The Comfort Book
BY Matt Haig
Pub. Date: July 6, 2021
Penguin Life

A small book for anyone in search of hope, looking for a path to a more meaningful life, or in need of encouragement.

Happiness occurs when you forget who you're expected to be. And what you're expected to do. Happiness is an accident of self-acceptance. It's the warm breeze you feel when you open the door to who you are.

This is my second book by Matt Haig. This is a book you do not have to read in order and read slow as you need it.
5 star

Matt Haig’s The Comfort Book is one of those books that finds you just when you need it. A great book to have on the nightstand so when you need some encouragement, comfort, or self assurance it is there! I’m grateful this book found me when it did, you should definitely pick up a copy!

Another wonderful, comforting book by Matt Haig to keep in your back pocket in case of emergency when times get dark.

I loved this book of observations, encouraging thoughts and comforting advice. I listened to this book, narrated by the author and thoroughly enjoyed hearing all of his suggestions and more. I appreciated Matt Haig's candor about his past struggles with depression and the wisdom or perspective that he attributes to surviving a challenging period in life. Anyone who has lived long enough, knows how true this is, and can appreciate hearing about the perspective, unexpected lessons and more that come from enduring through a struggle. This is a book that has something for everyone and is indeed comforting.

Matt Haig has the gift to write inspirational and poignant words that will stay with you always and "The Comfort Book" is no different. In this quick read, you will find the perfect sentences and soothing mantras to get through not only the day but most importantly through life.

Matt Haig's take on what I would compare to a encouragement 'devotional' (sorry, I grew up in the bible belt) is a gratifying read. It is not a 'cover to cover' read, but a "pick up when you need a pick-me-up" book.
I can see myself gifting this to friends/family that can use a reminder that I see them, that I am thinking about them, and that they can and will 'be okay,' even when it may not feel like it will be.
This book is great for ANYONE, by the way. We all need comfort, encouragement, a different perspective, and humor.
Thanks for the ARC!

The Comfort Book lives up to its title, serving up hope and philosophical musings that everyone can benefit from. I will definitely be revisiting this one from time to time.

THE COMFORT BOOK by Matt Haig should provide solace to anyone in these uncertain times. I have been reading and recommending works for years by best-selling author Matt Haig, including The Midnight Library. And THE COMFORT BOOK, described by one reviewer as the "literary equivalent of a steaming hot chocolate on a chilly day," definitely merits slow savoring. Haig, who often writes about mental health and his own experiences, has collected encouraging stories, notes, and lists on all varieties of subject matter. For example, he recounts the time he and his father were lost in a forest but followed the strategy: "if we keep going in a straight line, we'll get out of here." Like Elisabeth Kübler-Ross, Haig reminds us that "the bottom of the valley never has the clearest view. ... sometimes all you need to do in order to rise up again is to keep moving forward." The chapters are short and one could browse this book (like Lin-Manuel Miranda's Gmorning, Gnight!) on a daily basis. One particularly memorable quote for me is "it's okay to be the teacup with a chip in it. That’s the one with a story." I missed having a table of contents or some type of structure, but Haig says, "This book is as messy as life. ... the theme is connection. ... And we connect to all things. Human to human. Moment to moment. Pain to pleasure. Despair to hope." Enjoy!

I really love the other books I have read from Matt Haig so this one was a no brainer that I had to read. I loved all the snippets and life lessons within the pages of this book. I highly recommend this one as a self-help book!

I liked Matt Haig's novel "The Midnight Library," so this title caught my eye. I have several friends going through challenging times and I thought I'd read the book and perhaps give it as a gift. I'd say this would be a good fit for people experiencing depression and/or anxiety. Haig is quite honest about his own struggles with both of them, and he aims his comforting thoughts in that direction. There's less here for folks who are grieving or going through other kinds of medical crises, for example. One takeaway for me is that I should pick up a book by Pema Chödrön, who has clearly been a source of inspiration to Haig.

I love every single thing that Matt Haig writes. Beautiful, complicated, comforting, lovely. I could use all the positive adjectives. But no matter what it is, he always reminds me what it is to be human and alive. Loved this one.

There some significant insight and wisdom in this book, but it feels disjointed or unfinished, like a pancake that when you cut into it, you see is uncooked inside. I wonder if it should have remained a private journal rather than a book.

What a delightful little book. I can see dipping into it again as time passes. A mix of anecdotes, lists, notes, and quotes to comfort you - it succeeds.

As usual, Matt Haig's nonfiction is great. Thought provoking and hopeful. I bookmarked so many pages to revisit! Recommend for anyone needing a daily pick-me-up or for a sleepless night. His thoughts and writings take you beyond yourself and to view the world in a different, gentle, but uplifting way. All the stars.

Full disclosure. I love Matt Haig. I think he’s an awesome human. I love how open and honest he is about his mental health. How he inspires others to do the same. I love his simple outlook on life.
So yes, I loved this book of quotes, essays, the odd recipe, playlists etc. It’s a book to dip in and out of, to gift a friend having a bad day, week, yearly simply just because you love them deeply. As someone who has suffered panic attacks since my teens, I found this helpful and quite lovely. One for my nightstand, permanently….

Review of digital ARC. Although I am sure that Matt Haig writes great fiction, this book is very dull and uncomforting. There are some useful thoughts and nice poetic lists but unfortunately much of the advice seems trite, repetitive, or unoriginal. Some of the advice seems like the type of thing you'd find in a quaint but cheesy gift shop selling soaps and candles. Sorry for the harsh review but there are other books, like Ross Gay's "Book of Delights," that are much better in this genre.

I love Matt Haig's books. Another great book that emphasizes how much we should care for our mental health and truly did give me hope and comfort after reading it.

As a fan of How to Stop Time, Reasons to Stay Alive and The Midnight Library, I look forward to each new Matt Haig book with eagerness and great anticipation. The only disappointment here is the ARC uncorrected proof format on my Kindle. I'll be reading this one again in print--and, seriously, nothing makes me read print anymore.

Haig's greatest gift is his honesty. He has suffered from crippling, life-threatening depression and is surviving and he is kind enough to take the time to encourage the rest of us to follow a path out of those woods. He doesn't preach or say, "I did it, so of course you can, too--just be positive." He tell us we can be whatever kind of hot mess we are as often as we have to be and that's okay.

I absolutely adored this reflective book. Written in short vignettes, the Comfort Book truly is a comfort. Like the author, I have struggled with anxiety for years and his straightforward, hopeful personal learnings were truly a gift, especially after a challenging year. I plan to have this book on my nightstand for quick access when I need a boost, and will gift it to others who need the encouragement too.

A sweet little book full of hope and encouragement. The author had written notes to himself in his deepest well of despair and turned it into The Comfort Book. Each of its short meditations gives a new perspective on life and all of its highs and lows.
*Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for for an e-arc of this title.*