Soul Survival Guide

by Ali Davenport

Life is beautiful but tough. The question is, how to get better at surviving it? The ‘soul survival guide’ can help you find possible answers.

It pulls together - and unpicks - ideas and approaches from the spiritual and psychological worlds. Is kindness all? Do we have to let go? Can positive thinking create pressure? Is the ego the enemy? Why can meditation unsettle the mind?

Author Ali Davenport was inspired to write the book following a difficult period in her life. She turned to self-help and spirituality but often struggled with the solutions they offered. Was she lacking in some way, not open enough to new ways of thinking? Why couldn’t she be as sure about life as the experts and gurus seemed to be?

This was the book she wanted to see on the shelves. It’s here to help on the road, giving you some idea of where the signposts might be directing you. It also suggests ways of looking after your mental wellbeing and building resilience in a random and messy world.

The ‘soul survival guide’ won’t ask you to take on a set of beliefs or live a certain way. That’s up to you. It won’t answer your big questions about life either. Just encourage you to get used to the idea that there are more questions than answers.

Genres: Nonfiction

100 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 14, 2019

Reviews

[Sarah Blake · Rating 1 out of 5]

While I appreciated the point of this book, I think it was poorly executed. It came off as disjointed and awkward in places. There are a lot of ideas, but they don’t seem to flow well.

[Erica Franco · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did not immediately like this book but it grew on me as I read more. As the author mentions, the book is formulated so that you don't have to read the chapters in order. You can pick up any chapter and it will make sense. To me, this made the book seem kind of disorganized and lacking structure, like a bunch of random thoughts thrown together. Also, the first few chapters didn't address topics I really identified with. However, later in the book, I did find topics that resonated with me and was able to glean some useful words of wisdom. There is nothing earth shattering in the book, but it does have good advice on how live a happy and fulfilling life. Overall, a pleasant read with some useful tips and techniques.

[Melissa Lenore Hamann · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was basically an outline. There was very little actual substance, more like "hey, clever title. It means this. Do this." I felt it was missing a personal touch, as there were no anecdotes, no examples from the author's life, nothing to support why you're being told to do what you're told to do. Why should I trust Ali Davenport? What does she have in common with me? From the looks of this book, just about nothing, you know nothing about who she is except a preface at the book that feels like an email from your supervisor.

[Maria (Ri) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a much needed gentle reminder

It is easy to lose sight of the simple things that keep balance. This is especially true in today's world. Even though I already had thought of many of these things, I lost my focus as my priorities changed. That was my mistake because I can't be healthy mind, body, and soul of I forget to place myself as important.

Simple ideas but powerful. It was a much needed reminder.

[Amy Ingalls · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book contained a lot of ideas and advice, but I didn't really read anything new. This seemed more like a synopsis of information available in other books or from other sources and may be helpful to someone just beginning to learn about wellness.

I won this book in a Goodreads Giveaway.