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Reasons to Stay Alive
Reasons to Stay Alive | Matt Haig
One of Entertainment Weekly's 25 most anticipated books of 2016Matt Haigs 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 Matts 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. Everyones lives are touched by mental illness: if we do not suffer from it ourselves, then we have a friend or loved one who does. Matts 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 clich is the truestthere 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.From the Trade Paperback edition.
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Eggs
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#Book&Beverage Photo

#FebruaryLitsyLoveBingo

#LitsyLove @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @julieclair

This beverage itself is a good reason to stay alive😊

@DarkMina

Suet624 I thought this book was excellent. Read it years ago and still think about it often. 2mo
julieclair That looks creamy and delicious! 2mo
Eggs @Suet624 Thanks for your input! I plan to read it soon.,, 2mo
Eggs @julieclair yes, that it is… 2mo
60 likes4 comments
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Mirazzles
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Finally…

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steph_phanie
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Pickpick

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Here Matt Haig has collected his reflections on his experience with depression and anxiety, the research he has done to understand it (as much as that is possible), and the things in life that help him move through his dark times. This is an excellent book to pick up if someone you know or love is suffering from depression, or if you are just curious about someone else's life and the battles they face.

Blueberry I started reading it yesterday. A very good writer about his depression. Has 2 other nonfiction books on the subject also. 5mo
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Blueberry
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Matt Haig has written some wonderful books #aboutmentalhealth. 💛

#BookBinge. @Eggs
@Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

Eggs On m‘y TBR 🩷 7mo
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Blueberry
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Pickpick

Young adult author, Matt Haig, shares his journey through depression. He also has two other self-help books about depression. All excellent reads. I bought them and refer to them alot. 4.5 ⭐

#WithLife #TemptingTitles

@Eggs
@Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks 💙📚💛 11mo
Eggs Beautiful 🤩 11mo
Rwilli I loved this book, it really helped through a difficult time. 11mo
Blueberry @Rwilli Me too...it still remains a comfort to me. P.S. I crashed/totaled my car in the parking lot leaving the school today. 11mo
Rwilli Omg! Are you okay? I‘m so sorry! Is there anything I can do to help?! 11mo
65 likes5 comments
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AllDebooks
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#Midwintersolace

If you are struggling with depression, please remember this one thing. You are the constant, not the mood. It will pass x

Maria514626 ❤️❤️❤️ 1y
37 likes1 comment
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quietlycuriouskate
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Pickpick

Audiobook read by the author.
The first half might have been called "Reasons Why It's Bloody Difficult To Stay Alive": obviously that wouldn't sell many copies! I commend him for writing so clearly about combined anxiety and depression. It's an invaluable book, one that reminds you you're not alone in this and that all the weird things you're thinking and doing (and all the crap you tell yourself) is not YOU being mad: it's the depression talking.

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Andrew65
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Wanted a short book to end off the month and the #20in4 Readathon, so I chose this interesting memoir and self-help book by Matt Haig based on his experiences.

jewright I love his fiction. 2y
Andrew65 @jewright Me too, which is why I thought I‘d give this a go. An interesting and thought provoking read with some good messages in there from people who suffer with depression. 2y
54 likes2 comments
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Adil_khan
Pickpick

The book narrates the various ups and downs in the life of author.

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jackilynn
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Blueberry

"Whenever I hear anyone arguing for slavery, I feel a strong impulse to see it tried on him personally."
~Abraham Lincoln

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Blueberry
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RaeLovesToRead Aww, cute kitty!! 🥰 2y
GondorGirl I mean, cats are always a good reason to stay alive. 🧡🧡 2y
sarahbellum I love your kitty‘s markings! 😻 2y
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Eggs Sweet cat 🐱🧡🐈 2y
Leftcoastzen Yay!😻 2y
NataliePatalie Peach 😍 2y
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triplem80
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"I think life always provides reasons to not die, if we listen hard enough."

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annahowson
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Pickpick

Absolutely loved this, would recommend to anyone struggling with depression or anxiety or knows someone who has (or even those who just want to learn more about it). Positive and realistic view on something more unpleasant

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sarahlandis
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Pickpick

Tw for this book: depression, anxiety, suicide attempts

Decided to check this book out after hearing Matt Haig on Jameela Jamil‘s podcast iweigh. I definitely recommend this book to anyone who doesn‘t have, but wants to understand depression more. Haig speaks so honestly of his personal experience with depression and everything he went through for years and still works through

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Dalaine
Pickpick

This book was incredibly helpful and insightful. I'm not someone who suffers from depression but I love people who do. Matt Haig gets incredibly personal and vulnerable in this book. I listened to the audio book and I loved hearing him tell his own story.
There are great quotes and tidbits that apply to general everyday living. I definitely think that this book will help people live with greater empathy. I really recommend this book :)

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Mccall0113
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I work on a behavioral health unit at my local hospital. I was so happy to find out that the unit bought new books for us to read and share. I feel very uplifted. New management and merging with a larger organization has been a blessing.

Suet624 This book is fantastic. And glad to hear you‘re feeling supported. 3y
tracey38 That's great! 3y
Reggie That‘s pretty cool! 3y
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Carolyn11215
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Reading this short memoir about depression.

