Science Mike is a storyteller to the core. He writes kindly, honestly, and engages us with his life. Talking about his life while weaving in science and psychology is his gift. I am taking away some crucial information about the way I speak to myself as well as the way I treat my old wounds. Thanks, Mike!

Thanks to NetGalley and Convergent Books for an ARC of this book.

I'm a fan of Science Mike and the Liturgists podcast, and was excited to check this out. Ultimately, this book is a journey that doesn't quite end in the same place as it starts out - for reason Mike explains - and there's some focus at the start of the book that I missed in later sections (though this was remedied by the Appendix at the end explaining the brain). There are some great nuggets in this book on personal growth, and how to notice the bad patterns you may unknowingly be following, but like any self-help-y book, there are portions that felt super relevant and others that didn't. I think had I been reading a hard copy of this book where it was easier to flip back and forth between sections, parts of the book would have felt a little less disjoint to me.

This book was a very interesting read, especially for someone like me, who doesn’t reach for non-fiction often. I love reading and learning about other people’s journeys of self-love and acceptance,a journey that I have been on for a long time now. I love that Science Mike offers his truth – as difficult as it is – for his readers to learn from. He shares how he has overcome his struggles in the past, the patterns of his behavior, the science behind those behaviors and how those behaviors can be changed. He shares the struggles that have started for him in school and how those struggles have impacted his life. This book is not an overnight solution to your problems, but it could help start a healing process or push you into the direction of seeking help.

I love this. I don’t know if I could love it anymore. Mike’s perspective is PERFECT for the person who thinks, what? Me? I’m perfect, what? Because, you’re not. I’m not. He’s not. And that’s great and wonderful and amazing! We’re all different and our brains are all different. This was refreshing and funny and left me with a smile on my face. Thanks, Mike for being raw and vulnerable.

Interesting and thought provoking book. I didn’t expect to enjoy it, if I’m honest.

Thank you NetGalley for my complimentary copy in return for my honest review.

I see this book as appealing to my Malcom Gladwell readers, as the author combines research (some of it quite technical) with anecdotes of sociology and psychology.

I've been a fan of author and pod-castor "Science Mike" McHargue for a number of years. In fact, my first exposure to him was his *first* book (Finding God in the Waves), about how he left evangelical Christianity, became a closet athiest, then had a mystical experience that brought him back to... God, I guess he would say. That book was absolutely transformational to me, and it led me to start listening to his two podcasts, "The Liturgists" and "Ask Science Mike".

This book is really *nothing* like his first book. If you are a listener to his podcasts, this will explain it... "Finding God in the Waves" is to "The Liturgists" as "You're a Miracle" is to "Ask Science Mike". Where Finding God/The Liturgists is all about the intersections of faith and science and art, You're a Miracle/Ask Science Mike is all about the search to understand the biology and sociology behind why humans do the things that we do, and why those things are so often the opposite of what we *want* to do!

With chapters about the evolutionary development of the brain (and why that matters), the benefits of different types of therapy, the dangers of social media and AI, what right-brain vs left-brain *really* means, etc, this book is a treasure trove of important and relevant scientific information, shared in a way that is both easily digestible and incredibly gentle. McHargue is amazingly transparent and open about his own struggles and growth, particularly during the difficult 12-18 months of writing this book. I found myself cheering for him and for those who love him. If you already love "Ask Science Mike"- you'll love this book, too. If you don't know what I'm talking about, grab this book and you'll see!

I'm so appreciative to the author and publisher, who allowed me to read an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion, which I am always happy to offer. :) #NetGalley #YoureaMiracleandaPainintheAss