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pinks_paperbacks's review
5.0
Wow, what a book! No, its not a literary masterpiece or a unique perspective/discovery of a subject. What it is is genuine, and heartwarming. Every book we read we take something from it. Even the worst books of our lives has given us something (perhaps a caution against choosing books lightly). Two core things, I have realised, that books give us a chance to learn, and feel the story, often times simultaneously. Sometimes they are either a lesson or are relatable, conditional to each individual and the place (figuratively and maybe even literally) they are at the given time in their lives.
While reading this book I had a constant smile, sometimes a brisk laugh or two in between sentences and not because of some sadistic pleasure. But from the fact that parts of her story felt so relatable as if I was swimming through my own memories. I had bought this book when I thought it could help me and thankfully I didn’t read it then. Reading it now makes me appreciate her story so much more than I would have felt had I read it earlier. And quite frankly I did not expect this to happen, more so because of my pre-concieved expectation from a book witten by someone who, willingly or unwillingly, has been surrounded by so much limelight.
It’s not just the story that makes me appreciate the book but her style of writing as well; crisp with a laver of subtle sense of humour. Irrespective of you learning something or not or relating with her story or not, you must most definitely read this book.
While reading this book I had a constant smile, sometimes a brisk laugh or two in between sentences and not because of some sadistic pleasure. But from the fact that parts of her story felt so relatable as if I was swimming through my own memories. I had bought this book when I thought it could help me and thankfully I didn’t read it then. Reading it now makes me appreciate her story so much more than I would have felt had I read it earlier. And quite frankly I did not expect this to happen, more so because of my pre-concieved expectation from a book witten by someone who, willingly or unwillingly, has been surrounded by so much limelight.
It’s not just the story that makes me appreciate the book but her style of writing as well; crisp with a laver of subtle sense of humour. Irrespective of you learning something or not or relating with her story or not, you must most definitely read this book.
sakshi0703's review
4.0
Depression is something all of us recognise but rarely does anyone know about the intensity of pain one goes through to survive it. I was surely unaware of the depths of emotional drain it does to a person.
Shaheen has been really honest and has opened up about some of the most brutal phases of her illness...this was surely an eye opening book for me. Her insights on other issues that come hanging along with depression like shame, vulnerability, anxiety and self destruction were really thought provoking.
Shaheen has been really honest and has opened up about some of the most brutal phases of her illness...this was surely an eye opening book for me. Her insights on other issues that come hanging along with depression like shame, vulnerability, anxiety and self destruction were really thought provoking.
namnam84's review against another edition
4.0
A very insightful read for anyone who has dealt with a mental illness (personally or through a family member). Shaheen Bhatt's writing is wryly funny, but deep. There are so many feelings and emotions associated with depression that she articulates with accuracy and takes you with her on her journey.
thebookflicker's review against another edition
5.0
"I remind myself if happiness is fleeting, then so is sadness.
I remind myself depression is the weather, and I'm a weather-worn tree.
I remind myself even the worst storms pass.
I remind myself I've survived them all."
"Monsters like depression live in the dark, and the way to turn on the light, is by talking about it."
--Shaheen Bhatt
I've never been (un)happier is a memoir written by Shaheen Bhatt. She talks about her struggles & living with depression in her privileged circumstances. She talks about her coming to terms with it & her trying to overcome it the best way she could. Through the book she wanted the world to learn a bit about depression & mental health & how it's completely okay to acknowledge it even if you are not suffering from it. She tries to break stigma about mental health.
The language of the book is simple but impactful. I honestly learned a lot after reading the book. There were few moments where I cried and few moments which made me smile too( Honestly i don't cry easily while reading even though i am extremely emotional)
First thing & most imp thing I learned from the book is ACCEPTANCE. It is really important as acceptance will give you the strength to overcome anything in your life. There were few moments from her life i could even relate and i am sure a lot of us would relate even if not suffering from depression.
Another thing which is equally imp which the author tried to convey is to talk about how one is feeling..
I would definitely recommend this book to everyone. It is a short & simple read but impactful. I will try to read more books about mental health
I remind myself depression is the weather, and I'm a weather-worn tree.
I remind myself even the worst storms pass.
I remind myself I've survived them all."
"Monsters like depression live in the dark, and the way to turn on the light, is by talking about it."
--Shaheen Bhatt
I've never been (un)happier is a memoir written by Shaheen Bhatt. She talks about her struggles & living with depression in her privileged circumstances. She talks about her coming to terms with it & her trying to overcome it the best way she could. Through the book she wanted the world to learn a bit about depression & mental health & how it's completely okay to acknowledge it even if you are not suffering from it. She tries to break stigma about mental health.
The language of the book is simple but impactful. I honestly learned a lot after reading the book. There were few moments where I cried and few moments which made me smile too( Honestly i don't cry easily while reading even though i am extremely emotional)
First thing & most imp thing I learned from the book is ACCEPTANCE. It is really important as acceptance will give you the strength to overcome anything in your life. There were few moments from her life i could even relate and i am sure a lot of us would relate even if not suffering from depression.
Another thing which is equally imp which the author tried to convey is to talk about how one is feeling..
I would definitely recommend this book to everyone. It is a short & simple read but impactful. I will try to read more books about mental health
_askthebookbug's review against another edition
5.0
| Book Review | I've Never Been (Un)happier.
•
"I am who I am in the now, and I have to work my life around that. That isn’t giving up; it’s adjusting to the reality of my condition and giving myself a higher chance of living a successful life by not chasing after unrealistic goals." - Shaheen Bhatt.
•
Depression is a difficult thing to understand if one hasn't gone through it. For others it might seem like much of a nuisance, a desperate attempt at seeking attention or just plain old drama. But for those who have daily combats with depression, it's just a sign of being helpless. We call names or bully people for being sad constantly not realising that sadness is beyond their control. They didn't ask for it yet they are constantly hounded by it. The minute this book hit the shelves, it created a tsunami of emotions in the literary world and thanks to this, I now know how tough life can seem for someone who's truly depressed. But Shaheen doesn't address only the grief part. Perhaps this is why I have come to love this book and I'm sure you will too, once you read it.
•
The Bhatts are a starry family, through and through. Born in the '80s, Shaheen tells us how she came out as a red ball of fury. It was proof enough that she was already displeased and angry at the world. As she grew up, she was prone to bouts of sadness and insecurity and it only increased with time. Comparing herself to her star sisters, Shaheen turned severely conscious about her appearance and saw her performance at school and college dropping rapidly. It's shocking to learn that depression has such a strong hold on people, making it impossible for them perform even the simplest tasks. Our country is still quite hush-hush about mental illness making it extremely tough for people to admit their relationship with depression. As she explains about anxiety and grief, her constant thoughts about death and the fear of it, she also makes an important point in mentioning that being rich does not make one immune from depression.
•
She stresses on therapy and how it helped her on the days she felt little. She has bared it all including pages from her personal diary for the entire world to read. She's honest, brilliant and also quick witted. I love a book in which the author displays a sense of humour and Shaheen has the ability to make people laugh even when she's addressing serious issues. There's not a single flaw in this beautiful book. This book is important, sensitive, thoughtful and quite emotional too. Shaheen's book reminded me of Walt Disney's famous line 'After the rain, the sun will reappear. There is life. After the pain, the joy will still be here'.
•
Rating - 5/5.
•
"I am who I am in the now, and I have to work my life around that. That isn’t giving up; it’s adjusting to the reality of my condition and giving myself a higher chance of living a successful life by not chasing after unrealistic goals." - Shaheen Bhatt.
•
Depression is a difficult thing to understand if one hasn't gone through it. For others it might seem like much of a nuisance, a desperate attempt at seeking attention or just plain old drama. But for those who have daily combats with depression, it's just a sign of being helpless. We call names or bully people for being sad constantly not realising that sadness is beyond their control. They didn't ask for it yet they are constantly hounded by it. The minute this book hit the shelves, it created a tsunami of emotions in the literary world and thanks to this, I now know how tough life can seem for someone who's truly depressed. But Shaheen doesn't address only the grief part. Perhaps this is why I have come to love this book and I'm sure you will too, once you read it.
•
The Bhatts are a starry family, through and through. Born in the '80s, Shaheen tells us how she came out as a red ball of fury. It was proof enough that she was already displeased and angry at the world. As she grew up, she was prone to bouts of sadness and insecurity and it only increased with time. Comparing herself to her star sisters, Shaheen turned severely conscious about her appearance and saw her performance at school and college dropping rapidly. It's shocking to learn that depression has such a strong hold on people, making it impossible for them perform even the simplest tasks. Our country is still quite hush-hush about mental illness making it extremely tough for people to admit their relationship with depression. As she explains about anxiety and grief, her constant thoughts about death and the fear of it, she also makes an important point in mentioning that being rich does not make one immune from depression.
•
She stresses on therapy and how it helped her on the days she felt little. She has bared it all including pages from her personal diary for the entire world to read. She's honest, brilliant and also quick witted. I love a book in which the author displays a sense of humour and Shaheen has the ability to make people laugh even when she's addressing serious issues. There's not a single flaw in this beautiful book. This book is important, sensitive, thoughtful and quite emotional too. Shaheen's book reminded me of Walt Disney's famous line 'After the rain, the sun will reappear. There is life. After the pain, the joy will still be here'.
•
Rating - 5/5.
fidoe's review against another edition
3.0
Week 2 Book 4
I've never been (un)happier by Shaheen Bhatt
Rating: 3/5
At a friend's recommendation, I picked this book up, totally unprepared for what lay ahead.
I've never been unhappier is a short but heavy read about Shaheen Bhatt's tryst with depression, in her own words. Shaheen is Bollywood director Mahesh Bhatt and actress Soni Razdan's elder daughter, sister to Alia Bhatt and half sister to Pooja and Rahul Bhatt, children of Mahesh Bhatt from his first marriage.
Even though she comes from an illustrious background, with glamorous family members and a comfortable life, she has faced the demons of depression since childhood. In this book, she describes her experiences and emotions as she deals with depression, or doesn't, with honesty and candour.
From not feeling good looking enough, to not getting the attention you desire from family, to stuffing yourself to feel better, to vying for male attention to fill a hole, to feeling inadequate and worthless, to fail to reach standards set by self, to feeling invisible or unwanted or unloved to fearing death to wishing death... I have been there done that. No book has resonated with me lately the way this one has.
For those fortunate enough to not have been pulled down by depression, this book helps to understand those who live this reality everyday. And for those who know how it feels, it makes you realise, you're not alone.
Depression is not just difficult, but also very lonely. No one truly gets how you feel. By taking this step to write about her experiences, Shaheen has extended a hand towards everyone who has known what being at rock bottom means, and for that, she deserves admiration. More power to her, and all those who have braved every impediment to share their story with the world, and held the hands of those who needed them, through words.
I've never been (un)happier by Shaheen Bhatt
Rating: 3/5
At a friend's recommendation, I picked this book up, totally unprepared for what lay ahead.
I've never been unhappier is a short but heavy read about Shaheen Bhatt's tryst with depression, in her own words. Shaheen is Bollywood director Mahesh Bhatt and actress Soni Razdan's elder daughter, sister to Alia Bhatt and half sister to Pooja and Rahul Bhatt, children of Mahesh Bhatt from his first marriage.
Even though she comes from an illustrious background, with glamorous family members and a comfortable life, she has faced the demons of depression since childhood. In this book, she describes her experiences and emotions as she deals with depression, or doesn't, with honesty and candour.
From not feeling good looking enough, to not getting the attention you desire from family, to stuffing yourself to feel better, to vying for male attention to fill a hole, to feeling inadequate and worthless, to fail to reach standards set by self, to feeling invisible or unwanted or unloved to fearing death to wishing death... I have been there done that. No book has resonated with me lately the way this one has.
For those fortunate enough to not have been pulled down by depression, this book helps to understand those who live this reality everyday. And for those who know how it feels, it makes you realise, you're not alone.
Depression is not just difficult, but also very lonely. No one truly gets how you feel. By taking this step to write about her experiences, Shaheen has extended a hand towards everyone who has known what being at rock bottom means, and for that, she deserves admiration. More power to her, and all those who have braved every impediment to share their story with the world, and held the hands of those who needed them, through words.
mosaic's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
3.0
anveshjain's review against another edition
5.0
A really good short book on depression and anxiety and self awareness. Probably I have learned the most about depression and mental problems by reading this book than anywhere else.