Matt Haig

A runaway bestseller in the UK--Matt Haig's accessible and life-affirming memoir of his struggle with depression, and how his triumph over the illness taught him to live Like nearly one in five people, Matt Haig suffers from depression. Reasons to Stay Alive is Matt's inspiring account of how, minute by minute and day by day, he overcame the disease with the help of reading, writing, and the love of his parents and his girlfriend (and now-wife), Andrea. And eventually, he learned to appreciate life all the more for it. Everyone's lives are touched by mental illness: if we do not suffer from it ourselves, then we have a friend or loved one who does. Matt's frankness about his experiences is both inspiring to those who feel daunted by depression and illuminating to those who are mystified by it. Above all, his humor and encouragement never let us lose sight of hope. Speaking as his present self to his former self in the depths of depression, Matt is adamant that the oldest cliché is the truest--there is light at the end of the tunnel. He teaches us to celebrate the small joys and moments of peace that life brings, and reminds us that there are always reasons to stay alive.

Reasons to Stay Alive

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."

Carro

I wanted to be dead. No. That's not quite right. I didn't want to be dead, I just didn't want to be alive. Death was something that scared me. And death only happens to people who have been living.

Depression makes you think things that are wrong. But depression itself isn’t a lie. It is the most real thing I’ve ever experienced. Of course, it is invisible. To other people, it sometimes seems like nothing at all. You are walking around with your head on food and no one can see the flames. 

Sara

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.'

This is the first book I have read by Matt, I am a fan of his simple and concise writing style. Short sentences and chapters meant this was an easy read, however the informality of the writing somehow made the message hit much harder. Like you were having a deep conversation with a close friend or loved one. 

As someone who has never been too far in their life from anxiety or depression, this was powerful. I picked up on a lot of similarities between a younger version of myself and the young Matt portrayed through this book. 

I would have loved to have heard more about Matts journey to recovery and the ongoing battles he faces. I think it was a little weighted to the story leading up to and during his 'breakdown', rather than the years after that event, and in particular that would have been really interesting to dive deeper into. 

James Bedford

This is the first book I have read by Matt, I am a fan of his simple and concise writing style. Short sentences and chapters meant this was an easy read, however the informality of the writing somehow made the message hit much harder. Like you were having a deep conversation with a close friend or loved one. 

As someone who has never been too far in their life from anxiety or depression, this was powerful. I picked up on a lot of similarities between a younger version of myself and the young Matt portrayed through this book. 

I would have loved to have heard more about Matts journey to recovery and the ongoing battles he faces. I think it was a little weighted to the story leading up to and during his 'breakdown', rather than the years after that event, and in particular that would have been really interesting to dive deeper into. 

kathi 

So many moments where I thought “HEY THIS IS ME!“. A really great book when you've been through this and I think it would be great for people around you too show them what's going on.

Mia Caven

Ah. My favourite “self help” book and author. Matt Haig tells you from the depths of his soul about triggering but real situations such as his attempt. I read this at a time where I was feeling this way. It made me cry and cling to my sheets before I slept. This is a book written from someone who genuinely understands pain. Who only wants to help. This book is triggering. It will make you cry. But it is the biggest worthy read ever. The only self help book I will praise to the ends of the earth.

Barbara Williford

I’ve read a couple of Matt Haig’s books including the Midnight Library which had the depression/suicidal undertone to it. Reasons to Stay Alive explains the book.

Matt Haig, well known author, talks about his battle with mental illness including depression and anxiety. He shares his story, treatments and how to love and support someone with mental illness. It brings personal awareness to the disease.

Kehinde Adeleke

I have reasons to stay alive and enjoy life

I’ve read a couple of Matt Haig’s books including the Midnight Library which had the depression/suicidal undertone to it.  Reasons to Stay Alive explains the book.

Matt Haig, well known author, talks about his battle with mental illness including depression and anxiety.  He shares his story, treatments and how to love and support someone with mental illness.  It brings personal awareness to the disease.

I’ve read a couple of Matt Haig’s books including the Midnight Library which had the depression/suicidal undertone to it.  Reasons to Stay Alive explains the book.

Matt Haig, well known author, talks about his battle with mental illness including depression and anxiety.  He shares his story, treatments and how to love and support someone with mental illness.  It brings personal awareness to the disease.

celene

wow,,, thank u matt haig for this book :((( (i started bawling my eyes out with the intro part(?) it’s not even chapter 1 yet,,, yeah i really took my time reading this book bc this book resonates to me so much :((( ) 

(and shout out to bob morley bc i read this bc of him bc he posted like a page of the book in his twitter :((( love u bob thank u :(( )

Midori Kobayashi

5/5stars

THE WORLD IS increasingly designed to depress us. Happiness isn’t very good for the economy. If we were happy with what we had, why would we need more? How do you sell an anti-ageing moisturiser? You make someone worry about ageing. How do you get people to vote for a political party? You make them worry about immigration. How do you get them to buy insurance? By making them worry about everything. How do you get them to have plastic surgery? By highlighting their physical flaws. How do you get them to watch a TV show? By making them worry about missing out. How do you get them to buy a new smartphone? By making them feel like they are being left behind. To be calm becomes a kind of revolutionary act. To be happy with your own non-upgraded existence. To be comfortable with our messy, human selves, would not be good for business.


FINALLY A BOOK that doesn't try to paint a flowery picture, or makes us believe it all gets better in the end or tries to mask pain in humour. This is just a very real, very raw picture of what mental health struggles are like. And no this is not a guidebook to how to cope with depression 101, this might not even add anything substantial to what we already know. 


