Directions: Really Good Advice for Getting from Here to There

by Hallie Bateman

Cutting through the noise. Sometimes we need a little direction in life, whether to see a problem from a new perspective or confirm a gut feeling. Or maybe we just need a little encouragement- an affirmation that will send us sailing into the day with confidence ( Admit to yourself that your ass is exquisite ). Filled with clarity, inspiration, and just the right dose of humor, Directions provides all that and more. And like, a Magic 8 Ball, it’s always ready for a consultation when you need What direction do I need today?

Genres: Nonfiction, Self Help, Humor

128 pages, Hardcover

Published March 30, 2021

Reviews

[Sheri · Rating 5 out of 5]

A quick read styled in the new-fashioned way, you may be fooled into thinking this is light on content, filled with the sort of vogue notions that only appeal to millennials and Gen Zers. But this is a book that spans generations with suggestions that deserve reflection and introspection. The randomly arranged, but meaningful thoughts, challenges, and advice really are great directions to lead you to all things good. Don't just read, heed.

[Kerry · Rating 3 out of 5]

a graphic type self help. no pictures really. small scraps of paper as seen on cover with written sentences of advice. Some quite clever and some practical.
"Don't buy a pet if you can rescue one."
"Demand decency of your friends no matter how long you've known them."

some food for thought gained in 20 minutes.

[Kerry · Rating 5 out of 5]

This made me really happy!

[Vera · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really cute book given to me by chia. I like to imagine it as a coffee table book. Someone comes over, sees it and picks it up. They flip to a random page and see a piece of advice they needed to hear. They are inspired and decide to finally do the thing they always wanted to do. Their life is altered and wham bam shazam it’s a happy life. Cue the music. Looking back they’ll wonder to themselves when their life took an upturn, and be unable to place their finger on the exact moment. But you and I will know, it was this one page, in this lil book, sitting on a coffee table somewhere that made them do it.

Happy Valentine’s Day love!

[Maya · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always know it's a good read when I'm verbally responding - "oooh" "ah" "hm" "hehe"
A great 20-minute-sit-down-book for a transitional phase in life, or when you are feeling grey - brings into perspective how it's okay to feel human and small, but it's important to feel alive.

[Lisa Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quick read, but a lot of truly lovely advice that made me stop and think.

[Lydia Vorodi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute little read with good reminders about enjoying the little things in life🌟

[Kevin · Rating 3 out of 5]

In some ways this is just a collection of platitudes and aphorisms artistically presented. And if you approach it that way you find it kind of silly. But as I told my daughter, there are often deep truths in platitudes and no matter how simple, sometimes you need to hear those truths. For that reason, I appreciated this book. It is the type of book that you can dip into when you feel like you could use a little advice or direction. Is a life changing type of book? Probably not, but it might offer a gentle reminder or a mental nudge to get your thinking back on track or re-center your mindset. Or maybe it will just prompt you to smile which is no small thing these days.

[Vanessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to Workman Publishing Company for the DRC!

I love this book! These advices are so simple, but so true. Life's hard, sometimes we forget about the most simple things that can make us happy. I think everyone should read this book. It's a great reminder of what really matters in life.

[J.M · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun and easy book to read with some great advice.

[Jennifer Klepper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hallie Bateman is a freelance writer and illustrator whose Instagram feed is one I didn't know I needed until I read this book! Bateman can get right to the core of an anxiety or an emotion or an outlook on life with her drawings and her "Directions," which is what this exquisite book captures. Each page is a "Direction" (a little bit of life advice) inspired by Bateman's Instagram posts (per the publisher's description, the book includes Instagram follower favorites as well as new ones). And this advice? It's grounding and humorous, freeing and real. This would be a fantastic gift book, the perfect add-on to a graduation present, or a book to set out on your entryway table for guests to glean a tip that might change their outlook on the day.

Thank you NetGalley and Workman Publishing Company for the advance copy of this book.

[Cass · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher who sent me a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

For fans of SARK and Mari Andrews.

Bateman has created a book of small notes for people wanting to feel alive - her introduction tells us that Alive people are mindful and present, while Not Alive ones are just here drifting through life.

Bateman's advice is a bit of a mixed bag as some of these thoughts will resonate more than others. The notes themselves are bright against the elegant scrawl of her handwriting in black marker.

Your mileage may vary for this one - I found some of her notes memorable - she touches briefly on deeper topics like privilege and jealousy, which I liked. However I found this book to be a bit too broad for my liking.

It would make a great gift for someone who loves the colourful work of SARK or Mari Andrews.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hallie Bateman is a favorite illustrator but I had completely forgotten about this book until I saw it on a display at the library. Directions can be read in 20 minutes but it packs a punch. Some directions are silly and meant to make you laugh and some will leave you thinking for days. Some favorites:

When it’s good, try, try to enjoy it. Things are allowed to be good.

Focus less on what you liked/disliked. What did you notice?

Don’t let their wanting it stop you from giving it to them.

Little by little, become yourself.

And finally,

If the person you love wants to stay through the movie credits, find a way to enjoy it even though you want to stand up. Give them this.

[Nayeli · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have to confess I read this book at Barnes and Noble while waiting for someone. It’s a fast read though I guess having it around and reading it slower would make the advice sink in better. I guess I agreed with 90% of it (for example, there was one about always attending weddings that didn’t resonate with me and my social anxiety).

It’s a cute book with an interesting design but for some people it might seem like little content, although like I said each page could make you reflect a lot if you give it more time to think through.

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Little snippets of advice on enjoying life, having compassion for self and others, and having a little fun. I have a few pages marked.

In the introduction, the author talks about two kinds of people: Alive and Not Alive. Alive people notice the world around them and participate in the moment. Not Alive are dull and living ‘hands off’. (My interpretation.) Interesting.

I really like the cover: the patches are textured 🙂

[Andrea Wenger · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is full of little nuggets of wisdom, one quotation on each page. It would make a great gift for fans of Rachel Hollis or Glennon Doyle, or anyone who just needs a pick-me-up. It's the kind of book you'll want to read and enjoy over and over again.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received.

[Jenna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought this book solely for the purpose of cutting the pages out to use for a crafting project. I picked the best of the advice (there was more than I was anticipating) for this. I appreciate that the back of the book tells you which pages to look at for specific “directions” content. Quick read.

[Dani🧡 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was given to me by my mother in law for New Years. I love it because it’s just the thing I needed yesterday when I found myself stuck in the rut of overwhelm that I get sometimes. Just a few quick notes from the bright pages can break the funky veil of task paralysis and get you on with your day. Take some action and stop for Directions.

[Shareca · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this so much, so simple yet so enticing. I loved the aesthetic throughout; Kindle was kind of wonky. But when I used Netgalley Shelf, it looked incredible. I got the concept and what the book was intending to do. I, too, think adding exclamations and smiley faces to emails is the best! :)

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was quick and delightful. You could probably read the whole thing just standing in your library (I wouldn’t suggest buying a copy except as a gift), but I want to write a couple of the sayings on post it notes to keep and remember.

[Debs]

I’m not going to star rate this one because my reaction to it definitely colors my opinion of it and ~apparently~ if we use our ~feelings~ to rate books, we’re being “nerds.” I read it, I finished it, I shelved it in self-help.

[lizzie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pages 12, 17, 18, 20, 22!!!!!, 43, 49, 56, 62, 68, 74, 81, 86!!, 98, 101, 113. Those are my favorites.

[Veena Rangaswami · Rating 4 out of 5]

I appreciated many of the notes in this book more than I expected to and will be coming back to it in the future.

[Kristen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet little reminders & suggestions. I plan to gift this one out in the future.

[Karen Burbank]

I expected more from this. Some of the quotes I liked, but most were too simple. Just okay.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful little book, nice design. I love the casual brush-lettered phrases on torn colored paper. The bits of advice are really good - fresh thoughts that feel timeless. Pick it up!

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I flew through this book so quickly! Easy read! I loved the different pieces of advice in this book. Some of them definitely made me think!

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some pages were more thought-provoking than others, but a very insightful read.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super cute, little affirmations, life tips, and encouraging comments to keep you positive and moving forward. Would make a sweet gift for a friend or family member.

[livi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid advice