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. ( )

A lovely gift at a time when I needed it ( )

This book started out strong, surprisingly insightful, and with a level of hope and optimism that made my heart soar every time I turned to a new page. Unfortunately, it soon became apparent that Haig only had a few central points to make; points he keeps regurgitating again and again... and again until the repetitiveness dulls the message.

As someone who's struggled with depression, I appreciate the author's open, vulnerable approach to taking on a difficult topic. I just wish the book was... meatier. More relevant. More... just... more. ( )

“Crying releases stress hormones. Swearing increases pain tolerance. Fury can motivate us into action. Feel what you feel. Silence and smiles aren’t the only way to respond to pain. Sometimes it is good to howl.”

I read this one slowly, deliberately spaced apart over two months. I reached for this book during a particularly stressful time. I wasn’t reading much during that phase but I kept this book close to me. I usually don’t read self-help books because in most cases I find them a tad “preachy” (no offense intended, personal opinion). Having enjoyed Matt Haig’s The Midnight Library, I decided to give this book a try.

Matt Haig’s The Comfort Book is a short book filled with thoughts, reflections, stories, lists and much more written in simple words that are insightful, thought-provoking and yes, comforting! While I didn’t find all the passages/entries equally inspiring, I was moved by more than a few that I read and reread multiple times. I’m happy to have The Comfort Book as a part of my personal collection. ( )

Although I've enjoyed some of Matt Haig's holiday themed fiction novels, this book disappointed me. It is a collection of Haig's thoughts about various things including philosophy and self-esteem, among other things. Some pages only have a single sentence printed on them and the concise thoughts seem more appropriate to remain in the pages of a diary or even a blog post. I am really glad I opted to borrow this from the library versus buying it on sale. I did appreciate Haig's candor about his struggles with depression though and am glad he is doing better.

Rating: 2.5 stars rounded up to 3 stars. ( )