A huge thank-you to NetGalley and Penguin Books for this e-arc of The Comfort Book by Matt Haig.

“When times are hard, we need a deep kind of comfort. Something elemental. A solid support. A rock to hold on to. The kind we already have inside us. But which we sometimes need a bit of help to see.”

Content Warnings: mentions of mental illness, panic attacks/disorder, suicidal thoughts

In just 272 pages, The Comfort Book became the most profound book I have ever read in my life. In fact, I don’t think that another book will ever top the way this one made me feel. It was exactly what it claimed to be with its very simple and straightforward title: a comfort.

I started reading with the expectation that I would thoroughly enjoy the beautiful writing style that wormed its way into my heart when I picked up The Midnight Library, the novel that I stated was “devastatingly life-changing” upon completion. However, I’m not the biggest non-fiction reader. So, what I didn’t expect was for The Comfort Book to become so monumentally important to me in the span of 48 hours. In fact, when I read the final few pages and turned off my Kindle for the night, I had no clue how to write this review. Because, truly, how does one articulate their thoughts about a book that very well altered their perspective on life forever? I just want to scream from the rooftops that every person needs to read this book!!!

Sometimes, I’m under the impression that Matt Haig has met me. Not only met me, but set up camp in my brain to take notes for his books. Then I remember that we have walked through so many of the same challenges: depression, anxiety, panic attacks, suicidal thoughts, etc. So while he hasn’t taken up residency in my mind, he has experienced first-hand the same thoughts and feelings that I have over the years, and he’s used what he’s learned to write books that will help so many people for years to come.

“Our mind might make prisons, but it also gives us keys.”

I’ve already mentioned that this is a relatively short book, and that’s something I appreciated about it (though I would’ve loved it just as fiercely had it been a thousand pages long). It’s meant to be digested however one prefers, whether that’s in large doses (which would be easy, since it’s hard to put down when you feel like you’re being filled to the brim with encouragement) or in small ones, reading a phrase or two at a time. There are even segments with listicles that made me smile – and then proceed to Google all of the songs, movies, etc. that were mentioned.

You’ll want to have a few copies of The Comfort Book on-hand. That’s because you’ll need at least one that you feel comfortable writing in, highlighting, and tabbing. If we’re being really honest, I could’ve highlighted the entire book. That’s how incredible it was. What I did as I read, was mark certain passages that really spoke to where I was, mentally and emotionally. I have annotations in my ebook that say things like “this was written just for me” and “this is breathtaking, so you need to read it again and again.”

As you read this book, be prepared to feel exuberant joy and a desire to actively search for and recognize passion and love in life. Additionally, keep a box of tissues nearby because you absolutely will cry as you process the plethora of emotions The Comfort Book brings to the surface. I must say it again: every person needs to read this book!!!

“What we say aloud can never quite capture what we feel inside, but that is almost the point. Words don’t capture, they release.”

Another Matt Haig winner! I adored everything about this book, and have already found myself recommending it to coworkers and friends. The information and essays are helpful and well thought out. I highly recommend.

Full of very interesting and thoughtful essays. This will be a very nice addition to the Self Help section.

I'll acknowledge off the bat that I feel like books like this don't get published without their author already being famous/popular.
Regardless, I really loved it and plan to buy a copy. It's like a 2013 Thought Catalog article about pulling yourself out of a depression only raised to a bit of a higher level. Love Matt Haig's perspective and his commitment to sharing his mental health struggles in ways that might help others. Can't wait to underline a bunch of quotes when I buy a physical copy.

This author wrote one of my favorite books of all time so I was so excited to have this opportunity to read this. You can pick this book up and read a section in no particular order, each piece giving you encouragement. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this and will purchase it in hardcover when available.

*****Thank You NetGalley for the ARC*******

Matt Haig is one of my favorite authors. All his works are just amazing and you are missing out if you haven't read any of them.
This book was exactly like its title, "The Comfort Book", it held on to that feeling from beginning to the end. The pandemic has shaken us all in some way, this book was there to say, it's okay. We are humans after all.
This book will tell you how important mental health is, how beautiful the world actually is, and how even the smallest hope can change your life.
If you are feeling like you are close to an edge during this suffocating pandemic, this book is there for you to hang on to. Matt Haig is there to tell you, "it's not okay, but it will be".

One of Matt Haig’s best yet. I’ve always loved the short chapters in Haig’s nonfiction work. The bursts of insight are the perfect antidote to the anxiety of everyday life. This would be a wonderful gift to friends and family.

“A book that is “as messy as life” for those moments when you need a little extra encouragement. In a wide assortment of essays, lists, quotes, recipes, and musings, Matt Haig shares his “life rafts,” the things he turns to for comfort and reassurance when he’s feeling low. As someone who has lived with depression and suicidal thoughts for many years, Haig collects snippets to cling to when it feels like life has thrown him overboard, like an ode to peanut butter toast, 10 books that helped his mind, or an essay titled “Ferris Bueller and the Meaning of Life,” and shares them here with tenderness and wit. Because it’s designed to be read in any order or manner that meets your needs, it’s the perfect fit for do-as-you-wish summer reading.

The Comfort Book is a lovely read filled with the author's thoughts on being kind to oneself and offers pick-me-ups for when everything feels awful. As someone who experiences anxiety and depression, I was touched by the way the author reframes severe thoughts people get stuck in into something more transient and tolerable. He also speaks of gratitude in encouraging ways rather than you should feel/do this or that. I read a little bit of the book each night before going to sleep. It's both uplifting and calming. I bookmarked many pages and know I will jot some of his passages down to put in a place I see regularly. I highly recommend this book.

I am a library paraprofessional and received an advance copy of this book. Thoughts are my own.

I have loved all of Matt Haig's books, and I highly recommend this one! I have pre-ordered it on Amazon, and I look forward to recommending it to our patrons.

This is a great collection of good thoughts and uplifting stories. A great thing to read before bed especially after a hard day.

My second 5-star read of 2021. I love how comforting this book is. I highlighted and annotated this advanced reader’s copy so much. And who couldn’t use a comfort book this year? I have preordered this one so that I can dip in and out of it whenever I want to.

This is a perfect book to gift, especially after this past year. I found so much comfort in Haig's words, from the quotes he chose to share and the vignettes he tells.

I'll buy copies for myself and my friends!

I really found this book comforting as a person who struggles with mental health. I loved the quotes throughout and the inspiring stories. I have jumped around, reading snippets here and there and I can't wait for this book to come out so I can bookmark pages to look back on, on hard days.

Thank you NetGalley and the Publisher for this ARC!

This book is the absolute perfect book for NOW! It definitely lives up to its name but provides so much more than comfort. Full of comfort, philosophy, beautiful quotes and meditations and even the perfect recipe for peanut butter toast (you can substitute marmalade)! I bookmarked so many passages and quotes on my ereader and definitely plan to purchase a physical copy when it is available. High praise indeed from a librarian who only buys books she truly loves and connects with. Thank you so much, Matt Haig for this book, for being you and sharing your struggles and triumphs with all of us. More than 5 stars if I could!

"The most powerful moment in life is when you decide not to be scared anymore"
This book has created so many emotions in me. Matt Haig has definitely become my favorite author. I love that he can write different genres including non-fiction, a genre that I don't tend to read a lot and still, entertain me so much.
The Comfort Book is the kind of book that you don't have to read in order, you can skip chapters and read it when you need words of encouragement in your life, it's one of those books that I think you should always have on your nightstand.
I learned so much from this book even though in my opinion, it was extremely short. Matt Haig talks about his mental health and the way he has struggled with it his whole life while giving you different recommendations for feel-good movies, recipes, and music. In addition, Haig tells us how we can continue our lives despite the bad experiences we have had in the past, how to appreciate imperfections as a natural part of our existence and how to accept our mental health and just allow ourselves to live.
AMAZING BOOK HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT !!!
4.5 STARS
Thank you so much to Penguin Group for this Arc in exchange for an honest review.

At our lowest, we need life rafts.
Hope involves a reaching and a soaring then flies.
Having a bad day and feeling down - words can uplift, help, and comfort you.

Book is filled with inspiring messages; such as -
"I'm waterproof
easier to learn to be soaked and happy than to learn to stop the rain."

I chose this book entirely based upon its title. This gal could use some comfort. I was entirely charmed, and will keep this book in eyesight for some time to come.

Like the author, I too write down things to refer back to for comfort- quotes, gratitudes, happy memories, etc. It was pure joy for me to read someone else’s lists, particularly as Matt Haig is an adept writer. It made me want to ask everyone I know if they have a similar habit (because now I want to read everyone’s!)

I enjoyed the format a lot. No need to read in any particular order. Each was well- worded and concise, with plenty of heart. This is a book that gives you exactly what the title promises, in a time where everyone could benefit from reading it.

I read an advanced copy provided via NetGalley. I can’t shut my mouth about how much I loved it, and can’t wait to buy copies for friends when it is released. Reading it was pure joy and comfort for me.

***Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review***
I love Matt Haig and was delighted by this collection of comforting thoughts and stories.

This book was received as an ARC from PENGUIN GROUP Penguin Books - Penguin Life in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own.

I absolutely loved this book. I have read a few of Matt Haig's books and he always has an inviting approachable writing style that immediately attracts you to his book and this one expressed it even more. The layout and construction of this book was unique in a way to allow the reader to connect and apply these principles to their lives. I also loved how Matt gave a list of books and songs that seem to put him in a good mood and take it from me, there is nothing like the power of music and books to put your mind at ease. A lot of our patrons will love this book especially fans of The Midnight Library.

We will consider adding this title to our Self Help collection at our library. That is why we give this book 5 stars.