One of the most thorough books on suicidal thinking that I have ever read. This book is not for everyone and there are chapters in it that I would not recommend reading if you struggle with suicidal thoughts. There are many tools and conversation starters given if you do have someone in your life you are concerned about but do not know how to help. I got a lot out of this book by just getting a glimpse of understanding what some people struggle with. It brings to mind the lyrics of Before You Go, "It kills me how your mind can make you feel so worthless". I would wish anyone struggling with suicidal thinking could seek out treatment and know there are people out there that care about them.

This was a heavy, great book that delves into depression and suicidal ideation. It took me longer to read than I expected, but I really enjoyed it.

It felt a bit predictable at times, but the overall portrait of a struggling mind was an intense and beautiful one.

My reading experience with How Not to Kill Yourself by Clancy Martin was an extended relationship. It took me approximately three months to finish it, because I read each chapter individually and took breaks in between. The material is useful, to be sure. As someone who has lived with depression and suicidal ideation for my entire lifetime, I recognized a lot of knowledge and understanding that I've gleaned through years of therapy, journaling, and other self-work. I think it is immensely valuable to have a book available that could serve as a compendium of such perspective, especially since Martin provides a cross-section of spiritual, philosophical, and psychological examinations of the chronically suicidal mind and thought patterns. The introduction directs readers in immediate need to the appendices, which are carefully curated and full of resources for individuals in need of assistance, and for their caregivers. There is a tactical component to this book, and that is my favorite thing about it. My hope is that someone who is struggling in the dark could read this book and get some perspective that might actually sink in, since the book lacks the triteness and platitudes so often present in this kind of material. Perhaps they could start their therapy, self-reflection and/or self-work process at a more enlightened level for having read this book. I applaud Martin for his candor and his lack of vanity, for telling the truth even when it is deeply unflattering. At one point in the book, he references a conversation he was having with another person living with suicidal ideation, in which the person said that the most useful thing you can do to help someone in need is to share your own story. I feel that Martin took that idea to heart, and did all he could to share his story with thorough and absolute honesty.

My criticism of the book is a small one, and it is simply that there are a section of chapters in the middle that focus primarily on Martin's alcoholism, and the intersection of his addiction with his depression and suicidal ideation and attempts. This material was very educational to read, and I think it was important for Martin to include all aspects of his story and experience, so I'm not saying that those chapters should not have been there. Nor am I suggesting that the relationship between addiction and mental health struggles is not relatable to many people. However, for me, the middle of the book became more focused on alcoholism than on suicidal ideation. Martin's alcoholism was one of his parasuicidal behaviors and is absolutely a crucial part of understanding his journey, so I really don't want to criticize the inclusion of this material. I just felt that, in terms of pacing, my reading slowed down considerably and I took a longer break while reading this part of the book.

In closing, I don't really think there's anything in the book that doesn't need to be there. I appreciated especially the analysis of the many philosophers, spiritual leaders, authors, musicians and public figures who have made statements in their various mediums about the suicidal mindset, and how those themes were present in the lives of those individuals. The book also includes references to a wealth of other titles that would be useful to someone who wants to read more on these topics. Overall, How Not to Kill Yourself by Clancy Martin is a valuable read. I think it is a useful resource for anyone who is struggling with depression and suicidal ideation, a message delivered honestly from someone who deeply understands the experience. I have already recommended it to multiple people, and I will continue to do so.

I’ve been reading “How Not to Kill Yourself,” since November. An ARC sent to me with a 3 day deadline, obviously I missed it, I thought would be something I would get through pretty easily. Nope. This was one heavy, but important, read. Trigger warning- suicide, suicidal thoughts, actions, tendencies, alcohol and drug use.

Clancy Martin calls his memoir, “A Portrait of the Sucidal Mind.” The book is split into three parts, “Suicidal Tendencies,” “One Foot in the Grave,” and “The Long Road Back.” How grateful I am Martin made it down “The Long Road Back,” in order to write this book which I hope can help us be kinder to one another and to ourselves. As he tells his story Martin goes back and dissects the culture of suicide. He uses philosophy, literature, pop culture and his own experiences to shape the narrative of his multiple unsuccessful suicide attempts and their consequences to the relationships of those around him. He writes about why people kill themselves, how we feel after other people take their own lives, and how substance abuse can trigger suicidal tendencies. He also includes tools for helping someone who is contemplating suicide and resources for more help.

Suicide is something we need to talk about more. There need to be more resources for those who are battling mental health issues. Therapy needs to be accessible for all. Suicide pacts shouldn’t be a thing, living pacts should be. I don’t have the answers on making this better or possible, but I do know that if we all start talking to each other more openly and honestly, it could help. One commonality I found through Martin’s text was him being alone with his own thoughts. One of his failed suicide attempts, he was on vacation, with his family, in Hawaii and went out to pick up takeout from a restaurant, when instead he swam out as far as he could into the ocean, and then as deep as he could and hoped he would drown. He didn’t. Defeated he returns to his family and the consequences of another failed attempt. It’s so important to remember that just because things seem great on the outside, or even worse seem wonderful on social media those aren’t always accurate depictions of a person’s true attitude towards life.

Martin writes, “My admittedly ambitious hope for this book is that someone who is thinking about suicide might pick it up and find that she need not act on the thought, or that the urgency of the thought has diminished a bit. I also hope that the book may help people who are approached by a friend or acquaintance who is feeling suicidal.” As this book continues to go through the publishing process, I hope Martin can comprehend how important it is for him to be here on this earth with us and how very many people this book will help throughout time.

If you want to read this one please let me know, I’ll make sure you get a copy upon publication.

Thank you to Clancy Martin for sharing your vulnerability, and to NetGalley for allowing me to read and review early.

Thanks # netgalley for this book in exchange for an honest review. At times I got bogged down in the authors lengthy use of philosophy but it was worth reading. Highly recommend

This book provides an incredible insight to people who contemplate suicide. The author is extremely brave and forthcoming by sharing his experience and insight in an effort to help others. It was so helpful to me to understand this struggle and gain insight into how temporary and avoidable it can be. I am very glad I read it and will recommend it to everyone as the information is applicable not only to suicide, but other destructive behaviors. Thank you to Clancy Martin, Knopf Publishing and NetGalley for the opportunity to review this insightful book.

Clancy Martin’s portrait of the suicidal mind is quite a drawn out affair, repetitive in parts, helpful in others, and by my lights damned to most likely not end well. Though appearing to be a thoughtful exercise in learning how to live in spite of his dreadful obsession not to, Clancy’s outcome is, for me at least, predictable. For as much as plentiful examples are given for overcoming this final act, there are numerous good reasons offered for not to continue suffering. While reading this book I was never exactly sure of Martin’s ultimate plan. It is my hope he has a long and prosperous life as well as a fitting end. The quotations taken from the book that follow offer both sides of the equation. It is up to Clancy’s readers to figure out where they stand.

This one is painful. It is informative but also emotionally difficult to read. Martin offers a brutally honest look at what is going on inside the mind of someone who is suicidal. He is an open book throughout, takes all the shame out of the equation and offers some very helpful resources.

It is not going to be a good read for anyone who is in the thick of suicidal ideations or maybe even those who are ok now but have a tendency to spiral. Please read it if you don't understand how someone could think that way. We can never have enough compassion or understanding for each other.

This book speaks in a multitude of ways. Some chapters are for those feeling suicidal while other are for those who have felt suicidal. Some chapters are for those who have attempted while others are for those who are attempting. Still, Some chapters are for loved ones of the suicidal, successful or not. It deals in all aspects of suicide and is therefore a helpful toolbox to keep and use over and over.

This is educational, deeply personal, philosophical, heart wrenching, and accurate. I recommend this book to anyone who has been affected in anyway by suicide to get a copy.

This book was difficult to read. From the title you are aware of the topic and if you have mental health concerns, this might not be the best read for you. I don’t want to give too much away but essentially the book discusses a man’s back and forth with suicide. It is intense, difficult to read, at times emotional and extremely eye opening.

Thank you to Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor, Pantheon and NetGalley for allowing me to review this arc

There is a lot of bravery in any memoir, regardless of topic, because it is brave to share yourself with others, to engage in self reflection. Clancy Martin's memoir is brave for sharing taboo and very raw insights about mental health and self harm; this is a tough read and felt overwhelming in places even for me with a psych and some clinical background.

