Reasons to Stay Alive - by Matt Haig (Paperback)

About the Book

"Matt Haig's ... memoir of his struggle with depression, and how his triumph over the illness taught him to live"--

Book Synopsis

From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Midnight Library.

"A very special book that has provided a beam of hope to so many in their darkest days."--DOLLY ALDERTON

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO FEEL TRULY ALIVE?

At the age of 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."

Review Quotes

Named one of Entertainment Weekly's Must-Read Books of the Year

Finalist for the Waterstone's Book of the Year

"A very special book that has provided a beam of hope to so many in their darkest days." -- DOLLY ALDERTON

"Destined to become a modern classic." --Entertainment Weekly

"An in-depth exploration of Haig's battle with depression, if you need a pick-me-up on a very fundamental level, you could do a lot worse than this book." ―PEOPLE

"I dog-eared 45 pages in Haig's compact book where he wrote profound or poignant things. I could have easily marked more of them." ―Jim Higgings, THE MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL

"Wonderful and essential." ―Christopher Weir, THE HUFFINGTON POST

"A quick, witty and at times profound take on an illness many people suffer from, but sometimes can't bring themselves to talk about." ―THE MINNEAPOLIS STAR-TRIBUNE

"A small masterpiece that may even save lives" -- JOANNA LUMLEY

"Things just got real. His honest -- and surprisingly funny -- first person account is a reminder that no matter how hopeless life may seem, it really never is." ―NY METRO

"A scintillating read." ―THE DAILY MAIL (London)

"REASONS TO STAY ALIVE is essential reading for anyone who has dealt with depression and for anyone who loves someone with the disease." ―BOOK REPORTER (London)

"Fascinating and beautifully written." ―IAN RANKIN

"Brings a difficult and sensitive subject out of the darkness and into the light." ―MICHAEL PALIN

"Matt Haig is astounding." ―STEPHEN FRY

"Maybe the most important book I've read this year." ―SIMON MAYO

"A life-saving book." ―AMANDA CRAIG

"Matt Haig uses words like a tin-opener. We are the tin." ―JEANETTE WINTERSON

"Thoughtful, honest and incredibly insightful." ―JENNY COLGAN

"Brilliant and salutary . . . should be on prescription." ―REV. RICHARD COLES

"A vibrant, encouraging depiction of a sinister disorder." ―KIRKUS REVIEW

"Warm and engaging, and shot through with humour...a valuable contribution to the conversation." ―THE SUNDAY TIMES (London)

About the Author

Matt Haig is the internationally bestselling writer of six novels, including the New York Times bestseller The Midnight Library and How To Stop Time. He has also written award-winning children's books. His work has been translated into thirty languages. He has written two memoirs, Reasons to Stay Alive, an international bestseller, and Notes on a Nervous Planet.