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  • Reasons to Stay Alive

  • By: Matt Haig
  • Narrated by: Matt Haig
  • Length: 4 hrs and 26 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (243 ratings)

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Reasons to Stay Alive

By: Matt Haig
Narrated by: Matt Haig
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Publisher's Summary

What does it mean to feel truly alive? Aged 24, Matt Haig's world caved in. He could see no way to go on living.

This is the true story of how he came through crisis, triumphed over an illness that almost destroyed him and learned to live again.

A moving, funny and joyous exploration of how to live better, love better and feel more alive, Reasons to Stay Alive is more than a memoir. It is a book about making the most of your time on earth.

'I wrote this book because the oldest clichés remain the truest. Time heals. The bottom of the valley never provides the clearest view. The tunnel does have light at the end of it, even if we haven't been able to see it.... Words, just sometimes, really can set you free.'

©2015 Matt Haig (P)2015 Canongate Books Ltd

Critic Reviews

"Maybe the most important book I've read this year." (Simon Mayo)
"A life-saving book." (Amanda Craig)
"Brings a difficult and sensitive subject out of the darkness and into the light." (Michael Palin)

What listeners say about Reasons to Stay Alive

Average Customer Ratings
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  • Ben
  • 14-03-2016

Professional suffer = 10/10

I am male 30 from Australia and have been dealing with all sorts for close to 8 years. Hands down best book I've read / listened to. Thanks Matt

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9 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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It's rare to be understood by a book

But this book understood me. I'm so very grateful I discovered Matt Haig, I'm nearly done reading everything he's ever published.

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6 people found this helpful

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    2 out of 5 stars
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Didn't Resonate

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

I purchased this book having heard a lot of good things and had high hopes. I also thought it might be interesting to hear a male perspective on anxiety and depression. I listened to it in its entirety and while there were some great quotes, Matt Haig's experience and narrative just didn't resonate with me.

The overall theme seemed to be that if you wait mental illness out, it will pass. And come back. And pass again. And come back again, etc. I'm disappointed - I feel I didn't learn anything and have nothing to take away from this book despite the authors honesty.

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4 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars

So many reasons to stay alive, not least of which is Matt Haig’s writing!

An honest memoir / self-help book for all humans, and especially those of us touched by anxiety and depression.

While at times confronting and even troubling to those who relate closely to Matt’s experiences; Reasons to Stay Alive provides commensurate comfort to humans with busy, anxious and/or troubled minds.

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2 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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A must for everyone

Wonderfully written and narrated by someone who's lived and continues to live with the struggles of mental health. Possibly a life saving piece of literature. A huge thank you to Matt...

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1 person found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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Worth a read

As someone who turned to this book during a really dark time, I think this book focused way too much on the negative parts, when I was hoping for more optimism. That said, the last quarter of this book had some extremely helpful advice and is something I will refer back to when I need some words of encouragement.

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Brilliant

So nice to listen to a fantastic writer who can share and articulate this nasty Mental disease . I could relate to so many of Matt’s own experiences .. Great narrator and stories . Ive began yoga and meditation thanks to Matt’s advice ... feeling great and so much clarity .

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A tough listen but worth it

This book may be short in length but it’s so dense with information and stories.

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1 person found this helpful

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Fantastic Book

This book was recommended by https://linktr.ee/livingthelifeyoulove on Instagram - so I purchased it that day, very happy I did.

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The honesty and courage of the author

Matt Haig said he wrote a part memoir and part self-help book. He has succeeddd admirably. A good job and a good liste.

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