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Letter To My Younger Self: The Big Issue Presents...100 Inspiring People on the Moments That Shaped Their Lives
If you could write a letter to your younger self, what would it say?
More than 10 years ago, The Big Issue began asking people that and since then, some of the most brilliant and successful people from the worlds of entertainment, politics, food, sport and business have had their letters published in the magazine.
This collection of 100 of the most incredible letters includes Paul McCartney writing on how he found inspiration, Olivia Colman on overcoming confidence problems, Mo Farah on the importance of losing, Arianna Huffington on knowing your motivations, Jamie Oliver on trusting your instinct and many, many more, including Rod Stewart, Margaret Atwood, Buzz Aldrin, Tracey Emin, Michael Palin, Melanie C, Dionne Warwick and Ewan McGregor.
Letter to My Younger Self is a moving, inspiring and powerful insight into the wisdom that age brings and how you can use this knowledge to shape your future.
More than 10 years ago, The Big Issue began asking people that and since then, some of the most brilliant and successful people from the worlds of entertainment, politics, food, sport and business have had their letters published in the magazine.
This collection of 100 of the most incredible letters includes Paul McCartney writing on how he found inspiration, Olivia Colman on overcoming confidence problems, Mo Farah on the importance of losing, Arianna Huffington on knowing your motivations, Jamie Oliver on trusting your instinct and many, many more, including Rod Stewart, Margaret Atwood, Buzz Aldrin, Tracey Emin, Michael Palin, Melanie C, Dionne Warwick and Ewan McGregor.
Letter to My Younger Self is a moving, inspiring and powerful insight into the wisdom that age brings and how you can use this knowledge to shape your future.
448 pages, Paperback
First published October 31, 2019
91 people are currently reading
994 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
March 26, 2021
80 προσωπικότητες, η καθεμία επιτυχημένη στον τομέα της, κάνουν έναν σύντομο απολογισμό της ζωής τους. Ανατρέχουν στα όνειρα, τις φοβίες και τις ανησυχίες που είχαν στην ηλικία των 16 ετών, είτε αποδομώντας τα, είτε επιβεβαιώνοντάς τα. Το concept είναι ενδιαφέρον και με τον τρόπο που είναι δομημένο το βιβλίο, μπορεί κάποιος να επιλέξει ποιες διηγήσεις θα διαβάσει και ποιες θα αφήσει. Το μειονέκτημά του είναι οτι ορισμένοι από τους ανθρώπους αυτούς δεν είναι και τόσο γνωστοί στο ευρύ κοινό, οπότε αυτό μπορεί να λειτουργήσει αποθαρρυντικά προς τον αναγνώστη.
September 19, 2023
Borderline self-help, recap of 100 famous person's biography, an anthology in the form of letters, this makes up a breezy read.
Common template - What would you convey to your 16yr old self.
A good mix of personalities picked - mostly musicians, followed by actors, authors, artists. All beyond 60 years of age.
Common advices:
1. Strive to be super fit - say no to drugs and substance abuse.
2. Invest in yourself without second thoughts.
3. Spend more time with family.
4. Never accept defeat. Perseverance to get up and show up.
Probably nothing new that you already don't know, but still need to get reminded of at times.
Highlight:
Sir Salman Rushdie's insights on the inception of Satanic Verses
Jeffrey Archer's days of bankruptcy and how it all bounced back with Kane and Abel.
Neil Gaiman, Margaret Atwood, Wilbur Smith, Ian McEwan were some other letters that I enjoyed. Obviously with my own bias for authors in a mix of people.
Bias:
All data comes from successful people who eventually made their way in life.
Overall:
A good mix of letters (interviews) ranging 2-3 pages each.
More than anything, this book helps to reflect and introspect your own life.
Common template - What would you convey to your 16yr old self.
A good mix of personalities picked - mostly musicians, followed by actors, authors, artists. All beyond 60 years of age.
Common advices:
1. Strive to be super fit - say no to drugs and substance abuse.
2. Invest in yourself without second thoughts.
3. Spend more time with family.
4. Never accept defeat. Perseverance to get up and show up.
Probably nothing new that you already don't know, but still need to get reminded of at times.
Highlight:
Sir Salman Rushdie's insights on the inception of Satanic Verses
Jeffrey Archer's days of bankruptcy and how it all bounced back with Kane and Abel.
Neil Gaiman, Margaret Atwood, Wilbur Smith, Ian McEwan were some other letters that I enjoyed. Obviously with my own bias for authors in a mix of people.
Bias:
All data comes from successful people who eventually made their way in life.
Overall:
A good mix of letters (interviews) ranging 2-3 pages each.
More than anything, this book helps to reflect and introspect your own life.
January 25, 2020
What an incredible read! Definitely the best book I've read this year (I know it's early), but yeah, such an incredible read. Basically, it's a combination of short reflections by celebrities on their 16 year old selves and what they would tell them. Some of the interviewees I didn't recognise, but I enjoyed the lessons they shared all the same. I would have to say James Earl Jones, Ewan McGregor and Paul McCartney were definitely my favourite reflections.
Definitely read this book if you ever have the time!
Definitely read this book if you ever have the time!
February 17, 2020
If I wrote a letter to my younger self there is so much I would tell myself. I would tell myself to get my stomach problems checked out earlier, not to obsess about silly boys so much as that will always work out, and that badger stripes in my hair is not and will never be a good look.
In Letters to My Younger Self we have letters written by 100 famous and inspiring people. The letters that have been written are a lot less glib than mine above and they were interesting to read little snippets into the lives of celebrities.
The most important thing is that a large portion of the sales of this book go to helping the homeless.
Letters to My Younger Self – The Big Issue Presents…100 Inspiring People on the Moments That Shaped Their Lives by Jane Graham is available now.
In Letters to My Younger Self we have letters written by 100 famous and inspiring people. The letters that have been written are a lot less glib than mine above and they were interesting to read little snippets into the lives of celebrities.
The most important thing is that a large portion of the sales of this book go to helping the homeless.
Letters to My Younger Self – The Big Issue Presents…100 Inspiring People on the Moments That Shaped Their Lives by Jane Graham is available now.
April 19, 2021
Το βιβλίο αξίζει μόνο αν γνωρίζετε τις προσωπικότητες που συνθέτουν το βιβλίο. Εκ των 80 προσωπικοτήτων εγώ γνώριζα μόνο 22 και έτσι κατέστη βαρετό το διάβασμα από κάποιο σημείο και μετά. Επίσης πλην κάποιων εξαιρέσεων οι περισσότεροι λένε τα ίδια και τα ίδια. Ωραία η ιδέα του συγκεκριμένου βιβλίου αλλά δεν διάβασα και κάτι εκτός του κόσμου τούτου. Για το περιοδικό ήταν μια χαρά. Ως εκεί.
June 24, 2022
This book comprises of 100 short chapters where in each chapter you hear a famous person talking about and to their 16-year old selves.
I found fascinating that there were a couple of themes that we recurring throughout the book that I perhaps had not anticipated to see so often:
1. Everyone spoke very highly of parenthood and emphasised how rewarding it is.
2. A lot of people spoke about their angst when it came to boys/girls and how they would try to reassure their younger selves that it would all work out.
3. It appears that everyone had an inclination for their art from a very young age and were dreaming of pursuing it as a career.
I found fascinating that there were a couple of themes that we recurring throughout the book that I perhaps had not anticipated to see so often:
1. Everyone spoke very highly of parenthood and emphasised how rewarding it is.
2. A lot of people spoke about their angst when it came to boys/girls and how they would try to reassure their younger selves that it would all work out.
3. It appears that everyone had an inclination for their art from a very young age and were dreaming of pursuing it as a career.
July 22, 2020
A good read that I just picked up every now and then to read the short individual stories. Best ones were Desmond Tutu and Roger Moore. I wouldn’t say any of them were particularly profound or deep.
Roger Moore on ageing: “Ageing has never bothered me. My wife and my children love me, so that’s alright.” “ I spent my life playing heroes because I looked like one. Practically everything I’ve been offered didn’t require much beyond looking like me. I would have loved to play a real baddie.” I DO LOVE ROGER MOORE!
Roger Moore on ageing: “Ageing has never bothered me. My wife and my children love me, so that’s alright.” “ I spent my life playing heroes because I looked like one. Practically everything I’ve been offered didn’t require much beyond looking like me. I would have loved to play a real baddie.” I DO LOVE ROGER MOORE!
June 11, 2020
As my first audiobook I did quite like this book, the only thing better would have been for the actual person to read their own letters.
A really good concept for famous people to write a letter to their younger selves, quite a lot of the stories had the same regrets and thoughts which was interesting. They were first published in the Big Issue.
A really good concept for famous people to write a letter to their younger selves, quite a lot of the stories had the same regrets and thoughts which was interesting. They were first published in the Big Issue.
January 25, 2020
I was given it as a Christmas present. I really enjoyed it...easy reading something that you dip in and out of.
March 23, 2021
Το βιβλίο αυτό, βασίζεται στο γνωστό βρετανικό περιοδικό δρόμου The Big Issue, που χάρη σε αυτό &τις συνεντεύξεις πολλών ανθρώπων που ξεχώρισαν για την επιτυχία τους, δημιουργήθηκε αυτή η συλλογή 80 επιστολών.
Οι επιστολές αυτές είναι γραμμένες απο γνωστούς &επιτυχημένους μουσικούς, ηθοποιούς, αθλητές, συγγραφείς κλπ. προς τον νεότερο εαυτό τους.
Τι θα τον συμβούλευαν; Θα τον συμπαθούσαν; Αν μπορούσαν να ξαναζήσουν μια μέρα της ζωής τους, ποια θα επέλεγαν;
Το βρήκα πολύ ενδιαφέρον σαν ιδέα &σαν βιβλίο. Αγαπώ να μιλώ με άτομα μεγαλύτερης ηλικίας. Ανέκαθεν, μου άρεσε να μου λένε ιστορίες της ζωής τους. Πως αντιμετώπισαν μια δύσκολη κατάσταση, που έκαναν λάθος &πως θα το έκαναν καλύτερα. Οι μεγαλύτεροι έχουν κάτι πολύ σημαντικό που εμείς δεν έχουμε. Γνώση, πείρα &εμπειρίες. Φυσικά, ο καθένας μας θα κάνει τα δικά του λάθη &τις δικές του επιλογές, αλλά πάντα όταν τους ακούς σου προκαλούν ένα δέος &σίγουρα έχουν κάτι να σου δώσουν.
Διαβάζοντας αυτό το βιβλίο, αυτό που ένιωθα ήταν ευγνωμοσύνη.
Οι επιστολές αυτές είναι γραμμένες απο γνωστούς &επιτυχημένους μουσικούς, ηθοποιούς, αθλητές, συγγραφείς κλπ. προς τον νεότερο εαυτό τους.
Τι θα τον συμβούλευαν; Θα τον συμπαθούσαν; Αν μπορούσαν να ξαναζήσουν μια μέρα της ζωής τους, ποια θα επέλεγαν;
Το βρήκα πολύ ενδιαφέρον σαν ιδέα &σαν βιβλίο. Αγαπώ να μιλώ με άτομα μεγαλύτερης ηλικίας. Ανέκαθεν, μου άρεσε να μου λένε ιστορίες της ζωής τους. Πως αντιμετώπισαν μια δύσκολη κατάσταση, που έκαναν λάθος &πως θα το έκαναν καλύτερα. Οι μεγαλύτεροι έχουν κάτι πολύ σημαντικό που εμείς δεν έχουμε. Γνώση, πείρα &εμπειρίες. Φυσικά, ο καθένας μας θα κάνει τα δικά του λάθη &τις δικές του επιλογές, αλλά πάντα όταν τους ακούς σου προκαλούν ένα δέος &σίγουρα έχουν κάτι να σου δώσουν.
Διαβάζοντας αυτό το βιβλίο, αυτό που ένιωθα ήταν ευγνωμοσύνη.
July 13, 2020
I guess like any book made up of contributions from different people, this was a real mix. Some truly fascinating stories, some that I could have done without. Some that stuck to the premise of talking/writing to their 16 year old self and others who told their whole life story.
What at lacked are points was more than made up for by the better contributions though - and what I really liked were that the better contributions were not those I was expected to like (the footballers and country music stars) but even some I’d never heard of. Chelsea Clinton’s contribution is simply outstanding, Alistair Campbell’s interesting
For me the gem of this book was the odd quotes you find along the way - none stands out more than this one - “you will be more productive, healthier and happier if you can commit to not only working hard, but also to unplugging, recharging and renewing yourself”
What at lacked are points was more than made up for by the better contributions though - and what I really liked were that the better contributions were not those I was expected to like (the footballers and country music stars) but even some I’d never heard of. Chelsea Clinton’s contribution is simply outstanding, Alistair Campbell’s interesting
For me the gem of this book was the odd quotes you find along the way - none stands out more than this one - “you will be more productive, healthier and happier if you can commit to not only working hard, but also to unplugging, recharging and renewing yourself”
June 30, 2021
Ένα βιβλίο το οποίο θα πρέπει να διαβάσουν όλοι (δεν βάζω ηλικία) για να πάρουν μια γεύση της επίγευσης που θα τους αφήσει η νεανική τους ζωή στην ενήλικη ζωή τους.
Όλοι θα διαπιστώσουμε ότι τα λάθη που μας στοιχειώνουν δεν είναι λάθη, αλλά μαθήματα ζωής.
Τα "κρίματα" είναι συγκεκριμένα και όλες οι προσωπικές ιστορίες του βιβλίου έχουν έναν κοινό παράνομαστη για τα αυτά τα οποία πραγματικά θα μετανοιωσουμε αργά ή γρήγορα: οι καταχρήσεις αλκοόλ & ναρκωτικών και το σ'αγαπω που δεν είπαμε στους γονείς μας, όλα τα αλλα πάνε και έρχονται.
Δεν είμαι 16, όμως χάρηκα που το διάβασα γιατί ποτέ δεν είναι αργά.
Όλοι θα διαπιστώσουμε ότι τα λάθη που μας στοιχειώνουν δεν είναι λάθη, αλλά μαθήματα ζωής.
Τα "κρίματα" είναι συγκεκριμένα και όλες οι προσωπικές ιστορίες του βιβλίου έχουν έναν κοινό παράνομαστη για τα αυτά τα οποία πραγματικά θα μετανοιωσουμε αργά ή γρήγορα: οι καταχρήσεις αλκοόλ & ναρκωτικών και το σ'αγαπω που δεν είπαμε στους γονείς μας, όλα τα αλλα πάνε και έρχονται.
Δεν είμαι 16, όμως χάρηκα που το διάβασα γιατί ποτέ δεν είναι αργά.
December 19, 2021
Ρηχό και πέραν κάποιων χαρακτηριστικών εξαιρέσεων, η πλειοψηφία όσων έγραψαν, δεν είχαν κάποιο ιδιαίτερο επίπεδο εν τέλει ή κάτι ουσίας να παραθέσουν. Απευθύνεται κυρίως σε εφηβικό κοινό, όχι όμως απαραίτητα ως συμβουλές ζωής, αλλά κυρίως για σύγκριση και αποφυγή... Επίσης, η πλειοψηφία όσων έγραψαν περιορίστηκε σε ΜΒ και ΗΠΑ, πλην εξαιρέσεων, ενώ θεωρήθηκε δεδομένο ότι το κοινό τους γνωρίζει. Θα μπορούσε κάθε κείμενο να προλογιζεται με πληροφορίες για τον κάθε γράφοντα, πράγμα που ίσως έκανε λίγο πιο ενδιαφέρον το κείμενό του
February 25, 2020
A little better than ok, but only just!. For me the real benefit lies not in the stories told by many of the contributors, but the inspiration to review my own past and give advice to my younger self. This proved enlightening and also has enabled me to 'advise my older self' for the remaining part of my life. The content I must say is very mixed in quality, usefulness and dare I say authenticity. Some stories were inspiring, enjoyable, and thought provoking, whilst others were more egotistical trips down memory lane and often one's filled with drugs and alcohol. The serious one's stand out, but are impacted by a lot of mediocre 'B' and 'C' list people, may whom I have never heard of! On the whole a nice Xmas present and a good easy holiday read.
