Book Review: The Comfort Book by Matt Haig

Yes, it’s another Matt Haig book as part of the personal development book club. What can I say? I like his work! This time, it’s the 2021 publication, The Comfort Book!* Building on the legacy of his previous non-fiction, Notes on a Nervous Planet and Reasons to Stay Alive, The Comfort Book combines “philosophy, memoir and self-reflection … this is the book to pick up when you need the wisdom of a friend, the comfort of a hug or a reminder that hope comes from unexpected places.”

By combining a range of quotes, lists and longer reflections, Haig has created a book that creates a sense of conversation. It’s hard to place where you would allocate it against a library system; my online “Bookshop” has allocated it to memoirs, as it pulls in a range of perspectives and experiences. What I do know is that whilst it isn’t a time-consuming read (251 pages), it’s thought-provoking. I often found myself bookmarking pages to make sure I could come back to them for this review!

The book can feel repetitive at times, touching on the same topics, but with a slightly different approach or bringing in the experience of another person. This helps to reinforce the concepts of the book as a whole – nothing is stronger than a small hope that doesn’t give up – and to allow for the internal biases and beliefs that may prevent you from connecting with the message the first time it’s presented. 

What you take from this book will vary from person to person, based on what is happening in your life at the time. Having flipped back through the book again in preparation for this blog, I am considering certain sections in a new light. You could argue this is the mark of a great personal development book, as you can access it numerous times and the themes will rise to what you need to focus on! 

This book won’t fix all the issues of the world; we can’t avoid the state of nations right now! But it’s a pleasant read that will help you take stock of what you can control. It allows us to be unapologetically vulnerable, and hope that there are glimmers of possibility for the future. 

So, in true Clara Cliff Notes style, here are the three things I wanted you to know about The Comfort Book. However, unlike previous blogs, you may find other topics and themes are more relevant. So, you need to read the book! 

 

1. The problem with ladders

Haig talks about how the language of ladders creates an expectation of upwards progress; without the chance to appreciate the here and now. What about being curious, mindful and appreciative of our current state rather than chasing the next rung on the ladder? This doesn’t mean acceptance of the status quo or not wanting to change our circumstances, rather the rejection of the “more is better”.

2. Get comfortable with incompletion

We spend so long thinking we have to get ahead. That scratching something off a list means that you are successful. What if we get comfortable with just being, and allowing ourselves to make progress, without seeing the final result? 

3. Radically accept ourselves

We started as a mess (the big bang) and we have continued to grow and thrive in a messy environment. Acceptance includes messy things; don’t assume it equates to a problem. They are just part of who you are.

 

So, to finish off with a wonderful quote from the blub of The Comfort Book “ … And in the darkness, even the tiniest fragments of light can shine, capture our attention and maybe even lead us home..”

I’d love to know what you thought of the book. If you haven’t already, join Creating Careers to Enjoy to find out the next personal development read along, and share your thoughts on the monthly titles. If you would like to check out the previous books, you can find the reviews here. 

 

 

*If you buy this book I may get a small commission, but it won’t impact the price you pay.