Thinking About Thinking: Impossible Thoughts and Complicated Feelings

by Grant Snider

A playful examination of the way we think (and overthink) by cartoonist Grant Snider, creator of Incidental Comics, which appear regularly in the New York Times Book Review

Thinking About Thinking—the latest sly and charming collection of one- and two-page haiku-like comics from cartoonist Grant Snider—explores our inner life, using colorful illustrations and clever visual metaphors to depict the spectrum of our emotions.

Facing self-doubt? Overcoming fears? Grappling with indecision? Snider doesn’t present solutions to these challenges, but he does inspire and encourage, offering thoughtful reassurance and a unique, humorous perspective that’s characteristic of his work—an approach that resonates with millions of readers all over the world.

Emotions can be tricky to navigate. We overthink. We second-guess. And we can’t get out of our own way. The reality is, it’s impossible for any of us to understand our complicated feelings fully. But fear not, because you’ve come to the right place. 

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels, Nonfiction, Philosophy, Mental Health, Art, Self Help

128 pages, Hardcover

Published April 8, 2025

About the author

Grant Snider began drawing and writing before he knew what he was doing. Soon it was too late to stop.

He is the author of the picture books WHAT COLOR IS NIGHT? and WHAT SOUND IS MORNING? and the creator of Incidental Comics. His comics were collected and published in the books THE SHAPE OF IDEAS and I WILL JUDGE YOU BY YOUR BOOKSHELF. Grant's comics about creativity and the human condition have appeared in The New York Times, The New Yorker, and The Best American Comics.

Grant lives in Wichita, Kansas with his wife, daughter, and three sons, where he also practices orthodontics. You can often find him carrying a sketchbook, lost in his own thoughts.

Reviews

[Jeff · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book of comic illustrations that are all ruminations on thinking and thoughts. Each page or set of two pages is a complete statement and explores some type of theme, with a consistent character examining life within simple and colorful artwork.

I really liked this book. It feels therapeutic and gentle/cozy while also being thoughtful. Reading this has been a nice break from the barrage of TV and social media. There is meaning and poignance here, and the artwork is charming, simple, and often beautiful. One of my favorites is “This day intentionally left blank” - I think I need a print of that for my wall.

[Elvina Zafril · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading Thinking About Thinking feels like sitting quietly with a friend who somehow understands all the noise in your head even the bits you’ve never been able to put into words. With its gentle and often humorous comics, it brings not just comfort but also a strange kind of relief like the realisation that I’m not alone in overthinking everything, in feeling too much and not always knowing why.

Grant Snider’s illustrations are deceptively simple but within them are layers of emotion and clarity. There were moments that made me pause, not just because they were beautiful or relatable, but because they captured something I’ve felt but never fully unpacked. Some comics offered unexpected insight, others gently validated the messy, tangled thoughts I sometimes try to ignore.

One of my favourite parts is a comic that reminded me so much of Haikyuu! That same blend of quiet motivation and vulnerability, wrapped in something visually warm and familiar. It gave me a kind of joy, the kind I usually question "Do I deserve to feel this okay? This happy?" That’s how deeply this book echoes the inner monologue of people who overthink, doubt and feel deeply.

If you read this book slowly, really sit with it, you might find yourself thinking "Why are feelings so hard to understand?" And that I think is exactly the point. This isn’t a book with answers. It’s a companion for those of us who live in the questions.

[Julie Kirby · Rating 2 out of 5]

Clever illustrations, exhausting text.

[Kennedy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my, how I love this book. The images and strips throughout are both expressive and feel meaningful. There is excellent variety in both the visual and conceptual representation. It generally feels applicable for a wide range of ages and levels of understanding. Admittedly, it may be hard to find words to describe each page; specifically to brains that may be newer to thinking (children) or owners of brains with varying cognitive capacities (neurodivergent people). However, this creates delicious “food for thought”! 😉

Definitely a helpful visual resource I look forward to referencing with my therapy clients! (Especially when using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and focusing on the cognitive processes of emotional regulation and self-understanding.)

[Ash.O · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this collection! I was already a fan of Incidental Comics and Grant Snider's work, and am now even more so. The illustrations were gorgeous. The topics were so relatable. This collection was enjoyable to read and look over; it also made me think.

In addition to bringing some comfort, relief, and reassurance that I'm not alone in thinking these things or struggling with these feelings, the illustrations also made me reflect and, at times, gave me insight or clarity on something I've felt, but didn't necessarily thoroughly dig into or describe before. Definitely a good addition to my book collection and one I will certainly be looking through again and again.

[Dakota Morgan · Rating 1 out of 5]

Shoulda known better after I Will Judge You By Your Bookshelf. Snider offers Home Goods wall art philosophy on top of sometimes clever, always simple illustrations. One (one!!) of the pieces in this book featured no text, and that was far better than the other pieces.

There's certainly an audience for Snider's works, so take my single star with a big grain of salt. But this stuff is dumb.

[Filipa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grant Snider’s work is lovely all around: I love the art, I love the words, I enjoy everything about his creative work.

[Jenn Mattson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this and love the mindful, reflective insights and the simple, yet elegant art of the comics. I actually want to wallpaper my classroom walls with this book.

[Shelby Steele · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Who am I? More than a name. I am my creations and my mistakes. I am a stable person on a shaky foundation. I am always open to reconstruction.”
A lot of good quotes and illustrated beautifully!

[Aimee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maybe everything I need to be happy…I have already.

