Member Reviews

Easy to read guide that feels more for an older audience that those younger and learning without the usual bad advice from previous years. It’s a great guide though and would be great to come back to.

Was this review helpful?

This book was engaging and had a nice format, useful information on how to stay healthy however nothing groundbreaking.

Was this review helpful?

A short pithy guide to all of the available evidence about how to live a longer, happier, healthier life. Lots of practical tips and information that will help lots of people.

Was this review helpful?

The Healthy Living Handbook by John Thorne offers a wealth of practical advice presented in a clear and accessible format. Its straightforward layout makes it an ideal resource for those aiming to make sustainable improvements to their health and lifestyle. The book addresses everything from foundational principles to specific strategies for change.

While the book includes numerous UK-specific resources and local information, its advice is easily applicable to readers worldwide. It’s a practical, no-frills guide that I would recommend to anyone looking to embrace a healthier, more active lifestyle.

Was this review helpful?

A short book that introduces healthy living concepts for readers with little to no time, best read online so that you can access the many useful links

Was this review helpful?

"The Healthy Living Handbook" sets out to be a comprehensive guide to adopting a healthier lifestyle, compacted into a brisk 200 some kindle pages. Its aim is ambitious and noble, considering how many deaths are preventable with lifestyle changes. This book presents itself as a jack-of-all-trades in the health genre, covering everything from diet and exercise to mental health and financial well-being.

The book excels in its motivational tone and the inclusion of engaging, informative graphics that complement the text well. The approach is realistic and inclusive, acknowledging the barriers many face when attempting to live healthier lives. It's filled with a variety of topics, which are enhanced by the humorous, light-hearted tone of the writing, making the content more digestible and less daunting. The contributions from various health professionals add a layer of credibility and a diversity of perspectives, which is refreshing.

Despite its strengths, the handbook is not without its flaws. One of the main issues is the repetitiveness of the content. While reinforcement of key concepts is beneficial, here it sometimes crosses into redundancy, making the read a bit tiresome. Furthermore, the brevity of some sections leaves the reader wanting more. Important topics are often given a superficial treatment, which is a missed opportunity to deepen the reader’s understanding and engagement.

The organization of content and sources also detracts from the book's effectiveness. Some sections appear chaotically arranged, with source citations that can be confusing and overly specific, disrupting the flow of reading. A more streamlined, thoughtfully organized presentation could enhance comprehension and retention of the information.

Overall, "The Healthy Living Handbook" is a commendable effort that offers a lot of information in a succinct format. It is ideal for readers looking for a quick, motivational guide to kick-start a healthier lifestyle. However, those seeking an in-depth exploration of health topics may find it lacking. The book’s layout and organization could benefit from a more thoughtful approach to enhance its utility as a go-to resource. It earns a solid three stars for its accessible approach to health education, though there is definite room for improvement in depth and organization.

Was this review helpful?

The book is very sensible and the advice all makes
Sense. I didn’t learn anything new from it but got some good reminders. The amount of emojis made the book seem a little unprofessional and maybe in that sense a little less credible.

Was this review helpful?

Nicely presented, sensible and engaging advice. I liked John's writing style and presentation, I thought this book a useful and interesting read, although a lot of it was already known to me.

As ever, the challenge is in the implementation, but I did find this book inspiring in that respect, so that's a big plus in its favour.

Was this review helpful?

Thanks to the publisher Troubadour and Netgalley for this eARC.

The Healthy Living Handbook by John Thorne is a concise and engaging guide that promises to change lives. In a world where one in seven deaths in the is preventable, Thorne’s book offers practical advice on how to improve health and well-being. Here’s why it stands out:

Accessible Wisdom: Thorne’s writing style is concise, realistic, and humorous. He breaks down information barriers, making healthy living advice easy to understand and apply.

Holistic Approach: The book emphasizes that a healthy lifestyle isn’t just about physical health. It impacts relationships, self-perception, enjoyment of life, and even financial well-being. Thorne covers it all.

Practical Tips: From nutrition to exercise, stress management, and sleep hygiene, The Healthy Living Handbook provides actionable steps. It’s like having a knowledgeable friend guide you toward better choices.

Motivation: Thorne’s lively tone keeps readers engaged. He motivates without overwhelming, making positive changes seem achievable.

Links and References: Throughout the book, Thorne provides links for further exploration. Whether you’re a beginner or someone seeking deeper knowledge, these references are invaluable.

In just 219 pages, Thorne delivers a wealth of information. By the end of the book, you’ll understand how a healthy lifestyle can benefit every aspect of your life. Whether you’re starting your wellness journey or looking to enhance your existing habits, The Healthy Living Handbook is a must-read.

As a book reviewer, I appreciate the clarity and practicality of The Healthy Living Handbook. Thorne’s warm and welcoming approach makes this handbook a valuable addition to anyone’s health library. 📚🌿

Was this review helpful?

A great book to help you live a better and healthier life and better still it was a short, quick and easy to read book that didn't preach but gave great information, which I really liked. There is some great practical advise, information and tips which makes it easy to follow and understand.
And although some of the advise given is and would be common since to most others may find it very helpful and most of us would find it very relatable.

A great source of basic information to live that healthy life and a book that can easily be read by anyone. A book for anyone and everyone.

Thank you NetGalley and Troubadour for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

Was this review helpful?

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for a copy of this book. All opinions are 100% my own.

This book is a compact, short guide to healthy living. There was nothing groundbreaking included, but it is a great beginners guide to the topic. I could see an older audience appreciating its simplicity.

I read this book on the kindle app on my phone. The tables were formatted horribly in this form, which made them virtually unreadable as all sections merged together. I really liked the use of different colour text and the word clouds within the book though, as it broke up the sections nicely.

Was this review helpful?

The Healthy Living Handbook by John Thorne is a treasure trove of practical advice presented in a way that makes it easy to implement. Its simplistic layout makes it the perfect guide for anyone looking to make lasting changes to their health and lifestyle. This comprehensive book covers everything from the "how" to the "why" and everything in between.

While it is primarily tailored for a UK audience, with numerous additional UK websites and local information, the content can easily be adapted for readers outside the UK. I found it a straightforward, no-nonsense resource and would gladly recommend it to family and friends seeking to adopt a healthier, more active lifestyle.

Thank you to NetGalley and Troubador for gifting me the e-ARC of The Healthy Living Handbook in exchange for my honest review.

Was this review helpful?

This is such a sensible, well researched , relatable book. This really should be on school and library bookshelves. I can see myself and my family dipping into this book on a weekly basis.

Was this review helpful?

I liked that the book is packed with details that might not really be new for many people (except for the more specific points), but that really hit their target and make you realise that you have to take responsibility for your life now. Great images also, comprehensive and relevant, fitting also with the humourous approach. Nice to see many professionals contributing to this guide.

Some aspects tend to be relatively repetitive and sometimes a bit too brief and lacking though, even though it felt like more things should have been mentioned. Some parts seemed to focus too much on what certain people should avoid; I would say that a more general take would be better in some cases. The sources were also a good addition, but felt a bit too specific and chaotically organised. The book is close to 4 stars for me, but not exactly there.

Was this review helpful?

A sensible guide to healthy living. . Some of the advice seems basic, like eating more fruit and vegetables, but since the majority of uk people don't get enough of these in their diet, it seems we need reminding frequently that this, and other things are needed for healthy living. A good read.

Was this review helpful?

The author provides common-sense advice for healthy living. But, what I especially appreciate is the acknowledgement, by the author, of structural/economic as well as educational issues that make healthy living difficult for a section of society. The author does this in a practical way that implicitly recognises that a lot of healthy living focused books assume a large budget and a lot of time which many simply do not have.

Was this review helpful?

The first chapter of this book made me think this would be a book of platitudes that wouldn't be helpful. But if you give the book a chance, it gives you concrete information on nutrition, exercise, vices, and more. There are charts that help you truly see and understand what you need. This book is purposefully short to give you the proper information but keep you engaged.
Please note that the information inside is UK-based; other countries may vary. Regardless, this is still a good start that helped me understand better what I needed to do with my nutrition.

Was this review helpful?

Jam packed with sensible, actionable advice. A great guide to help you feel better, in all areas of your life.

Was this review helpful?