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Reasons to Stay Alive

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Reasons to Stay Alive

By: Matt Haig
Narrated by: Matt Haig
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About this listen

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
Essays Indigenous Creators Mental Health Mental Health Awareness Mood Disorders Personal Development Psychology & Mental Health Health Inspiring

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)
All stars
Most relevant  
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...

A must for everyone

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This book stirred an amazing feeling of hope that I didn't know was out there. Thank you Matt and Andrea.
I cried, I laughed, I have recommended.

Utterly beautiful.

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This was my first audiobook and I much prefer having a book in my hand and reading it. So, I didn’t think I would like this even in the beginning I was thinking hmm, it won’t have a huge affect on me. But I was surprised to find myself crying at the very last chapter. It was beautiful and sums up a very hard mental Illness but also gives you a lot of hope in a realistic way but also somehow makes you believe in magic. It beautiful. He is a lovely writer, my first book of his was the midnight library that was just as amazing and life changing for me.
Highly recommend.

Surprised.

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

A tough listen but worth it

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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 .

Brilliant

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This is the first audiobook that has fully captured my attention. Matt Haig reading the book made it that much more raw. I’ve suffered depression and anxiety at various stages throughout my life, but not to the extent of the author. My heart went out to him as I recalled, through his beautiful descriptions, the paralysis and fear that engulfs you. His healing methods may not work for everyone, but that’s the whole point: finding what works for you so that you can climb back out of the hole and keep going. Highly recommended.

Insightful

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I found this book after loving another of his works - The Night Library.
This short and sweet, semi biographical story is almost a self help book as much as true story about his battle with anxiety and depression. Full of great noteworthy quotes and insights, I found it inspirational and a tonic to my own battles.
A great read!

Verbal brain tonic

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Everyone needs this book!

Matt Haig is searingly honest & eloquently powerful in his own accounts of mental health experiences, management & recovery. This was a book I have needed for a long time & especially right now. This is pure encouragement, belonging & healing.

Masterful!

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Unsettled by the power of the words and their ability to narrate my thoughts ... but I am the Sky and depression is a cloud, the Sky can exist without the cloud and the cloud needs the Sky to exist ♡
Loved this imagery in my mind movie best.
Thank you Matt, the clouds colour is lightening ♡

Bringing You Back from the Precipice

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adds perspective and sheds light on an otherwise taboo topic. a truly incredible listen / read

I'll never view mental illness the same again.

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