Member Reviews

I loved this! The book is comprised of 140 'Friendly Reminders' and advice divided into chapters. This would make an amazing gift for anyone who "has it all" or people who are hard to buy for. It would be a great one to have as a coffee table book as well.

Thank you to NetGalley and. Quarto Publishing Group – Rock Point for providing me a digital reviewer copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.

Was this review helpful?

This book gave me a warm feeling. I loved the colour themes and felt like I was getting a hug with each page turn. Besides that, the writing was good, with a few long pieces in between all the affirmations and quotes the author added to remind the reader about the importance of self-care and why we should remember to practice it.

Was this review helpful?

This book had amazing illustrations and graphics. I also liked how almost every page included an inspirational quote!
The book also did a great job clearly laying out what each chapter would be about.
I enjoyed the introduction I feel like this would help a reader know that they are not alone since the author went through the same journey.
I thought it was a little bit on the longer side and it could have been shorter. But I would recommend this book for anyone that is looking for tips on self-care, forgiveness, healing and much more!

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and the author!

Was this review helpful?

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

"Friendly Reminders: Lessons from a Self-Care Savage" by Scott Tatum is a beacon of light for those navigating the often tumultuous seas of self-care. Tatum, an outdoor enthusiast and mental health advocate, embarks on a mission to empower readers with 140 practical reminders that serve as stepping stones towards self-healing and personal growth.

The book is structured as a series of reminders, each a nugget of wisdom distilled from Tatum's own experiences as a "self-care savage." These reminders are not just platitudes but actionable insights that encourage readers to embrace discipline, determination, and mindfulness. Tatum's approach is inclusive, speaking to men and women of all ages, making the book a universal handbook for anyone looking to bolster their self-worth and lead a more fulfilling life.

One of the book's strengths lies in its relatability; Tatum writes as a friend who has walked the path and faced the challenges he describes. He doesn't shy away from discussing failure or the importance of forgiveness, both of oneself and others. His message is clear: life is tough, but with the right mindset and tools, one can emerge stronger and more centered.

Tatum's writing style is conversational and direct, often feeling like a series of motivational speeches that are both inspiring and grounding. The book's design, with its easy-to-follow format, makes it a convenient companion for daily reflection and inspiration.

In essence, "Friendly Reminders" is a journey of transformation that Tatum invites his readers to join. It's a testament to the power of self-care and the impact it can have on one's life. For those seeking a guide to becoming their own hero, Scott Tatum's work is a valuable resource that offers a dose of daily inspiration and a roadmap to a happier, more peaceful existence

Was this review helpful?

As some other readers have also noted, this book is a balanced look at self-help that avoids diving too deep into any one approach or topic. The driving idea is to "savagely" put yourself first, prioritize your well-being, and do your best to get what you need. At time, the commentary can be a little harsh but the author softens that blow with the idea that this harshness is tough love. Reading it gives me the feeling that Tatum really does want the best for his readers, and that he wants them to want that for themselves, too.

The writing can get repetitive in several places, especially in the introduction, and I think a bullet point format might have helped avoid that, but it also might be the exact energy the author was trying to put out. Drilling the idea that 'you are worth it' into readers heads seems very important, and comes across in the author's tone.

The cover is what initially attracted me to the book as it looked so different from a lot of the sterile, huge text-covered self-help books that offer 9 rules or 7 steps or 13 daily changes. This book looks different because it is different; while there are no direct rules or changes or steps, the elements that Tatum finds important are clear, and reinforced with the conversational writing and friendly graphics.

I would say this book will serve you well if you're at the beginning of the self-care journey, or if you think that self-care just isn't for you. Check out this off-beat approach, and remember that you're worth it!

Was this review helpful?

If you’re looking for a pretty coffee table style book that has a bunch of motivational quotes, this is the book for you. This is a very shallow dive into the world of self-help, and the theories behind the mantras we tell ourselves to get through the day. In the end, it’s all about self-care, maintaining your boundaries, and loving yourself—which is the main point of the book.

Was this review helpful?

Friendly Reminders is just that - reminders and advice that will probably be helpful for many people but just a reminder for those who were already interested in psychology and self-care. At times I found the book repetitive and lacking of specific ideas which you could incorporate into your life, however I believe the book might be helpful for many, and I was simply not the target audience. A big advantage of the book are the beautiful graphics. If you are just starting your self-care journey then you might find some helpful ideas in this book.
*received a free e-book on NetGalley*

Was this review helpful?

Thank you to NetGalley for ARC.

I savored this one few pages a day. It isn't anything new or groundbreaking so the title fits the book so well as those are reminders and a compendium of what people interested in personal growth heard dozens of times already. Neatly put together and graced with beautiful relaxing art.

My only concern is that some of the advices are word to word of what other people said and timelines suggest Scott wasn't first to come up with it. It's a no nonsense collection of reminders, but sometimes theory takes so long to squish on the page that author doesn't really bother to throw few examples how to best implement it in life.

If you struggle with mental health and don't want to drown in the ocean of self-help content, I would day, it is a good start, reflection of what may be happening in us and around us to notice, easy to digest and practice before diving deeper.

Was this review helpful?

There are some great suggestions to follow in this book! I thought it was well written. I just reviewed Friendly Reminders by Scott Tatum. #FriendlyReminders #NetGalley
[NetGalley URL]

Was this review helpful?

Never thought this book will so beautiful!

Actually I am in reading slump mode, that's why I want to read self-help book and decided to read this.

As the title, this book is so friendly. With its beautiful graphic and full color, also its reminder that made me calm and grateful.

Definetelly love this book sooo much <3.

Thank you Netgalley and Publisher for the ARC!

Was this review helpful?

"Friendly Reminders" really spoke to me and left me feeling empowered. Tatum's writing style is soo relatable and down-to-earth, making self-care concepts crystal clear. The book's filled with practical advice, and the touch of humor kept me engaged from start to finish. It's a pretty short read so it's easy to pick up in between small tasks and I enjoyed the cozy atmosphere.

One of the things that stuck with me is how "Friendly Reminders" emphasizes setting boundaries and showing ourselves some self-compassion. Tatum shares valuable insights and personal anecdotes that made me feel like I was getting advice from an old friend.

I will say there were a few parts that felt repetitive, but the book's positive and uplifting tone totally made up for it. No matter where you are in your self-care journey "Friendly Reminders" will make a lasting impact on your well-being!
Thank you for allowing me to read this ARC early!

Was this review helpful?

Friendly Reminders : Lessons from a Self-Care Savage is a lovely hug of a book reminding you to take care of yourself. It is a beautifully illustrated book, consisting of background artwork, summary quotes and advice and a longer page in each section to read. It is a lovely book to dip into while you have a break, and would make the perfect gift for someone you care about.

Was this review helpful?

Self-proclaimed Self-Care Savage, hiker, explorer, and founder of Ucan Outdoors, Scott Tatum is here to help you find your way back to yourself. I was recently gifted a pre-publication e-copy of his self-help book Friendly Reminders, due to be published in September 2023.

While reading Friendly Reminders, you’ll find hints and tips to help you live a more peaceful and happier life. You’ll be reminded to put yourself first and build a strong self-worth while exploring the themes of self-care, forgiveness, healing, and leadership.

Simple yet Powerful

A simple read, I found it an enjoyable and warm series of powerful quotes with cute imagery. There are short blocks of text and memorable messages to read and remember. This is particularly good if you’re short on time, or if you can’t focus for long. In fact, it’s a very good book to have a physical copy of, and you can simply pick it up, flick to a random page (an example below) and read something inspiring each day. After a tough day at work, opening any page of this book would be a comfort.

Many of the concepts in this book are things probably heard before – but somehow, in this presentation, they hold a stronger meaning. The book is written and presented in a way which is easy to grasp and absorb. I love how simple it is, and yet so powerful at the same time.

I highly recommend this book to anyone. It will be published in September 2023 and is available to pre-order from good bookstores.

Was this review helpful?

I love it! Friendly Reminders by Scott Tatum includes 140 friendly reminders and practical advice that are divided into chapters. Life can be hard, but reading his short book and changing your mindset with his advice is encouraging. It is a no-nonsense approach, and while I was reading it, I noticed myself shaking my head in agreement a lot. I did this because I was actually acknowledging the fact that this is me, it's relatable, and his advice makes sense. You can easily connect the dots.
 
This is a self-care guide, and you can read it however you want. You can skim it and read what you want to focus on first. For me, I slowly savored it from front to back, and it took me a while to read. not because I was disinterested or because it was boring or daunting. It was because it had such an impact on me that I would take a day, at least, to process the friendly reminders. It wasn't long until I decided I needed to pre-order my own copy. I want to be certain that I can easily go back and reference the friendly reminders that I need when I need them.
 
Let's talk about the illustrations in this book. They are bold and beautiful and focus on nature. I can't wait to show you all the illustrations when I receive my finished copy.
 
Friendly Reminders by Scott Tatum is out on September 12th and you can pre-order it now! I highly recommend it. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
 
Thank you, netgalley, publisher quartobooksus, and author Scott Tatum @ucanoutdoors, for the gifted EPUB for review considerations. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

Was this review helpful?

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.

This is a wonderful book of reminders perfect for the new mom, college student, graduate basically everyone on forgiveness, self-love and acceptance.. It s well organized , written and includes artwork that reminds one of those things we often forget.

Was this review helpful?

Thank you Scott Tatum, net galley and Quarto Publishing Group – Rock Point, Rock Point for sending me an arc of this book in exchange for a honest review

A nice easy to follow book about self care.

Very uplifting quotes and colour images, the art is lovely and leaves a good impact to the book.

I have wrote down some of the quotes to refer back to in the future. It's very optimistic and happy, I loved how this book tells you that it's ok you feel a certain way but there are ways to make yourself feel better.

Was this review helpful?

Friendly Reminders is a powerful collection of ideas, sayings, and stories to remind us that we need to put ourselves first, to love ourselves, to have faith in ourselves, to believe that we are worth it, and to treat ourselves that way!

My favorite: "The greatest gift you can give another person is your own happiness."

I LOVED this book. There is so much good stuff in here. No matter what your Achilles heel is, you will find words of wisdom here to support you. The book is laid out in an easy to read, simple yet beautiful design that will make for a great foundation to come back to again and again, whenever you need a reminder and a nudge to take care of yourself.

Thanks Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to review this eARC in exchange for my honest review on the book!

Was this review helpful?

I never related to something so quickly! At times we feel paranoid in our thoughts but this book shows you are not alone at all. I loved the one side panel of illustration with a quote cause I feel it helps marinate what you just read.
I would’ve liked some more illustrations and even some spacing just because I know some people will glance at the page and would be like yeah and glaze over it. This was a nice read and helps remind us that we are worth it even though at times we might not feel like it.

Was this review helpful?

Loved it. One of those books that I thought "I need to buy this book for myself and maybe one as a gift" before I finished the first chapter. The book encourages all to be a Self-Care Savage. I found it very calming and grounding. I plan to purchase and you can't provide better feedback than that!

Not long, about 192 pages ... but it packs a positive punch.

The author has several youtube posts.

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to review the advance read copy of Friendly Reminders in exchange for an honest review. Thank you VERY much to the author Scott Tatum for writing such an uplifting book. Thank you to Quarto Publishing Group ~ Rock Point for approving my request for the ARC.

Was this review helpful?

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of “Friendly Reminders” by Scott. All opinions are my own.

I really liked how straight forward and direct this book was. Nothing was really ground breaking, but it was advice and truths that we know and sometimes just need to hear again and again to actually make the changes and take care of ourselves. The title “friendly reminders” is absolutely perfect for this book.

One part that stuck out to me was, “Healing will take time, and you may find yourself going back to your old patterns again because that is the way of life. You will not be changed in a day or even in a few months. You can’t undo years of learning in a short period of time. Remember to show yourself grace whenever you find yourself making the same decisions that don’t benefit you. Healing is constant. You have to constantly be working on healing yourself.”

That really resonated with me and honestly is what I needed to hear. I’m glad I picked this book up.

The aesthetics and visual theme of the book are well done. It would make a lovely coffee table book. I received an e-arc but I am excited to see the physical version of it when it is in stores!

Was this review helpful?