How We Got By

What a beautiful book! The artist and author have worked together seamlessly to bring us a collection of stories and portraits from people just like me and you. Check this one out! Five stars. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

If you're interested in the stories of various kinds of people, this is for you! The illustrated portraits are amazing, also, it makes for a quick read as each story is darker short.

How We Got By is a heart-warming collection that offers a glimpse into the resilience of human spirit. With gorgeously illustrated portraits, this book presents a tapestry of first-person stories from everyday people who have faced life's challenges head-on.

The stories cover a wide range of topics, from money and relationships to family, trauma, and death, showcasing the depth of human experiences. While the concept may not be groundbreaking, the heartfelt narratives and shared humanity found in these pages make it a soothing and meaningful read. In a world that can be tough and unpredictable, How We Got By reminds us of our extraordinary ability to endure and emerge stronger. This book is a must-read for those seeking hope and connection amidst life's trials.

Thank you NetGalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for a copy of How We Got By.

"When your world is upended, how do you react? Who do you become? New York Times columnists, illustrator Julia Rothman and writer Shaina Feinberg, seek answers to these questions and more in this gorgeously illustrated collection of sometimes heartbreaking, always illuminating first-person stories"

For fans of Humans of New York, this book is for you! This book has gorgeous portraits and shares stories of our common humanity. It's quite enjoyable to go through as well--flip to a random page and read a story or two. A small way to bring something good in your day!

The lockdown years were difficult for us. We often lost hope, hearing of all the stories of losses around us.

This book does not say we have to put our chin up and push on. No.

It instead gives us stories of people who went through unimaginable hardships - deaths, divorces, illness, abuse, loss of money, loss of identity... And yet, these people lived. One day at a time, one minute at a time, they pulled through their difficult time. They found something that helped or were buoyed by the thought of a new search.

If you go into this book looking for positivity, you might not find it right away. It will not tell you "Everything will be alright! Live for the moment!" Instead, it will tell you to do what you do best and do it consistently. Sometimes, the best we can do is just be alive and that is okay.

The illustrations, painted by one of the authors, were excellent. They captured the emotions of the speaker in a way a photograph cannot. I was left looking at the illustrations long after the story had ended.

5 stars for this excellent book. It is worthy of nothing less.

Thanks to Netgalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for the ARC.

If you love stories or insights from other people, this book would truly make your day like it did mine-it kinda reminded me of humans of New York- a page I used to follow on Facebook with insights from people on their life experiences.
The illustrations are an added bonus and they complement the stories herein.
Thanks Netgalley for the eARC.