August 23, 2023
ɪ ᴡᴀɴᴛᴇᴅ ɪɴsᴘɪʀᴀᴛɪᴏɴ ғʀᴏᴍ ᴛʜᴇ ғɪʀsᴛ ʙᴏᴏᴋ ɪ ʀᴇᴀᴅ ɪɴ 𝟸𝟶𝟸𝟹 ᴀɴᴅ ᴄʜᴏᴏsɪɴɢ ᴛʜɪs ʙᴏᴏᴋ ᴡᴀs ᴛʜᴇ ʙᴇsᴛ ɪᴅᴇᴀ. ɪᴛ’s ʟɪᴋᴇ ɢᴏɪɴɢ ɪɴᴛᴏ sᴜᴄᴄᴇssғᴜʟ ᴘᴇᴏᴘʟᴇ’s ʙʀᴀɪɴ ᴀɴᴅ sᴇᴇɪɴɢ ᴛʜᴇɪʀ ᴊᴏᴜʀɴᴇʏs ᴀɴᴅ ɢᴇᴛᴛɪɴɢ ᴀ ʜɪɢʜʟɪɢʜᴛ ᴏғ ᴀʟʟ ᴛʜᴇɪʀ ʟᴇssᴏɴs ʟᴇᴀʀɴᴇᴅ. ɪᴛ sᴏᴍᴇʜᴏᴡ ᴍᴀᴋᴇs ʏᴏᴜ ғᴇᴇʟ ʟɪᴋᴇ ʏᴏᴜ’ʀᴇ ʟɪᴠɪɴɢ ᴠᴀʀɪᴏᴜs ʟɪᴠᴇs ɪɴ ᴊᴜsᴛ ᴀ ᴄᴏᴜᴘʟᴇ ᴏғ ᴘᴀɢᴇs. ɪ ʟᴇᴀʀɴᴇᴅ ғʀᴏᴍ ᴛʜɪs ᴛʜᴀᴛ ʏᴏᴜ sʜᴏᴜʟᴅɴ’ᴛ sʜᴀʀᴇ ᴇᴠᴇʀʏᴛʜɪɴɢ ᴡɪᴛʜ ᴇᴠᴇʀʏʙᴏᴅʏ ᴀɴᴅ ᴇᴠᴇʀʏᴏɴᴇ ɪs ɴᴏᴛ ᴀʟᴡᴀʏs ʜᴀᴘᴘʏ ғᴏʀ ʏᴏᴜ. ᴄᴀʀᴇғᴜʟ ᴡɪᴛʜ ᴡʜᴀᴛ ʏᴏᴜ ᴅɪsᴄʟᴏsᴇ, ɪᴍ ɢᴜɪʟᴛʏ ᴏғ ᴛʜɪs ᴀs ɪ’ᴍ ᴜsᴜᴀʟʟʏ ᴏᴠᴇʀʟʏ ᴇxᴄɪᴛᴇᴅ ᴡɪᴛʜ ᴍʏ ᴀᴄʜɪᴇᴠᴇᴍᴇɴᴛs ᴀɴᴅ ǫᴜɪᴄᴋ ᴛᴏ sʜᴀʀᴇ ᴛᴏ ɪɴsᴘɪʀᴇ ᴡɪᴛʜᴏᴜᴛ ᴛʜɪɴᴋɪɴɢ ɪᴛ ᴛʜʀᴏᴜɢʜ. ᴀʟsᴏ ᴍᴀᴅᴇ ᴍᴇ ʀᴇᴀʟɪsᴇ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ᴍᴏsᴛʟʏ ᴇᴠᴇʀʏᴏɴᴇ ᴡɪʟʟ ɴᴏᴛ ᴄʜᴀɴɢᴇ ᴀ ᴛʜɪɴɢ ᴀs ɪᴛ ʙʀᴏᴜɢʜᴛ ᴛʜᴇᴍ ᴛᴏ ᴛʜɪs ᴠᴇʀʏ ᴍᴏᴍᴇɴᴛ ᴏғ sᴜᴄᴄᴇss. ᴀʟʟ ᴛʜᴇ ғᴀɪʟᴜʀᴇ ᴀʀᴇ ᴀʟʟ ᴘᴀʀᴛ ᴏғ ɪᴛ ᴀɴᴅ sɪᴍᴘʟʏ ᴀʀᴇ sᴛᴇᴘᴘɪɴɢ sᴛᴏɴᴇs.
April 18, 2024
So the title is like a book version of clickbait (book-bait...?). I thought it would be about celebrities' actual message to their younger selves, but really it was just them discussing their lives and then commenting on what they would say to their younger selves, which only lasted a few paragraphs per person at most. Each one did seem to get repetitive, with them talking about what their parents did and whether they'd like or dislike their young selves if they saw them today.
Despite all of that, I finished the book and did find some common threads (despite the obvious) between all of these successful people, which was interesting. I wouldn't necessarily recommend, maybe only if you're into celebrities.
Despite all of that, I finished the book and did find some common threads (despite the obvious) between all of these successful people, which was interesting. I wouldn't necessarily recommend, maybe only if you're into celebrities.
August 6, 2020
I think I got this book for Christmas from my sister.
Its really a beautiful book, over 100 stories from many famous people around the world. I loved some as they were from my home town and I could recognise places that they had stated.
They are probably two or three pages each, some may go to four or five but they're simple. Split across various life stages such as love, family etc.
Overall a really enjoyable book and a sneak into peoples views of what they'd tell their 16 year old self.
Its really a beautiful book, over 100 stories from many famous people around the world. I loved some as they were from my home town and I could recognise places that they had stated.
They are probably two or three pages each, some may go to four or five but they're simple. Split across various life stages such as love, family etc.
Overall a really enjoyable book and a sneak into peoples views of what they'd tell their 16 year old self.
August 19, 2022
Το καλό είναι πως η φίλη που μου το σύστησε με είχε προϊδεάσει για το περιεχόμενο. Το κακό είναι πως δεν την πήρα αρκετά στα σοβαρά και αποφάσισα να το διαπιστώσω και μόνη μου.
Το περιεχόμενο των "γραμμάτων" δεν ανταποκρίνεται στον τίτλο τους - οι περισσότεροι αναφέρονται στο νεότερο εαυτό τους μόνο για να τον περιγράψουν, και μεταξύ μας ο έφηβος/ νέος που περιγράφουν είναι συνήθως αντιπαθής ακόμη και εάν ο ενήλικος είναι μια κάπως βελτιωμένη έκδοση του.
Το περιεχόμενο των "γραμμάτων" δεν ανταποκρίνεται στον τίτλο τους - οι περισσότεροι αναφέρονται στο νεότερο εαυτό τους μόνο για να τον περιγράψουν, και μεταξύ μας ο έφηβος/ νέος που περιγράφουν είναι συνήθως αντιπαθής ακόμη και εάν ο ενήλικος είναι μια κάπως βελτιωμένη έκδοση του.
December 31, 2019
I bought this as a Christmas present and had a sneaky peak before giving it. It’s an amazing book which shows how connected us humans are in so many ways regardless of fame and fortune. If my brother doesn’t agree then I’ll gladly take the book back for myself!
April 12, 2020
Entertaining and interesting. I liked that it was many short stories and lessons which makes it easy to pick up and put down in and amongst your day.
July 1, 2020
Perfect for anyone who likes to know what makes a person. I love knowing about people and their journeys so I really enjoyed this.
July 20, 2020
A good book to dip in and out of - I skipped the letters of people I hadn't heard of.
Read
October 1, 2020An excellent variety of characters and treatment. Some more enlightening, others more self-centred. A good read for something short and self-contained.
July 3, 2021
Highly enjoyable dip-in-and-out read by celebrities giving advice to their younger selves.
October 22, 2021
Insightful and honest essays from a huge variety of famous people from all areas - pop stars to explorers to authors to politicians to designers to actors to scientists.
March 7, 2022
Found this a bit too long. Perhaps better as a book to own and to dip into, rather than borrowing for a time-limited period from a Library.
August 16, 2023
Really interesting read!
Read
October 24, 2023Only read the parts from:
- David Tennant
- Olivia Colman
- Billie Piper
- Dolly Parton
- Lin-Manuel Miranda
- David Tennant
- Olivia Colman
- Billie Piper
- Dolly Parton
- Lin-Manuel Miranda
December 20, 2023
Took me a while to finish but I really enjoyed this, a lot of the people weren’t familiar to me but I particularly enjoyed: Will.I.am , Billie Pipers and Richard Osmans chapters
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews