, surface-level read about the intersection of mental health and modern life, then by all means, pick this up. But if you want something more thought-provoking or practical, you'll probably be as underwhelmed as I was.
Haig’s reflections on mental health, mindfulness, and modern life are timely and important. He’s honest, and you can feel that he genuinely wants to help people navigate the overwhelm that comes with existing in a fast-paced world. That said, I wanted... more. This book felt less like the essays or reflections I was hoping for and more like a memoir that kept circling the same points. Haig has discussed his mental health struggles in depth in other works, and here it felt like a retread rather than new territory. By the halfway mark, I felt like I’d gotten the gist.
And then there’s the technology talk. I get it: social media and smartphones aren’t good for our mental health. But for me, Haig’s “technology is ruining everything” stance didn’t align with my experience. Technology isn’t doom and gloom, and I would have loved for him to spend more time exploring how we can use technology in healthier ways instead of just focusing on its downsides.
Haig’s honesty is refreshing as always, but this book left me wanting something new, something that sparked original thoughts rather than rehashing old ones. If you’ve faced similar struggles to Haig’s or you’re looking for a casual, surface-level read about the intersection of mental health and modern life, then by all means, pick this up. But if you want something more thought-provoking or practical, you'll probably be as underwhelmed as I was.
So many thought-provoking points! I found myself nodding along and dog-earing my book in a way that would leave some readings weeping. Highly recommended!
Find more reviews and bookish fun at http://www.princessandpen.com
Find more reviews and bookish fun at http://www.princessandpen.com
[b:Reasons to Stay Alive|23363874|Reasons to Stay Alive|Matt Haig|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1418674667l/23363874._SX50_.jpg|42923140] was more a memoir, the story of Matt Haig's breakdown, while this follow up is more self-help, exploring what it means to be human in this modern world and to cope with the negative aspects of technological "progress".
It was interesting to read this book at this present time; I don't think I'm alone in being more reliant than ever on technology. On the one hand, boy, am I grateful we have it (imagine experiencing this pandemic even 10 or 20 years ago...), but there are still days where it just doesn't feel right, natural, and I have to fight the urge not to throw all my devices out the window.
Back to the book. Haig's style is engaging as ever. He uses the same short, creative chapters as in Reasons to Stay Alive, so this is a quick and easy read. I hope he continues to write non-fiction, as well as fiction. I'll most definitely read it!
It was interesting to read this book at this present time; I don't think I'm alone in being more reliant than ever on technology. On the one hand, boy, am I grateful we have it (imagine experiencing this pandemic even 10 or 20 years ago...), but there are still days where it just doesn't feel right, natural, and I have to fight the urge not to throw all my devices out the window.
Back to the book. Haig's style is engaging as ever. He uses the same short, creative chapters as in Reasons to Stay Alive, so this is a quick and easy read. I hope he continues to write non-fiction, as well as fiction. I'll most definitely read it!
A beautiful book filled with common sense, with heart and should be read by everyone.
Haig gives some very poignant advice to readers. He uses his battle with mental illness to help readers find a way to deal with the world as it is. Matt's first-hand account of the problems he went through, and still battles, give us all hope that you can overcome the negativity of your what your mind tells you.
Informative and entertaining
This book is full of ideas on how to survive in a world full of technology. He gives some great tips on how to survive the crazy world we currently live in. Highly recommend
This book is full of ideas on how to survive in a world full of technology. He gives some great tips on how to survive the crazy world we currently live in. Highly recommend
I love Matt Haig’s writing and reflections. This book is worthy of a read but isn’t nearly as strong as Reasons to Stay Alive. It is a bit disjointed and hard to follow at times. He says that from the beginning - that it will be messy - and I agree. That aside, once again I learned so much from him about mental health.
The author takes up the theme of his depression (already treated in the book "Reasons to be alive") and reflects on how modern life, contributes not a little, to accentuate a feeling of constant danger, drama and the weight of social media in worsening this situation. A bit banal, but it can be useful.
L'autore riprende in mano il tema della sua depressione (giá trattato nel libro "Reasons to be alive") e riflette su come la vita moderna, contribuisca e non poco, ad accentuare una sensazione di pericolo costante, di dramma e del peso dei social media nel peggiorare questa situazione. Un po' banale, ma puó servire.
L'autore riprende in mano il tema della sua depressione (giá trattato nel libro "Reasons to be alive") e riflette su come la vita moderna, contribuisca e non poco, ad accentuare una sensazione di pericolo costante, di dramma e del peso dei social media nel peggiorare questa situazione. Un po' banale, ma puó servire.
Reading Notes on a Nervous Planet was like the book equivalent of listening to one of those soothing guided meditations, having a great session with my favorite therapist, and getting a warm hug from my best friend, all rolled into one.
There wasn’t a ton here that I’d never thought of before. I think most of us know that marketing campaigns are designed to make us feel unhappy and inferior, that reconnecting with nature is good for our health, that our bodies are wonderful and we are lovable no matter how we look, that the meaning of life and the key to happiness can be found only in love and kindness, etc.
But the thing is, while these thoughts might have crossed most peoples minds at one point or another, individually I don’t think most of us actually spend much time thinking about most of it, and collectively we certainly don’t spend enough time discussing it. I love this book for creating an opening for a much needed conversation. And for reminding me to be intentional about how I engage with the world and about what things I choose to let in/what things I choose to keep out.
As someone who struggles significantly with feeling overwhelmed by the world outside me and the anxiety inside me, I felt so seen and supported by this book. Like all of Matt Haig’s books, this one is plain and simple good for the soul.
There wasn’t a ton here that I’d never thought of before. I think most of us know that marketing campaigns are designed to make us feel unhappy and inferior, that reconnecting with nature is good for our health, that our bodies are wonderful and we are lovable no matter how we look, that the meaning of life and the key to happiness can be found only in love and kindness, etc.
But the thing is, while these thoughts might have crossed most peoples minds at one point or another, individually I don’t think most of us actually spend much time thinking about most of it, and collectively we certainly don’t spend enough time discussing it. I love this book for creating an opening for a much needed conversation. And for reminding me to be intentional about how I engage with the world and about what things I choose to let in/what things I choose to keep out.
As someone who struggles significantly with feeling overwhelmed by the world outside me and the anxiety inside me, I felt so seen and supported by this book. Like all of Matt Haig’s books, this one is plain and simple good for the soul.
Like Reasons To Stay Alive, this is very readable, very honest and a constructive part of the conversation on mental health. Less an account of his own journey (though it does contain that), this is a reflection on how social media and technology affect our mental health and what we may be able to do about it. There's no doubt it's full of good advice and content; a couple of things stop me from finding it as helpful as Reasons To Stay Alive. The first is that though there are clearly reasons to be concerned about how these things affect our mental health, the author does draw some very firm opinions from a relatively small body of research; this makes some of his generalisations extrapolated from his own experience less universal than he perhaps suggests they are. Secondly, his repeated prescription of reading for our mental health is no doubt helpful for many (himself - and me - included); but I wonder if it's as helpful for those for whom reading is less natural. Those with reading disabilities; those with less access to books and libraries, for example. I think it would have been better to emphasise the importance of identifying those things which truly restore us as individuals, and doing those - of which reading may be one for many of us. But nevertheless, a helpful and valuable book.