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megnews
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Mehso-so

Thirty years into depression, Matt Haig‘s memoir of depression and anxiety was not really for me. His fictional take in The Midnight Library was much more my taste. This would most likely benefit someone at the beginning of their journey.

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megnews
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❤️

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GidgetsTreasures75
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1-14-21: My 6th finished book of 2021! Matt Haig talks openly and honestly about his struggle with depression and anxiety. Part memoir part self help guide, this quick read reminds you to appreciate every moment of being alive. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ #reasonstostayalive #matthaig 👍🏼📖#️⃣6️⃣

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MommyWantsToReadHerBook
Pickpick

This was a very personal book about Haig's experience of depression and anxiety, some theory about what causes depression, and what has helped him conquer/live with his condition. My own experience of depression was very different, but I still gained quite a bit from the book, especially the timely reminder to do all those small things that keep me healthy and in a good(ish) place, even when I feel I don't need them. ⭐⭐⭐⭐

quietlycuriouskate Yes! How many times have I tried to kid myself I can skip doing x y and z now because I'm feeling better? Errr, no: keep doing the things! 3y
Cathythoughts Sounds like a great reminder 👍🏻❤️ I‘ve never read him but I follow him a bit on Twitter ... seems lovely 3y
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MommyWantsToReadHerBook
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My girls aren't back from their dad yet, I'm waiting for translation review work to come in, and so I'm reading bits of this at a time while it rains and rains and rains...

Trashcanman ❤❤ 3y
Cathythoughts Take care ❤️ thinking of you ❤️ (edited) 3y
MommyWantsToReadHerBook @Cathythoughts thank you! Not reading it because especially depressed myself today... Very insightful exploration of the subject though. 3y
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Amy_gla
Pickpick

Easy to read. Short digestible chunks

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ctelford
Pickpick

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - very open, honest, almost autobiographical as Matt Haig delves into his own experiences of depression. Definitely worth a read if you also suffer from anxiety/depression, it helps to change some thought processes and reminds you that you are not alone... “Love is an attitude, it can save us”

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SanjanaGhosh
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Pickpick

One out of every five people suffer from depression. This story is a personal account of the author about how he battled depression with the help of books, family and his girlfriend.

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Jen2
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Pickpick

Very good

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Parvez
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Pickpick

Easy to read yet so powerful.
Definitely five stars

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AJackets
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Pickpick

Matt Haig is very in touch with himself as he travels through life. I greatly enjoyed Notes On A Nervous Planet and was pleased to find this book readily available. Matt's struggles and insights give me hope as a human. MUST READ.

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lucywootten
Pickpick

now that i have more time on my hands due to school ending early and having no exams to prepare for, i started reading this- reasons to stay alive, by matt haig. i started reading it a few weeks back when i was massively struggling with my mental health, and oh my god. it opened my eyes and helped me find hope while realising im not alone. an incredible writer and knows how to create such beauty and calm. would massively recommend ! x

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AmyG
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Beginning on the bottom, from left to right. I replaced book #12 with Reasons to Stay Alive- Matt Haig.
All set for March #BookSpin @TheAromaofBooks

TheAromaofBooks You have some good ones there!! I'm reading Starless Sea right now - good so far!! 4y
Suet624 I got excited by all the great books you have yet to read. I loved Matt Haig‘s book. 4y
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Jeg
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Pickpick

The blurb says it all. Very relatable for me. No pills . Now to find his next book, News From a Nervous Planet.
@MrsMalaprop

#2020joybooks

Joanne1 I have really enjoyed the novels of his I‘ve read. Sounds like another one I should look for. 4y
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JennyM
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As I emerge out of the festive fog, still not really sure what day it is, here‘s this week and a bits #bookreport. I also read an ARC, not pictured, but it was so bad I‘ll say no more about that 😬

I finished the year on 192 books, which is a record for me, and these were pretty good reads to end the year with.

