"The most lasting thing I've learnt from reading is that we're never alone. First, it doesn't matter how mad, sad, or obscure our dilemma is, someone else has lived it and written down everything they discovered and everything they felt. Second, during those moments when our feelings are overwhelming and difficult to bear, a book is the most generous friend we could hope to find."

This book was right up my street - I love books about books, especially when combined with mental health. If anyone has ever told you that you read too much or own too many books - this has all the best come back responses. It's a comfort book in itself, filled with book recommendations that have hugely increased my 'to read' lists. Daisy writes so fluidly, it's easy to read and I devoured it in 3 days. I've read 2 of her fiction novels (Insatiable and Careering), but I feel non-fiction may be where she shines best, having started out in journalism. Daisy also has a podcast I listen to called 'You're Booked', where she visits authors' homes and investigates the books on their shelves (I recommend it for any nosy book lovers), which is why I think this book is so well rounded when it comes to its book lists - she's done her research, and includes many of these author recommendations.

One important point to note, is that the book doesn't solely focus on books that ease anxiety - it also includes chapters on reading for joy and laughter, books to make you cry and support you through depression and grief, reading to feel sexy or romantic, reading to understand family dynamics, reading for freedom from unhealthy addictions, reading to learn how to write stories, reading to learn and get out of your comfort zone, reading for courage, and reading for adventure and world travel.

From reading this book, I realised I've been missing out on reading more for comfort and joy - I can't remember the last time I read a book that made me cry with laughter. Also, Daisy is a huge advocate for rereading old favourites and books from childhood for comfort (no shame here) - I have a strong urge to go back and dust off my old children's books in the attic of my parents' house.

Highly recommended for any book lover, and it would make a great gift!

Some books I've added to my 'to read' lists, thanks to this book:
A Manual for Being Human, Can't We Talk about Something More Pleasant?, Four Thousand Weeks: Time and How to Use It, Good Behaviour, Love, Nina: Despatches from Family Life, The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom, Mortification: Writers' Stories of Their Public Shame, Early Morning Riser, The Unexpected Joy of the Ordinary

Thanks to Netgalley for the advanced digital copy. Publication date: 6th February 2025

A brilliant book! The layout of this book is incredibly well thought out, each chapter focuses on a different emotion and provides you with tips for reading through them and some fantastic book recommendations to go alongside them; making it easy to read it all in one or to dip in and out depending on your mood. Daisy's writing is beautifully descriptive and relatable, and her recommendations of books vary from children's fiction to biographies; making this is a fantastic book for every reader.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. As an avid reader I liked the dedication. This guide covers lots of topics from happiness from calmness and courage to romance and relationships. The anecdotes at the beginning of each chapter help readers feel less alone, especially with Daisy’s age of anxiety diagnosis being so close to my own. There are great bits of advice throughout the book such as the cures for comparison anxiety and writing & reading building anxiety before the book recommendations. I’ve found many books to try in the future although my TBR probably didn’t appreciate it. I liked the reading around the world chapter especially as I’m working on further diversifying my shelves.

A comforting easy to read book with some great recommendations. This book confirms the benefits of reading and how our mental health can be improved by immersing ourselves into a book. Thank you to NetGalley for the review copy

A lovely guide for using books to ease one's anxiety and find a bit of peace in the magic of literature. Super cozy and filled with incredible recommendations.

I am always looking for new and different books to read plus I love Daisy Buchanans books so this was something I was excited to read.

The book recommendations were great and it’s interesting to see how much of an impact books can make on people.

The only thing I would say is it’s not so much about reading to be happy and more reading to help navigate what life throws at you.

Read Yourself Happy by Daisy Buchanan is an interesting concept, but I found it to be a bit of a mixed bag. The premise of using books to enhance well-being and boost your mood is a great idea, and Buchanan's writing is engaging and full of enthusiasm. She offers a variety of book recommendations for different moods and life situations, which is helpful for readers looking for comfort, inspiration, or a mental escape. However, I didn’t fully connect with the way it was structured. While the book does have some useful suggestions, I found that at times it felt repetitive or a bit surface-level, especially if you're someone who already has a strong interest in reading for personal growth.

