Reasons to Stay Alive

Title: Reasons to Stay Alive
Author: Matt Haig
Type: Paperback
Read: 19th May - 21st May 2016
Rating: 5/5
Published: 5th March 2015 by Canongate Books

I want life. I want to read it and write it and feel it and live it. I want, for as much of the time as possible in this blink-of-an-eye existence we have, to feel all that can be felt. I hate depression. I am scared of it. Terrified, in fact. But at the same time, it has made me who I am. And if - for me - it is the price of feeling life, it's a price always worth paying.

Reasons to Stay Alive is about making the most of your time on earth. In the western world the suicide rate is highest amongst men under the age of 35. Matt Haig could have added to that statistic when, aged 24, he found himself staring at a cliff-edge about to jump off. This is the story of why he didn't, how he recovered and learned to live with anxiety and depression. It's also an upbeat, joyous and very funny exploration of how live better, love better, read better and feel more. 

Part of me doesnt' feel like I have the right to judge a book where it is based on someones experiences. How can you say if its good or bad, when it is something that the author went through.

I've never suffered with depression, but I do have family members who do. It's tough to watch from the outside, so when it is actually happening to the person, i have no idea how they cope. They are the most strongest humans I know. This book is from Matts view. He's own personal battle.

It's honest and raw. It's informative and helps you to try understanding what its like. You'll never truely understand, not until it happens directly to you. But it gives you an insight to the feelings, emotions and the tough times. It breaks it down for you, without trying to butter it up.

I think everyone needs to read this and I think we need to do more to understand and help those with mental health issues. 

Go Get it From: Amazon UK | Book Depository | Waterstones | Wordery
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