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Un-cook Yourself: A Ratbag's Rules for Life
Nat's What I Reckon was the tattooed lockdown saviour we didn't know we needed, rescuing us from packet food, jar sauce and total boredom with his hilarious viral recipe videos that got us cooking at home like champions again.
Now that we've cooked our way out of lockdown and are wondering what the hell to do next, our favourite ratbag is back - and he's ready to teach us more about life in this thoroughly unhelpful (but maybe actually kinda helpful?) self-help guide.
Nat's already shown us that jar sauce can get f*cked. But what else is sh*t - and what's actually not sh*t? Is it all as bad as we feel like it is most of the time?
No part of our weird world and strange behaviour is spared as our long-haired guru tells us what he reckons about it all - and amps up the flavour with some eye-watering stories from his early years before a sweary video about pasta sauce shot him to global fame.
With Nat's nine no-nonsense rules, you'll be on the road to being a better d*ckhead faster than you can say 'quarantine spirit risotto with parzley on top'. And if you screw it up- it doesn't bloody Parramatta, champ.
Features a small selection of Nat's favourite recipes illustrated by Sydney artists Bunkwaa, Glenno and Onnie O'Leary.
Now that we've cooked our way out of lockdown and are wondering what the hell to do next, our favourite ratbag is back - and he's ready to teach us more about life in this thoroughly unhelpful (but maybe actually kinda helpful?) self-help guide.
Nat's already shown us that jar sauce can get f*cked. But what else is sh*t - and what's actually not sh*t? Is it all as bad as we feel like it is most of the time?
No part of our weird world and strange behaviour is spared as our long-haired guru tells us what he reckons about it all - and amps up the flavour with some eye-watering stories from his early years before a sweary video about pasta sauce shot him to global fame.
With Nat's nine no-nonsense rules, you'll be on the road to being a better d*ckhead faster than you can say 'quarantine spirit risotto with parzley on top'. And if you screw it up- it doesn't bloody Parramatta, champ.
Features a small selection of Nat's favourite recipes illustrated by Sydney artists Bunkwaa, Glenno and Onnie O'Leary.
272 pages, Paperback
Published December 1, 2020
54 people are currently reading
320 people want to read
About the author
Nat's What I Reckon
6 books35 followersComedian and mental health advocate Nat’s What I Reckon rocketed into global prominence with his isolation cooking content. Nat has delivered a well-received talk for TEDx Sydney in which he examined the perception of success, was an ambassador for the Big Anxiety festival and has shared his coping technique (“taking the piss”) on the Stand Up For Mental Health showcase for ABC TV. Nat’s first and second books were awarded Booktopia’s Favourite Australian Book Award with Nat donating the prize money to mental health charity Beyond Blue. Both books have been shortlisted in the prestigious Australian Book Industry Awards. With a message of inclusivity, positivity and never punching down, Nat’s positive impact on the mental health of millions cannot be underestimated.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 95 reviews
December 27, 2020
This was... not what I expected?
I, like many, stumbled across this dude during quarantine and was utterly charmed by his swear laden cooking videos and was weirdly excited to buy this? I don't even know what sort of genre to categorise it as? It's like a part memoir, part recipe, part shit talk soup but it works?
It's got some recipes. It's got some background. It's got some ~inspirational journey~ vibes. It's got a page on uniforms and expected personal presentation to society that had me violently agreeing. There's some cool art and honestly recipe books should have more comic strip instructions frankly. It's a style that works. There's some encouragement to deal with your mental health which. Jesus. fucking. Christ. Yes. And contact numbers are listed at the back included a slang glossary which. A giggle honestly.
A fun read.
I, like many, stumbled across this dude during quarantine and was utterly charmed by his swear laden cooking videos and was weirdly excited to buy this? I don't even know what sort of genre to categorise it as? It's like a part memoir, part recipe, part shit talk soup but it works?
It's got some recipes. It's got some background. It's got some ~inspirational journey~ vibes. It's got a page on uniforms and expected personal presentation to society that had me violently agreeing. There's some cool art and honestly recipe books should have more comic strip instructions frankly. It's a style that works. There's some encouragement to deal with your mental health which. Jesus. fucking. Christ. Yes. And contact numbers are listed at the back included a slang glossary which. A giggle honestly.
A fun read.
