A wonderful read which I’m sure I’ll read over again! An exploration of the many reasons to remain hopeful in the face of life's disappointments and challenges.

Title: Reasons to Be Hopeful: What remains consoling, inspiring and beautiful
Author: The School of Life
Genre: Non Fiction
Rating: 2.00
Pub Date: August 1, 2023

I received a complimentary eARC from The School of Life via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.


T H R E E • W O R D S

Accessible • • Encouraging

📖 S Y N O P S I S

In a world that isn't short of darkness, there could be few more urgent priorities than to spend time rehearsing for ourselves why life - despite all its challenges - still has so much to offer us; why there are still so many reasons to be hopeful.

Here is a collection of some of the most persuasive arguments for staying on the side of optimism, creativity, kindness, calm and hope. Across a series of essays, we learn why we still have the right to feel purposeful and buoyant despite everything that is challenging: because there is still so much more to discover, because love can triumph sometimes, because we can delight in summer days and the light of dawn, because we are not alone in our suffering, because we are never far from the option of a slice of cake or a bath, because we are very small things in a mighty and beautiful universe and because we don't require perfection for things to feel good enough.

💭 T H O U G H T S

Having gone through some tragic events over the past fours years, I was drawn to Reasons to Be Hopeful simply because I need to seek out and pay greater attention to the little things in life. They are the things that keep me going, and put things into perspective.

The School of Life has put together a collection of short essays that are easy to read. They have also included some famous artwork, photos and illustrations to help connect essay to something more. I am not an art enthusiast, so I really struggled to connect with a lot of it. In certain ways it felt a little too biblical and disconnected from the present.

Nonetheless, Reasons to Be Hopeful gave me lots to think about even if many of the essays didn't resonate with me. These essays are a reminder that life is futile and that our place in the world is so small. There is always something to grasp onto for little bits of hope.

📚 R E A D • I F • Y O U • L I K E
• coffee table books
• art

⚠️ CW: death, mental illness, suicide, self-harm

My goodness, I have tried several times to get to grips with this book. But it's not exactly an uplifting read! The format of short reflections lends itself to a one-a-day, thought for the day-style pace of reading, but I couldn't cope with such a downbeat start to each day.

To sum it up, it's an extended version of the message in the biblical book of Ecclesiastes: 'Everything is meaningless; enjoy the little things'.

"Reasons to Be Hopeful" by The School of Life is such a timely book. I got to read this piece pre-release thanks to NetGalley in exchange for an honest review but have failed to post it until now. Nevertheless, I can only praise it. Amongst all the negativity and challenges one cannot avoid to be confronted with in this life, it is almost always a comforting experience to feel understood and dwell in story and inspiration. This book is unique because it features a piece of art alongside wisdom, insight and practical strategies to tackle various challenges. Every chapter is approached in a sensitive way whilst not feeding into the fantasy that darkness is something one can master and avoid - instead, it teaches us that it will be an inevitable companion that can nevertheless lead to beauty and hope. Since the chapters are fairly short, this book is not typically read from start to finish in a few sittings, but can be one to come back to whenever one feels the need.

One quote that stuck with me is this:
"We can have different, new lives within one life. We do not have to remain where we are. There is always an elsewhere."

Let's face it, life can be tough sometimes, and it can be difficult to see the positives, but that's where Reasons to be Hopeful comes in. A collection of stories, essays and reflections, illustrated with photography, Reasons to be Hopeful gives readers the chance to find a ray of light in amongst the darkness, and encourages them to be optimistic - and hopeful even when life is tough.

An easy and comforting read, the book is like listening to an old friend, with some interesting ideas laid out throughout. Definitely recommended for tough days.

This would make an interesting coffee table or waiting room book. There are quotes, stories and art that I found very interesting.

For me personally it was something I would pick up, read a few selections and then come back to it later. So definitely more of a leisurely reference.

At some points the passages meant more to me than others. I’d imagine this would be a good one to come back to time and again and see the passages a bit differently depending on where you are personally.

For my purposes/group/library this wouldn’t work but I would recommend it to some of our sites as waiting room/coffee table books, which we try to update when possible. It would be a good addition to an oncologist office etc.

I received a copy of this book through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you for the chance to pick up something outside of my regular repertoire!

The download date was unfortunately missed, I would be happy to re-review if it became available again. I have awarded stars for the book cover and description as they both appeal to me. I would be more than happy to re-read and review if a download becomes available. If you would like me to re-review please feel free to contact me at thesecretbookreview@gmail.com or via social media The_secret_bookreview (Instagram) or Secret_bookblog (Twitter). Thank you.

This is a great book full of essays that are uplifting and remind us to be hopeful. In todays fast paced world that’s full of stress it can be hard to stay optimistic. But through this book you learn that there is still so much more to discover and reasons to be hopeful. Thank you to NetGallley and the Publisher for an ARC.

Interesting book, a selection of uplifting essays to try and soothe the soul and placate worries. Something to dip in and out of during difficult days.

Thank you once again NetGalley for the ARC <3 y'all rock!

I went into this book thinking it was like Matt Haig's positivity-vibes.

It is NOT.

My goodness, this book goes through all the negative feelings of life and mediocrity in such a fantastic way. You won't understand until you read it and be enlightened.

It's super short too!

Very unique, I felt like I was understood as a human being.

Thank you for providing me with a copy of this book.
I struggled to get into it because it was slow.
This book is well-written and there are no doubt many people who would be an ideal audience for this book.
But I am not one of them.

Another useful and thought provoking self help book. Reasons to be hopeful came at a good time for me and enjoyed

In today's fast-paced and often uncertain world, it is easy to get bogged down by the negativity that surrounds us. The School of Life's book, "Reasons to Be Hopeful," serves as a breath of fresh air, offering readers a chance to rekindle their sense of optimism and find solace in the small yet significant reasons for hope that exists in our lives.

The book is a masterful compilation of essays, stories, and reflections that delve into various aspects of life, from personal growth and relationships to societal progress and environmental conservation. Each chapter is meticulously crafted, weaving together thought-provoking insights and real-life examples that demonstrate how hope can be found even in the most challenging circumstances.

One of the standout features of "Reasons to Be Hopeful" is its emphasis on practicality. The authors do not merely present abstract concepts or philosophical musings; instead, they provide actionable advice and strategies for cultivating hope in our daily lives. This makes the book an invaluable resource for anyone seeking to improve their outlook on life and better navigate the complexities of the modern world.

Another notable aspect of the book is its inclusive approach. The School of Life has done a commendable job of ensuring that the content is relatable and relevant to a diverse audience. Regardless of one's background, beliefs, or experiences, there is something in "Reasons to Be Hopeful" that will resonate with every reader.

In terms of style, the book is engaging and accessible. The language is clear and concise, making it easy for readers to absorb the wealth of information presented. Additionally, the use of anecdotes and personal stories adds a human touch to the narrative, making the lessons and insights all the more impactful.

In conclusion, "Reasons to Be Hopeful" by the School of Life is a must-read for anyone seeking to rediscover the power of hope in their lives. With its blend of practical advice, thought-provoking insights, and heartwarming stories, this book has the potential to transform one's perspective and foster a newfound appreciation for the beauty and resilience of the human spirit.

I got a digital galley copy of this book via NetGalley.

What I really liked about the book:

- As like all the other books from "The School of Life" Universe, the book is really easy to read.
- Every chapter starts with an. art work and connects the art work with the point that the chapter is trying to make, which I thought made the chapters that much more interesting.
- The author makes a point that we are too insignificant to matter and that the universe just doesn't care, so neither should we. This is an interesting way to instilling hope in us. As the book goes on, the more it helps its cause.

What would I have liked to be different:

- I think there is nothing that I would like very different from what the book has turned out to be. However, one little thing was that if the book could have ended with a lot more positive and much more full of hope.

Thank you net galley for allowing me to read this in return for an honest review.
I love self help type books , they always interest me abs this was no different.

The plot of this novel is quite interesting. It was advice from an educated friend over various different types of situations.

At times it felt a bit rushed.
However at times it was consistent with the whole starting each chapter with some sort of art related piece.

Overall an easy and positive read, I was drawn to this book by the title, I think we could all do with a few more Reasons to be Hopeful these days! I enjoy the work of The School of Life and I think this book would encourage interesting discussions among my older pupils.

"A self-help book that is straight to the point and has no sugarcoating."
That's what I feel after reading this book.
Rather than look up to a grand thing, the writer guides us to focus on the smallest thing and be delighted.
There are also a lot of mesmerizing illustrations of the inspirational figure. I learn a lot and change my perspective bit by bit to be more hopeful :)
Highly recommended for everyone! especially for the one who's having a hard time appreciating life as it is.
Thank you Netgalley for allowing me to read the digital ARC, a very insightful read!

This book really grabbed my eye however it was a bit different from what I was expecting and was not to my taste.

I think it would work better as a hardcopy rather than as a kindle version.

Thank you for the advanced reader copy.

I really enjoyed Reasons to be Hopeful, we all need a little hope every now and again. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me an advance copy, I will definitely be recommending.