#1 New York Times Bestseller • More than 10 million Copies Sold
In this generation-defining self-help guide, a superstar blogger cuts through the crap to show us how to stop trying to be "positive" all the time so that we can truly become better, happier people.
For decades, we’ve been told that positive thinking is the key to a happy, rich life. "F**k positivity," Mark Manson says. "Let’s be honest, shit is f**ked and we have to live with it." In his wildly popular Internet blog, Manson doesn’t sugarcoat or equivocate. He tells it like it is—a dose of raw, refreshing, honest truth that is sorely lacking today. The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F**k is his antidote to the coddling, let’s-all-feel-good mindset that has infected modern society and spoiled a generation, rewarding them with gold medals just for showing up.
Manson makes the argument, backed both by academic research and well-timed poop jokes, that improving our lives hinges not on our ability to turn lemons into lemonade, but on learning to stomach lemons better. Human beings are flawed and limited—"not everybody can be extraordinary, there are winners and losers in society, and some of it is not fair or your fault." Manson advises us to get to know our limitations and accept them. Once we embrace our fears, faults, and uncertainties, once we stop running and avoiding and start confronting painful truths, we can begin to find the courage, perseverance, honesty, responsibility, curiosity, and forgiveness we seek.
There are only so many things we can give a f**k about so we need to figure out which ones really matter, Manson makes clear. While money is nice, caring about what you do with your life is better, because true wealth is about experience. A much-needed grab-you-by-the-shoulders-and-look-you-in-the-eye moment of real-talk, filled with entertaining stories and profane, ruthless humor, The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck is a refreshing slap for a generation to help them lead contented, grounded lives.
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Overall rating: 3.6470587 / 5 from 17 reviews.
The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck offers a refreshing, honest approach to self-help, emphasizing the importance of accepting life's imperfections and focusing on what truly matters. Customers find the author relatable and appreciate the book's entertaining and uplifting qualities.
Review topics: ["read","book","life","author","issues","guide"].
"You might have seen this one around, and for good reason. It’s not your typical self-help book; it’s a brilliant, no-nonsense kick in the pants. Mark Manson argues that the key to a better life isn't about being positive all the time, but about figuring out what’s truly important and what’s not worth your energy. It’s a refreshingly honest and surprisingly philosophical read that helps you prioritize what you actually care about."
"Quick Opinion 💭: A tough love guide that’s blunt and bold Why I Read This 📌: Recommended by my mom My Summary 📝: In this no-nonsense take on self-help, Mark Manson ditches the sugarcoating and delivers a blunt breakdown of what it means to take responsibility for your life. Equal parts tough love and sarcastic storytelling, the book leans more toward grit than gentle encouragement, aiming to shake readers out of complacency rather than comfort them. My Review 🧘:male_sign:: Manson’s emphasis on personal growth and accountability is genuinely valuable, and his blunt delivery will resonate with readers who appreciate a tough-love approach. That said, the aggressive, in-your-face tone isn’t for everyone, and it wore on me after a while. There’s a fine line between refreshingly blunt and unnecessarily abrasive, and Manson often crosses it. I also found myself a little icked out by his constant callbacks to his twenties flings…after a while, it felt more like bragging than useful advice. Overall, the book offers solid reminders about choosing your struggles and accepting limits, but the delivery makes it a polarizing read. If you like your self-help with a heavy dose of snark, it works. If you prefer a more compassionate guide, this one might feel more exhausting than empowering."
"Purchased this book and met the Author at Book Con 2019, finally getting around to reading it especially since this is how I've been feeling lately. Great informative read with lots of useful info!"
"Purchased this book and met the Author at Book Con 2019, finally getting around to reading it especially since this is how I've been feeling lately. Great informative read with lots of useful info!"
"It felt like an adult who writes on the level of a 5th grader. The cursing felt forced and unnecessary, as if he were meeting a word count. Ch 1 felt like every gym bro that doesn’t want to process feelings so they come up with every way to avoid them and continue being toxic. He literally describes how he’s a loser and a bad person. Ch 1 was like he found 1 quote that resonated with him and made an entire chapter out of it"
"As a Guidance Counselor for disadvantaged youth in a former life, I was very much impressed by Mark's common sense approach to navigating the human condition. Probably not since reading William Glasser's """"Reality Therapy"""" have I come across such a well written, relatable and concise treatise on the subject of living your best life. Sans any pretense of expertise as bestowed by academia, Mark has instinctively intuited a wisdom worth emulating. Great read."
"I bought this book looking for insights on how to let go and worry less. This author works so obviously hard to demonstrate he knows something that he seems pathetic, and seems to be quite impressed with himself. A better title might be Self-Actualization For Bros. This is the first book that I have owned that I feel it would be better to throw in the trash vs. donate."
"I can definitely see myself re-reading this one. I think I have struggled with personal growth & development books in the past because they come across as way too clean. I like that the writing felt personal and very honest, and the author wasn't afraid to curse if the topic of discussion warranted it. I shouldn't be surprised by that, given the title, but I think I was just surprised to see it carry through to the extent it was. I find myself having a much easier time with non-fiction in general if I feel like the author is relatable for me, and the frequent cursing, as well as similar mindset and approach to life, made me enjoy it much more than expected. I think this will end up being a book that I reread multiple times!"
"I bought this book to help uplift me during this time of quarantine, and I was not disappointed! This book does wonders and opens your eyes to the reality of life. You will hear hard truths you don't want to believe but it will help you live a stronger life."
"I was going to write an in depth review, but I just don’t give a fu*k."