[Robert Hudder · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay, I mean I resemble some of these and the 'wisdom' found here is often stuff that I have learned the hard way. I wish that this was around when I was 8 and then again when I was 12, 16, 19, 21, 24. You might think those are random numbers but they weren't for me. Those are times when it could have made a difference.

Eventually, after I had found a way to deal with some of the issues that come with being 'disabled' as a formerly gifted kid, there were a few times that my worldview came crashing down. I had a few counselling sessions and found a few phrases which help me. Who am I? or "So, So what, and what next" or "What is one thing I can do right now" or "Will this matter in ten years?".

Some of these phrases are echoed in some way in this book about overthinking. Some of the insomnia stuff that I have largely found ways around hit hard. If only this had been earlier.

I am in the stage of my life where I am starting to look backwards and making sure that regret doesn't start. The dreams of the 12 year old have all been accomplished. They were huge then and seem smaller now. HOw the hell did I know that I would have achieved them! It seemed impossible and I have to remind myself of that as I move forward to the last third or quarter of my life.

I do wish that there was something that would help me on that journey but there are signs to follow even if I don't know what the road actually looks like. This book is like one of those road signs.

[Ruchi Das · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

Snider and I have a lot in common. We both love the night, love nature, love the moon, love lying down in the meadow, love esoteric monuments and landscapes, and hate jarring urban spaces. Which is why reading his books is so easy on my eyes.

In Thinking About Thinking, a book of illustrations about thinking, Snider attempts to illustrate the process of thinking (yes, a coincidental alliteration). I love how he attempts to lay down everyday weird thoughts into his art without any preaching, or solutioning, only an unpacking of what it means to be lost in one's thoughts through his eyes. I'm fond of his color pallet too.

My favorites from this one are Nocturne and This Day Intentionally Left Blank.

I don't follow a lot of illustrators but the one I have religiously come back to since I first came across their artwork is Snider. He's one artist I specifically find worth supporting.

[Sadie-Jane Huff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 235 of 350 ~ 2025

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Since I was reflective and overthinking at midnight, I figured I'd read this because isn't this the most apt title?

As always, being a big fan of @grantdraws he can do no wrong in my books so an instant five star is a given.

At the same time, his illustrations and reflections were so relatable as I have a lot on mind, especially since my wee trip is coming to an end and I need to figure out when my next projects are coming.

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[Aaron · Rating 3 out of 5]

A calm, easy-to-read book about what goes on in our minds. Using simple drawings and short thoughts, Snider shows things many of us relate to, like overthinking, doubt, curiosity, and trying to understand ourselves.
I felt the ideas don’t go very deep. Many pages feel similar, and the book talks more about feelings than offering new insights. It’s nice to look at, but it doesn’t leave a strong lasting impression.
Overall, it’s good for relaxing and reflecting, but it may feel too light if you’re looking for something more meaningful or eye-opening.

[Andrea Stoeckel · Rating 5 out of 5]

"I think therefore I...."

Emotions are tricky things. I have learned that in therapy but seen the lighter side of this through the work of Incedental Comics creator Grant Snider who I absolutely swear has a window inside my own head .

Through his Substack I have gotten to see how simple and profound this artist is and I have been talking about this book to anyone who might listen, and to some who won't. highly Recommended 5/5

[Cat Rayne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This took me a bit off guard. Was not expecting a "graphic" storytelling.

It was a collection of thought processes, how we overthink, ruminate and make ourselves mad, glad, sad....

Surprised to find it was like someone created these cartoons after being in my mind. Just when you think you are unique in your weirdness....

A good book to pick up once in awhile, during those times when thoughts need tamed.

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gifted to me by Allie Sterling
I liked it. A few of the comics I liked very much and will think about a lot. But overall, I think the effect of reading so many of the comics in succession fell flat - it became a little repetitive, a little self-obsessed, and the resolutions of each comic felt too easily reached. Over all, probably better as a web-comic or in small doses. The book format worked against it a bit.

[Sirah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't think I can summarize this book any better than the title already does, so please go read that instead.

As for my thoughts, I think this book makes a lot of good points. A few of the poems felt familiar but out of reach, but the ones that hit home really did it. This book made me want to sit in nature and listen. Which is probably high praise.

[Tim Rooney · Rating 3 out of 5]

Snider’s simplistic figures are sometimes too simple and a few of these one or two page comics are a little too cutesy. But there are some truly inventive and evocative visual metaphors peppered throughout, too.

[Carrie Griffin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Grant Snider’s comics so very much. This is a great work.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perfect coffee table book for baddies who overthink.

[Lydia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another short graphic novel read. Lots of thoughts separated by categories. I would go back and ruminate on some things again. Some were like poems, others were not.

[Raghav Mehta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grant snider books will always get 5 star from me. He has knack of talking about the most important things, with amazing illustrations.

[Mary Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm going to call this a book of graphic mini-essays. It's a roadmap for life and another fabulous mentor text for creating comics.

[D.J. Desmond · Rating 3 out of 5]

cute

[Jason Albertson · Rating 2 out of 5]

some good, but mostly unsatisfying instagram poetry. don't understand the impulse to consider a real question then undercut it with platitudes in the last frame, but it's an abiding one.

[Dan H. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Images that anchor ideas!

It's been said that if you can't see it in your mind's eye, it does not exist. This art helps us more fully see.

[Shana Bird · Rating 2 out of 5]

Maybe 2.5 it was fInE

[Dee · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5