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How We Got By: 111 People Share Stories of Survival, Resilience, and Hope through Hardship
When your world is upended, how do you react? Who do you become? New York Times columnists, illustrator Julia Rothman and writer Shaina Feinberg, seek answers to these questions and more in this gorgeously illustrated collection of sometimes heartbreaking, always illuminating first-person stories.
Based on one of Feinberg and Rothman's columns in the New York Times , “How We Got New Yorkers’ Advice for Getting Through a Crisis,” How We Got By is an ambitious journalistic undertaking rendered in an artful, collectible package. Each accompanied by one of Rothman’s full-color illustrated portraits, these personal accounts touch on a wide variety of subjects, from money and business to relationships, family, trauma, and death.
A window into the world of how others think, feel, and, ultimately, survive, How We Got By invites us to remember our shared humanity as well as our truly extraordinary resilience.
Based on one of Feinberg and Rothman's columns in the New York Times , “How We Got New Yorkers’ Advice for Getting Through a Crisis,” How We Got By is an ambitious journalistic undertaking rendered in an artful, collectible package. Each accompanied by one of Rothman’s full-color illustrated portraits, these personal accounts touch on a wide variety of subjects, from money and business to relationships, family, trauma, and death.
A window into the world of how others think, feel, and, ultimately, survive, How We Got By invites us to remember our shared humanity as well as our truly extraordinary resilience.
- GenresNonfiction
224 pages, Hardcover
Published September 26, 2023
6 people are currently reading
117 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
July 23, 2023
Thank you NetGalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for a copy of How We Got By.
"When your world is upended, how do you react? Who do you become? New York Times columnists, illustrator Julia Rothman and writer Shaina Feinberg, seek answers to these questions and more in this gorgeously illustrated collection of sometimes heartbreaking, always illuminating first-person stories"
For fans of Humans of New York, this book is for you! This book has gorgeous portraits and shares stories of our common humanity. It's quite enjoyable to go through as well--flip to a random page and read a story or two. A small way to bring something good in your day!
"When your world is upended, how do you react? Who do you become? New York Times columnists, illustrator Julia Rothman and writer Shaina Feinberg, seek answers to these questions and more in this gorgeously illustrated collection of sometimes heartbreaking, always illuminating first-person stories"
For fans of Humans of New York, this book is for you! This book has gorgeous portraits and shares stories of our common humanity. It's quite enjoyable to go through as well--flip to a random page and read a story or two. A small way to bring something good in your day!
June 29, 2023
The lockdown years were difficult for us. We often lost hope, hearing of all the stories of losses around us.
This book does not say we have to put our chin up and push on. No.
It instead gives us stories of people who went through unimaginable hardships - deaths, divorces, illness, abuse, loss of money, loss of identity... And yet, these people lived. One day at a time, one minute at a time, they pulled through their difficult time. They found something that helped or were buoyed by the thought of a new search.
If you go into this book looking for positivity, you might not find it right away. It will not tell you "Everything will be alright! Live for the moment!" Instead, it will tell you to do what you do best and do it consistently. Sometimes, the best we can do is just be alive and that is okay.
The illustrations, painted by one of the authors, were excellent. They captured the emotions of the speaker in a way a photograph cannot. I was left looking at the illustrations long after the story had ended.
5 stars for this excellent book. It is worthy of nothing less.
Thanks to Netgalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for the ARC.
This book does not say we have to put our chin up and push on. No.
It instead gives us stories of people who went through unimaginable hardships - deaths, divorces, illness, abuse, loss of money, loss of identity... And yet, these people lived. One day at a time, one minute at a time, they pulled through their difficult time. They found something that helped or were buoyed by the thought of a new search.
If you go into this book looking for positivity, you might not find it right away. It will not tell you "Everything will be alright! Live for the moment!" Instead, it will tell you to do what you do best and do it consistently. Sometimes, the best we can do is just be alive and that is okay.
The illustrations, painted by one of the authors, were excellent. They captured the emotions of the speaker in a way a photograph cannot. I was left looking at the illustrations long after the story had ended.
5 stars for this excellent book. It is worthy of nothing less.
Thanks to Netgalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for the ARC.
July 17, 2023
How We Got By feels like Humans of NY meet Chicken Soup for the Soul. There are stories from 111 people about how they overcame adversity. There are beautiful illustrations of each subject. It's supposed to be uplifting, but after multiple stories about the loss of a child in the first 30% of the book, it felt very, very sad.
