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Reasons to Stay Alive Kindle Edition

4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 17,246 ratings

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From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Midnight Library.

“A very special book that has provided a beam of hope to so many in their darkest days.”—DOLLY ALDERTON


WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO FEEL TRULY ALIVE?

At the age of 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."
Popular Highlights in this book

From the Publisher

"Destined to become a modern classic." - Entertainment Weekly

From the author of The Midnight Library

Christopher Weir says, "wonderful and essential."

More feel-good fiction and inspiring nonfiction from Matt Haig
Cover image for The Life Impossible: A Novel by Matt Haig Cover image for The Midnight Library by Matt Haig Cover image for The Comfort Book by Matt Haig Cover image for Notes on a Nervous Planet by Matt Haig Cover image for How to Stop Time by Matt Haig
The Life Impossible: A Novel The Midnight Library The Comfort Book Notes on a Nervous Planet How to Stop Time: A Novel
Customer Reviews
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4.5 out of 5 stars
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4.4 out of 5 stars
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Editorial Reviews

Review

Named one of Entertainment Weekly's Must-Read Books of the Year

Finalist for the
Waterstone's Book of the Year

"A very special book that has provided a beam of hope to so many in their darkest days." -- DOLLY ALDERTON

"Destined to become a modern classic." —
Entertainment Weekly

"An in-depth exploration of Haig’s battle with depression, if you need a pick-me-up on a very fundamental level, you could do a lot worse than this book." ―PEOPLE

"I dog-eared 45 pages in Haig's compact book where he wrote profound or poignant things. I could have easily marked more of them." ―Jim Higgings, THE MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL

"Wonderful and essential." ―Christopher Weir, THE HUFFINGTON POST

"A quick, witty and at times profound take on an illness many people suffer from, but sometimes can’t bring themselves to talk about." ―THE MINNEAPOLIS STAR-TRIBUNE

"A small masterpiece that may even save lives" -- JOANNA LUMLEY

"Things just got real. His honest — and surprisingly funny — first person account is a reminder that no matter how hopeless life may seem, it really never is." ―NY METRO

“A scintillating read.” ―THE DAILY MAIL (London)

"REASONS TO STAY ALIVE is essential reading for anyone who has dealt with depression and for anyone who loves someone with the disease." ―BOOK REPORTER (London)

"Fascinating and beautifully written." ―IAN RANKIN

"Brings a difficult and sensitive subject out of the darkness and into the light." ―MICHAEL PALIN

"Matt Haig is astounding." ―STEPHEN FRY

"Maybe the most important book I've read this year." ―SIMON MAYO

"A life-saving book." ―AMANDA CRAIG

"Matt Haig uses words like a tin-opener. We are the tin." ―JEANETTE WINTERSON

"Thoughtful, honest and incredibly insightful." ―JENNY COLGAN

"Brilliant and salutary . . . should be on prescription." ―REV. RICHARD COLES

"A vibrant, encouraging depiction of a sinister disorder." ―KIRKUS REVIEW

"Warm and engaging, and shot through with humour...a valuable contribution to the conversation." ―THE SUNDAY TIMES (London)

About the Author

Named one of Entertainment Weekly's Must-Read Books of 2016

Finalist for the 
Waterstone's Book of the Year

"Destined to become a modern classic." - ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY
        
"An in-depth exploration of Haig’s battle with depression, if you need a pick-me-up on a very fundamental level, you could do a lot worse than this book." - PEOPLE

"I dog-eared 45 pages in Haig's compact book where he wrote profound or poignant things. I could have easily marked more of them." - Jim Higgings, THE MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL

"Wonderful and essential" - Christopher Weir, THE HUFFINGTON POST

"a quick, witty and at times profound take on an illness many people suffer from, but sometimes can’t bring themselves to talk about." - THE MINNEAPOLIS STAR-TRIBUNE

"Things just got real. His honest — and surprisingly funny — first person account is a reminder that no matter how hopeless life may seem, it really never is." - NY METRO

“A scintillating read.” - THE DAILY MAIL

"REASONS TO STAY ALIVE is essential reading for anyone who has dealt with depression and for anyone who loves someone with the disease." - BOOK REPORTER

"Fascinating and beautifully written." - IAN RANKIN

"Brings a difficult and sensitive subject out of the darkness and into the light." - MICHAEL PALIN

"Matt Haig is astounding." - STEPHEN FRY

"Maybe the most important book I've read this year" - SIMON MAYO

"A life-saving book" - AMANDA CRAIG

"Matt Haig uses words like a tin-opener. We are the tin" - JEANETTE WINTERSON

"Brings a difficult and sensitive subject out of the darkness and into the light" - MICHAEL PALIN

"Thoughtful, honest and incredibly insightful" - JENNY COLGAN

"Brilliant and salutary . . . should be on prescription" - REV. RICHARD COLES

"A vibrant, encouraging depiction of a sinister disorder." KIRKUS REVIEW

"Warm and engaging, and shot through with humour...a valuable contribution to the conversation."  - THE SUNDAY TIMES


Praise for How To Stop Time

“Matt Haig’s latest book, 
How To Stop Time, is marvelous in every sense of the word. Clever, funny, poignant, and written with Haig’s trademark blend of crystalline prose and deft storytelling, this is a book that stirs the heart and mind in equal measure. A hugely enjoyable read.” - Deborah Harkness author of The All Souls Trilogy

"Compelling and full of life's big questions, How To Stop Time is a book you will not be able to put down." —Graeme Simsion, author of 
The Rosie Project 

"The narrator is 400 years old, but the sardonic asides give this pacy novel a modern twist. Matt Haig has designs on our heartstrings . . . The energy and zip of this book are hard to resist." —
The Guardian

"Matt Haig is astounding." —Stephen Fry

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00YOAZYWQ
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Penguin Life (February 23, 2016)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ February 23, 2016
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1381 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 261 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 17,246 ratings

About the author

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Matt Haig
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Matt Haig is the internationally bestselling author of the novels The Midnight Library, How to Stop Time, The Humans, The Radleys, children's novel A Boy Called Christmas, and memoir Reasons to Stay Alive. His latest novel is The Life Impossible, which will be published in summer 2024. His work has been translated into over fifty languages.

@matthaig1 | matthaig.com

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
17,246 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book uplifting and relatable. They praise the writing quality as simple, well-articulated, and honest. Many find it emotional and moving. The author is described as brave and vulnerable.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

193 customers mention "Uplifting"171 positive22 negative

Customers find the book uplifting and funny at times. They appreciate the author's personal view on mental health and depression struggles. The book helps them sort out thoughts and clarify fears. It is described as a memoir and self-help book that warms their hearts.

"...Reading it was wonderful, sad and joyful and amazing and I felt myself on every page -- until I turned the page to arrive at the section beginning..." Read more

"...There is no cure all in these pages, no panacea, just points of view that show the revisiting storm and ideas about surviving it...." Read more

"...It’s a great book for people who deny depression as it might help them understand a little...." Read more

"...I do believe it gets more positive later on and I’m assuming, based on skimming through, he talks eventually about his recovery, the hope, and..." Read more

153 customers mention "Readability"153 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's readability. They find it an eye-opening and important read with compelling stories and sound advice. Readers appreciate the small, impactful sections that allow them to read and digest it in small chunks.

"...It is me. Reading it was wonderful, sad and joyful and amazing and I felt myself on every page -- until I turned the page to arrive at the section..." Read more

"...The book becomes more profound and to the point the closer it gets to the end. You feel the evolution almost on the same timeline as him...." Read more

"So far a great book on the experiences and how to look at your Depression issues." Read more

"Haig has written such an incredibly necessary book, especially in these chaotic times...." Read more

90 customers mention "Writing quality"80 positive10 negative

Customers appreciate the book's writing quality. They find it simple yet effective, honest, brutal, familiar, hilarious, and touching. The language is beautiful, and the book is an easy read with sections, lists, and succinct bits that capture the author's voice.