But this is the kind of book you want to turn to on one of your low days and just sit there and nod in agreement as the author goes on to describe how on some days it's so difficult to even go the supermarket to buy milk. Again, this is not a self-help book, this reads more like a memoir so if you're going into this thinking you might get some extra knowledge about this battle with depression or how to cope, you'd be disappointed. But if you want to read the experiences of someone who is going through exactly what you're going through, this is the one. 


Wherever you are, at any moment, try and find something beautiful. A face, a line out of a poem, the clouds out of a window, some graffiti, a wind farm. Beauty cleans the mind.



  CWs for the book: Detailed discussions surrounding anxiety and depression



And most of all, books. They were, in and of themselves, reasons to stay alive. Every book written is the product of a human mind in a particular state. Add all the books together and you get the end sum of humanity. Every time I read a great book I felt I was reading a kind of map, a treasure map, and the treasure I was being directed to was in actual fact myself.

Jade Iveson

I dont know man it might just be me but I dont vibe with Matt Haig's writing. I dont know who this book is meant to be for but it didnt feel like it was meant to be for people suffering from depression thats for sure. 
Also, I automatically feel bad about leaving a not great review considering he mentions how obsessive he gets over reading reviews. IM SORRY

Stef

Izza

3.5 stars | Because sometimes you just need a reminder that it always gets better. "Be brave. Be strong. Breathe, and keep going."

Quotes that resonated with me:

- Umbrella labels like 'depression' (and 'anxiety' and 'panic disorder' and 'OCD') are useful, but only if we appreciate that people do not all have the same precise experience of such things.

- But there is a difference between liking books and needing them. I needed books.

- Read a book without thinking about finishing it. Just read it. Enjoy every word, sentence, and paragraph. Don't wish for it to end, or for it to never end.

Ivan Shiel

This is a light read about a heavy subject. A glider ride over the dark abyss. It's heart felt, moving and paints a clear picture of depression. I would imagine this could be a lot of help for those with depression or who know people who are.

Belle

Short, not a whole lot to it, but not bad.

Georgia Carr

I was going to start this review by saying "anyone who knows me will know that I've suffered with x, y and z" but then I realized that no, that's not true at all. In fact, most (nearly all) of the people who know me have no idea of the things that happen inside my head or the true state of my arms under those cardigans and jumpers. Depression, anxiety, self-harm - I can't talk about any of them when it comes to my own experiences. I'm the biggest advocate for mental health awareness and yet I completely suck at being honest. It's been compared to coming out, actually. You live with this massive secret inside of you for years that no one knows about unless you tell them, and telling them becomes this huge, scary obstacle that seems completely inaccessible. 

The fact I can't talk about my problems is, in itself, is the very reason this book is perfect. Matt Haig has taken everything I have ever felt and never been able to describe, and put it into a book. I understand the importance of talking about these things (I co-founded a mental health awareness charity for young people), and Matt Haig has done it in the best way possible. He's honest, open, descriptive and encouraging. He talks of writing and reading as some of the best cures - his book is one of them. 

I went out for the day today and read this book on the train journey. Every so often, I'd stop and look at the people sat near me. I wondered how many of them felt the way I did - statistically, one in four; how many were wearing long sleeves because they were hiding something - statistically, one in ten (for teenagers); and how many of them would benefit from reading this book - every single one. 

This book will be recommended to every single person I talk to from now on. I'm going to try and be better and talk about why it's so important to me, but I can't promise anything. I get ridiculously scared and worried and then I can't breathe properly (ha THANKS BRAIN), but I will try to open up more because this book is so important that it absolutely deserves some of my fear in order to spread its message further. 

Matt mentioned in his book that he sometimes checks Goodreads for reviews; if you're reading this, thank you. I want to hug you very hard and not let go. You're an inspiration to me and I hope that one day, I will be as brave as you.

Shrouk Shafie

A close look on how a depressive mind looks like, what it does to us and how it truly feels. It touched me in so many ways on so many levels. Of course it does not provide a clear way to deal with depression, rather, it suggests ideas and feelings. 
I loved it. Thanks a lot Matt, I needed that so much :) !
Can't wait to read other books for you!

Victoria P

as a depressed and anxious person, this was really validating for me. i felt like someone understood me and the way he described how his depression and anxiety affected him really got to me. it was a nice reminder that it does get better, even though i can’t really see it right now

Dominik Hofer

Rebeca Keren Nuñez

En una sociedad donde las enfermedades mentales, aun no se toman tan en serio como se debería, al publico en general le falta información, este libro me parece super relevante y lo recomiendo. El autor escribe desde su experiencia y cuestiona un montón de paradigmas sociales. Personalmente e encontré identificándomela incluso con algunas situaciones.

Jade Lee

Such an important book. So open and honest! I loved how I could relate to some of what he has experienced, it makes you feel like you’re not the only one feeling certain things. Would recommend to anyone that struggles with mental health issues or anyone that wants to understand depression and anxiety a bit more.

Meriem💫

REVIEW COMING SOON.
I CAN'T EVEN BEGIN TO FATHOM THE LOVE I FEEL FOR THIS BOOK.

Alexa Jade

This was the perfect read for me at the perfect time. I feel so seen.

Arne Loth

Right book at the right time. Matt Haig's writing is phenomenal and uplifting.

Amanda Schutz

Beautiful book and grateful to have it to read during Covid. Even though I didn't want to read for a few months, it felt good to complete this one :)

Reasons to Stay Alive

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