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Thirty Things I Love About Myself
'Fresh, touching... So good!'
'Feelgood, uplifting storytelling at its best'
'A treat!'
She's just broken up with the love of her life.
Her friends are moving on.
Her career is tanking.
Oh, and she just turned thirty in a prison cell.
But her night in prison might change everything. It's there that she comes across a tatty little self-help book promising to change her life. The book presents her with a question: can she find thirty things she loves about herself?
Sceptical but curious, the journalist in Nina can't resist a challenge. And so begins a radical journey: to accept her flaws and find love.
'Funny and charming' -
'Heart-warming and uplifting . . . exactly what we all need right now' -
'Great fun!' -
'Funny, heartwarming and empowering' - ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
'Beautifully and thoughtfully written' - ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
'I could not love this book more; hilarious, sensitive [and] witty' - ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
'Feelgood, uplifting storytelling at its best'
'A treat!'
She's just broken up with the love of her life.
Her friends are moving on.
Her career is tanking.
Oh, and she just turned thirty in a prison cell.
But her night in prison might change everything. It's there that she comes across a tatty little self-help book promising to change her life. The book presents her with a question: can she find thirty things she loves about herself?
Sceptical but curious, the journalist in Nina can't resist a challenge. And so begins a radical journey: to accept her flaws and find love.
'Funny and charming' -
'Heart-warming and uplifting . . . exactly what we all need right now' -
'Great fun!' -
'Funny, heartwarming and empowering' - ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
'Beautifully and thoughtfully written' - ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
'I could not love this book more; hilarious, sensitive [and] witty' - ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
353 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 4, 2022
252 people are currently reading
9562 people want to read
About the author
Radhika Sanghani
12 books264 followersI'm an author, journalist and screenwriter. My latest novel THIRTY THINGS I LOVE ABOUT MYSELF is coming out in January in the UK and US. I've also written two YA novels VIRGIN and NOT THAT EASY.
I'm a freelance journalist for publications like the Telegraph, Daily Mail, Grazia and Glamour. I'm also a body positive campaigner and founded the #sideprofileselfie movement. In my spare time, I also teach yoga and created a volunteer initiative to paint elderly ladies' nails for Age UK.
I'm a freelance journalist for publications like the Telegraph, Daily Mail, Grazia and Glamour. I'm also a body positive campaigner and founded the #sideprofileselfie movement. In my spare time, I also teach yoga and created a volunteer initiative to paint elderly ladies' nails for Age UK.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 561 reviews
May 22, 2022
Well, I never say no to a book promising so much fun and inspiration at the same time centered on self discovery, respect, learning from mistakes to embrace life fully!
Especially the first chapters of the book was fascinatingly hilarious!! I told myself, this book would be my cure with its witty dialogues centered on mother and daughter relationship after stressful week at job.
It opens with Nina’s arrest whose falafel craving resulted with her attendance to a protest about refugees and unfortunately when the police surrounded around the protesters, she was the only one get caught. Now at her thirtieth birthday, she’s in jail, spending her only phone call to her once upon a time her best friend Jo who was selfish enough to talk about her engagement and hanged off the phone on her without listening a word she tried to say.
At least good hearted guardian is nice enough to serve her hot chocolate. Poor girl celebrates her special day without carbs, alcohol, internet, phone, all alone! ( total definition of hell for me! )
And after spending a night in jail, she’s taken by her mother ( the lovely guardian thought he was helping her by calling her mother: but he made the worst mistake)
Nina is driven her mother’s house because she ended things with her fiancée, she doesn’t have anywhere to live! This means she has to spend her time with 24/7 criticizing mother Rupa and her clinically depressed brother Kal who already moved to her childhood room.
Nina still nurses her heartbreak after breaking up with Nikhil and she is not satisfied with her freelance writing job: she wants to write about more important, thought provoking things that matter instead of talking about her personal life.
But luckily she stole a self book from prison which suits with her feelings perfectly. The book’s titled: “ How to fix your shitty life by loving yourself” which makes her form a list to find best 30 qualities of herself.
When she hits the rock bottom, the rituals the book advises help her to become bolder, taking risks, joining yoga, meditation classes, having tantric sex ( yeah, that part was interesting), an astrology session ( actually she makes a new friend Meera who is astrologist and as she spends more time with her, she interestingly realizes, they have more common grounds than she has with her old friend she gets estranged)
The beginning of the story was so promising: especially the part Nina goes on a date with herself made me laugh aloud!
But when I reach the half of the book, it started getting repetitive and I just got tired to read the same inspirational learn to love yourself quotes.
Astrology parts picked my interest because I took astrology lessons for three years so I know how to read charts ( in my opinion as a fiery Aries woman, reading about extra earthy heroine was a little exhausted experience) so I had fun to read the comments about how signs define the person’s character.
Quick note : I just actually found a mistake at the pieces season of the book: it mentions about cancer full moon which is impossible: because when the sun is at pieces, the moon should be at the opposite sign to be full which means it could be only Virgo full moon!
Overall: this book started as a five starred reading but repetitive cycle of self loving, lack of romance ( because this book is about self love) made me lose my interest. I’m giving three stars but it doesn’t mean I didn’t like it! It was still feel good, smart, entertaining novel. But I wish it could go strong just like how it started!
Special thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for sharing this digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest opinions.
Especially the first chapters of the book was fascinatingly hilarious!! I told myself, this book would be my cure with its witty dialogues centered on mother and daughter relationship after stressful week at job.
It opens with Nina’s arrest whose falafel craving resulted with her attendance to a protest about refugees and unfortunately when the police surrounded around the protesters, she was the only one get caught. Now at her thirtieth birthday, she’s in jail, spending her only phone call to her once upon a time her best friend Jo who was selfish enough to talk about her engagement and hanged off the phone on her without listening a word she tried to say.
At least good hearted guardian is nice enough to serve her hot chocolate. Poor girl celebrates her special day without carbs, alcohol, internet, phone, all alone! ( total definition of hell for me! )
And after spending a night in jail, she’s taken by her mother ( the lovely guardian thought he was helping her by calling her mother: but he made the worst mistake)
Nina is driven her mother’s house because she ended things with her fiancée, she doesn’t have anywhere to live! This means she has to spend her time with 24/7 criticizing mother Rupa and her clinically depressed brother Kal who already moved to her childhood room.
Nina still nurses her heartbreak after breaking up with Nikhil and she is not satisfied with her freelance writing job: she wants to write about more important, thought provoking things that matter instead of talking about her personal life.
But luckily she stole a self book from prison which suits with her feelings perfectly. The book’s titled: “ How to fix your shitty life by loving yourself” which makes her form a list to find best 30 qualities of herself.
When she hits the rock bottom, the rituals the book advises help her to become bolder, taking risks, joining yoga, meditation classes, having tantric sex ( yeah, that part was interesting), an astrology session ( actually she makes a new friend Meera who is astrologist and as she spends more time with her, she interestingly realizes, they have more common grounds than she has with her old friend she gets estranged)
The beginning of the story was so promising: especially the part Nina goes on a date with herself made me laugh aloud!
But when I reach the half of the book, it started getting repetitive and I just got tired to read the same inspirational learn to love yourself quotes.
Astrology parts picked my interest because I took astrology lessons for three years so I know how to read charts ( in my opinion as a fiery Aries woman, reading about extra earthy heroine was a little exhausted experience) so I had fun to read the comments about how signs define the person’s character.
Quick note : I just actually found a mistake at the pieces season of the book: it mentions about cancer full moon which is impossible: because when the sun is at pieces, the moon should be at the opposite sign to be full which means it could be only Virgo full moon!
Overall: this book started as a five starred reading but repetitive cycle of self loving, lack of romance ( because this book is about self love) made me lose my interest. I’m giving three stars but it doesn’t mean I didn’t like it! It was still feel good, smart, entertaining novel. But I wish it could go strong just like how it started!
Special thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for sharing this digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest opinions.
March 17, 2022
4.5⭐️
“Meditation plus masturbation multiplied by faith equals abundance.” Amen!
FUCK ROMANCE!! I want to read more books about women unapologetically loving themselves. I am so glad to have been brought on this HILARIOUS journey with Nina. I couldn’t give it a 5 because it did keep losing me at some places, but it did a great job in bringing me back.
There are many facets to loving your self and this is something Nina discovers as she intentionally finds things she loves about herself. She loses people on the way, she gains people on the way, and she strengthens the bonds she already has with the people closest to her. She tries new things by stepping out of her comfort zone and has to learn to put herself first by not allowing people to discourage her about her decisions.
Mental health is a huge subject in this book. I’m so glad it was more focused on mental health in the Indian community. Even though some countries have made a lot of progress, there are still many communities that still struggle with this. Great job with this Sanghani!
Nina’s mom got on my nerves a lot. I still managed to absolutely love her though. I could see that Sanghani didn’t necessarily want to write about a perfect mom, but a mother who genuinely loves her children in her own mean way. Her mom also went through a lot so I could understand a lot of her actions and comments. She is such a strong woman, especially with the very judgemental community she is from.
I love that the list wasn’t rushed at all!! You would think we would get all 30 things by the middle of the book, but nooooo. We got each item at the right, perfect times. I love that the list wasn’t always necessarily about her, but sometimes about her love for others.
I loved the ending!!!!
Okay I know I said fuck romance, but don't get me, wrong guys. I still love my romance books okay.
“Meditation plus masturbation multiplied by faith equals abundance.” Amen!
FUCK ROMANCE!! I want to read more books about women unapologetically loving themselves. I am so glad to have been brought on this HILARIOUS journey with Nina. I couldn’t give it a 5 because it did keep losing me at some places, but it did a great job in bringing me back.
There are many facets to loving your self and this is something Nina discovers as she intentionally finds things she loves about herself. She loses people on the way, she gains people on the way, and she strengthens the bonds she already has with the people closest to her. She tries new things by stepping out of her comfort zone and has to learn to put herself first by not allowing people to discourage her about her decisions.
Mental health is a huge subject in this book. I’m so glad it was more focused on mental health in the Indian community. Even though some countries have made a lot of progress, there are still many communities that still struggle with this. Great job with this Sanghani!
Nina’s mom got on my nerves a lot. I still managed to absolutely love her though. I could see that Sanghani didn’t necessarily want to write about a perfect mom, but a mother who genuinely loves her children in her own mean way. Her mom also went through a lot so I could understand a lot of her actions and comments. She is such a strong woman, especially with the very judgemental community she is from.
I love that the list wasn’t rushed at all!! You would think we would get all 30 things by the middle of the book, but nooooo. We got each item at the right, perfect times. I love that the list wasn’t always necessarily about her, but sometimes about her love for others.
I loved the ending!!!!
Okay I know I said fuck romance, but don't get me, wrong guys. I still love my romance books okay.
January 11, 2022
I RECEIVED A DRC FROM THE PUBLISHER VIA NETGALLEY. THANK YOU.
My Review: You can't be sure you're reading a novel until Nina actually reads How to Love Yourself (and Fix Your Shitty Life in the Process). Really? A bit on-the-nose to reach her when she's in the clink! I mean, I'd just sit out the sentence before I'd read that. Still, Nina's pretty much looking at her (pretty comedic) arrest as an intervention from the Universe.
But, given her inability even to make a decent choice of only-phone-call recipient resulting in her return to her *truly*ghastly* mother's orbit, that could prove to be life saving. Or losing...it's a close-run thing whether she'll survive Daily Mailish history-chucking-out nightmare Mum. *I* almost didn't survive Mother Mistry. What a gorgon. In fact...just being totally transparent here!...I really didn't like wishy-washy, what's-the-female-nebbish-called Nina. I get it...a mother like that one would kick the sense and the sensibility right out of you. No one knows more or better than she does! Then there's drippy, dreary, depressed closet case Kal. Yeesh!
Why, then, am I reviewing it. Two words: Tantric. Sex.
You'll have to read the book to figure out why. But you'll have a lot of fun doing it, so I'm not wasting my tears for you. You're going to be glad you did, you nutty slacker. Glad you powered past the ex bringing his new squeeze to a party when Nina was guaranteed to be there...because dear ol' Mum dragged her. Glad you ignored the fact that a thirty-year-old online journalist needed her brother to explain doxing to her. Or when her self-immolative attempts to go up against a TV shock jock are so very, so painfully naive....
And let's be honest, folks, the sheer number of us humans who can use...really, really use...the truth behind Andrew Solomon's quoted-in-story quote, "The opposite of depression is not happiness but vitality..." runs into the octuple digits. I suspect, though, that quite a lot more of y'all will follow Nina Mistry, Financial Abundance Manifester, in her (unorthodox but) proven effective plan to get the, um, kitty replenished.
What the heck is all this in aid of...well, my olds, there is absolutely no better time than the New Year to manifest self-love and self-acceptance by reading something that will make you giggle, and squirm, and blush. Cringe comedy lovers, here's you a book! Silly self-help sozzlers, here's you a book! You are in need of grins? You are in luck, here's you a book!
And you know what? Many more books need to have "Namaste, bitches," in them.
My Review: You can't be sure you're reading a novel until Nina actually reads How to Love Yourself (and Fix Your Shitty Life in the Process). Really? A bit on-the-nose to reach her when she's in the clink! I mean, I'd just sit out the sentence before I'd read that. Still, Nina's pretty much looking at her (pretty comedic) arrest as an intervention from the Universe.
But, given her inability even to make a decent choice of only-phone-call recipient resulting in her return to her *truly*ghastly* mother's orbit, that could prove to be life saving. Or losing...it's a close-run thing whether she'll survive Daily Mailish history-chucking-out nightmare Mum. *I* almost didn't survive Mother Mistry. What a gorgon. In fact...just being totally transparent here!...I really didn't like wishy-washy, what's-the-female-nebbish-called Nina. I get it...a mother like that one would kick the sense and the sensibility right out of you. No one knows more or better than she does! Then there's drippy, dreary, depressed closet case Kal. Yeesh!
Why, then, am I reviewing it. Two words: Tantric. Sex.
You'll have to read the book to figure out why. But you'll have a lot of fun doing it, so I'm not wasting my tears for you. You're going to be glad you did, you nutty slacker. Glad you powered past the ex bringing his new squeeze to a party when Nina was guaranteed to be there...because dear ol' Mum dragged her. Glad you ignored the fact that a thirty-year-old online journalist needed her brother to explain doxing to her. Or when her self-immolative attempts to go up against a TV shock jock are so very, so painfully naive....
And let's be honest, folks, the sheer number of us humans who can use...really, really use...the truth behind Andrew Solomon's quoted-in-story quote, "The opposite of depression is not happiness but vitality..." runs into the octuple digits. I suspect, though, that quite a lot more of y'all will follow Nina Mistry, Financial Abundance Manifester, in her (unorthodox but) proven effective plan to get the, um, kitty replenished.
What the heck is all this in aid of...well, my olds, there is absolutely no better time than the New Year to manifest self-love and self-acceptance by reading something that will make you giggle, and squirm, and blush. Cringe comedy lovers, here's you a book! Silly self-help sozzlers, here's you a book! You are in need of grins? You are in luck, here's you a book!
And you know what? Many more books need to have "Namaste, bitches," in them.
December 31, 2021
I really wanted to like this book, and it did have some good points for sure. Overall though this was not the book for me and I am a little disappointed it’s how I’m ending my 2021 reading. I had a hard time forcing myself to pick this one up and read it. It was a little much for me about its points. I did like that it was a light book that tried to tackle some serious issues like racism, depression, and suicide. Nina spends her 30th birthday in jail after being arrested by mistake. When she asks for some books she is given a self help book about achieving self-love which starts a whirlwind of a year she spends trying to figure out 30 things she loves about herself.
January 27, 2022
Going to sleep on this for few days before I give a proper rating. On a high level, very good concept & themes, but the actual content was really immature & hard to get through. —mo✌️
January 2, 2022
This is a multicultural interest book about an Indian woman who has had some bad breaks. After a breakup with her boyfriend and a trip to jail on her birthday she finds herself frustrated.
Asking for a book to ease her boredom while in jail she's given a book on self love. This sets her on a twelve month self-discovery of thirty things she loves about herself. The book is a humorous at times and pretty unrealistic at times as well.
Pub Date 04 Jan 2022
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.
Asking for a book to ease her boredom while in jail she's given a book on self love. This sets her on a twelve month self-discovery of thirty things she loves about herself. The book is a humorous at times and pretty unrealistic at times as well.
Pub Date 04 Jan 2022
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.
February 18, 2023
30 Things I Love about Myself didn't deliver in the way I was expecting. Rather, Nina's journey of #selflove was exaggerated to the point of being trite and wholly unconvincing.
March 18, 2022
30 Things I Love about Myself by Radhika Sanghani first caught my eye on Bookstagram after I read a handful of reviews that were really good from people I follow and trust. I loved the concept that the entire book is about Nina learning to love herself which is definitely something I even understand as a white female. It always seems hard as women to love ourselves no matter what nationality we are, and that is something that made this novel incredibly relatable. I loved Nina as a character and I loved her attitude, especially as she navigates her brother's depression and her mother's avoidance of the topic. I also thought Sanghani had a great idea with starting the book with Nina in a prison cell. We then find out why she is there and the journey and list of why she loves herself begins.
