Reasons to Stay Alive by Matt Haig

Reasons to Stay Alive

by Matt Haig

THE NUMBER ONE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO FEEL TRULY ALIVE?

Aged 24, Matt Haig's world caved in. He could see no way to go on living. This is the true story of how he came through crisis, triumphed over an illness that almost destroyed him and learned to live again.

A moving, funny and joyous exploration of how to live better, love better and feel more alive, Reasons to Stay Alive is more than a memoir. It is a book about making the most of your time on earth.

'I wrote this book because the oldest clichés remain the truest. Time heals. The bottom of the valley never provides the clearest view. The tunnel does have light at the end of it, even if we haven't been able to see it . . . Words, just sometimes, really can set you free.'

Reviewed by Kait ✨ on

5 of 5 stars

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this is a powerful and moving book about depression and anxiety and what it’s like to try living a fulfilling life with these mental illnesses. the book is entirely about haig’s own experiences, which is what makes it so good. haig has a brilliant way of making all the most ordinary experiences of everyday life seem amazing and worth living for:
You will one day experience joy that matches this pain. You will cry euphoric tears at the Beach Boys, you will stare down at a baby’s face as she lies asleep in your lap, you will make great friends, you will eat delicious foods you haven’t tried yet, you will be able to look at a view from a high place and not assess the likelihood of dying from falling. There are books you haven’t read yet that will enrich you, films you will watch while eating extra-large buckets of popcorn, and you will dance and laugh and have sex and go for runs by the river and have late-night conversations and laugh until it hurts. Life is waiting for you. You might be stuck here for a while, but the world isn’t going anywhere. Hang on in there if you can. Life is always worth it.

if you have depression or anxiety, this book may help you feel less alone and give you a thought as to how to move forward. if you love someone with depression or anxiety, this will help you empathize with them and understand how you might be able to help. i think everyone should read this book.

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Reading updates

  • Started reading
  • 27 May, 2016: Finished reading
  • 27 May, 2016: Reviewed