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Things Get Better
Britain's most inspiring young woman helps give others the courage to cope with life's challenges, through personal anecdotes and expert advice.
To look and listen to the extraordinary Katie Piper, it is difficult to comprehend the severe trauma she suffered from a brutal rape and acid attack which left her with deep physical and emotional scars. These terrible events would have crushed most people, but through her positive outlook and sheer determination, Katie has become inspirational to millions and living proof that no matter what life throws at you, if you work hard and believe - things will get better.
Katie now begins to answer the question that everyone wants to know - 'Where did you find the courage?' She shares the key steps and support that led to her emotional recovery and acknowledges the pain we have all felt at times, whether suffering a breakup, life change or more serious trauma. Drawing on her own experiences and letters from other survivors, Katie shows with spectacular compassion that we can all find the strength within to carry on.
To look and listen to the extraordinary Katie Piper, it is difficult to comprehend the severe trauma she suffered from a brutal rape and acid attack which left her with deep physical and emotional scars. These terrible events would have crushed most people, but through her positive outlook and sheer determination, Katie has become inspirational to millions and living proof that no matter what life throws at you, if you work hard and believe - things will get better.
Katie now begins to answer the question that everyone wants to know - 'Where did you find the courage?' She shares the key steps and support that led to her emotional recovery and acknowledges the pain we have all felt at times, whether suffering a breakup, life change or more serious trauma. Drawing on her own experiences and letters from other survivors, Katie shows with spectacular compassion that we can all find the strength within to carry on.
320 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 1, 2012
About the author
Katie Piper
38 books129 followersKate Elizabeth "Katie" Piper (born 12 October 1983) is a philanthropist, television presenter and former model from Andover, Hampshire in England, UK. Piper had hoped to have a full-time career in the media, but in March 2008 sulphuric acid was thrown in her face. The attack, which blinded Piper in one eye, was arranged by Piper's ex-boyfriend, Daniel Lynch, and carried out by an accomplice, Stefan Sylvestre. Lynch and Sylvestre were arrested and are serving life sentences in prison for their crimes.[1]
The attack took place in north London and Piper was treated in Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, where the surgeons removed all the skin from her face before rebuilding it with a skin substitute and then a skin graft. The procedure was the first of its kind to be completed in a single operation.[2][3]
In 2009, Piper chose to give up her anonymity in order to increase awareness about burn victims. The Channel 4 documentary Katie: My Beautiful Face was first aired on 29 October 2009 as part of the Cutting Edge series; it has subsequently been repeated on several occasions, made available for online on-demand access, and sold internationally.
More recently, Piper has appeared in a follow-up series for Channel 4, released a best-selling autobiography, and had a regular column in weekly magazine Reveal; however, she primarily works for her charitable organisation the Katie Piper Foundation.
The attack took place in north London and Piper was treated in Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, where the surgeons removed all the skin from her face before rebuilding it with a skin substitute and then a skin graft. The procedure was the first of its kind to be completed in a single operation.[2][3]
In 2009, Piper chose to give up her anonymity in order to increase awareness about burn victims. The Channel 4 documentary Katie: My Beautiful Face was first aired on 29 October 2009 as part of the Cutting Edge series; it has subsequently been repeated on several occasions, made available for online on-demand access, and sold internationally.
More recently, Piper has appeared in a follow-up series for Channel 4, released a best-selling autobiography, and had a regular column in weekly magazine Reveal; however, she primarily works for her charitable organisation the Katie Piper Foundation.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
June 14, 2012
This is marked as biography/self help and rightly so...
She not only says how she got the courage to carry on with her life after the acid attack but also tips and pointers with any one living with depression and sadness, such as having a death in the family and also illness. She gives help and tips and constantly mentions that no problem is to small if it matters to you!
She has many friends and other peoples experiences in the book to, also inspiring quotes and extracts from other books and films. Also contains helpful websites and phone numbers as well as lists of songs,films,TV shows and books that can help with things! People are buying it expecting it to start where her first book "Beautiful" finished but it doesn't, it covers some more recent things like her charity and new experiences but it's more about her recovery and how her life changed.
She not only says how she got the courage to carry on with her life after the acid attack but also tips and pointers with any one living with depression and sadness, such as having a death in the family and also illness. She gives help and tips and constantly mentions that no problem is to small if it matters to you!
She has many friends and other peoples experiences in the book to, also inspiring quotes and extracts from other books and films. Also contains helpful websites and phone numbers as well as lists of songs,films,TV shows and books that can help with things! People are buying it expecting it to start where her first book "Beautiful" finished but it doesn't, it covers some more recent things like her charity and new experiences but it's more about her recovery and how her life changed.
August 11, 2012
This book is phenomenal. Katie is such an inspirational person, and she has given me the hope that I can recover from the mental illnesses that I currently struggle with. It is so easy to read, and just offers you hope. You can dip in and out of it, and it's just simply perfect.
February 5, 2013
My fiance bought me a copy of Katie Piper's "Things get better" a few months ago from a bookstore after he saw that i had her first book "beautiful" on my bookcase and the gesture was lovely. He assumed that it was a follow up to her original book which he knew i thought a lot of but unfortunately it is not. Its more of a self-help book which is perfectly okay but i have only given three out of five stars because i really had no need for a book of this kind. That being said it was a lovely read and we do learn a little bit more about her. It is a nice little book for anyone going through a hard time or a rough patch tho. Her first book was wonderful and tragic and thought provoking and i would recommend that one more so than this. Either way a nice little read x
September 12, 2021
I think if I actually read every single word of every single page & chapter, it would've taken me forever. So the scan was beneficial. The story to Katie Piper is special and inspiring.
As a 16 year-old my current taste falls into more into simplified (non-fiction) books rather than repetitive and super long.
Thank you Katie Piper
April 18, 2014
This is such an amazing book to read. It's so inspiring and touching. I could never imagine how could a woman be that strong. Though, I am a girl as well, she is so brave to overcome all these obstacles and bail herself out of the dreadful plight. She was teased by others because of a face that she doesn't deserve. But what she chose to do is to forgive and forget. And now, this strong woman is leading her splendid new life by inspiring people of her tragedy. She is really really strong. The book does open my mind and teach me that we should never take things for granted.
September 22, 2015
Brilliant book. Katie makes everything seem possible. And more than anything, she makes you feel really motivated to get better, and more importantly, feel like you actually could. Also reading the positive quotes everyday. Once you start feeling more positive, it seems to rub off on everyone around you too!
Katie really is inspirational, and I'm so glad I picked up this book.
Katie really is inspirational, and I'm so glad I picked up this book.
February 21, 2024
2.5 Stars, rounded up to 3 stars overall.
I picked up this book expecting something else. I did not know who Katie Piper was but, when I read the overview of the book, and learned that it involved someone who had gone through a traumatic, life changing experience, I wanted to read about it. Unfortunately, that is not what I got, which explains my lower rating.
The summary of the book stated that Katie had been a model, was involved with someone, that ended, and that person retaliated by having someone else throw a chemical in Katie's face which left her with burns, down to the bone, on her face and hands. While parts of that story are included in this book, that is not what the overall book is about. Instead, this book is more of a self-help story. Within it Katie does discuss aspects of what she has been through, and what she has learned along her journey to help others. For example, after her incident, Katie considered ending her life, because she did not want to burden anyone in her family with her recovery process. She uses this to inspire the reader to keep going, and highlights that life is worth it. I get this but, I wanted to know more about how she came to understand that for herself. I wanted to see how the process. I wanted to know how Katie made it through this experience and is the person she is today. To me, that is the entire point behind reading a person's story. I did not get that here.
So, overall, 2.5 stars rounded up to 3 overall. 3 stars because, I do think some people might take a lot from this book for themselves, I am just not one of them. I expected something completely different. If the summary of the book has said it was more of a self-help kind of book, I would not have bought it.
I picked up this book expecting something else. I did not know who Katie Piper was but, when I read the overview of the book, and learned that it involved someone who had gone through a traumatic, life changing experience, I wanted to read about it. Unfortunately, that is not what I got, which explains my lower rating.
The summary of the book stated that Katie had been a model, was involved with someone, that ended, and that person retaliated by having someone else throw a chemical in Katie's face which left her with burns, down to the bone, on her face and hands. While parts of that story are included in this book, that is not what the overall book is about. Instead, this book is more of a self-help story. Within it Katie does discuss aspects of what she has been through, and what she has learned along her journey to help others. For example, after her incident, Katie considered ending her life, because she did not want to burden anyone in her family with her recovery process. She uses this to inspire the reader to keep going, and highlights that life is worth it. I get this but, I wanted to know more about how she came to understand that for herself. I wanted to see how the process. I wanted to know how Katie made it through this experience and is the person she is today. To me, that is the entire point behind reading a person's story. I did not get that here.
So, overall, 2.5 stars rounded up to 3 overall. 3 stars because, I do think some people might take a lot from this book for themselves, I am just not one of them. I expected something completely different. If the summary of the book has said it was more of a self-help kind of book, I would not have bought it.
June 17, 2020
Using a combination of her own physical and mental recovery after surviving an acid attack and case studies, Katie guides the reader through how to get through tough times. She covers a range of topics from harnessing positive thinking to avoid falling into the traps of bitterness and resentment when navigating through difficulties in life. Through her empathetic approach, Katie shares parts of her story but reassures the reader that their predicament is not irrelevant or small comparatively; if a person is in pain, they are in pain. Each chapter is full of practical solutions from keeping a gratitude journal to doing a course to get closer to your goals. She also provides information on the most common types of therapy and links to the best sites for finding one. But Katie does not just advise; her life is a testament to the fact that things can get better with the right help, will power and determination. I am in awe of her ability to let go of her life before her attack, one in which she aspired to be a model and TV presenter, and was able to make the best of her massively changed circumstances. This was one of the best books I have read from a woman who is phenomenally inspiring and a source of strength for countless people.