I wasn't able to finish reading the book in the allotted time, but that is likely due to my work schedule and the not easy to read content. Suicide is hard to read about.
Although the author does a good job of approaching it in an easy way and his writing style is very understandable and approachable.
I was able to get about a third to a half way through the book and would have liked to have finished it. I was learning and appreciating the content, but it was hard for me to absorb a whole lot at once so I didn't get through it as quickly as I was given.
I plan on purchasing the book when it comes out.

This was a topic I wanted to learn more about and this book answered all of my questions and then so many I didn’t know I had.

I had never heard of suicide as an almost compulsion, but it appears in some people it is. I understand the depression aspect of this. It just blows my mind that this is something some people try doing from a young age on into adulthood.

I am glad the author wrote this book and help make people aware of this. Great and interesting telling of his life and honesty about everything around this. I learned a lot from this book!

I rarely review a book when I can’t give it three or more starts. Almost never do I write a review when I haven’t finished this book. The truth about this drivel needs to be written.

Before I write my comments please know in addition to have worked in the area of mental health, half dozen family members have died by suicide and others have attempted. I’m not a virgin in this area.

Clancy Martin’s writing is so slow, I’ve only made it 1/4 way through the book since acquiring it nearly three months ago. The writing is arrogant at best, whiny at worst. The manuscript offers little in the way of understanding all the complicated aspects involved with suicide. Instead it’s the rambling of a philosopher who appears to write to excuse his life of non-commitment and addictions.

I quit reading when Martin got the inevitable part blaming his parents … it’s always the parents’ fault.

Throughout the portion I read, which is autobiographical, Martin takes no responsibility for his behavior— either his mental health, which can be helped, or his additions. He only offers excuses.

Don’t water time or money on this drivel in any attempt to learn more about suicide. Certainly don’t give it to a family member whose loved one has died by their own hand. And it offers no hope for those with thoughts of taking their own life.

A complete waste of time.

I went into this book thinking it was something else. This is essentially the author talking about his fascination with suicide. Unfortunately not for me.

I just didn't vibe with this book. Maybe if it had a different title I would be have a different reaction, but this book is so focused on the author's attitudes (sometimes toxic and outright wrong!) and he contradicts himself so often throughout this, as other reviewers have noted. The only reason this is getting two stars is because the appendices have actual accurate, helpful resources to someone struggling with suicidal ideation.

An i.portant scholarly yet deeply personal and mersive look at suicide. The author opens with a description of yet another one of his own suicide attempts. Deeply moving and deeply educational. Feel like this is important reading that should read by the masses.

I posted this review 6 weeks ago - not sure why it did not go through.
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Thank you to #NetGalley and publisher for an advance copy of this book to review. I found it to be one of the most raw and honest memoirs I've ever read. I also learned a great deal about the suicidal mindset, including the breadth of material about the subject. I recognize that Martin isn't generalizing from n=1 or encouraging readers to do so.
Nevertheless, I agree with his central argument that suicide is rarely, if ever, spontaneous. I can't say everyone should read it, but if you're interested in the subiect and not at risk, I do recommend.
I may add to this review in the next few days, as I continue to think about it; I'm trying to review #NetGallev books promptlv so that I don't forget to review.


As much as I appreciated reading this, I agree with GoodReads reviewer Kristi Lamont that this book would benefit from more careful editing and a shorter length.

Thanks to NetGalley for the e-arc. This is not a book for the faint hearted as the title would suggest and is quite detailed about the authors suicide attempts, but it is a fascinating look at the reality of living with suicidal ideation and tendencies and I’m sure will help an often unspeakable topic to be spoken of and understand.

Wow, this book is in parts both super depressing, but also super important for people to read on mental health. Clancy Martin shares his journey with suicide, psychological (and sometimes not so psychological) reasons why people may feel this need to end their life. The stories are engaging, although an edit for most of them would have made the book a bit more engaging, I found myself skimming a lot, not only because it is heavy but also because there were just a lot of words (this coming from someone who reads upwards of 100+ books a year). Although, I cannot stress how heavy this book is, it is an important book for mental health’s especially if you or someone you may know is facing this situation.