There are stories from people who escaped war to come to the U.S. Stories of people who overcame addiction. There were some things that resonated (thinking about the lemonade comes to mind), but what else have you got? I know that's terrible to say, but I feel like it all starts to run together after a while.
This type of material has been covered wonderfully by HONY, the big difference being they use photography and How We Got By uses illustrations. I wanted to love this book, but it felt like more of the same without being as good.
My thanks to Andrews McMeel Publishing and NeGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
There are stories from people who escaped war to come to the U.S. Stories of people who overcame addiction. There were some things that resonated (thinking about the lemonade comes to mind), but what else have you got? I know that's terrible to say, but I feel like it all starts to run together after a while.
This type of material has been covered wonderfully by HONY, the big difference being they use photography and How We Got By uses illustrations. I wanted to love this book, but it felt like more of the same without being as good.
My thanks to Andrews McMeel Publishing and NeGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Want to read
July 19, 2023How We Got By is a heart-warming collection that offers a glimpse into the resilience of human spirit. With gorgeously illustrated portraits, this book presents a tapestry of first-person stories from everyday people who have faced life's challenges head-on.
The stories cover a wide range of topics, from money and relationships to family, trauma, and death, showcasing the depth of human experiences. While the concept may not be groundbreaking, the heartfelt narratives and shared humanity found in these pages make it a soothing and meaningful read. In a world that can be tough and unpredictable, How We Got By reminds us of our extraordinary ability to endure and emerge stronger. This book is a must-read for those seeking hope and connection amidst life's trials.
The stories cover a wide range of topics, from money and relationships to family, trauma, and death, showcasing the depth of human experiences. While the concept may not be groundbreaking, the heartfelt narratives and shared humanity found in these pages make it a soothing and meaningful read. In a world that can be tough and unpredictable, How We Got By reminds us of our extraordinary ability to endure and emerge stronger. This book is a must-read for those seeking hope and connection amidst life's trials.
September 19, 2023
I really enjoyed reading How We Got By. There were many stories of vastly different people that had really overcome so very difficult circumstances. It was nice to read how different people overcame their traumas or difficulties, especially as many of these people were working through their difficulties during the lock downs.
I especially enjoyed reading about people who had overcome physical disabilities as I am severely hearing impaired.
Booksellers, this is going to be a very easy book to sell to fans of Post Secret and Stories of New York. As we are quickly approaching the holiday season this would also be great to place on your holiday gift/coffee book table display. Book shoppers love to gift these types of books for the holidays!
I especially enjoyed reading about people who had overcome physical disabilities as I am severely hearing impaired.
Booksellers, this is going to be a very easy book to sell to fans of Post Secret and Stories of New York. As we are quickly approaching the holiday season this would also be great to place on your holiday gift/coffee book table display. Book shoppers love to gift these types of books for the holidays!
September 19, 2023
It was a great book I like all the short stories. Everybody had something to say about their lives. Even when they have problems challenges they seem to come through okay. Title says it all because everybody has to Goodbye. Has problems adversity in their lives but they come through in a positive light. You never know what's gonna happen in life. Things can go crazy, but you can get back to being normal. If you look at the situation's in judge, it not Read activate to the situation. I like how she told the story through the person's eyes. When she gave a name, To the people in the Story It makes them come alive in the story.
September 27, 2023
Feinberg and Rothman are both columnists for the New York Times and over COVID worked together to create a column about how people have survived at other times. This book is the collection of columns written at that time. It covers all sorts of different experiences of losses, violence and other heartbreaks. But the key theme in each of these stories is that these people found ways to survive what happened. I think this book would’ve suited me better as a coffee table book rather than as an E-reader but overall it’s a lovely book full of hope.
Thank you NetGalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for this ARC.
3.5 stars
Thank you NetGalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for this ARC.
3.5 stars
September 12, 2023
*Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher/author for providing me with an E-arc of this book. The following is my honest opinion*
I think it’s hard to rate this book not because the book was horrible but because I think one has to ready to read the book. These are stories of people being resilient and preserving on in hard times.
The illustrations went so well with the stories and it definitely brought life to the stories. This was the my first time reading material like this that was not in poetry format. Really enjoyed the feel or semblance of reading an article or magazine.
I think it’s hard to rate this book not because the book was horrible but because I think one has to ready to read the book. These are stories of people being resilient and preserving on in hard times.
