brontherun's review against another edition
3.0
"The one thing depression has told you is that a day can be a long and intense stretch of time." Preach Matt Haig!
So, I picked this up because I loved Haig's The Midnight Library, but this nonfiction memoir of his struggle with depression is much more like a non-humorous version of Jenny Lawson's Broken than his fiction. I wouldn't say I enjoyed it, but it is honest and courageous and full of the truths of depression as he experienced. As he is quick to point out, everyone experiences depression differently, and what works for one person might not work for another.
I enjoyed the chapter which was a compilation of a lot of internet responses he collected on why others choose to keep fighting the depression.
I loved his bit on time, particularly : "How to stop time - kiss. How to travel in time - read. How to escape time - music. How to feel time - write. How to release time - breath." A nice simple mantra if you need one.
So, I picked this up because I loved Haig's The Midnight Library, but this nonfiction memoir of his struggle with depression is much more like a non-humorous version of Jenny Lawson's Broken than his fiction. I wouldn't say I enjoyed it, but it is honest and courageous and full of the truths of depression as he experienced. As he is quick to point out, everyone experiences depression differently, and what works for one person might not work for another.
I enjoyed the chapter which was a compilation of a lot of internet responses he collected on why others choose to keep fighting the depression.
I loved his bit on time, particularly : "How to stop time - kiss. How to travel in time - read. How to escape time - music. How to feel time - write. How to release time - breath." A nice simple mantra if you need one.
emeraldreader's review against another edition
5.0
This book is a must read for anyone who has anxiety or depression. I, myself, struggle with both of these and found this book very beneficial. Haig talks about his own mental health issues; I felt less alone, knowing the examples of dark times he too has faced. Anxiety and depression affect everyone differently, something that is talked about in the book. Different approaches/outlooks/hobbies are suggested to help people too. I am very thankful to Matt, that he was brave enough to write this book, as it could help a lot of people.
5 stars
5 stars
lucy_lowe_'s review against another edition
5.0
“Depression is also smaller than you. Always, it is smaller than you, even when it feels vast. It operates within you, you do not operate within it. It may be a dark cloud passing across the sky but - if that is the metaphor - you are the sky. You were there before it. And the cloud can't exist without the sky, but the sky can exist without the cloud.”
― Matt Haig, Reasons to Stay Alive
I don't have the words to express how much this book meant to me. It took me 4 months to read because it was difficult to see the depression on a page which I hid inside for many years. This book seriously changed my life as for the first time reading it I felt like someone truly understood and honestly portrayed how having depression feels. I highly highly highly recommend this book if you struggle with mental health problems, because it truly helped in my darkest moments, as it gave and will continue to give me a reason to stay alive.
― Matt Haig, Reasons to Stay Alive
I don't have the words to express how much this book meant to me. It took me 4 months to read because it was difficult to see the depression on a page which I hid inside for many years. This book seriously changed my life as for the first time reading it I felt like someone truly understood and honestly portrayed how having depression feels. I highly highly highly recommend this book if you struggle with mental health problems, because it truly helped in my darkest moments, as it gave and will continue to give me a reason to stay alive.
adcoleman's review against another edition
5.0
Powerful memoir / mental health tips mix! Was so easy to read & connect with Matts story.
mrsfrozzie's review against another edition
informative
reflective
sad
fast-paced
4.0
This wasn't exactly what I was expecting. While the book is titled 'Reasons to Stay Alive', it is more about the author's struggles with his mental health, what it all means to him and how he experiences it all. Matt Haig has a fantastic, vivid, writing style that brings his words to life. I appreciate him sharing the good, the bad and the ugly with us as a way to bring awareness to mental health disorders.
rovingrhea's review against another edition
2.0
This is the third time I've tried finishing this book, I'm torn about how to rate it now that I finally did it. I see how it can be important to a lot of people, and I admire the author for sharing his story and trying to help people in that way. Relating to other people is a powerful way of getting better/dealing with depression and I don't want to undermine that. But I just didn't like the way it's written. I found it boring, weirdly structured, and, to be honest, a bit whiny. I don't think I'm in the target audience, tho. I've read a lot of other books about the subject that I both found more helpful and better written. So there's that.