Why Am I Like This?

This was good, especially for Gemma's debut. I wouldn't necessarily call it a self-help book, but more like "I'm lost, asking my friend for support" and that friend comes with a pile of research to help you understand why you're feeling a certain type of way (as opposed to solutions for your problems). It was well-researched, well-written, and very all-encompassing in a Psych 101 way. I think this would be a great hit with younger girls and women who are just starting to deal with mental health issues and are in need of guidance and feeling heard.

as someone who deals with anxiety and depression, i’ve always had questions about mental health and how my brain works the way it does that doesn’t seem to be “normal” like other people, but i’ve never had the time to do any of the research, or the money to pay a therapist a 5 hour session where they can explain my brain and all the theories in detail lol but with this book it felt like i was talking to a friend going thru the same situation as me who had all the answers i needed, having Gemma talking to us the readers directly throughout the book felt comforting and her sharing her own experiences made me connect to her in a way that kept me interested in the book which of it didn’t have this it would’ve been just a book with lots of facts
i liked how the book was structured and all the numbers and studies that were cited were interesting
overall a great book that can help you understand the human mind and emotions

This was such a fun and interesting, self-help book. I love the writing style and all the tips and tricks that were given throughout this book. I love how open and honest the author was able to be with the readers.

Thank you to NetGalley, to the author, and to the publisher for this complementary ARC in exchange for my honest review!!!

*"Why Am I Like This?" by Gemma Styles is a refreshingly honest and insightful look at the complexities of self-discovery and mental health. Styles’ writing is both compassionate and relatable, as she tackles tough topics with warmth and wit. She skillfully blends personal anecdotes with well-researched insights, making the book feel like a conversation with a wise friend. This book is perfect for anyone navigating the ups and downs of understanding themselves better. It's uplifting, comforting, and serves as a gentle reminder that we're all a work in progress—and that's perfectly okay.*

Goodness, what a book. Exactly when I needed it.

How are our brains affected by social media, screen time, technology and the endless news cycle? From burnout to biases, authenticity to algorithms, imposter syndrome to empathy, Gemma Styles explores the fascinating and sometimes weird human brain and mental health.

Styles is a talented writer able to break down complex, scientific ideas into easy-to-understand concepts. She’s also incredibly sharp and witty, which helps this nonfiction work not feel like you’re slogging through a dry university textbook. “Why Am I Like This?” is more life handbook or Psychology/Neuroscience 101 than a preachy self-help book.

Thank you to #NetGalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for the advanced reader copy of #WhyAmILikeThis. (I will be purchasing my own physical copy!) To be published Nov. 19, 2024.