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Open: A Toolkit for How Magic and Messed Up Life Can Be
Open: A Toolkit for How Magic and Messed Up Life Can Be is full of honest advice about the big, bad and beautiful things that growing up is all about: from mental health to families to first love, and everything in between. Gemma Cairney is an important advocate for young people and between her life experiences and her personal insight from her time as Radio 1's resident agony aunt on The Surgery, she is perfectly placed to offer hope and a huge comforting cuddle to young people questioning what life's all about or dealing with hard times. Along with practical help and advice from a range of experts and gorgeous illustrations, this bright and colorful book also has a ribbon marker and plenty of space for readers to personalize and make it their own, making Open a treasured resource to return to whenever advice is needed.
- GenresNonfictionSelf Help
320 pages, Hardcover
First published March 1, 2017
7 people are currently reading
300 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
June 27, 2017
5 stars but would definitely recommend to younger readers, although a lot of it is made to be appropriate for all ages, I think older readers, (18+) know the majority of it and the activity pages make it seem more designed to encourage younger readers. I will definitely be passing this book along to a young friend who starts secondary school soon and will get so much help and relief from reading how honest this is.
April 19, 2017
Actual rating: 4.5/5 stars
There are only 2 reasons this book didn't get a full 5 stars. The first was that although Gemma really went above and beyond to make this readable for all ages, I still found some portions to be more aimed at a younger audience. This isn't a bad thing at all, it just didn't impact me or was as much use as it would have been if I had been younger and was about to experience things for the first time. I was just at a different stage of life for some of the topics in this book, but it still provided excellent advice. The second reason is that yes, this book covered a wide spectrum of topics but I found some of the segments were too short to be of substantial use. Some felt like short magazine articles, whilst others were of thicker substance.
So, I picked this up on a whim because I was going through a break up and I noticed how cool Gemma looked, flipped a page and saw it said "heartbreak". I flicked through and decided then and there that I needed it, as silly as that seems. I have no regrets.
I loved that this was interactive. Personally, I don't write in my books, but I couldn't pass up on the word search. Anyway, I know a lot of people will like this because it makes the reading experience more personal and fun.
This book was really well structured; the design and layout was so full of colour. I loved the use of illustrations and the content is very diverse in both subject matter and the style of it. It is generally very easy to read and helpful too.
I liked how this included interviews and collaborations from a lot of strong women. One collaboration I particularly enjoyed was of a poem called Free by Caroline Rothstein- it was so powerful!
The letter that Gemma wrote to her 14 year old self was such a great closure for the book, and rounded up the majority of the topics talked about.
Overall, I'd recommended this to any one. I'll probably go back and consult this book when I need advise on certain parts of my life as I grow. And that's saying something as I rarely re-read books!
Pick it up, give it a go and enjoy! >(^_^)<
Gén
There are only 2 reasons this book didn't get a full 5 stars. The first was that although Gemma really went above and beyond to make this readable for all ages, I still found some portions to be more aimed at a younger audience. This isn't a bad thing at all, it just didn't impact me or was as much use as it would have been if I had been younger and was about to experience things for the first time. I was just at a different stage of life for some of the topics in this book, but it still provided excellent advice. The second reason is that yes, this book covered a wide spectrum of topics but I found some of the segments were too short to be of substantial use. Some felt like short magazine articles, whilst others were of thicker substance.
So, I picked this up on a whim because I was going through a break up and I noticed how cool Gemma looked, flipped a page and saw it said "heartbreak". I flicked through and decided then and there that I needed it, as silly as that seems. I have no regrets.
I loved that this was interactive. Personally, I don't write in my books, but I couldn't pass up on the word search. Anyway, I know a lot of people will like this because it makes the reading experience more personal and fun.
This book was really well structured; the design and layout was so full of colour. I loved the use of illustrations and the content is very diverse in both subject matter and the style of it. It is generally very easy to read and helpful too.
I liked how this included interviews and collaborations from a lot of strong women. One collaboration I particularly enjoyed was of a poem called Free by Caroline Rothstein- it was so powerful!
The letter that Gemma wrote to her 14 year old self was such a great closure for the book, and rounded up the majority of the topics talked about.
Overall, I'd recommended this to any one. I'll probably go back and consult this book when I need advise on certain parts of my life as I grow. And that's saying something as I rarely re-read books!
Pick it up, give it a go and enjoy! >(^_^)<
Gén
July 25, 2021
Probably for slightly younger readers (= up to 16yo?), given the style/colours and that you’re encouraged to make the book your own with doodles, notes, stickers, whatever. Not necessarily the book to go for if you want a lot of medical info, instead it focuses a lot on mental health, how to develop healthy attitudes to yourself, your body, your sexuality, family etc. Lots of interviews with other people as well as as Gemma’s own stories, and details of websites etc. for more info/advice. I like that it covered politics, the environment & internet usage/safety as well.
January 27, 2018
I was bought this book as a Christmas present due to my personal interest in mental health.
I love how honest and simply this book tackles lots of really basic things that we don't really talk about.
Lots of taboo subjects covered really well with great information and in a friendly and laid back manner.
Really like the sketchy design of the book too made me less intimated as this is the first book I've read in ages.
Made me feel really positive and hopeful!
I love how honest and simply this book tackles lots of really basic things that we don't really talk about.
Lots of taboo subjects covered really well with great information and in a friendly and laid back manner.
Really like the sketchy design of the book too made me less intimated as this is the first book I've read in ages.
Made me feel really positive and hopeful!
June 9, 2018
A useful book but definitely aimed at younger readers! I'd say from 12-16-year-olds would find this book perfect. For me this was an audiobook and while I loved Gemma I felt this would definitely work best in the physical format. Some interesting points and but very typical advice for the format hence the 3 stars. I did like Gemma and her outlook though!
October 8, 2018
Some of the advice is quite useful but I disagree with pushing leftist/feminist rhetoric, a book called Open should be encouraging people to formulate their own opinions instead of shoving a particular agenda down young peoples' throats. Some useful information, especially about mental health, though.
June 7, 2017
Brilliant book!
June 9, 2018
An amazing step by step on how to deal with life's many imperfections. Just what I needed
April 27, 2019
Honestly written, must have for every teenage girl!
March 1, 2020
yeah pretty good. may have inspired me to join the green party or some other party so that’s good.
January 16, 2024
Really inspiring and helpful book. Perfect to read at all ages but would really recommend as a way to tackle with mother and daughter style relationship as looks at harder issues but is also really fun! Such a lovely book and can pick up at any point!
Currently reading
March 22, 2017So far I'm really enjoying it
Want to read
March 27, 2017I ordered this for the school library and I really like the look of it so far: it's appealingly designed and covers a lot of information (from sex and relationships to politics and money) in a very accessible and positive way.
The only thing I would say is that although the majority of the contents is applicable to all genders, the stuff on bodies is really focused on AFAB people. The "do you know your private parts" section only has a vulva, for example. The section on periods is also quite gender essentialist, making the assumption that only girls have periods. It's a shame because the rest of the book seems to be making an effort to be inclusive.
The only thing I would say is that although the majority of the contents is applicable to all genders, the stuff on bodies is really focused on AFAB people. The "do you know your private parts" section only has a vulva, for example. The section on periods is also quite gender essentialist, making the assumption that only girls have periods. It's a shame because the rest of the book seems to be making an effort to be inclusive.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews