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Get a F*cking Grip: How to Get Your Life Back on Track
You know the key to having more energy has nothing to do with crystals and chakras and everything to do with how much sleep you get.
You know that neglecting your friends will leave you destitute and lonely but you're still too damn lazy to pick up your phone and get in touch.
You know you could get through your to-do list in half the time - yet you're still stalking your ex on Facebook.
You know you just need a kick up the backside - and that's what you'll find within the pages of this book.
Get A F*cking Grip is the self-help book for people who hate self-help, offering simple no-nonsense advice that you can implement into all areas of your life, allowing you to get on with everything you've always wanted to do. Learning how to get a f*cking grip is the key to taking back control of your life.
You know that neglecting your friends will leave you destitute and lonely but you're still too damn lazy to pick up your phone and get in touch.
You know you could get through your to-do list in half the time - yet you're still stalking your ex on Facebook.
You know you just need a kick up the backside - and that's what you'll find within the pages of this book.
Get A F*cking Grip is the self-help book for people who hate self-help, offering simple no-nonsense advice that you can implement into all areas of your life, allowing you to get on with everything you've always wanted to do. Learning how to get a f*cking grip is the key to taking back control of your life.
288 pages, Paperback
First published December 26, 2019
13 people are currently reading
105 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
March 13, 2023
I got a f*cking grip and stopped reading this.
It started off well - but after every single point there are three metaphors, I just couldn’t take it anymore.
The message gets completely lost.
It’s a DNF for me.
It started off well - but after every single point there are three metaphors, I just couldn’t take it anymore.
The message gets completely lost.
It’s a DNF for me.
dnf
August 6, 2022DNF
I'm glad this was free on audible lmao
I'm glad this was free on audible lmao
January 4, 2020
As MK tells us repeatedly, You know this. It's not new stuff, but his humor, delightful accent (on the audio book) and common sense slap up side the head was worth the 'read'. I particularly liked the advice on not taking yourself so seriously (dance naked, sing loudly etc) and not sweating the small stuff like being perfectly on time and keeping your house clean, as long as your health and relationships are in order.
November 1, 2021
Honestly, I really just listened to this audio because I was tickled by the title, and it came free with the Audible Plus catalogue so there was no financial risk attached to my acquiring it (I'm cheap like that!)!
As a piece of self-help literature it's bracing. It's the kind of person who takes one look at you bleating on about your first world problems, slaps you round the face and tells you to pull yourself together. That's pretty much the premise of the entire book - oh, and it's peppered liberally with swearing, which is probably obvious from the title.
I was entertained, I can't deny. But if you actually follow his advice, you'll probably get your life into a better place. There is wisdom here too. The main thing you, as a potential reader (or listener) need to know is that if you like his style (as evidenced by the title), you may well enjoy it. I should mention that it's a competent read, although I was so irritated by his strange emphases that I could have clipped him round the ears and told him to sort himself out in that respect, which gave me a strange feeling of gratification!
Personally, although there is some good advice in here, I came to the book for its entertainment value. I wanted to see how he suggested we do "get a f*cking grip" on our lives, and how amusing he managed to be while doing it. I was entertained and I was amused, although nowhere near "belly laugh" category of amusement.
If you're already an Audible member so you have access to the Plus catalogue, you might find this fun to listen to. Bear in mind what I said about his annoying speech patterns and you'll probably be quite entertained.
And if you like your self-help like a slap around the face with a wet fish, you might enjoy reading the text and sorting your life out, too.
As a piece of self-help literature it's bracing. It's the kind of person who takes one look at you bleating on about your first world problems, slaps you round the face and tells you to pull yourself together. That's pretty much the premise of the entire book - oh, and it's peppered liberally with swearing, which is probably obvious from the title.
I was entertained, I can't deny. But if you actually follow his advice, you'll probably get your life into a better place. There is wisdom here too. The main thing you, as a potential reader (or listener) need to know is that if you like his style (as evidenced by the title), you may well enjoy it. I should mention that it's a competent read, although I was so irritated by his strange emphases that I could have clipped him round the ears and told him to sort himself out in that respect, which gave me a strange feeling of gratification!
Personally, although there is some good advice in here, I came to the book for its entertainment value. I wanted to see how he suggested we do "get a f*cking grip" on our lives, and how amusing he managed to be while doing it. I was entertained and I was amused, although nowhere near "belly laugh" category of amusement.
If you're already an Audible member so you have access to the Plus catalogue, you might find this fun to listen to. Bear in mind what I said about his annoying speech patterns and you'll probably be quite entertained.
And if you like your self-help like a slap around the face with a wet fish, you might enjoy reading the text and sorting your life out, too.
June 10, 2025
Light and easy read. Their humour was refreshing and entertaining. However the content may sound repetitive or unrelated.
August 17, 2022
started off strong and progressively got worse, esp just over the halfway point.
that's where the book needed to get a f*cking grip lol
that's where the book needed to get a f*cking grip lol
February 3, 2022
A fun read, with some solid advice. You'll learn nothing new from this book, as the author states, but it's a funny reminder of common sense and basic rules of thumb to live a good life. I listened to this during gym sessions and couldn't supress a laugh every now and then. The other people probably wondered what was so funny xD
October 31, 2020
This is how I imagine the result if Douglas Adams or Ben Elton were to write a time management and self-help book. Matthew Kimberley replays the standard tips you'll find elsewhere but does it in such an entertaining and engaging way that you're more likely to pay attention and have a laugh. Irreverant, informative and enjoyable.
January 1, 2020
**listened via audible**
This book had a few interesting points but I found it a bit hit and miss the majority of the time.
This book had a few interesting points but I found it a bit hit and miss the majority of the time.
August 21, 2022
The book says it itself: you don't need anything new, you know everything already, you just need the motivation to apply what it's in you.
You don't need a book to tell you that you should stick to a diet, you don't need a book to tell you you need to work out every week, you don't need a book to start a project, a business, a new career.
This book is like no others, nothing comes out of it, nothing really outstanding in it, just going over and over some examples with encouragements from people's stories.
Some quotes from the book that resonated with me:
You don't need a book to tell you that you should stick to a diet, you don't need a book to tell you you need to work out every week, you don't need a book to start a project, a business, a new career.
This book is like no others, nothing comes out of it, nothing really outstanding in it, just going over and over some examples with encouragements from people's stories.
Some quotes from the book that resonated with me:
August 22, 2022
Get A F*cking Grip is advertised as a self help book for people who hate self help books. As Matthew Kimberley states from the start, all the contents of the book is stuff you already know/common sense.
Whilst there were some okay ideas in the book, I cannot look before the arrogance, ableism, over-sexualisation and fat-shaming. A large part of this book refers to people being “fat” as if it is one of the worst things in the world and then proceeds to condone cheating and marital affairs. The book felt like it tried to be “relatable” whilst blatantly ignoring real issues within the world - no, I can’t just buy a ticket to Bali if you feel like when I have limited funds and people depending on me, sorry! Telling people to “man or woman up” and completely overlooking physical and mental health feels crass and didn’t sit right with me. I’m sure others may enjoy this approach but it isn’t for me.
Whilst there were some okay ideas in the book, I cannot look before the arrogance, ableism, over-sexualisation and fat-shaming. A large part of this book refers to people being “fat” as if it is one of the worst things in the world and then proceeds to condone cheating and marital affairs. The book felt like it tried to be “relatable” whilst blatantly ignoring real issues within the world - no, I can’t just buy a ticket to Bali if you feel like when I have limited funds and people depending on me, sorry! Telling people to “man or woman up” and completely overlooking physical and mental health feels crass and didn’t sit right with me. I’m sure others may enjoy this approach but it isn’t for me.
January 12, 2022
I loveeeeeee the book...talk of a good way to start the year. I've had this book in my library for a while but never read it till I got stuck on a lonesome train ride...and it made the 4hours on the train enjoyable.
The comical, sarcastic and down-to-earth tone was really interesting and helped to set a proper tone that matches what the title said. The book is a great compilation of commonsense idea narrated in a witty, sarcastic, friendly and every day language.
Are there loads of strong words? Yes. Some expletives, Yes. But then, GET A F*CKING GRIP, DONT TAKE YOURSELF TOO SERIOUS!!!
The comical, sarcastic and down-to-earth tone was really interesting and helped to set a proper tone that matches what the title said. The book is a great compilation of commonsense idea narrated in a witty, sarcastic, friendly and every day language.
Are there loads of strong words? Yes. Some expletives, Yes. But then, GET A F*CKING GRIP, DONT TAKE YOURSELF TOO SERIOUS!!!
November 15, 2021
A five and a half hour giggle with the only self-help book anyone truly needs. May also be the only proverbial kick anyone needs. We all know these things — the book tells us nothing new — but it states more than a few home truths many people won’t enjoy hearing and won’t let themselves pay attention to. Yes, there’s some silliness too, but the author puts all the advice you ever knew and didn’t want to listen to together entertainingly, and has the perfect voice to present it.
November 17, 2021
A couple of good bits, but few and far between.
One bit of advice I’ll be taking though “take a book that you know you won’t read again, put it in a bag and remove it from your house.”
I’ll start with this one.
Filled with endless sarcastic metaphors that wear thin very quickly. Not worth the effort to read this, I’d highly recommend avoiding.
One bit of advice I’ll be taking though “take a book that you know you won’t read again, put it in a bag and remove it from your house.”
I’ll start with this one.
Filled with endless sarcastic metaphors that wear thin very quickly. Not worth the effort to read this, I’d highly recommend avoiding.
August 1, 2022
Thank goodness I never paid for this audiobook. I found it condescending, insulting, annoying with the metaphors every third sentence.
I'll sum it up for you. Man up, throw your TV away and act like a selfish spoiled brat for the rest of your life.
Disappointed I had to give it one more star than it deserves.
I'll sum it up for you. Man up, throw your TV away and act like a selfish spoiled brat for the rest of your life.
Disappointed I had to give it one more star than it deserves.
August 7, 2022
I disagree with the lot of the advice in this book though I understand the sentiment. Ultimately what is meant to be a ‘down to earth, no nonsense’ guide was closer to ignorant. I won’t be going for that extra marital affair, and I won’t chuck out my TV. Maybe I’m not the sort of person the author was addressing.
January 18, 2022
I must write a review for this book as a reminder not to read this again.
It was so bad I started to get frustrated at this book.
I felt like this was one’s angry diary to self and I don’t know if it will help many people to “get a grip”.
It was so bad I started to get frustrated at this book.
I felt like this was one’s angry diary to self and I don’t know if it will help many people to “get a grip”.
April 7, 2022
No nonsense reminder of everything I already knew but had forgotten to implement in my life. Easy to read but some simple advice was over described. Like having one of your mates telling you to get a f*cking grip.
January 12, 2020
Matthew's take on the self-help world is spot on and in his own distinct style. He's funny, irreverent and overall offers great advice.
September 7, 2021
Didn't bother finishing after reading a couple of pages lol.
October 29, 2021
Audiobook
November 24, 2021
Easy to listen to , funny , pretty accurate , nice easy going book to give you a slap around the face 😂
January 3, 2022
Funny, but after a while the standard stuff gets thrown around. Great book for running
January 3, 2022
Was not a fan of this at all. Found it a bit cringey and patronizing, really oversimplified issues that people experience.
February 9, 2022
Waste of time. Didn’t finish it.
August 25, 2022
DNF for me
August 27, 2022
It’s good.. There’s nothing new we all know it. We just need to get a grip and do things.
September 2, 2022
2.5 stars
September 21, 2022
Not particularly relevant for me
February 4, 2023
Get over it, get the f*cking grip :) Second time trying to listen to this book, I've got the idea, book is excellent.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews