The Comfort Book

Matt Haig

Matt Haig is a national treasure, wise and compassionate in equal measure.

Whether he’s writing novels such as the acclaimed The Midnight Library, or non-fiction including Reasons To Stay Alive, he gets to the heart of what matters in life – and what doesn’t.

In this glorious collection of anecdotes and reflections on “hope, survival and the messy miracle of being alive”, he writes movingly about his own mental health.

He had a breakdown in his 20s, spent three years “desperately wanting to die” and was so depressed he couldn’t speak.

But he’s gradually devised an assortment of “life rafts” that keep him afloat and he’s keen to share them. Far from being fanciful or impractical, they are full of good sense and are easy to emulate.

They range from learning to say no to things you don’t want to do to appreciating the simple things in life such as lying on a sofa eating a pear.

He also lists soothing songs, books and films, breathing exercises, inspiring stories, and comforting recipes for houmous or peanut butter on toast.

Aware that his anxiety is most acute when he listens to loud techno music or spends too long in front of his computer screen, he recommends getting out for a walk, swimming in the sea or simply gazing at the sky.

Written in short, snappy chapters, Haig’s mix of philosophy and memoir is empathetic and uplifting.

Sharing nuggets of kindness and hope on every page, it’s a book to guide us all through bad times and good.