The Comfort Book by Matt Haig is a non-fiction work that combines memoir, self-help, and philosophical reflections. It is a compilation of short essays, lists, and anecdotes that provide comfort and hope, especially during difficult times. Haig shares his personal struggles with mental health, including depression and anxiety, and offers wisdom and insights gained from his experiences. The book includes diverse sources from history, science, and literature, and it emphasizes the importance of hope, forgiveness, and moving forward in the face of challenges. It is designed to be a comforting and uplifting read, with the author's conversational style making it feel like an intimate and supportive conversation.
This book is both a memoir and a writing guide. It details Stephen King's life, from his childhood and early writing endeavors to his struggles with addiction and his near-fatal accident in 1999. The book is divided into sections that cover King's life ('C.V.'), the nature of writing ('What Writing Is'), writing mechanics ('Toolbox'), his advice on the craft ('On Writing'), and his recovery from the accident ('On Living: A Postscript'). King offers practical tips on writing, including the importance of vocabulary, grammar, and style, as well as the need for consistent writing routines and ruthless editing. He emphasizes that good writing comes from within, driven by curiosity, wonder, and emotional honesty rather than commercial motives.
In this powerful and personal memoir, Matt Haig shares his experiences with severe depression and anxiety. The book is divided into five parts—'Falling,' 'Landing,' 'Rising,' 'Living,' and 'Being'—and details Haig's journey from the depths of mental illness to finding hope and meaning in life. Haig's writing is characterized by its raw honesty, conversational style, and practical advice on coping with mental health issues. The book includes his experiences with therapy, medication, and other tools that have helped him manage his mental health. It also highlights the importance of hope and the need to break the stigma surrounding mental illness.
The Midnight Library follows Nora Seed, a 35-year-old woman who feels trapped in a life filled with regret and disappointment. After a series of devastating events, she attempts to end her life but instead finds herself in the Midnight Library, a limbo between life and death. Here, guided by her childhood librarian Mrs. Elm, Nora can explore countless versions of her life by entering books that represent different paths she could have taken. As she navigates these alternate lives, Nora must confront her regrets, understand the complexities of choice, and discover what truly makes a life worth living. The novel delves into themes of regret, the meaning of life, and the importance of living in the present[2][3][5].
Internationally bestselling author, Matt Haig, spoke with me about how the novelist became an accidental "mental health expert," why writers need resilience, and the process behind The Midnight Library.
"The only reader you're ever going to truly know ... is yourself." – Matt Haig
Matt is the author of 20 books, including the #1 bestselling memoir Reasons to Stay Alive, five novels, including How to Stop Time, and several award-winning children’s books. His work has been translated into over 40 languages.
His latest novel is The Midnight Library, a runaway, #1 bestseller and reader favorite of 2020. It was a Goodreads Choice Awards Best Fiction Book of 2020, a Best Book of the Year by The Washington Post, Amazon, the New York Public Library, among many others.
The New York Times said of the book, "An absorbing ... vision of limitless possibility, of new roads taken, of new lives lived, of a whole different world available to us somehow, somewhere, [perhaps] exactly what’s wanted in these troubled and troubling times.”
Stay calm and write on …
**Audio excerpted courtesy Penguin Random House Audio from The Midnight Library by Matt Haig, read by Carey Mulligan.
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In this file Matt Haig and I discussed:
His superhero origins and the blog post that became a book
How to write "like no one's watching"
Inconsistent routines and the power of deadlines
Why writers need to surprise themselves
How he got Carey Mulligan to record his audiobook
And more!
Show Notes:
MattHaig.com
The Midnight Library: A Novel by Matt Haig (Amazon)
Matt Haig Amazon author page
On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King
Matt Haig on Instagram
Matt Haig on Facebook
Matt Haig on Twitter
Kelton Reid on Twitter
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