November 12, 2024
Katie Piper's life hit rock bottom when she was raped and attacked with a powerful acid. However, her inner strength and determination aided her recovery, with a lot of support from her family and health care team.
The book is divided into chapters on embracing the power of positivity, goal setting, letting go and allowing yourself to move on...
It is well written, with lots of personal examples and stories of others who have overcome adversity.
Things Get Better is one of my favourite reads of 2024.
The book is divided into chapters on embracing the power of positivity, goal setting, letting go and allowing yourself to move on...
It is well written, with lots of personal examples and stories of others who have overcome adversity.
Things Get Better is one of my favourite reads of 2024.
January 20, 2025
It felt unfair to give the book a lesser rating than this because My God, Katie Piper has endured such a horrible, horrible event and is such a positive soul. I think she talks about some really important parts of healing from trauma and difficult events and no doubt people will likely benefit from it. I think as a therapist, there wasn’t really anything new I took from it. I actually thought it was going to be a book about her experience, rather than a self-help type book, so I did skim through it from about the midway point.
June 20, 2026
Had some interesting tips and self help advice, especially for anyone who has been through something similar like an illness or injury. I did find her personal story interesting and inspiring, clearly she did indeed come a long way and things got much better than after her initial injury. Though I do wish it kind of went into more depth, maybe with her personal story, and with the self help advice. But overall it was still an interesting book and had some nice tips for mental health.
February 4, 2018
I learnt a lot about myself by readying this book. I have read all her books, but in particular I found this book emotional healing to read. Her writing style is very relatable and down to earth. Love this book!
July 23, 2018
I loved it. It is one of the best self help books I have read. I have learned so much from it
March 22, 2019
Such a mind blowing self help book!
December 31, 2023
Amazing book. Very uplifting and motivational.
April 6, 2025
Loved this book! Written by someone that has been through so much in her life but always tries to see the positive side is giving tips on how to improve yourself as a person.
May 7, 2017
What a woman!
Inspiring but also so informative. It's passionately helpful throughout to anyone enduring a time of crisis and despair in their lives.
Inspiring but also so informative. It's passionately helpful throughout to anyone enduring a time of crisis and despair in their lives.
August 14, 2013
This woman is absolutely amazing. After struggling with the passing of my dog, I felt the whole world looked down on me as pathetic and childish being so upset over the loss of an animal. But Katie showed me that problem is important because it is important to me and she helped me build my life up to the point where thinking about my dog didn't reduce me to tears - it made be smile, it made me happy to think of all the wonderful things he contributed in my life and how happy he made me. Truly inspirational.
June 18, 2012
Really enjoyed this book and a very much needed dose of positivity. Katie is a very inspiring lady and I like her supportive approach and helpful suggestions. the scenarios of people she knows and there dilemmas throughout the book are also very interesting. Im also following her advice of keeping a "positivity diary". Always a sign of a very good book when you develop some new constructive habbits to keep on after reading.
September 17, 2012
This book is great for anyone who is struggling to get through issues in their lives. It provides you with the basis of how to learn to cope and deal with issues with useful sum ups at the end of each chapter.
Also at the end of the book there is a list of organiations and helplines that you can contact if you aren't able to pull through your issues alone.
Also at the end of the book there is a list of organiations and helplines that you can contact if you aren't able to pull through your issues alone.
January 24, 2013
Thought it was a carry on book from her last book beautiful which is very good, however it is a self help book. Therefore did not really enjoy it. Would be brilliant if you are having troubles though.
August 3, 2016
This is a book of inspiration from Katie Piper about what helps her be positive. I read it straight through like a novel. Katie is so inspirational and so likeable - you just want her as your best friend! I really recommend for anyone, especially if you're experiencing tough times.
June 5, 2012
i thought this would be the next part of her recovery and continue on from her las book. However it was more like a self help book
June 27, 2012
very inspirational i highly recomend this book to anyone who is feeling like there is no hope in their life.
August 1, 2012
Not really a biography, more of a self help book. Towards the end I did find myself skipping some of it.
February 26, 2013
I really loved this book because of the amazing attitude of Katie Piper. A well written and inspirational book. Just need to read her first book now!
August 16, 2014
I thought this was really good, inspirational
January 30, 2015
This book is a positive healer... Katie is inspirational but I thought this but was a bit of a gimmick for people who are feeling depressed or low... Not my kind of thing x
March 13, 2015
Wow this book was so inspiring and helpful. So inspired by Katie and her courage.
May 16, 2016
Utterly inspiring; helped me greatly when I found out my mum was terminally ill and gave me strength to be strong.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews