This book was a very interesting listen. It was quirky and funny and informative at the same time. Heartwarming and hopeful, this book provided something actually applicable to our lives.

Author Gwendoline Smith explains to teens how to understand the way they think and work through challenging times. Written for teens, this book was engaging and filled with humous moments. It contains many specific examples and strategies that teens are likely to relate to. Even reading as an adult, I found that I gained some practical insights from this book. A fairly quick read at 192 pages, it look me less than an hour and a half to listen to the Audiobook. I think this book will be a well-loved title for my students. I plan to purchase a copy for my classroom. Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to this title in exchange for a review.

This is an interesting introduction to cognitive behavioural therapy. Although I liked Lisa Seneca's narration, I feel this is one of the books which works better if read and listened to simultaneously.The book is very short and succinct which is always a plus in self-help books.

Listening to the audio version of this book is very timely especially for me. Due to the pademic I am struggling with a bit of anxiety with what will happen in the next couple of months. I appreciate the conciseness of this book. It was able to present practical solutions to address basic anxiety problems.

Most important message I appreciate from this book is that our perceptions shape our individual emotions.

It’s an ok self-help book. I think it’ll be great for teens who are having smaller issues and just need a little help improving their mindset. I don’t see this working for anyone with deeper issues.

I found the narration easy to listen to overall. Although this is targeted for teens/YA, the topics mentioned in this book are applicable for all ages as a refresher on how to deal with anxiety ridden situations. This could easily be incorporated into high school curriculum; however, some of the language may be a little inappropriate (depends on the school's attitude really). I would have appreciated some parts of the book to go into more detail, but given that I'm outside the target audience, I understand the methodology behind the written approach. Thank you NetGalley for the copy of the audiobook in return for an honest review.

I enjoyed this one! In many ways, it was a self-help book. It understood the perspective of an individual struggling with mental illness and explained ways to help become more confident and comfortable.

The Book of Knowing is a brief introduction to cognitive behaviorial therapy. It discusses problems and solutions for people who may be suffering with negative thoughts. This book could be useful for people beginning a mental healthcare journey.
I did not like the use of swearing in the book. There was at least one f-bomb used. I think the author may have used the swearing to be more relatable to teens. It did not seem necessary. I also did not find some of the examples relatable, even for teens.
I listened to the audio version of this book. I enjoyed the narration. It was easy to listen to and engaging.

Interesting and informative, for people who don't know much/anything about the subject.
2.5 stars

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

This is an interesting and helpful mind therapy book which is designed to help teenagers with their feelings and emotions. Based on CBT, the author, who is a psychologist, assists the reader in helping them to rationalise their feelings and put things into perspective. She provides some useful tools which I will take into account to help me with my own feelings and emotions.

I read the audiobook version of this book and the narrator was very pleasant and easy to understand. The netgalley app worked well for me.

Many thanks to the author, publisher and netgalley for allowing me to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

I ask to "read" this book because it was one of the only ones that interesed me in the audiobooks selection. It is a nice one. It's nice narrated, and I guess it will be useful for many people.

The Book of Knowing is a very short and easy read. Did it give me any new knowledge? Unfortunately no, but I think that if I had had this book a few years ago, it would have saved me a lot of time. While a lot of the information in the book is self-explanatory and comes up when you first google "How to stop being anxious," it's presented in such a way that it feels less daunting. Instead of reading the words 'stop overthinking,' the author presents examples that dissect a thinking pattern gone wrong. It is in these examples that we are able to make a more meaningful connection with the tips given to us in the book.

I gave this a 3.5. As someone who suffers with anxiety, while this information was helpful, it was not new. It did not change my ways of thinking, it did open my mind to new possibilities-it simply reaffirmed what I already know. However, I feel like in the past year or so, I have been able to control my anxiety. For someone who is just starting on the path of change, this book is an excellent tool. It did not do much for me, but I'm positive that a younger audience will learn a lot from it.

The Book of Knowing by Gwendoline Smith is a very informative nonfiction book about control your feelings. The book was written for teenagers, but is helpful for anyone. Most of the examples are geared towards teenagers, but adults can easily see how that would apply to their life. The Book of Knowing had a lot of useful information that I am planning to use in my life.

I listened to the audiobook. Liza Seneca did a good job narrating.

Thank you NetGalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for this ARC audiobook.

Not for Fat Teens…

Audiobook Review
I have to say I was actually really put off by this audiobook. It is meant for teens to help them with their emotions. But I don't see it doing that. I see this book is being potentially harmful to the impressionable minds that might read it. The author comes across as so judgmental, especially toward overweight teens. She is exceedingly unprofessional. She actually uses the term “fat slob,” like that's an okay term to use. It isn't. I swear, fat-shaming is the last safe prejudice. The use of this term was bad enough, but then she has an extended example of when a teen who loves to exercise gets sick, making so they can't work out. She states that when they get on the scale and see higher numbers because they can't exercise (which won't necessarily be true because they could lose weight from not eating while not feeling well), then they will start into a shame spiral that makes them think that all they will do is gain wait forever for the rest of their lives. Really? I feel like words cannot express how terrible this would be for a fat teen or a teen with weight issues, like anorexia, bulimia, or over-exercising. The author promotes dangerous stereotypes—and hurtful ones. Just because you are fat does not make you a slob. Just because you gain weight over a short period of time doesn't mean you'll end up to be a thousand pounds because the weight gain will never stop. Words cannot express my deep disappointment in this practicing clinician and her book.

Great book for teen or young adults, written in easy to understand language. I would also recommend it to anyone beginning studies in psychology. Full of information on managing your thoughts, anxiety, and stress without being too heavy or dry. I accessed this title in audio format and it was a quick listen packed with great info. Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to review this material.

"The Book of Knowing" is precisely what I needed when I was in high school and struggling with my own emotions. Gwendoline Smith approaches the teenage mind in a funny, informative, and relatable way that doesn't merely teach teens about their mind and emotions, but gives them advice on how to look at their emotions and how to deal with them. She explains therapy and neuroscience in understandable ways, gently and kind to teens who need answers to how they're feeling. Smith explains in simple terms the mental problems that all teens deal with, such as everyday stresses like failing a test or ending a relationship. Teens receive advice and tips along with information from a friendly mentor standpoint rather than an unemotional textbook style. This book is helpful for teens with diagnosed mental disorders as well as teens simply dealing with the stresses of life and the emotions they can bring. Smith explains emotions and the mind to teens when they need answers for their unexplainable feelings. If your teen needs a relatable reference to understand their feelings, Smith is an excellent resource, and they will enjoy every second of it!

Narration
Liza Seneca is engaging, always putting the right energy and tone into what she's saying. Her pacing is perfect, and she always puts emphasis on the right words or phrases. She pulls you into the text more than the words themselves might do on their own. When the text goes into a dialogue for the reader to imagine, Seneca makes them come to life and make you feel as if the reader is a part of the conversation. She makes the information more interesting to listen to, while the text itself doesn't necessarily need that extra pull. The story is 103 minutes long, and it feels about that long. If textbook-like books aren't your forte, Seneca's narration will certainly engage you and pull you into the story, even though Smith's text does that enough on its own. The audiobook isn't required to enjoy Smith's story, but Seneca makes the topic even more engaging and more fun to listen to.