The Comfort Book

Nothing is stronger than a small hope that doesn't give up.

The Comfort Book is a collection of little islands of hope. It gathers consolations and stories that give new ways of seeing ourselves and the world.

Matt Haig's mix of philosophy, memoir and self-reflection builds on the wisdom of philosophers and survivors through the ages, from Marcus Aurelius to Nellie Bly, Emily Dickinson to James Baldwin.

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.

"Full of eloquent, cogent and positive reminders of the beauty of life . . . Will prove enormously sustaining and valuable to a lot of people . . . Genuinely uplifting . . . Haig is a sensitive, introspective and thoughtful guide to the human dilemmas that affect us all" ― Independent

"The Comfort Book, a collection of aphorisms and inspirational stories of survival against the odds, is a guide to living and finding hope in these disjointed times" ― Guardian

"The literary equivalent of a steaming hot chocolate on a chilly day . . . The ideal read for dipping into whenever you need a pick-me-up or change of perspective" ― Metro

"Profound, witty and uplifting, and a stirring testament to hope and the imagination" ― Observer

"Pick up this book any time you're in need of a boost of positivity, calm and - as it says on the cover - comfort" ― ELLE

"Promises two things I can't get enough of: hugs and lists . . . After a year starved of hope and hugs to the extreme, I can't think of a greater comfort read than that" ― Evening Standard, Best Summer Reads

"Bite-sized advice and aphorisms . . . Full of solid good sense and hard-won wisdom" ― Scotsman

"Every page of Haig's smooth prose will inspire you to think. Whether it is about fitting in, facing one's demons or happiness itself, each short anecdote, quote or simple sentence does just what the book aims to do: give comfort" ― Herald

"

The Comfort Book . . . is brilliant, full of nuggets of profundity to consume when you're feeling low. And [Haig] has a way of discussing mental health that rises above the general confessional noise

" ― Irish Independent

"[A] thought-provoking, affirming collection that is both personal and universal . . . With Haig's trademark empathy and celebration of the resilience of the human heart, this is a book we all need and deserve" ― Booklist