The Comfort Book
An instant New York Times Bestseller! The new uplifting book from Matt Haig, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Midnight Library, for anyone in search of hope, looking for a path to a more meaningful life, or in need of a little encouragement. Named by The Washington Post as one of the best feel-good books of the year "It is a strange paradox, that many of the clearest, most comforting life lessons are learnt while we are at our lowest. But then we never think about food more than when we are hungry and we never think about life rafts more than when we are thrown overboard." Don't miss Matt Haig's new novel The Life Impossible, coming September 2024 THE COMFORT BOOK is Haig's life raft: it's a collection of notes, lists, and stories written over a span of several years that originally served as gentle reminders to Haig's future self that things are not always as dark as they may seem. Incorporating a diverse array of sources from across the world, history, science, and his own experiences, Haig offers warmth and reassurance, reminding us to slow down and appreciate the beauty and unpredictability of existence.
BUY THE BOOK
Community Reviews
this is quite an ordinary book, sub par at points where my journal entries could've been better material...but then it never claims to be anything more, staying true to its sources and intent. this book would've been very comforting to me as a teenager when i was beginning to discover myself and figure out my mental health but in the present times, it just repeats the same redundant things ive been reading from late 00s tumblr or early 10s instagram typewriter font wisdom and most of stoic texts ive covered the past few years. there was nothing new here but it still did comfort me in an affirmative way and for that im grateful. im sure this will be the book equivalent of a hug for a lot of people. :)
I loved these little snippets of hopefulness. Haig reads them in the audio, which was fun. But I can very easily see having a print copy and dipping in randomly when feeling blue. His words are eminently realistic and useful.
Dang. I really wanted to like this more than I did especially since Matt Haig just seems so darn nice.
I thought I would really identify with this and get comfort out of it. I've experienced depression, anxiety, panic attacks, therapy, and anti meds on and off over the last twentyish years. This should have been my perfect nightstand companion, but it just felt generic and oftentimes hokey. It was incredibly repetitive - self-acceptance (be yourself! be yourself!), pain can be a good thing/getting through the pain, existence, uncertainty - these are just a few of the things brought up over and over and over again. This book could have been a much slimmer volume.
Admittedly I am not someone who enjoys reading self-help books, so that may have made my experience less enjoyable. I'm incredibly glad that some can read this and find that comfort that Haig intended to provide. With the high ratings, it obviously had some positive impact on a lot of folks. Unfortunately, I actually felt more anxious while reading this.
2 Stars
I thought I would really identify with this and get comfort out of it. I've experienced depression, anxiety, panic attacks, therapy, and anti meds on and off over the last twentyish years. This should have been my perfect nightstand companion, but it just felt generic and oftentimes hokey. It was incredibly repetitive - self-acceptance (be yourself! be yourself!), pain can be a good thing/getting through the pain, existence, uncertainty - these are just a few of the things brought up over and over and over again. This book could have been a much slimmer volume.
Admittedly I am not someone who enjoys reading self-help books, so that may have made my experience less enjoyable. I'm incredibly glad that some can read this and find that comfort that Haig intended to provide. With the high ratings, it obviously had some positive impact on a lot of folks. Unfortunately, I actually felt more anxious while reading this.
2 Stars
I like that this book is divided up into bite size pieces. You could flip it open randomly and pull that bit of information to lead your day. I particularly liked the breathing and mindful meditation chapters. The audiobook quality sounded slightly muffled, so I think I’d prefer to read a physical copy instead.
See why thousands of readers are using Bookclubs to stay connected.