Smith renders self-help as a personal and intimate experience, with a slew of personal advice, anecdotes, and, most of all, encouragement—to stay positive, practice self-forgiveness, and stop worrying about situations outside of your control. He speaks to readers in gentle, casual tones, never losing sight of his rosy outlook—even when addressing weighty topics like end-of-life events and toxic emotions. “The more time we spend feeling bad about our mistakes,” he writes, “the more likely we are to do something else bad,” pushing instead for readers to “make amends… and move on.” Those pep talk snippets are both welcoming and refreshing, a soothing answer to the moments in life that can feel insurmountable.
Smith's references to religion, philosophy, and case studies on well-knowns like The Beatles and Jimi Hendrix underscore his desperate search for answers. From there, ideas such as the power of the self, mindfulness, and gratitude spring forward, as Smith demonstrates that the path to recovery will be long and challenging but ultimately rewarding. Change hinges on willpower, mindset, and being true to yourself, he writes, and, in his own words, there’s no time like today to start “enjoy[ing] a more fulfilling life.”
Takeaway: Upbeat guide to creating a joyful, fulfilling life.
Comparable Titles: Brianna Wiest’s The Mountain Is You, Sue Varma’s Practical Optimism.
Production grades
Cover: B
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A-
Marketing copy: A-