The illustrations went so well with the stories and it definitely brought life to the stories. This was the my first time reading material like this that was not in poetry format. Really enjoyed the feel or semblance of reading an article or magazine.
September 12, 2023
A beautifully illustrated book of stories from people describing how they got through difficult times in their lives. It would make the perfect gift for anyone who is struggling and looking for inspiration. There is a wide variety of stories here and a reader would surely find a number of stories they could identify with, marvel over, and/or commiserate with.
Thank you to NetGalley for an advance copy of this book. It would make a lovely gift for someone going through hard times.
Thank you to NetGalley for an advance copy of this book. It would make a lovely gift for someone going through hard times.
June 1, 2023
If you love stories or insights from other people, this book would truly make your day like it did mine-it kinda reminded me of humans of New York- a page I used to follow on Facebook with insights from people on their life experiences.
The illustrations are an added bonus and they complement the stories herein.
Thanks Netgalley for the eARC.
The illustrations are an added bonus and they complement the stories herein.
Thanks Netgalley for the eARC.
October 6, 2023
How We Got By is a collection of first-person short stories on how different people overcame difficult situations, This book took me a while to read, but it wasn’t a terrible read. I enjoyed the illustrations and a few stories that got my attention. Those book reminded me of Humans of New York (HONY) so if you’re a fan of HONY, I think you might enjoy this book.
*Thank you NetGalley for providing an arc in exchange for an honest review.*
*Thank you NetGalley for providing an arc in exchange for an honest review.*
October 22, 2023
Book Review 🖖🏼
How We Got By, by Shaina Feinberg, Julia Rothman
📚: 264 pages
111 people share their life experiences and stories of how they choose to get by in our modern world.
Liked:
⭐️ True stories of resilience
⭐️ The kids’ stories were so cute
⭐️ Beautiful illustrations of people
⭐️ Relatable and real
Disliked:
⚫️
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
How We Got By, by Shaina Feinberg, Julia Rothman
📚: 264 pages
111 people share their life experiences and stories of how they choose to get by in our modern world.
Liked:
⭐️ True stories of resilience
⭐️ The kids’ stories were so cute
⭐️ Beautiful illustrations of people
⭐️ Relatable and real
Disliked:
⚫️
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
April 4, 2023
What a beautiful book! The artist and author have worked together seamlessly to bring us a collection of stories and portraits from people just like me and you. Check this one out! Five stars. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.
September 18, 2023
A book to treasure the drawings ,portraits of the people the authors interviewed.Each person share a piece of their lives intimate stories that fascinated me.A book you can dip in and out of and enjoy each time.will be recommending.#netgalley#how we got by.
September 28, 2023
I received a complimentary copy of this book via Netgalley. Opinions expressed in this review are my own opinions.
I really enjoyed reading these glimpses of positivity and strength in the lives of others. Thr illustrations are bright and tell a story of their own.
Lovely book.
I really enjoyed reading these glimpses of positivity and strength in the lives of others. Thr illustrations are bright and tell a story of their own.
Lovely book.
March 19, 2025
I needed this book right now.
November 6, 2023
Absolutely incredible stories! You should definitely add this to your TBR list.
This collection was everything to me. Sometimes it's important to hear the stories of others to bring it all home, especially as you're going through a thing yourself. How We Get By highlights 111 first-person stories ranging in topic. There's a little bit of something for everyone in this collection and I'm really excited to have read it and to recommend it. Thank you to NetGalley and AndrewsMcMeel Publishing for the gifted copy.
There are stories about loss, love, grief, culture, belonging, community, business, life, death and so much more. Each story is accompanied by a beautiful illustration, usually a portrait of the story's author. How We Get By is based on one of the authors' shared column in the New York Times, "How We Got New Yorkers' Advice for getting through a Crisis." It is a testament to our resilience and how one reacts when their world is upended.
This collection was everything to me. Sometimes it's important to hear the stories of others to bring it all home, especially as you're going through a thing yourself. How We Get By highlights 111 first-person stories ranging in topic. There's a little bit of something for everyone in this collection and I'm really excited to have read it and to recommend it. Thank you to NetGalley and AndrewsMcMeel Publishing for the gifted copy.
There are stories about loss, love, grief, culture, belonging, community, business, life, death and so much more. Each story is accompanied by a beautiful illustration, usually a portrait of the story's author. How We Get By is based on one of the authors' shared column in the New York Times, "How We Got New Yorkers' Advice for getting through a Crisis." It is a testament to our resilience and how one reacts when their world is upended.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews