Very interesting and very clinical. At times it felt as though we are reading doctors notes more-so than a book.

It took me a long time to get into the book because it was so clinical.

I read the ebook and listened to the audiobook version. I will say don’t listen if you are a little sleepy. The narrator’s voice was so soothing and rhythmic that I may have nodded off. Allegedly.

I never finished this audiobook as it was interesting and fascinating at times but then felt tedious and repeated. I’m a huge fan of the topic of the felt presence and was excited that a book came out about this with real stories and some scientific ideas behind it, but at the end of the day it felt like the writer always wanted to find a scientific solution to this presence desperately. And the openness from the beginning had disappeared in the middle. I stopped listening at 58%. I usually always finish books, especially audiobooks, but this one didn’t want me to desperately end it.

I must say, this was one spooky read! It being of the non-fiction genre around mental and emotional health, my own experiences with chronic sleep paralysis and "audio" events-as a reader I needed some hand holding to digest book. This was well written but totally the wrong genre for me giving my experience. I would recommend it to those interested in this topic though. The narrator has the perfect cadence that matched the subject matter.
#Presence #NetGalley.

I was under the impression this book would be about ghosts and was pleasantly surprised it was told from a science-based background that incorporated psychology and some philosophy.

I enjoyed the first-person viewpoint Doctor Ben Anderson- Day provided. As a criminology major with a minor in psych, it was refreshing to see such an open viewpoint on things some professionals consider taboo. Alderson entertained the reader with a beautiful mix of personal stories, historical views, and research interviews.

I listened to this book on audio, and the narrator had an incredibly soothing voice. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in psychology and the paranormal!

"It is proposed we have an innate or early developing skill that can detect other things that act in an intentional way... Such a device would be biased towards erring on the side of spotting something, because the cost of missing a predator would be far too high"

Ever see something out of the corner or your eye, and have to do a double take? Ever wake up in the middle of the night, sure there is something in the room with you? Have you ever heard a voice, only to discover that is was simply an odd noise? Or perhaps you are someone with the ability to detect faces and voices out of shapes and sounds better than the average person.

Presence considers all these situations and more. Originally inspired after Alderson-Day encountered a patient who spoke of a "presence", he became interested in the different kinds of "presences" that people encounter - and there are a wide variety of them. I think the average person considers voices, hallucinations, and presences as malevolent forces that appear due to mental health conditions or even evil spirits. However Alderson-Day introduces us to presences that were benevolent, even life-saving forces for those who experienced them, often during extreme duress such as traveling to the center of the south pole.

What I really like about this book is how thorough it is. It covers possibly the entire umbrella of reasons why someone might hear or see things, and is almost comforting in its message about why so many avoid telling others about their experiences. We also go into my personal favorite - night terrors and paralysis. It actually goes so far as into intentional creation of a presence through a Tulpa (Bronies do this!). We also meet someone who hears voices "all the time", put her through a research study, and discover that her brain is actually like the most powerful at recognizing speech patterns of anyone else in the study? *mind explosion*

Overall a super interesting book. It is also written in an engaging way that keeps you entertained instead of feeling like you're drudging through a 300 page psychology book

Thanks to NetGalley and RB Media for the audiobook ARC!

Presence is a fascinating examination of the phenomena, folklore, history, and science behind presence, whether real, imagined, or other-worldly. The anecdotes are relevant and interesting, with detailed interviews of some very intriguing people. Definitely a must-read for fans of Mary Roach, Jon Ronson, Jon Krakauer, etc.

I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect when I picked this one up, but it was insightful. Alderson-Day explores that feeling that we’re not alone and many of the different ways we experience that feeling. Between scientific exploration and personal stories, the book shares a better understanding, if not universal explanation for, this sensation.

Overall, I enjoyed this book. I like micro histories and oddly specific nonfiction books every now and again, and this definitely fits the bill. The range of conditions and stories that might display this phenomenon are varied and fascinating. I enjoyed the personal stories as much as the exploration of the whys of them. Recommend if you enjoy podcasts about random and odd things. You’re bound to learn something.

We have all had that feeling someone is watching us, or standing being us at times, but when you turn around to look … no one is there. Some people experience more extreme versions of this phantom, both positive and negative. What does it mean and where does it come from?

This book gives a fascinating insight into the cross section between the paranormal and science, including studies of auditory hallucinations and historical research into the phenomenon. The in depth scientific case studies were gripping and I genuinely found the book very compelling throughout.



The style of book, content and narration give me a similar feeling as a podcast called Unexplained. Unnerving, but somehow soothing at the same time. (You might want to check out the podcast if you enjoyed this)

The narrator has a soft and engaging voice, which I find is great for this kind of book as it keeps you alert to the facts.