"...It's written in sections and lists and pages and many wonderfully-succinct bits that capture his life and how it carefully unfolded...." Read more

"...This book is nothing less than a life raft. I found it after seeing quotes from it online that really caught my breath. Thank you, Matt!" Read more

"...I appreciated this book and it’s simple (but not basic!) language, I love his style of very appropriately structured paragraphs, it’s an easy ready,..." Read more

"This book wants to do a lot of things, and because Matt is such a great writer (How to Stop Time and The Humans are 5-star books, in my opinion),..." Read more

36 customers mention "Relatability"31 positive5 negative

Customers find the book relatable and meaningful. They describe it as moving, emotional, and uplifting. The author does a fantastic job of explaining sadness and emptiness with anecdotes and figurative language. Memories and experiences are powerful, but wisely we can choose to be selective about what we choose to remember. The short stories, facts, and statistics are presented in straight paragraphs.

"...It is me. Reading it was wonderful, sad and joyful and amazing and I felt myself on every page -- until I turned the page to arrive at the section..." Read more

"...I loved that it was a bit all over the place—some parts narrative story telling, some parts internal dialogue, and some parts just straight up lists...." Read more

"...Memories and experiences compel us, and wisely we can choose to be selective about what we retain as strongest memories and experiences." Read more

"...this book helped me to sort some thoughts out, to define the fears and to fully realize the value of mental illnesses, tho i used to think i..." Read more

19 customers mention "Honesty"19 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's honesty. They find the author's openness, vulnerability, and authenticity compelling. The voice combines honesty with wit, humor, and tenderness. Readers describe the book as straightforward, matter-of-fact, and authentic.

"I appreciated the honesty in this book, it helped me to better understand some of the struggles of those close to me." Read more

"...It’s not ‘heavy’, or overly-academic. It is short, matter-of-fact, a lot of which is constructed so that it can be digested just one single page at..." Read more

"Beautiful, brilliant, engaging and honest; I can highly recommend this book...." Read more

"...And it is filled with the wisdom and honesty and bravery and experience of a person much older than the author." Read more

13 customers mention "Courage"13 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's courage. They find it insightful and filled with hope and resilience. The writing is honest and vulnerable, which readers appreciate.

"I think the book is really brave. I’m only 50 pages in and the author’s honestly vulnerability is appreciated...." Read more

"I would give this book 6 stars if I could. Kindness, courage, generosity, humor, leaning into the darkness, extending a loving hand to his readers...." Read more

"...His writing is honest & vulnerable, key ingedients, especially for a memoir...." Read more

"I love Matt Haig’s honesty and courage so much! If only the world treated depression like any other illness...." Read more

11 customers mention "Humor"11 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the humor in the book. They find it insightful, wise, and full of soul.

"...Kindness, courage, generosity, humor, leaning into the darkness, extending a loving hand to his readers...." Read more

"...reading this could be depressing, it was actually uplifting, even funny at times, & extremely insightful. Would definitely recommend!" Read more

"...half life raft, spoken with a voice that combines honesty with wit, humor and tenderness. ‘..." Read more

"...His writing his honest, brutal, familiar, hilarious, and touching...." Read more

7 customers mention "Length"3 positive4 negative

Customers have different views on the book's length. Some find it concise with short chapters and think its brevity makes it impactful. Others feel it's too long for the intended purpose, with some chapters being small while others are larger.

"...It was more of a start and stop, since some chapters were quite small and others larger. I only made it halfway through...." Read more

"...It’s not ‘heavy’, or overly-academic. It is short, matter-of-fact, a lot of which is constructed so that it can be digested just one single page at..." Read more

"Too long for the point" Read more

"...6. Because the chapters are short 7. Because the name is catchy! 😉..." Read more

Great self help book
4 out of 5 stars
Great self help book
I’ve been diagnosed with clinical depression since the age of 8. It’s had its peaks and valleys throughout my life and it’s always been hard for me to explain how I feel when it’s at its worst. Many times people think I just need to “suck it up” or tell me “my life is good compared to some people”. Depression isn’t something you can see, it’s not like a broken wrist that has a cast on it. It’s easy to mask depression in public and to come across as the happiest person in the room.Going into this book I was skeptical because I’ve never had a self help book where I’ve connected completely. And honestly I didn’t connect with everything in this book either but I think it taught me that I’m never going to fully connect with someone else’s story because it’s unique to them.Matt Haig does an incredible job of explaining depression. This book is a great to help on healing through the journey of depression. I know my depression will always be something that’s part of my story, but the more I learn about it the less cloudy days I can have. I highly recommend this book to anyone struggling with their mental health.
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on May 25, 2024
    I have never read a book that I felt I'd worn for my entire life. I slid into Reasons to Stay Alive and it turned out that it has not only been my clothing, but all my organs and central nervous system and everything I've breathed since at least 1968. It is me. Reading it was wonderful, sad and joyful and amazing and I felt myself on every page -- until I turned the page to arrive at the section beginning on page 198. I literally whispered to myself "Holy Crap. This really IS me."

    The book was written by Matt Haig and it's basically his stories and thoughts about Depression and Anxiety. And oh, that sounds so sad and, well, depressing -- but this isn't. It's written in sections and lists and pages and many wonderfully-succinct bits that capture his life and how it carefully unfolded. And no, it doesn’t have a sad ending.

    For me, it's a masterpiece. I started re-reading it the day after I finished it. And, surprisingly I just realized that I never cried reading it. Not once. I didn't have to -- all the emotions I felt were there, right in front of me, on the page.
    41 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on January 6, 2025
    This is the only book on depression I’ve read where the author gets it. There is no cure all in these pages, no panacea, just points of view that show the revisiting storm and ideas about surviving it. This book is nothing less than a life raft. I found it after seeing quotes from it online that really caught my breath. Thank you, Matt!
    One person found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on May 14, 2022
    I first read midnight library before this one and I have to admit I didn’t write the most favorable review. However, after reading this, I have a better understanding where Matt is coming from. He’s speaking to a specific audience (that is larger than professional critics probably want to admit). It’s not really an autobiography as much as it is a pivotal moment in his life where he went searching for answers and understanding. The book becomes more profound and to the point the closer it gets to the end. You feel the evolution almost on the same timeline as him. As a bipolar person, I can’t fully relate to his experience. BUT a depressive experience/existence and anxiety are the cornerstones of blood sweat and tears of all brain health issues. So I’m grateful for that simplicity. People find the concept of depression hard enough to accept in and of itself, yet alone bipolar. It’s a great book for people who deny depression as it might help them understand a little. It does have components of a self help guru vibe, but it isn’t THE vibe. So people looking for a strict autobiography, or self help book, or guide on how to scientifically actually not die might be disappointed. Go in with an open mind. I appreciated this book and it’s simple (but not basic!) language, I love his style of very appropriately structured paragraphs, it’s an easy ready, but of no less value. I’m guessing I’ll hear about this book the rest of my life, and well deserved. I know you like to read your reviews, Matt. I write too so I can imagine - just know that although your big hits don’t necessarily speak to me, this one did. And I get a better sense of who you are, which makes me appreciate your other works a lot more. Keep up your great work. I know you’re helping a lot of people while also getting some great writing out there. Maybe one day we’ll meet. Congrats and thank you.
    45 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on November 15, 2024
    So far a great book on the experiences and how to look at your Depression issues.
    2 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on July 14, 2023
    I think the book is really brave. I’m only 50 pages in and the author’s honestly vulnerability is appreciated.
    That said, if you are acutely struggling with suicidal ideation and desperately turning to the internet trying to find any shred of hope that that life is worth living, like I was… this is not the book you need right now.
    The author begins by describing his own battle with suicidal ideation and even the “hopeful” moments are still tinged with the cynicism of a depressed person. Reading the author’s story of depression, addiction, and suicidal ideation actually made my suicidal ideation and depression spiral worse. I had to put the book down. I will come back to this book in the future when I am more grounded and able to stick with it. I do believe it gets more positive later on and I’m assuming, based on skimming through, he talks eventually about his recovery, the hope, and actual reasons to stay alive.
    If you’re severely depressed, wondering if you can go on, and looking for a book that will help you “snap out of it” right from the first few pages, try “Uncovering Happiness” by Elisha Goldstein or “How I Stayed Alive When my Brain Was Trying to Kill Me” by Susan Rose Blauner. Hang in there.
    76 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on September 8, 2024
    I would give this book 6 stars if I could. Kindness, courage, generosity, humor, leaning into the darkness, extending a loving hand to his readers. Words can't really describe how much his words mean to me and, I do believe, so many others.
    3 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on January 9, 2025
    I identified with the author as I also suffer from depression. He explains it in a very insightful way. I love the chapter in which he mentions things to be grateful for and his emphasis on kindness.

Top reviews from other countries

Translate all reviews to English
  • Jessica Wright
    5.0 out of 5 stars Another Winner!
    Reviewed in Canada on October 5, 2024
    I have read many of Matt Haig's works of fiction, which I adore and have subsequently gifted to all my friends. This account of his battle with anxiety is extremely vulnerable, heartbreaking, poignant, and also manages to be optimistic and inspiring. He is a gift.
  • Carlos Higa
    5.0 out of 5 stars Thank you, Matt!
    Reviewed in Brazil on May 19, 2022
    I didn't know Matt until I read The Midnight Library, which I loved. This is another wonderful book written by Matt, I really recommend it. Depression is no joke, and we all have to help each other. I guess this book is how Matt is helping us, telling us what he has been through, and showing us that even when things are really bad, there are reasons to stay alive.
  • Laura Lentz
    5.0 out of 5 stars Inspirierend, tiefgründig und menschlich
    Reviewed in Germany on August 10, 2024
    - Ehrliche, ergreifende und hochintelligente Selbstreflexionen und Erkenntnisse über Depressionen, Ängste, den Menschen und unsere Gesellschafft.
  • Durva Ravnang
    5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best books on Mental Health!
    Reviewed in India on January 17, 2024
    “Wondering if in the board game of life everything we thought was a ladder, was in fact a snake, sliding us down to the bottom. As any Buddhist would tell you, an over-attachment to material things will lead only to more suffering”- Matt Haig (Reasons To Stay Alive)

    ‘Reasons to stay alive’ is the memoir of author Matt Haig highlighting the part of his life where he was battling with depression and mental health issues. But the book is more than just a memoir. It is a book that gives you hope and courage to deal with your own battles.

    Sometimes we all hit rock bottom. Reality feels like this one dark tunnel without any escape. And depression and anxiety are not something that come and go once and for all; it is always a recurring phase. How you decide to deal with it, makes the difference! The author describes several incidents of his bouts of anxiety and panic attacks, and how he overcame them.

    The best part about this book is that it has bite-sized chapters and it's written in simple language. Read it if you ever felt alone, if you ever had depression/anxiety/panic attacks, if you have lost hope in life, if you can't afford therapy, if you want to make life meaningful again, if you feel stuck, if you have too many regrets!

    This book is not a substitute to therapy and medicines, but it will surely help you and be your support system. You can come back to this book whenever you feel anxious or stressed out, and turn to any page and just start reading. It is the best mental health book I have ever read! I was able to relate to the book a lot, it felt like chatting with a close friend.

    Highly recommend!! My Rating 5/5.
  • Julieta st
    5.0 out of 5 stars Un libro reconfortante
    Reviewed in Spain on January 7, 2024
    A medida que lo lees, te das cuenta que todo eso que sentiste, es normal. Que no estas solo y que se sale.

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