The Joy of Solitude: How to Reconnect with Yourself in an Overconnected World

by Robert J. Coplan

An engaging, practical guide through the promises and paradoxes of solitude, offering science-backed advice for getting the most out of your alone time and deepening your relationship with yourself and others.

Solitude is part of the human experience. But just like other relationships, your relationship with solitude can be satisfying, intimate, and enhance your well-being, or it can leave you wanting, stuck in a cycle of sadness, anxiety, or anger. Regardless of whether you're starved for “me time” or struggling with loneliness, most of us have never thought carefully about how to get the most out of the time we spend by ourselves. As a result, we’re missing out on what could be a deeply enriching aspect of our lives. But how can we unlock the positive power of solitude?

In The Joy of Solitude, Robert Coplan draws from diverse fields including psychology, neuroscience, literature, and sociology to guide readers through solitude’s many dimensions and its profound effects on mental health and well-being. In this enlightening book, you will

-The many different types of solitude, ranging from enjoyable to challenging, each influencing personal experiences in unique ways.

-Why choosing to spend even fifteen minutes alone each day can help stabilize your mood, recharge your battery, and spark creativity.

-A deeper understanding of extraverts and introverts and their (often misunderstood) relationship to solitude.

-What alone time looks like in a world where social connection is always a click away.

-Groundbreaking scientific insights into the effects of both loneliness and “aloneliness.”

-The surprising ways that time alone can enhance relationships with others.

-Practical strategies for harmonizing moments of social engagement and solitude, crucial for achieving optimal life satisfaction.

The Joy of Solitude is a vital resource for those who wish to understand the complexities of solitude and its potential to enhance mental health, creativity, and self-discovery. Whether you seek affirmation for your love of solitude or strive to find balance within it, Coplan’s insights are indispensable tools for enriching your relationship with yourself and others.

Genres: Nonfiction, Mental Health, Self Help, Psychology

272 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 4, 2025

About the author

Robert J. Coplan, PhD, is a psychologist, researcher, teacher, and author who has been studying solitude for more than thirty years. He is a chancellor’s professor in the Department of Psychology at Carleton University. Over the course of his career, he has extensively explored the costs and benefits of spending time alone among children, adolescents, and adults. In his spare time, Robert plays piano and sings with a local band, drinks too much coffee, takes
daily long walks along the water, and tries to find the right balance between enjoying the company of cherished others and basking in
the calm of solitude.

Reviews

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to LibraryThing and Simon and Schuster for giving me this book in exchange for an honest review.
Every month LibraryThing releases a list of around 100 books that they're giving away. Each book has around 5-10 copies available, with anywhere from 100 to 1000 people asking for it. I usually pick between five and ten in hopes of getting one, and this month, The Joy of Solitude was the one I hoped I'd win. I live in a tiny cabin in the woods, just me and my dog, and I mostly love it. The reason I love it (and the reason why I don't always love it) is because of the solitude. I realized years ago that I'm the type of person who loves human contact—good conversations, chill hangs, and sexy time—but I also need a lot of downtime to recharge. I was stoked when I learned that this was the book I won because I wanted to learn more about the difference between alone time and solitude, and I did. I learned that loneliness is painful, while solitude is glorious.
I've had a reputation for over a decade as someone who goes to bed too early, wakes up too early, and needs a lot of alone time. Most people joke about it, but every once in a while my way of being negatively affects a relationship. It took me a long time to not only realize that this is what I need, but feel confident letting people know. Still, I haven't always done it as eloquently as I would have liked, so I was hoping this book could help me improve my language. It did.
I learned (though I probably already knew) that solitude helps replenish focus, attention, and energy. When I look at my life, and the times where I'm my best self, it's usually when I've had a good amount of solitude. I can read longer, I get more stuff done, and my mind surprisingly wanders much less. This book also helped me understand and put into words that not all “alone” time is proper solitude. If I've been in my cabin by myself for 48 straight hours, but that whole time I've been texting with friends and scrolling social media, then I wasn't in solitude. These things do not help with focus, attention, or energy. Those times of proper solitude though...goddamn do they make me happy.
Learning these things really made me appreciate what I've done with my life. When I was younger, probably like from ages 11-14, I spent a lot of time by myself. I took advantage of some of it—I made my own newspaper, I went door-to-door selling homemade friendship bracelets, and I organized my thousands of baseball cards in all sorts of different ways—but because that solitude was forced, there were a lot of bad times too. Recognizing the difference, and steering my life towards more chosen solitude and less forced solitude (without even realizing that's what I was doing) has gone a long way towards making me the person I am today.
Loneliness is different than solitude. Sure, one can be lonely because of solitude, but we can also be around other people and still feel lonely. One of the biggest ways I feel this is when I'm hanging out with people who spend the whole time on their phones. Those people who only hear half of what you say, or will stop talking mid-sentence because of a text or FB update, do not satisfy anyone's need for social time. Apparently there's even a word for this: phubbing. Being with someone while they're phubbing makes me feel even lonelier because I spend that time thinking about how I could be home alone, entertaining myself.
As much as I love other people, after a few hours I kind of hit a wall most of the time. I was happy to learn that studies show diminishing returns from too much socializing. This damn solitude thing is not easy, but Robert Coplan says I'm doing it the right way, so I must be.
I'm happy to be a person who thrives in solitude, but it does have a downside. There have been times where I isolate because of depression or just being frozen. I want to go hang out with friends, I want to go to parties, but I just can't seem to make myself. Since I'm such a loner, people are less likely to check in on me when they haven't heard from me for a few days or weeks. I've also been accused of needing too much solitude, but I think this has mostly been from people who didn't need as much as I do. Everyone's needs are different, and this book respects that nuance.
If you don't like to ever be alone, or you're afraid of your thoughts, you should definitely read this book. And if you're someone like me, someone who knows they need solitude, and takes it, this book helps cement the fact that we don't like solitude because of the lack of other people, per se, but because it means getting quality time with ourselves.

[Sarah Jensen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book Review: The Joy of Solitude: How to Reconnect with Yourself in an Overconnected World by Robert J. Coplan
Rating: 4.2/5

Reviewer’s Perspective & Initial Reactions
As a female sociologist and public health professional, I approached Coplan’s work with keen interest in how solitude—often stigmatized as social withdrawal—might intersect with gendered expectations of connectivity and care labor. While the book targets a general audience, its science-backed defense of solitude as a tool for self-reconnection resonated with my research on burnout and mental health disparities, particularly among women. Coplan’s reframing of solitude as productive rather than pathological evoked both relief (for its challenge to hyper-social norms) and frustration (at its limited critique of structural barriers to accessing solitude, e.g., for single parents or marginalized workers).

Strengths & Emotional Impact
-Science-Meets-Accessibility: Coplan’s blend of psychological research (e.g., distinguishing solitude from loneliness) with practical exercises offers a nuanced counterpoint to the “always-on” culture. His paradoxes (e.g., solitude as social fuel) intrigued me as a public health scholar studying restorative practices.
-Gendered Subtext: Though not explicit, his examples of overconnection subtly highlight how women—often primary caregivers—face disproportionate pressure to be perpetually available. This implicit critique stirred both validation and a desire for deeper analysis.
-Emotional Resonance: Chapters on digital detoxification and creative solitude elicited a visceral sense of longing—for the selfhood solitude promises but capitalism often denies.

Constructive Criticism
-Structural Blind Spots: Coplan’s focus on individual agency overlooks systemic inequities. For example, low-income workers or those in precarious jobs rarely have the privilege to “choose” solitude. A public health lens demands addressing policy barriers (e.g., paid leave, childcare access).
-Cultural Homogeneity: The book’s Western-centric examples (e.g., solo travel) neglect how collectivist cultures or marginalized communities might experience solitude differently.
-Empirical Gaps: While citing studies, Coplan omits critiques of solitude’s potential harms (e.g., social isolation’s link to mortality). A balanced discussion would strengthen its academic utility.

Why This Book Matters
The Joy of Solitude is a timely antidote to the glorification of busyness, offering a research-backed case for reclaiming alone time. Its limitations in structural critique are outweighed by its potential to empower readers—especially women—to reframe solitude as self-care rather than selfishness.

Thank you to the publisher for the free copy via Edelweiss. Rated 4.2/5—a compelling read for scholars and practitioners, with caveats about its privileged assumptions.

Pair With: Quiet (Susan Cain) for introversion studies or Alone Together (Sherry Turkle) for tech critiques. Ideal for readers seeking evidence-based solitude advocacy, supplemented with intersectional analysis.

[Seawitch · Rating 4 out of 5]

For those new to the topic, everything you ever needed to know about solitude - definition, benefits, challenges, studies. Though he presents research, this is a book for the layperson and reads easily. Some chapters may feel like more than you needed to know so it might make sense to not read every page.

Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my review.

[Faiza Sattar · Rating 2 out of 5]

★★☆☆☆ (2/5)

A selection of my favorite passages

·       A classic and prescient quote about solitude comes from Blaise Pascal, a seventeenth- century French mathematician, inventor, and philosopher, who wrote, “All of humanity’s problems stem from man’s inability to sit quietly in a room alone.”

·       The philosopher Paul Johannes Tillich provided an often quoted distinction between loneliness and solitude in his 1963 book, The Eternal Now: “[ Language] has created the word ‘loneliness’ to express the pain of being alone. And it has created the word ‘solitude’ to express the glory of being alone.”

·       Historian David Vincent who provided my favorite definition of loneliness, labeling it “failed solitude.” Loneliness is most often the result of social isolation: spending too much time alone not by our own choice. In this way, loneliness creates a wanting. If you are lonely, you desire more— and deeper— social connection because there is a discrepancy between your social needs and your actual social experiences.

·       Doesn’t it seem a bit odd that the punishment we sometimes dole out to our children, namely spending quiet time alone, is the same reward we give to ourselves as adults?

·       Across a series of five studies, their results showed that adults were much less likely to engage in a solo hedonic activity (something fun), such as seeing a movie in a theater or eating at a newly opened restaurant, compared with a more utilitarian activity (something practical), such as going food shopping or taking a walk for exercise. Reasons for this had to do with people’s self- conscious concerns that if they went bowling alone (another example of a hedonic activity), they would be perceived by others as a “loser” and not having any friends.

·       Loneliness is what we feel when the quality and quantity of our social life does not meet our personal wants and expectations. It is a discrepancy between our social desires and our social reality. In this way, loneliness is a dissatisfaction with a particular sphere of our life. It can manifest as an aching and longing that permeates all aspects of our daily existence.

·       Loneliness is insidious. It taints how we view ourselves and others, seeping into our everyday moments like a spreading infection.

·       ostracism is a primary cause of unwanted solitude, which often leads to loneliness

·       Epictetus advises that we all should strive to be able to be our “own companion.” He argues that honing our ability to “talk with ourselves” can free us from feeling the wants of others. This would then allow us to more thoughtfully consider our place in the world, how we affect others, and what effects others have on us. It is only through this type of solitary introspection, Epictetus believed, that we can identify the things that hurt us and then determine how to cure or remove this pain.

·       Solitude appears to take the edge off our more intense emotions.

·       Hard fascination forcefully grabs and holds our full attention, like a car honking as we step into a crosswalk in a crowded city intersection. Hard fascination is intrusive and jarring. It does not allow the mental space for us to process our thoughts. Instead, it forces us only to react, again and again.

·       Soft fascination does not demand anything. It asks nicely. It gently and effortlessly nudges our attention, like the cresting of waves on a beach as the tide comes in. Soft fascination leaves space for us to think and reflect and, most important, for our minds to wander. It is this extra mental bandwidth that helps to restore our cognitive battery, and this can have powerful rejuvenating effects.

·       Aloneliness: the bad feelings that result from not getting enough time alone.

·       This translates into some very simple advice: when it comes to solitude, you do you.

·       Different solitary activities all tend to reflect intrinsic motivations, which, as we have seen, suggests that this alone time is self-directed, meaningful, and enjoyable. It is under these circumstances that people are most likely to appropriately satisfy their need for solitude.

·       ancient Greek philosopher Epictetus wrote more than two thousand years ago, “Men are disturbed not by things but by the principles and notions which they form concerning things.”

·       “Without great solitude, no serious work is possible.”

·       Solitude gives us a respite from our direct connections to the social input that we are exposed to in the presence of others. This input is funneled through all our senses, with our ears catching snippets of conversation, our eyes glimpsing different facial expressions, and our noses detecting wisps of bodywash or aftershave. We process this constant information stream both consciously and unconsciously. When we get a break from all this input, it has an impact on how our brain functions and therefore on how we think. In short, solitude is an ideal place for our mind to wander.

·       flow experiences are autotelic, meaning that the activity contains its own primary purpose. When we are in a state of flow, our drive and meaning come from within.

·       not all screen time is the same when you are alone. Of course, there remains considerable debate in academia and elsewhere as to the impact of technology on our social lives. However, somewhat ironically, and certainly most relevant for this book, there is now also growing discourse on the role of such technology in our solitary lives.

·       As the Austrian poet Rainer Maria Rilke wrote in Letters to a Young Poet, “I hold this to be the highest task of a bond between two people: that each should stand guard over the solitude of the other.”

·       When measuring time alone, researchers also distinguished between desired solitude, which participants chose and viewed positively, and what they called bothersome solitude, which participants did not necessarily choose and viewed more negatively.

·       Everyone needs to find their personal “just right” amount of solitude and to personalize their alone time with their preferred solitary activities.

·       Just thinking positive thoughts while alone can improve experiences of solitude, and being reminded of the benefits of solitude can improve the strength of those effects

[Lieve Verbiest · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dit boek bevat een oneindige lijst aan onderzoeken over eenzaamheid en alleen zijn. Het lijkt mij interessant studiemateriaal. Maar er sprak mij niet echt aan. Voor mij waren de tips op het einde van elk hoofdstuk voldoende.

[Payton · Rating 5 out of 5]

attack of the killer tomatoes mentioned

[Dawn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think this book potentially does a better job at explaining the less extreme extroverts and introverts in the world. The ones who think that maybe, depending on the day, or the event, or the people, they might be either or.
At least in my case, it seems clear I'm one of those people that recharges from having space and quiet. But in many instances I might seem like a pretty extroverted person.
Instead of thinking, hey I'm an introvert. I can instead think, hey I'm a person who needs a certain amount of solitude to function effectively. Which, seems much more useful than trying to make a term like "extroverted introvert" make any sense at all.

A lot of the book talked about the nuances to solitude, from how people define this, to how they practice it, to how much they need. I like that there were so few definitives, which showed that there were many ways to be, and we don't need to follow this script, or those rules, or define ourselves in such a limiting way. At least I thought that, I thought there were so many aha moments, where I could be, oh, that makes so much sense.

There was a part of the book that talked about how you can have solitude without being alone, and that it is about whether you feel like you are performing, or whether you can just be yourself, and this felt so validating, I've tried so hard to explain this to people, and it doesn't really explain well.

Love the tomato story in Chapter 8, as I also hate tomatoes. And in much the same way, so that it makes no sense whatsoever.

I would have been interested in finding out more about how people manage at work when there is no opportunity to recharge.

I’m also fascinated by people who can gain enough recharge time in 15 minutes? That is just amazing.

All in all, not really a useful book. Maybe because I've been a long time protector of my solitude and I'm aware that I can only go so long without it, and the longer I wait, the longer the recharge. But I found the read interesting, and it has given me a better framework to explain to others what I need and how I'm feeling. Especially just the word solitude, that is going to help me explain much better than introvert, or recharge, or I need some space, or I'm barely holding it together here....f* off before I lose it.

[Zachary Hacquard · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is really great. I never heard about this book and the title was very intriguing when browsing the shelves. I learned so much about solitude and all the wonderful great research behind all of it. Who knew solitude was such a complex concept!!

[Yiwen Li · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked up this book from a shelf in Indigo because I had recently wanted to know more about what the title promised “The Joy of Solitude”. Often I found myself craving company or human interaction so much most days and times “alone” that solitude seemed to me a negatively-charged experience. After reading this book, I feel more informed and comfortable with the experience of solitude, and look forward to implementing some of the tips the author provides.

I have the book 4/5 stars because even though the author is writing to a general audience, it reads very much like an academic text full of excerpts from various studies written in more lay (and sometimes not very lay) language that fail to provide much of what the book promised: a easy-to-understand roadmap/framework for how to access the benefits of solitude in life. Sure, I understand that everything is a balance, everyone is different in personality so how they each react to solitude etc is different, but I didn’t need to buy this book for me to know everything is complicated and there’s no clear answer to a lot of questions.

I did enjoy the author’s personal anecdotes and personal revelations of what works for him re solitude. In fact, I felt those moments I learned more than him listing a laundry list of studies that stated X, others say Y, and some “mixed”.

I have to be honest: I felt like giving up on this book more than once, especially after the initial lengthy chapter all on “how to define solitude?”. Who cares??? I bought this book wanting to know the benefits of spending time alone and how to do so in the best way, not to learn all the different ways academics define solitude.

I don’t know if I’d read follow up book by this author, given my struggles with being fully engaged in his writing. I often know if a book is 5/5 stars if I can’t wait to get back to it and look forward to diving back in. I didn’t feel that for this book - it felt more like reading an academic-oriented text geared towards university students wanting to learn more about the literature on solitude in a slightly less dense way. And I actually graduated from university with a Masters degree and I felt disinterested a lot in reading this book. That must say something.

However, I’m glad I got through the book. It was overall a good read and I learned quite a bit.

[Barbara Boyd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh the irony that I struggled to find solitude to read this delightful book about solitude.

First and foremost, loneliness and solitude should not be conflated. In view of the frequent writings about the perils of loneliness—and they are real—Dr. Coplan's exploration of the benefits of solitude offers a welcome counterpoint. Our relationship with ourself takes as much work as our relationships with others, and Coplan has written an informative book that teaches us how to do solitude well.

In academia, solitude seems to be a hot topic, and Coplan astutely distills and disseminates a surprisingly vast quantity of worldwide research that considers solitude across ages, personalities, and situations. He also includes ample primary research conducted during his career as a developmental psychologist. Yet, this book is not academic; Coplan's writing is engaging, instructional, and accessible. I found myself nodding in agreement with the narrative, laughing at anecdotes, and taking many notes.

"The Joy of Solitude" begins by defining solitude and debunking its negative reputation. Throughout the remainder of the book, Coplan guides the reader to build a customized practice of quality solitude that considers one's personality, their propensity for introversion or extraversion, and their lifestyle. He provides evidence and instruction for how solitude can boost our creativity, strengthen our relationships, and improve children's health. Coplan teaches readers how to be alone with themselves, with others, and with their devices—a full chapter is devoted to how to be alone with your phone. Each chapter ends with a handy summary of the key elements and practices presented.

Paradoxically, quality time spent in solitude can improve the quality of lives and our relationships. In a world full of struggle, strife, and stress, perhaps we could all benefit from a little more time spent in solitude.

Thank you to Simon and Schuster and NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

#netgalley #thejoyofsolitude #simonandschuster

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review of The Joy of Solitude: How to Reconnect with Yourself in an Overconnected World by Robert J. Coplan - 4 Stars

Both the title and the subject of this book intrigue me and the book was all I hoped it would be and more. The research the author has done on this subject is evident throughout. Coplan has such a great way of making the information interesting, understandable, relatable, and personally meaningful to his readers.

We as humans are built for social connections and relationships, but we also need to have time apart from others to recharge ourselves, think about our life journey and values, and put things in perspective. The ratio of how much social to solitude time is needed varies by the individual, but both are important for a full, well-lived life.

In a world where technology allows us to be available to others all the time, Coplan advocates for not allowing yourself to be caught up in that unrealistic expectation and urges us to take the time we need to disconnect and be apart by ourselves.

An interesting and informative read.

My thanks to Simon and Schuster for permitting me access to a DRC via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions in this review are my own and are freely given.

[Cory · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn’t expect a book about being alone to feel so welcoming, but The Joy of Solitude was quite a surprise. Robert Coplan writes about solitude the way a good friend might talk about it over a long dinner—with honestly, humor, and supported by real science. Coplan makes a clear distinction between loneliness and what he calls “aloneliness,” the craving for more time to yourself which made me rethink how I spend my quiet moments as a mom who wears many hats.

It’s the kind of book that goes down easy—one you can read slowly between sips of wine at a restaurant bar - and still feel like you’re getting something meaningful from every page. This book was not written in a way that is hard to understand at all, which surprised me because I often find non-fiction books to be more informational and highly academic. Coplan wrote in a gentle tone, with solid research and the ideas resonated with me. A genuinely refreshing read for anyone learning to enjoy their own company.

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Chris Boutté · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was much more interesting than I was expecting. I didn’t know if this was going to be a book about why people need to connect more in this digital age or what, but it wasn’t. This made me pleasantly surprised because I’m an introvert who doesn’t socialize much, and it’s tough reading all these books talking about how we need to connect more.

Coplan researches solitude’s benefits and drawbacks. While the book isn’t entirely about connecting with others, he does discuss a lot of research that explains why social connection is beneficial. What I enjoyed about this book is how he discusses the benefits of solitude and really dives into what “solitude” actually means. He brings up a great example of his nephew or some kid locked in his room playing video games with friends online. Would we call this solitude? Of course not.

There are a lot of great studies in this book, and it’s definitely worth the read. I’ve read quite a few books about social connection, and many get repetitive. This one isn’t like the others, so you should check it out.

[Lisa Gray · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got this book for free from Library Thing for an honest review. I gave it 4 stars because I personally really enjoyed it and found it impressive how much research this author has done on solitude. That said, I like reading about research and studies on topics I’m interested in, and not everyone finds that fascinating. This book wasn’t what I expected, having expected more of a casual “here’s how to enjoy solitude more” kind of book. And don’t get me wrong, there are some tips for enjoying solitude more, you can read the list of tips in the last chapter and skip all the research about why it is so. Basically: solitude is really important, but it’s a very personal thing how much you need and how you achieve it. Solitude is best balanced with social activity as well. You may like this book or not depending on your interest in scientific research - but if you’re not sold on why learning to like solitude might be important for you, this might be a good book to read!

[Carla · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book to be fascinating! I’m so impressed that the author could take a topic such as solitude and use it to create such an engaging book. The book is easy to read and understand. I enjoyed the user’s guide at the end of each chapter. Each section was full of so many interesting facts and takeaways to use in my own life. It has taken me years to fully embrace and enjoy solitude. When I was younger, I was scared to be alone and would do anything not to be. As I’ve grown older, I’ve learned to really appreciate being alone with myself. There is something so peaceful and rejuvenating about it.

Now that I’m a parent, I especially enjoyed the chapter about how to promote healthy solitude in children. The author also mentions the importance of “me time” for parents as well.

Overall, a really interesting book that I definitely think everyone can learn something from! Solitude plays an important role in everyday life!

[Elizabeth · Rating 1 out of 5]

this book was neither helpful, interesting nor educational. I'm not sure what I was expecting, but maybe something that was at least joyful to read. the author took a pamphlet worth of information, wrapped it in a bag of psychology studies that were obvious in nature and then sprinkled on some personal tidbits to attempt familiarity. the end result was a book that felt extremely redundant, uninspired and without anything new or helpful to offer. when the core concept and sole takeaway is "some people aren't comfortable with solitude and others are, so try out some solitude if it's not something you've embraced before," you aren't going to be able to draw much meat from the topic.

As another reviewer once said of a similar book, "there must be a good book on this topic, but this isn't it."

Not something I'd recommend to anyone.

[Ellen Ross · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. This book is a must read simply because it defines what solitude is and isn’t. I learned a lot about myself from it. Many believe that being an introvert means that you always enjoy solitude, but this book explores the ways that different people can enjoy solitude in different ways and in different amounts of time. It gives great advice on how to better embrace solitude, and gives comfort that it is OK to enjoy solitude. I will be referring to things I learned from this book many times in the future, whether it’s among friends or with my job.

[Lexi Sølvhammer · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Joy of Solitude offers an insightful look into why some people simply enjoy being alone — without being labelled odd or antisocial. Coplan writes in a light, engaging tone and introduces the refreshing idea of JOMO: the joy of missing out.

The book challenges old expectations around relationships and traditions, reminding us that not everything is meant for everyone. I especially liked the reflections on how solitude benefits both children and older adults.

I did miss the section the author hints at regarding companion animals — dogs, or in my case, cats — as I never heard it explored.

A calm, thoughtful, and comforting read, pleasantly narrated.
@booksherlocked

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent book with some great advice - for yourself and for kids - about finding time for solitude and being able to enjoy it. I like how the author makes it clear that loneliness is NOT solitude. We can feel lonely in a room full of people and we can also be completely alone but not feel lonely.
I also like the author's stance that spending too much time scrolling on social media can ruin your alone time (and even make you feel bad about yourself).
So much good stuff in this book. I guess my reason for docking one star is because it was quite dense in parts so I did a bit of skimming.

[Pamela Hatch · Rating 1 out of 5]

The Joy of Solitude is a well-researched book and includes a detailed bibliography of where the author gathered all of the facts that he mixed with his own personal research. If you need well-researched information on solitude and how it is different from loneliness - this is it. -- However, it was a little more than I needed for general information and my mind started wandering.

I was given a free advanced reader's copy in exchange for a honest review.

[Menekse Tokyay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yalnızlık ve tekbaşınalığın kişiyi zihinsel ve sosyal olarak besleyebileceğini anlatan çok kıymetli bir kaynak. Çünkü her ikisi de insan deneyiminin bir parçası. Tekbaşına kaldığımız zamanlar benliğimizi keşfetmemiz, yaralarımızı onarmamız için iyileştirici olabilir. Sosyalleşmek ile tekbaşınalık arasında sağlıklı bir denge kurmak için çok güzel öğütler veren, beni çok etkileyen ve besleyen bir kitap oldu.

[Jeff Stephens · Rating 4 out of 5]

Deep with citings of interesting and credible research studies. Ive always felt rejuvenated & found insights from solitude. I'll now consciously plan/embrace solitude and celebrate the benefits. Thats often a tall order in a world that doesnt understand. My wife always suggwsts i travel with a friend on annual cycling getaway weeks. Uhhh no; thatd ruin the whole thing.

[Candy · Rating 4 out of 5]

An appealing topic ...

[Spandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good book but nothing I didn't know about. But I liked how the author presented all the details with scientific tests.

[Kenia Sedler · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

[Alex Baier · Rating 4 out of 5]

Science backed with great anecdotes as well. A little boring and repetitive at times, but overall great coverage of topics, and a great read.

[D · Rating 4 out of 5]

4+