January 13, 2021
A surprisingly good read. As a fellow metalhead from inner West Sydney in his early 30s, I relate to Nat.
As well as some life events and recipes, Nat's book has some important perspectives from his own experience on mental health, self reliance and not following the crowd.
There is so much more to this champion than fucking off jar sauce.
As well as some life events and recipes, Nat's book has some important perspectives from his own experience on mental health, self reliance and not following the crowd.
There is so much more to this champion than fucking off jar sauce.
December 23, 2020
Look, did we need this book? No. However I am glad we got it. I’ve followed Nat for years on social media, he delivered the laughs then, and he’s done the same now. I know he pulls the piss out of self help books in this self proclaimed “self help” book, but some of the topics he hits on with metal health is worded so carefully and thoughtfully. He has a down the earth way to saying everyone deals with shit differently, which is refreshing to see.
November 16, 2022
4 Stars
I’m not sure if I needed this book, but I’ll be God damned if I didn’t bloody enjoy myself reading it!
I’ve never read a book by a social influencer/content creator before, but if I was going to ever do so, a book by Nat’s What I Reckon was obviously the place for me to start. This foul mouthed, larrikin Aussie helped lift my spirits time and again during the darker days of Melbourne’s endless lockdowns, constantly delivering some of the most genuine and hilarious content on socials that I’ve ever followed.
Like in his videos, Nat’s first book gives it to you straight and unapologetically, offering up his experiences and perspectives of life and mental health, mixed in with some fun anecdotes and a bunch of delicious FUCK JAR SAUCE recipes fit for a fucking champion!
If you haven’t heard of Nat’s What I Reckon, do yourself a favour, Champions, and jump on IG or Youtube and give his videos a crack.
And if you’re considering this book, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND grabbing yourself a copy of the audiobook, which Nat epically narrates. It’ll bring the heart, humour and joy to your day, I promise.
I’m not sure if I needed this book, but I’ll be God damned if I didn’t bloody enjoy myself reading it!
I’ve never read a book by a social influencer/content creator before, but if I was going to ever do so, a book by Nat’s What I Reckon was obviously the place for me to start. This foul mouthed, larrikin Aussie helped lift my spirits time and again during the darker days of Melbourne’s endless lockdowns, constantly delivering some of the most genuine and hilarious content on socials that I’ve ever followed.
Like in his videos, Nat’s first book gives it to you straight and unapologetically, offering up his experiences and perspectives of life and mental health, mixed in with some fun anecdotes and a bunch of delicious FUCK JAR SAUCE recipes fit for a fucking champion!
If you haven’t heard of Nat’s What I Reckon, do yourself a favour, Champions, and jump on IG or Youtube and give his videos a crack.
And if you’re considering this book, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND grabbing yourself a copy of the audiobook, which Nat epically narrates. It’ll bring the heart, humour and joy to your day, I promise.
January 5, 2021
3.5 stars rounded up.
I ordered this book (from Australia!) because I am a big fan of Nat's YouTube channel (Nat's What I Reckon).
This book is solid, but U.S. readers should be aware of a few (perhaps obvious) things before reading:
Nat makes abundant use of cursing in his writing, much like in his videos, so much so that there is a parental advisory icon on the cover--I've not seen that on books in the States.
Nat makes abundant use of Aussie slang--and I think this is fine, because its intended audience is Australian fans.
This is a guide to life--not only a cookbook. I was expecting more focus on his recipes and his loathing of jar sauce. There are recipes throughout.
This is truly a genre-defying work--because it's self-help meets cooking meets comics, meets memoir.
Aussie artists provide the art throughout.
The book is unapologetically yellow.
Worth the read, champion!
I ordered this book (from Australia!) because I am a big fan of Nat's YouTube channel (Nat's What I Reckon).
This book is solid, but U.S. readers should be aware of a few (perhaps obvious) things before reading:
Nat makes abundant use of cursing in his writing, much like in his videos, so much so that there is a parental advisory icon on the cover--I've not seen that on books in the States.
Nat makes abundant use of Aussie slang--and I think this is fine, because its intended audience is Australian fans.
This is a guide to life--not only a cookbook. I was expecting more focus on his recipes and his loathing of jar sauce. There are recipes throughout.
This is truly a genre-defying work--because it's self-help meets cooking meets comics, meets memoir.
Aussie artists provide the art throughout.
The book is unapologetically yellow.
Worth the read, champion!
January 23, 2021
I want to buy this for EVERYONE. I just love Nat so much. I want to be his friend so I can get invited for really chill dinner parties and eat his beautiful roast chicken and be told I’m doing my life right no matter what.
I love that it’s written in his voice and it just comes across completely natural and unpretentious. The whole thing has this glorious funny tone just coming from the fact that his personality is poured into the pages, and there’s some serious laugh out loud moments in there too. Along with that there’s this amazing simplistic wisdom and positive outlook, and his whole approach is just the most refreshing thing. The ethos of ‘put a whole fucken bulb of garlic in, or fucken don’t, whatever trevor’ is how I think we should all be living our lives. I love that he’s not tried to package this as self help or advice, but has just written about himself and his own experiences and let people interpret whatever the fuck they like from that. He seems to have genuinely had a really interesting life as well so finding out more about him has been a treat.
The formatting is great, and I love the little ‘is it shit?’s and recipe comic strips breaking things up. Some super talented artistry from Bunkwaa, Glenno and Onnie O’Leary, that perfectly fits Nat’s style and really adds to the experience of the book. Watching leeks with little hairy bumcheeks run away from a fuck off knife has given me immense joy, and I never want to read a recipe that’s not like that ever again.
It’s a weird af book in the grand scheme of things. Part cookbook, part autobiography, part social commentary, part mental health advocacy, part career advice - it just kinda makes no sense, but it’s also absolutely perfect. Again, I love it so much. More Nat always please.
I love that it’s written in his voice and it just comes across completely natural and unpretentious. The whole thing has this glorious funny tone just coming from the fact that his personality is poured into the pages, and there’s some serious laugh out loud moments in there too. Along with that there’s this amazing simplistic wisdom and positive outlook, and his whole approach is just the most refreshing thing. The ethos of ‘put a whole fucken bulb of garlic in, or fucken don’t, whatever trevor’ is how I think we should all be living our lives. I love that he’s not tried to package this as self help or advice, but has just written about himself and his own experiences and let people interpret whatever the fuck they like from that. He seems to have genuinely had a really interesting life as well so finding out more about him has been a treat.
The formatting is great, and I love the little ‘is it shit?’s and recipe comic strips breaking things up. Some super talented artistry from Bunkwaa, Glenno and Onnie O’Leary, that perfectly fits Nat’s style and really adds to the experience of the book. Watching leeks with little hairy bumcheeks run away from a fuck off knife has given me immense joy, and I never want to read a recipe that’s not like that ever again.
It’s a weird af book in the grand scheme of things. Part cookbook, part autobiography, part social commentary, part mental health advocacy, part career advice - it just kinda makes no sense, but it’s also absolutely perfect. Again, I love it so much. More Nat always please.
December 29, 2020
"Goddamn, the situations I wouldn't have had to endure if I'd just told a few people to fuck off in my life...Being able to recognise and say no to things that you know won't help you is what gives you boundaries and personality."
I am a fan. I love this ratbag. His attitude, his compassion, his commitment to honesty and laughter, his unwillingness to suffer fools. When I grow up, I want to be him, and I am 69 years old.
Need I say more.
The recipes are fabulous. But the voice that rumbles through these pages is one that makes me laugh and also one that we all need to hear.
For those who take themselves and life seriously, give this a miss.
I am a fan. I love this ratbag. His attitude, his compassion, his commitment to honesty and laughter, his unwillingness to suffer fools. When I grow up, I want to be him, and I am 69 years old.
Need I say more.
The recipes are fabulous. But the voice that rumbles through these pages is one that makes me laugh and also one that we all need to hear.
For those who take themselves and life seriously, give this a miss.
December 15, 2020
What a read. It was nice to learn a little more about Nat and it was also such an uplifting book to read. As someone who has been through a hell of a shitshow in life and who has never really fit into a mould it was kinda nice to be reassured that that’s okay. Who wants to fit into a mould anyway? Nat, you’re definitely a bloody champion. I already want to start reading this book again but it’s 1:45am so best leave the re-read for tomorrow.
January 2, 2023
Takes the concept of a book and just kind of shakes it around.
This will not be for everyone. The format is different, with illustrations, recipes and just a fair bit of waffling. And the swearing. There’s not just a little bit of swearing. There’s a lot of swearing. So avoid if that’s not your thing.
The underlying messages of being kind to yourself and others, looking after your mental health and embracing your individuality make this a worthwhile read.
This will not be for everyone. The format is different, with illustrations, recipes and just a fair bit of waffling. And the swearing. There’s not just a little bit of swearing. There’s a lot of swearing. So avoid if that’s not your thing.
The underlying messages of being kind to yourself and others, looking after your mental health and embracing your individuality make this a worthwhile read.
February 11, 2021
Such a laugh - I laughed out loud many times. He's been through some shit and he has so many endearing qualities that make you think so highly of this guy. I'd love to meet him and obviously I love his videos and want to watch more. Sick recipes too, can't wait to give them all a bloody good cook!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 29, 2021
This was delightful all the way through.
January 8, 2021
Very cool book! Easy to read, great artistic layout, and featuring Nat’s special blend of wholesomeness and explicitness - pisstaking with encouragement.
A beautifully simple biography of survival and deliberate joyfulness, peppered with his best recipes:)
A beautifully simple biography of survival and deliberate joyfulness, peppered with his best recipes:)
March 27, 2021
An interesting book. I am trying to decide if its meant to be a self help book or memoir.
As a self-help book - I have no doubt if you were a teenage boy, you would find his writings a way of finding your own path. As a not a teenage boy, I felt that his messages of being brave and finding your own way, getting off the couch and looking for an adventure (even if its the 1 star motel just out of town) were some of the things I took away. Plus his recipes.
As a memoir - he's had an extraordinary life, so far.
This is not the book to read if you are offended by swearing or implied drug use. But you get the impression that he has found his passion which is what it is all about and he wants you to find your passion. So maybe its both.
As a self-help book - I have no doubt if you were a teenage boy, you would find his writings a way of finding your own path. As a not a teenage boy, I felt that his messages of being brave and finding your own way, getting off the couch and looking for an adventure (even if its the 1 star motel just out of town) were some of the things I took away. Plus his recipes.
As a memoir - he's had an extraordinary life, so far.
This is not the book to read if you are offended by swearing or implied drug use. But you get the impression that he has found his passion which is what it is all about and he wants you to find your passion. So maybe its both.
October 6, 2022
Painfully funny!!
Literally!
I laughed so hard my stomach muscles hurt!
My cheeks hurt!
I daren't listen outside for fear the neighbours would think I'd totally lost the plot.
I'll be grabbing his next audio book mid November.
Literally!
I laughed so hard my stomach muscles hurt!
My cheeks hurt!
I daren't listen outside for fear the neighbours would think I'd totally lost the plot.
I'll be grabbing his next audio book mid November.
March 19, 2021
The voice of Nat is forever strong in this book.
Much like his vids, there is swearing, banter, comics, recipes and wild stories
Not a bad read
Much like his vids, there is swearing, banter, comics, recipes and wild stories
Not a bad read
August 4, 2025
Very well written and great pacing! Super interesting content and felt very fresh to read. DEATH TO JAR SAUCE!!!!
December 20, 2025
Loved it. Got distracted by other stuff but finished it off today. Great yarn, Nat, ya’ sick gronk! 🤣
January 7, 2021
First saw this guy whist cruising Facebook during lockdown.
Think Jamie Oliver’s skills meets Gordon Ramsey’s mouth mixed with Viv from the young-ones attitude.
The book was a Christmas present from Clare and admittedly was bought for the recipes.
The book however is a ripper of a yarn by a guy who has been through a lot, and come out the other side wiser, sounder and confident enough to carve his own path.
There’s enough knowledge contained in here to make you feel better about yourself (without classing it as a self help book) a fair bit of humour, directed at himself as well as others and the basic recipes that have made Nat the “champion” well needed during this shitty 2020.
Think Jamie Oliver’s skills meets Gordon Ramsey’s mouth mixed with Viv from the young-ones attitude.
The book was a Christmas present from Clare and admittedly was bought for the recipes.
The book however is a ripper of a yarn by a guy who has been through a lot, and come out the other side wiser, sounder and confident enough to carve his own path.
There’s enough knowledge contained in here to make you feel better about yourself (without classing it as a self help book) a fair bit of humour, directed at himself as well as others and the basic recipes that have made Nat the “champion” well needed during this shitty 2020.
February 26, 2021
Fucking brilliant.
August 28, 2022
The funniest bits were the commentaries on the ridiculousness of tissue boxes on the back shelves of cars, coffee after dinner and hot dogs. There was a great (albeit long-winded) section encouraging the low budget weekend getaway just to get out of town and see somewhere new.
I didn't know much about him prior and assumed he had a background as a chef, but he grew up in church, dropped out of school, was fired from countless jobs for mucking around or being lazy, spent 6 years as a stoner on the dole, travelled a bit as a musician and broke into stand-up after developing a YouTube following for a segment where he walks around with a tiny microphone and makes fun of things. He speaks quite candidly about his physical and mental health issues and his regrets about self-medicating for so many years. He only started the cooking videos and anti-jar sauce tirade he is best known for during the first COVID lockdown.
The book is interspersed with comic strip recipes of energy dense food, so it comes as a surprise when at the end of the book he writes about how he now counts his calories and exercises daily. He went from being underweight to cooking and eating super rich, high fat dishes daily and and holding his breath to tie his shoelaces. He had a go at keto and felt lousy before working out he was having too many calories, cut back and got back into a healthy weight range.
It is part memoir, part self-help book filled with the internal conflict of someone who has built a career out of hanging shit on stuff but believes it's not fair to make fun of people and if something makes you happy and doesn't hurt anyone else, go for it.
It's worth reading for his interesting life story but probably could have been done really well in 100 pages. On page 238 he says, "Let's be honest, if you don't like swearing you probably wouldn't have made it to this point in the book..."
I feel very conflicted about this.
I didn't know much about him prior and assumed he had a background as a chef, but he grew up in church, dropped out of school, was fired from countless jobs for mucking around or being lazy, spent 6 years as a stoner on the dole, travelled a bit as a musician and broke into stand-up after developing a YouTube following for a segment where he walks around with a tiny microphone and makes fun of things. He speaks quite candidly about his physical and mental health issues and his regrets about self-medicating for so many years. He only started the cooking videos and anti-jar sauce tirade he is best known for during the first COVID lockdown.
The book is interspersed with comic strip recipes of energy dense food, so it comes as a surprise when at the end of the book he writes about how he now counts his calories and exercises daily. He went from being underweight to cooking and eating super rich, high fat dishes daily and and holding his breath to tie his shoelaces. He had a go at keto and felt lousy before working out he was having too many calories, cut back and got back into a healthy weight range.
It is part memoir, part self-help book filled with the internal conflict of someone who has built a career out of hanging shit on stuff but believes it's not fair to make fun of people and if something makes you happy and doesn't hurt anyone else, go for it.
It's worth reading for his interesting life story but probably could have been done really well in 100 pages. On page 238 he says, "Let's be honest, if you don't like swearing you probably wouldn't have made it to this point in the book..."
I feel very conflicted about this.
December 17, 2020
Absolutely 100% not what I was expecting when I preordered this book. But in saying that, this was so much better than anything I could have dreamed.
Although as Nat states it’s a book waffling on about pretty much nothing, it gives us some insight into who is the master behind the incredibly funny, educational viral videos we came to enjoy so much during lockdown.
This book is written exactly how I picture Nat speaking and it’s perfect! Is it grammatically correct? No. But that’s who Nat is. Every word I read, I could see Nat stand in his kitchen just chatting to you across the bench. I loved it!
I look forward to another book soon (hopefully).
Although as Nat states it’s a book waffling on about pretty much nothing, it gives us some insight into who is the master behind the incredibly funny, educational viral videos we came to enjoy so much during lockdown.
This book is written exactly how I picture Nat speaking and it’s perfect! Is it grammatically correct? No. But that’s who Nat is. Every word I read, I could see Nat stand in his kitchen just chatting to you across the bench. I loved it!
I look forward to another book soon (hopefully).
February 16, 2021
Firstly, if you haven’t watched the @nats_what_i_reckon YouTube channel then go do it. I’ll wait. Right, with that out of the way I’ll disclose that I love the channel. It gave me the confidence to cook meals from actual ingredients, not packets or jars. And combined that Nat is a tattoo’d metal head I was always part of the target market. So the #natswhatireckon cookbook/self help/general shit talking book came out I was getting it. A pretty chilled out view of the world and ultimately a good reminder to just chill out and not take yourself too seriously. Def worth the read and doesn’t hurt to have a few cracking recipes in there too
April 26, 2021
Listen up Champions, this was a hoot.
I highly recommend the audiobook, I laughed out loud several times - if you like Nat's videos, you'll like the audiobook. Filled with anecdotes about some of the ratbag things he's gotten up to in his life, plus a few recipes thrown in for good measure, this book is a fun read with lots of heart. I'm not sure if he'll be writing more in the future or not but Nat's unique perspective and voice is one that I will look out for (in which-ever format he sees fit, video, audio or written)
I highly recommend the audiobook, I laughed out loud several times - if you like Nat's videos, you'll like the audiobook. Filled with anecdotes about some of the ratbag things he's gotten up to in his life, plus a few recipes thrown in for good measure, this book is a fun read with lots of heart. I'm not sure if he'll be writing more in the future or not but Nat's unique perspective and voice is one that I will look out for (in which-ever format he sees fit, video, audio or written)
March 12, 2021
This is a funny, little book about a man who finds himself. It's not quite an autobiography, not quite a cookbook, not quite a self-help book. It's a book of lessons lived and learned over the course of his life.
It's easy to relate to and easy to read, and I liked it a lot.
Definitely worth a read. Oh, and f**k jar sauce.
It's easy to relate to and easy to read, and I liked it a lot.
Definitely worth a read. Oh, and f**k jar sauce.
January 7, 2022
I'd rather be myself than pretend to be someone else just to get rich. I don't think being employed is a sign that you're successful. I think being yourself is a success. I know that sounds kind of trite, but it's fucken true.
Like most everybody, I first found Nat's What I Reckon during the first year of the pandemic (isn't it kinda scary that we can measure it in multiple years now?), and his combination of constant swearing, metalhead appearance, and surprisingly useful cooking advice won me over.
I think a lot of people probably bought this book expecting it to be a cookbook - I certainly thought it was when I saw it being advertised, though he's now released an actual cookbook (Death to Jar Sauce: Rad Recipes for Champions) - and so were probably surprised when they picked it up and found it really to be more of an autobiography with a half dozen or so recipes sprinkled throughout.
I like Nat. He seems like a genuinely nice guy, and reading UN-COOK YOURSELF gave me further respect for him between his health (both physical and mental) struggles and the long, meandering road he has walked to get to his current level of success.
I enjoyed reading UN-COOK YOURSELF, plenty of fun anecdotes and a lot of decent philosophising about society that I tended to mostly agree with. As much as he was adamant he didn't want to sell out, the book as a whole did feel a mite forced - the random cutouts of him holding kitchen implements every few pages seemed very much like something that a desperate editor who hasn't actually watched his videos would be putting in, and I probably could have done without the 'IS IT SHIT?' inserts where he debates whether depression, school, and everything inbetween is shit or not.
It's also written in his signature style - 'fucken' rather than 'fucking', 'ya' rather than 'your' - which got a little old by the end. I know what Nat sounds like - it must have been more effort to write it that way than just writing it normally, and I don't think it would have lost anything in the process.
Nevertheless, I can respect that given the opportunity to write a fucking book, he didn't just write a 120 page pamphlet of recipes filled with swearing and call it a day but actually tried to give us a look into what makes him who he is. He did his own thing, which I appreciate.
Lastly, the recipes themselves are illustrated by several local Sydney artists, and are excellent - I think comic format works really well to portray his video style, and they're still informative and easy to follow. I look forward to making myself some Quarantine Sauce in the near future.
August 13, 2021
Like so many others, I discovered Nat during lockdown, though his cooking videos.
Whenever I enjoy free content, if those folks produce a book a try to support them by buying the book, so I preordered it as soon as it was announced. Living in the US, it took awhile to get here, and it took even longer for me to get around to reading it. Shame, that, as I quite enjoyed the book.
Nat doesn’t quite redefine how a book should be written in the way he redefined the cooking video, but his book is well worth a read.
It’s not a 5 star rating, only because as others said better than I did, it perhaps could have used a little more structural editing, but that’s being a bit pedantic. It does wander a little bit, and because it is this mix of memoir, cookbook, graphics, self help, a structural edit could have helped form it up a is all. Even with that said, it still works just fine.
Obviously if you have a stick up your behind about swearing, this won’t be for you. If you can get over yourself, this is a good read. If you follow Nat, you know some of the things included in the book already, but you are about to learn more. And you will hear from a thoughtful, generous, kind person who has some wise words to offer to those who are a little bit different.
In particular are the bits about how diet culture bamboozles people; the self-help machine; and, a world that doesn’t really loosen up easily for those who don’t always follow conventional paths.
Plus, you get those recipes in writing.
The resources for mental health listed at the back of the book are a fantastic way to end it.
I sincerely hope his book reaches a wide audience.
Whenever I enjoy free content, if those folks produce a book a try to support them by buying the book, so I preordered it as soon as it was announced. Living in the US, it took awhile to get here, and it took even longer for me to get around to reading it. Shame, that, as I quite enjoyed the book.
Nat doesn’t quite redefine how a book should be written in the way he redefined the cooking video, but his book is well worth a read.
It’s not a 5 star rating, only because as others said better than I did, it perhaps could have used a little more structural editing, but that’s being a bit pedantic. It does wander a little bit, and because it is this mix of memoir, cookbook, graphics, self help, a structural edit could have helped form it up a is all. Even with that said, it still works just fine.
Obviously if you have a stick up your behind about swearing, this won’t be for you. If you can get over yourself, this is a good read. If you follow Nat, you know some of the things included in the book already, but you are about to learn more. And you will hear from a thoughtful, generous, kind person who has some wise words to offer to those who are a little bit different.
In particular are the bits about how diet culture bamboozles people; the self-help machine; and, a world that doesn’t really loosen up easily for those who don’t always follow conventional paths.
Plus, you get those recipes in writing.
The resources for mental health listed at the back of the book are a fantastic way to end it.
I sincerely hope his book reaches a wide audience.
February 4, 2021
5 stars
Let’s be honest; we all snuck a peak and had a good laugh at Nat’s cooking online videos throughout 2020. How would we have made it through isolation without them? As a fan myself; I was eagerly awaiting the release of this book to find out more about the man that encouraged all us to fuck jar sauce and cook from scratch. Whilst I was expecting it to be a hilarious read (hence waiting to read it until 2021 so that it would feature it in this Book Bingo category rather than in December 2020 when it was released); what I didn’t expect was the more serious side and just how interesting this would be.
Nat is unequivocally clear on the fact that Un-Cooked is not a self help book. Rather it’s a collection of nine rules that he lives by. Each rule comes with a chapter on how he got there and why this rule is important to him. The rules are very insightful and are told as warts and all stories; rest assured, Nat does not hold back. We hear about his life and times and I’m really happy that for all the laughs that came with it; there was an emphasis on mental health. I must admit I wasn’t expecting anything about this and applaud Nat for raising the issue. Anything that gets people talking about mental health is a good thing in my book; and we need more people in the spotlight to shine a light on mental health in order to keep chipping away at the unnecessary stigma that sadly still surrounds it.
Not surprisingly, the book also comes with recipes. There are nine great ones; my favourite being the spinach and ricotta pie. It was delicious, easy to make and I highly recommend it. I loved that local Sydney artists contributed the recipe section, it added a little something extra and brought an even greater sense of fun to the book.
Overall, this really is an awesome book. It would make a great gift for anyone over sixteen and although there is a bit of swearing; it’s nothing worse than what’s in his videos. In these uncertain times, it’s akin to finding a bush of rosemary in your neighbour’s front yard - aka, priceless! I cannot recommend it enough, especially if you are in need of a good laugh and a full belly. Be a champion and buy this five star read.
Un-Cook Yourself: A Ratbag’s Rules for Life is my second read in #ktbookbingo, category ‘Made You Laugh Out Loud’. To play along with my book bingo and to see what else I’m reading, go to #ktbookbingo or @kt_elder on Instagram.
Let’s be honest; we all snuck a peak and had a good laugh at Nat’s cooking online videos throughout 2020. How would we have made it through isolation without them? As a fan myself; I was eagerly awaiting the release of this book to find out more about the man that encouraged all us to fuck jar sauce and cook from scratch. Whilst I was expecting it to be a hilarious read (hence waiting to read it until 2021 so that it would feature it in this Book Bingo category rather than in December 2020 when it was released); what I didn’t expect was the more serious side and just how interesting this would be.
Nat is unequivocally clear on the fact that Un-Cooked is not a self help book. Rather it’s a collection of nine rules that he lives by. Each rule comes with a chapter on how he got there and why this rule is important to him. The rules are very insightful and are told as warts and all stories; rest assured, Nat does not hold back. We hear about his life and times and I’m really happy that for all the laughs that came with it; there was an emphasis on mental health. I must admit I wasn’t expecting anything about this and applaud Nat for raising the issue. Anything that gets people talking about mental health is a good thing in my book; and we need more people in the spotlight to shine a light on mental health in order to keep chipping away at the unnecessary stigma that sadly still surrounds it.
Not surprisingly, the book also comes with recipes. There are nine great ones; my favourite being the spinach and ricotta pie. It was delicious, easy to make and I highly recommend it. I loved that local Sydney artists contributed the recipe section, it added a little something extra and brought an even greater sense of fun to the book.
Overall, this really is an awesome book. It would make a great gift for anyone over sixteen and although there is a bit of swearing; it’s nothing worse than what’s in his videos. In these uncertain times, it’s akin to finding a bush of rosemary in your neighbour’s front yard - aka, priceless! I cannot recommend it enough, especially if you are in need of a good laugh and a full belly. Be a champion and buy this five star read.
Un-Cook Yourself: A Ratbag’s Rules for Life is my second read in #ktbookbingo, category ‘Made You Laugh Out Loud’. To play along with my book bingo and to see what else I’m reading, go to #ktbookbingo or @kt_elder on Instagram.
March 22, 2021
This book was fabulous and very refreshing.
Nat is honest, raw and very funny in his very descriptive account of life and his mental and physical adventures. From describing his childhood, to accidental fame this read will not disappoint the"Nats what I reckon" you tuber fans or greater alternative audiences.
His views on mental health and its struggles are identifiable to everyone, and the underlying messages of being gentle on yourself, appreciating the small wins and simply striving for everyday happiness while not taking life to seriously is truly the honest truth we all need to hear!!
Everyone is sure to take something away from reading this.
Good on you Nat, this book is a bloody ripper!
Your a bloody champion yourself in more ways then I believe you give yourself credit for.
Nat is honest, raw and very funny in his very descriptive account of life and his mental and physical adventures. From describing his childhood, to accidental fame this read will not disappoint the"Nats what I reckon" you tuber fans or greater alternative audiences.
His views on mental health and its struggles are identifiable to everyone, and the underlying messages of being gentle on yourself, appreciating the small wins and simply striving for everyday happiness while not taking life to seriously is truly the honest truth we all need to hear!!
Everyone is sure to take something away from reading this.
Good on you Nat, this book is a bloody ripper!
Your a bloody champion yourself in more ways then I believe you give yourself credit for.
April 21, 2021
Nat doesn’t profess to take himself - or this book, too seriously. And that’s exactly what you get. There’s some deep bits, some serious bits, lots of stories that wouldn’t be out of place at a mate’s after a few drinks, or down the pub for that matter.
The important parts are that there’s loads of funny bits and a few bloody good recipes along with some smashing artwork.
If you’re looking for a masterpiece of literature, well, I dunno why you picked this up to begin with, but this ain’t it.
If you’re looking for some laughs with a touch of introspection and a new winner to add to your dinner repertoire though, then you’re spot on with this one.
The important parts are that there’s loads of funny bits and a few bloody good recipes along with some smashing artwork.
If you’re looking for a masterpiece of literature, well, I dunno why you picked this up to begin with, but this ain’t it.
If you’re looking for some laughs with a touch of introspection and a new winner to add to your dinner repertoire though, then you’re spot on with this one.
March 15, 2021
This book is all over the place, but I love it!
You get to take a glimpse inside the head of a personality, if you like the personality, you'll like this book.
I first found Nat through his TED talk: Don't Dress for Success. The book follows through with that message of being yourself and letting your individuality shine (so long as you're not hurting anyone), some crazy life stories, along with some comic styled recipes to break up the chapters.
You get to take a glimpse inside the head of a personality, if you like the personality, you'll like this book.
I first found Nat through his TED talk: Don't Dress for Success. The book follows through with that message of being yourself and letting your individuality shine (so long as you're not hurting anyone), some crazy life stories, along with some comic styled recipes to break up the chapters.
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