A perfect cozy read inbetween heavy books. I loved how lighthearted yet informative this book was. Bonus, the author's name reminds me of a teacher from high school. I loved hearing other people's experiences with reading and how it has helped them. I struggle with mental health so this has been a welcoming read. Each person explains a unique story to their background, they also give scientific evidence and helpful tips on reading more. At the end they share their favourite books too. The author has done well with this book so thank you for such an amazing book.

This is a lovely book about reading. Split into sections like 'reading for romance' 'reading for writers' as well as emotions. The sections discuss how reading can support you in those times. Daisy also talks about her own experiences and how reading has helped.
It's a very good reminder of how books can take us out of our current time and place and provide something that we need.
There are recommendations, obviously. Plus, interviews from writers which add some other voices to the text.

This book is great for seasoned readers and newbies alike. It helps you see the possibilities of how reading can help improve other areas of your life.

I will definitely recommend this book to my friends and family!

I love there is a book that exists in the world like this. As someone who uses books as a tool to comfort and escape this book is the perfect r representation of that feeling.

This book was so comforting, such a cosy read and so many good book suggestions! Recommended for all readers, those who are new to it or have read a lot.

Read Yourself Happy : How to Use Books to Ease Your Anxiety. This book is much more than the subtitle suggests, and is more about how to use books as a balm and support for anything, not just anxiety. I really enjoyed it, and love to see what books other people love and why. I have come away with a reading list, both classic and modern with a good variety of books on. I love the idea of 'self help' and healing by books, what could be better and more nourishing. There are bonus interviews with bestselling authors including David Nicholls and Catherine Gray. The book is divided into chapters dealing with all sorts of things such as happiness, romance, sexiness, humour, and relatives. So you could read it cover to cover or prescriptively depending on how you feel. There is lots of nourishing advice and information, such as when you return to a beloved book you will always see something new, and how to use books for emotional release. I loved the variety and the way the author suggests classics and modern books. It is a book about books that just makes you feel good. The perfect prescription for book lovers everywhere.

Books about books are one of my Achilles heel / catnip books and I heard about this one in passing and knew that I had to read it as soon as possible and it really didn't disappoint.

In many ways this book could be used in the same way as other bibliotherapy titles - you could look up what you want a book to help with and then just read that chapter and take notes about the books suggested, but for me there was such a personal strand of autobiography running through the book that I found it more like an autobiography/collection of autobiographical essays that happened to recommend books to you!

What made this book so much better than the others I've read in this vein is that the books are all reasonably modern books, and ones that you find everywhere as Buchanan makes the point that all reading can be therapeutic - it doesn't have to be a classic book or anything heavy.

I can see this making a great book group discussion book where members talk about the books that help them with the emotions/feelings talked about.

"Read Yourself Happy" is a fun read for book-lovers. It is full of anecdotes with suggested book titles, interviews with authors and reassurance of books as he right balm to heal whatever ails you. Highly recommended and great as a gift. Pub Date: February 6, 2025. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC,

#ReadYourselfHappy

I love reading, I love lists and recommendations and I am interested in mental health so this is really the book for me. I have already planned who I will buy it for when it comes out. Thanks NetGalley for the advance copy. I pretty much inhaled this in a couple of days and have now made a rather long reading list of new suggestions and old favourites.

I think this book is better for newer "self-help" readers, as it read more light and encouraging than practical and helpful.

Read Yourself Happy by Daisy Buchanan extols the benefits of reading and how different books can get you through various difficult experiences that life throws at you.

This book feel more like a journal exercise about books. There not a lot of recommendations and the one included are about pretty known book so I wasn't convinced sorry

Daisy Buchanan provides the ultimate guide on the benefits of reading, and it has equipped me with countless facts for replies when I'm asked, "Don't you have enough books?"

Whether you're just starting your reading journey or are a seasoned bookworm, this book covers everything. While you might think it focuses solely on anxiety-related reads (which I admit I initially thought), it offers so much more. With chapters dedicated to reading for freedom, happiness, sexiness, and various book recommendations, I feel fortunate to have read this before publication.

Buchanan's writing style shines in this part memoir, part self-help book, making it accessible to everyone. The fluidity of her prose allows for a quick read; I finished it in just three days, even while jotting down notes as I went along. I could have read it even faster.

If I had to sum up why you should read this book in one sentence, I would quote Daisy Buchanan: "Reading saves sanity!"

This is a well-deserved five-star read, which I definitely will be purchasing in 2025!