Tanisha_A Wow! Amazing! Also, be safe. ❤️ 4y
TrishB Great stats 👍🏻 4y
JennyM @Tanisha_A thank you, T 😘 We aren‘t near the fires but my heart is breaking as the country burns. 4y
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JennyM @TrishB turning off the telly has had a huge impact on the amount of my reading! 4y
TrishB Apart from football I don‘t really watch telly!! 4y
Kalalalatja Hope you have had some lovely holiday days! And that book in the top left corner looks interesting, what did you think about it? 😊 4y
JennyM @Kalalalatja happy new year! Hope you‘ve had a good holiday too. It was a fascinating read - she‘s a well known Aussie journalist who was duped by a man who wasn‘t who he said he was. And apparently this type of thing is all too common! 4y
JennyM @TrishB if it‘s football the telly is on at ours too! ⚽️ 4y
Sace Sounds like you had a very productive reading year! 4y
Cinfhen Amazing 🙌🏻192 books is incredible!!!! I really liked 4y
Crazeedi congrats on great job! I have 21 Truths to read! 4y
Suet624 Matt Haig‘s book was terrific. 4y
JennyM @Sace @cinfhen @crazeedi Thank you. I read so many great books, too, which is the best thing. I also really liked 21 truths. To say it‘s written in list form, it got me teary in a few places 😢 4y
JennyM @Suet624 it was a great book to read around the mayhem of Christmas - a good dose of perspective! Hope you had a good festive holiday, Sue, and happy new year 😘 4y
Cinfhen It sounded so gimmicky but it worked so well!! Really Original (edited) 4y
Suet624 Had a lovely holiday, thank you. Best wishes for a wonderful year ahead. 4y
Rissreads 192 books! Wow! Are they a mixture of read and listened too? 4y
JennyM @Rissreads yep...it was 45 audios and 147 print books. If only I could read that number in print. How are you...heading to NZ soon? Xx 4y
Rissreads I read 44 print books and listened to 17. I didn't quiet achieve my goal of 50 print books, but there is always this year! I did more than double the amount of Australian books I read though, so very happy with that. Yep, I am sitting at the airport now waiting to board my flight. I catch up with Paula @Centique after the 15th. This is my first overseas trip in 24 yrs! I'm very excited to be travelling and to spend some time with my daughter. 4y
JennyM @Rissreads oh yey!!! Have a safe flight and enjoy your time with your daughter and Paula, too. I‘d love to see your photos with @Centique Happy holidays lovely 😊 (edited) 4y
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arlenefinnigan
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Pickpick

This is a great read. Matt Haig has a really good way of describing his experiences if mental illness honestly and vividly without sounding self indulgent (I know that sounds harsh but I've stopped reading a couple of mental health books because they just felt tedious). There's a real warmth and empathy to his writing.

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arlenefinnigan
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Next up (why yes my festive reading is particularly chirpy this year)

JennyM I‘m about to start this one - I share your festive spirit 🤣🤣 4y
arlenefinnigan @JennyM ooh that's good that one. 4y
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laurenduke300
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Pickpick

If you struggle with depression, please read this book. Books really can save your life.

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BookNAround
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Pickpick

Haig has writtten a short, powerful memoir of his time with severe depression. It is honest and hard and ultimately hopeful although his attitude towards medication might not be helpful to someone suffering. Full review at https://booknaround.blogspot.com/2019/09/review-reasons-to-stay-alive-by-matt.ht...

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lovelybookshelf
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Pickpick

What an insightful, hopeful, loving book. This is a must-read for anyone with depression and/or anxiety. Highly recommend the audiobook. #depression #anxiety #mentalillness #memoir #selfhelp #nonfiction

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BookNAround
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A stormy night, a book, and a magazine about books. As long as the power stays on, I‘m all set.

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thebookworm_reviews
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Pickpick

Recommended to me when I was going through an incredibly hard time. I wasn‘t optimistic and felt it would be a chore to read. Oh, how wrong I was. Sometimes it‘s easy to think that you‘re the only one who can feel this bad but it‘s a relief to know that someone else has felt the same way. You‘re entitled to feel how you do and the hardest step is reaching out. Highly recommended for anyone who is suffering from low mood, depression and/or anxiety.

Caroline2 I really enjoyed this book too. 👍🏻 5y
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tealwish
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Pickpick

If you suffer from depression and anxiety or want to understand someone who does, this honest book explains the true grit of it. There is the sadness and hope of his personal story, but also so many collected reasons to stay alive. This isn't self help but the reality of what mental health issues look like.

Suet624 One of my favorite books. 5y
tealwish @Suet624 I know! I need to own a copy so I can highlight and underline. 5y
Suet624 I handed copies out like candy to friends. So good. 😁 5y
65 likes1 stack add3 comments
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my.books.in.squares
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Hope everyone is having a good Easter weekend.

I am loving this sunny Scottish weather, spending today in my garden reading this gem.

#currentlyreading #mentalhealth

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ExpatsandEnglishBooks
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Reason #183 to stay alive: picnics in the park on sunny days! #books #bookstagram

karajay Ughhh a book picnic sounds amazing! 5y
ExpatsandEnglishBooks It was so relaxing and fun! I Highly recommend doing one at least once ☺️ 5y
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Catrina
Pickpick

A perspective on personal struggles so relevant today. The ending of all of the things he has taken joy in after a time that he thought he would feel joy again is so moving and a constant reminder to me to be thankful and take in so much each day

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CaliforniaCay
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Pickpick

Post 3 of 3. Just finished this one and I loved it. It was just what I needed. Definitely need the print version because there were so many good lines I wanted to underline. This was a personal look at his struggle with depression and anxiety that offered a lot of facts, statistics and quotes. It was helpful withou reading like a cheesy self help book. Very insightful. Thanks again @TrishB and @JanuarieTimewalker13 for the reccomendation!

TrishB Glad it helped ❤️ it is a good read for those going through it and those supporting them. 5y
JanuarieTimewalker13 You‘re so welcome!!!😘 5y
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JackOBotts

This book is important. Haig shares his personal experience with depression, his insights about the disease, historical/scientific context, and his strategies for coping. His honesty and willingness to put his experiences in the public view provide a view of depressions and anxiety that is very real. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️