3.5 rounded up

I found this book well researched and somewhat interesting with many true accounts of people feeling the presence of or seeing something that is only visible to them.
The thing is, the book is not what I had anticipated. To box those who have experienced such phenomena into mental illness, disease and extreme conditions doesn’t do them justice. It is not until Section 9 when the author touches upon Spiritualism. A thought provoking book which makes one alert to the many ways and reasons presences reveal themselves.
I listened to the audio version from NetGalley and found it well done.
Thank you NetGalley, the author and publisher for allowing me to read and review the advanced copy.

Fascinating and well-researched, the author takes us on a journey to discover how and why we sense someone even when there are no sensory cues to explain the feeling. I was impressed by the scope and balanced delivery of his research. The technical explanations were available without jeopardizing the . Whether you are interested in cognition, psychology, or just weirdness... this book has you covered.

I haven’t devoured a nonfiction audiobook like this one in a LONG time! I will preface this by saying that I do have an extensive medical education and background, and this is also a subject that deeply fascinates me which all probably aid in my enjoyment of this one. But even without any medical background, this is written in a way that is digestible for all.

The author does a great job of alternating between fascinating true stories and then the heavier, science background. For me, it was told in a way that gave you a good break between some of the drier topics (even though equally as interesting) and the true stories that really keep the pages turning. I am just so utterly fascinated by the brain and how it works that I was just found myself continuing to find things to do so I could spend time listening to this.

So many great things were explored here. From sleep paralysis, Parkinson's disease, Antarctic expeditions, Bronies, and even the mind of readers and writers. It is clear that it was really well researched.

If you are interested in this topic, enjoy a good nonfiction read, or have experienced this yourself I would highly recommend this one. **Side note: This is FANTASTIC on audio. The reader was top notch and really helped me to stay tuned in to this story. If you have not tried listening to a good nonfiction book, I highly recommend you give it a try.

This was archived before I could even listen to it. Is there any chance that NetGalley will allow a certain amount of days for audios to be left available to those who’ve been approved so we get a chance to listen past the archive date? I think the archive date should be used to cease requests, not access to those approved… I’ve reached out to the publicist for this to see if I can get a hard copy for review it sounds SO intriguing!

I really enjoyed this book, looking at "presence" and the experiences of those who have felt it. I really liked the scientific yet approachable writing. I also enjoyed the types of presences explored, like those on extreme expeditions, people with schizophrenia, etc. I also enjoyed the British narrator. Wonderfully researched but never dry.

This was a fascinating read. I admit that I was attracted to it because of my interest in spooky ghost stuff and I was excited to see a book that addressed the idea of spirits or ghosts with psychology and science.

The book addresses several types of presence from extreme adventurers like Shackelton and distance runners who experience "presence" to people who claim to see spirits in the last half. There is a balance between clinical studies and data and I really feel like I learned something while reading it. The last half did feel a bit less explored, but the reason for that is explained, because many people who claim to feel spirits don't often submit themselves to studies.

I listened to this on audiobook and I the reader reminded me of Malcolm Gladwell. It was a pleasant experience and I would recommend this to anyone looking for a deeper understanding of "presence."

I could see myself using an excerpt of this for a synthesis paper where we look at how data is used to support claims. It would be an interesting discussion for students, especially around Halloween.

I want to preface this by saying that I am a hardcore believer in the supernatural, while also firmly in the camp of science. Contradiction? Probably. But this book - this book gets it.

What are we feeling when there’s nothing there? What are we hearing when no one is there? Who are we talking to when the conversation is in our heads? Is it some form of psychopathy or is there another explanation? This books takes every possible explanation into consideration and spells it out. It’s not judgmental, it presents facts and theories and it does it in a way that keeps it interesting.

I received the audiobook through NetGalley and the narrator was perfect. With a soothing voice this topic is presented perfectly in this format. Definitely recommend.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A lot of nonfiction books give you the feeling of being a fly on the wall in other people’s life and that is definitely the case in Ben Aldersonday’s book P. Mostly it’s the author‘s life we’re privy to but with conversations without theirs he explores the different ways we feel other presence is when were supposed to be alone. From my good book to an apparition to mental illness this can come in many forms but that isn’t entirely what the book is about we get to hear about Luke and his experiences with the topic but also about him overcoming having to get a pacemaker at the age of 23 were also privy to a reading study that was done by an hour otologist and many other chapters with multiple people I found this book to be so interesting I love that he thought of things I would’ve never thought of such as feeling a present while reading or hearing the voice of the character you’re reading about which is so true this was a brilliant book and one I thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommend I think Jacob foam did a wonderful job narrating the book and had a great voice for the subject at hand. resents i’m not gonna lie I was only kind of interested in this book and thought it may be a little interesting so I was definitely surprised with the level of entertainment book provided kudos to the author and the narrator great job! I received this book from NetGalley and the publisher but I am leaving this review voluntarily please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.

Have you ever felt like you weren’t alone? You wake in the night and get the sense that someone has been watching you sleep even when no one is in the room with you. Does this mean a spirit is there? Or could there be a medical/scientific reason for what you feel.

Presence is a non fiction book written by a psychologist looking for answers behind the unknown. I think everyone has their own story of something spooky that made them feel like spirits could be real. If not personally you have probably heard someone tell their story. Alderson-Day isn’t saying it’s impossible. He is merely looking at all the possibilities. Could the person be under extreme stress or is there an underlying health issue causing hallucinations?

I believe in ghosts, spirits, and the possibility that sometimes afterlife isn’t strictly heaven or just…nothingness. I’ve never seen anything but I’ve definitely felt things that didn’t feel normal. I believe that people can sense otherworldly presences. I also believe that there can be scientific reasons for what someone sees, hears or feels.

I enjoyed the chapter on sleep paralysis because I suffer from it. Fortunately, I’ve never felt a malicious spirit while under but I have heard things. I’m very grateful that I’ve never sensed something evil. I liked hearing some of the scientific information around how it happens.

I listened to the audiobook and the narrator has a lovely accent. I enjoyed the true stories more than the clinical side of things but that’s because I’m a spooky girl! If you are hoping for ghost stories, this isn’t the book for you. Presence is more scientific than story teller. While I did enjoy it, I would’ve enjoyed a more personal approach that allowed me to connect with the author and the people involved. It is very interesting to hear that we may be able to explain things that might scare others. I guess the takeaway is if you hear, see or feel something weird make an appointment with your doctor before you think your house is haunted!

Book Recommendations: Spook by Mary Roach for a technical approach to the afterlife. Episode 13 by Craig Dilouie for a fiction equivalent which features a team that investigates hauntings with a scientific aspect.

Thank you to the author and NetGalley for the opportunity to read Presence. I have written this review voluntarily.

It happens to everyone sometimes: you think you see a familiar face in the crowd, you hear a voice when you’re alone, you feel someone’s eyes upon you… in this volume, psychologist Ben Alderson-Day discusses some theories as to why and how this happens. These are not exceptional occurrences, though, but recurring episodes for many people, who have had to learn to live with the voices in their head. The obvious answer is a malfunction in the brain, extreme circumstances or a hallucination. The author explores these explanations, but many others. Did you know that the Shackleton crew felt another man walking with them while trying to get help for their infamous expedition? I didn’t. All the experiences here are very interesting and Jacob Foan’s narration keeps a steady rhythm that adds to the atmosphere. The author doesn’t discard more supernatural explanations so, whatever you think about the issue, this is an eye-opening book.
I chose to listen to this audiobook and all opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased. Thank you, #NetGalley/#RB Media, Recorded Books!

This book does a in depth scientific evaluation of the concept of “presence,” and how our brain perceives the inclusion of another entity around us whether it is in a spiritual, sensory, or hallucinatory way.

I was hoping for more of a paranormal investigation type of nonfiction read, but this is more focused on psychology such as hearing voices due to schizophrenia, or how the brain can sense things differently as a result of various medical conditions or trauma.

I was disappointed the stories weren’t about hauntings and such, and more about mental health studies. However, I did still find it to be interesting and thought the narrator did a great job of presenting the information.

I wish the narrator could have read my text books to me when I was in college getting my Bachelors of Science in Nursing degree because his voice was oddly soothing and I think it would have made my studying go smoother. That being said, I’m not sure how people who don’t have a background or interest in medicine or science will feel about this book. I genuinely like learning about these subjects, so I thought it was fine, but I could see some readers thinking the content is dry or over their heads.

In all, I appreciate all the research and thought that went into this book. It’s clear that the author really cares about the topic and is very knowledgeable by the way he is able to mostly simplify complex info.

I think fans of books that explores psychology and the connection that our brains have to our surroundings, such as the books written by Malcom Gladwell, may find this fascinating.

3.5/5 stars rounded up for this review

Alderson-Day tackles the notion of presences around us, unseen, but not necessarily unheard. Is hearing voices a sign of mental illness or a signal that someone or something else is near? Drawing on cases, current, historical, and in some cases, famous, the author presents a fascinating argument about mental illness vs. the paranormal