One thing that really made this book special for me was that I listened to the audiobook which just so happens to be narrated by the author herself. I especially love it when an author will narrator their memoir, but there is always something great about them narrating at all. Sanghani made a fantastic narrator for her book, and I would certainly love to hear her narrate more books if she was so inclined. She knew exactly how to bring the story and Nina's character to life for the reader, and I loved her voice! I also really enjoyed how the story was broken up into the astrological seasons, and this is a super unique approach that I hadn't seen before. You do have to go into 30 Things I Love about Myself with the expectation that this isn't a romcom because that definitely isn't what it is. The title tells you exactly what this book is about, and while it wasn't quite as funny as I was hoping it would be and felt a little drug out in certain parts, it was still a very enjoyable and emotional experience. I have certainly become an instant fan of Sanghani and will be looking forward to reading more from her.
One thing that really made this book special for me was that I listened to the audiobook which just so happens to be narrated by the author herself. I especially love it when an author will narrator their memoir, but there is always something great about them narrating at all. Sanghani made a fantastic narrator for her book, and I would certainly love to hear her narrate more books if she was so inclined. She knew exactly how to bring the story and Nina's character to life for the reader, and I loved her voice! I also really enjoyed how the story was broken up into the astrological seasons, and this is a super unique approach that I hadn't seen before. You do have to go into 30 Things I Love about Myself with the expectation that this isn't a romcom because that definitely isn't what it is. The title tells you exactly what this book is about, and while it wasn't quite as funny as I was hoping it would be and felt a little drug out in certain parts, it was still a very enjoyable and emotional experience. I have certainly become an instant fan of Sanghani and will be looking forward to reading more from her.
January 4, 2023
Why is this novel only an average of 3 ish stars?
This novel was incredible right from the beginning.
For starters, it is very funny, covers topics of race and when you aren’t black, or white but you are in-between which many at times do not understand the difference.
The main character Nina gets a lovely room in Prison for the night. The guy watching her gives her a self help book and that is where her journey begins.
From then, she encounters so many people on her new journey to self-care (or self-love but I prefer the first term).
Stuff happens when she goes viral for trying to make her point across as it comes out wrong. She becomes very self-conscious of what people think of her. To the end of the novel where she is that enlightened and she does not care at all.
To a nagging mother, to seeing where she comes from and issues with her brother as well.
So many life changing quotes or at least reflecting thoughts.
“As you get more spiritual, you vibrate on a higher frequency. So people around you who are vibrating at lower frequencies start to move away, and you don’t vibe together so much… You are so start to attract people vibrating at higher frequencies, which is amazing.”
Overall, I really enjoyed this novel as it covers so much in a very relatable way. It is witty, refreshing with its different types of heartbreaks. It covers race and cultural difference in the best suitable way which I found important. Covers topics with femininity and modernness. I just loved it and loved watching Nina and all the other characters grow and evolve as people. And together.
Review: https://clife.blog/2023/01/17/book-re...
This novel was incredible right from the beginning.
For starters, it is very funny, covers topics of race and when you aren’t black, or white but you are in-between which many at times do not understand the difference.
The main character Nina gets a lovely room in Prison for the night. The guy watching her gives her a self help book and that is where her journey begins.
From then, she encounters so many people on her new journey to self-care (or self-love but I prefer the first term).
Stuff happens when she goes viral for trying to make her point across as it comes out wrong. She becomes very self-conscious of what people think of her. To the end of the novel where she is that enlightened and she does not care at all.
To a nagging mother, to seeing where she comes from and issues with her brother as well.
So many life changing quotes or at least reflecting thoughts.
“As you get more spiritual, you vibrate on a higher frequency. So people around you who are vibrating at lower frequencies start to move away, and you don’t vibe together so much… You are so start to attract people vibrating at higher frequencies, which is amazing.”
Overall, I really enjoyed this novel as it covers so much in a very relatable way. It is witty, refreshing with its different types of heartbreaks. It covers race and cultural difference in the best suitable way which I found important. Covers topics with femininity and modernness. I just loved it and loved watching Nina and all the other characters grow and evolve as people. And together.
Review: https://clife.blog/2023/01/17/book-re...
January 21, 2022
Liked the first half, but there wasn’t enough meat to the story to carry it through.
November 21, 2022
Very readable but just so awful. One of the actual lines is “the universe wanted him to meet you so you could spark his journey to wokeness” 🤚
dnf
February 15, 2023I wanted to like it, I really did. The further on I got, the more chaotic and unrealistic it felt.
January 4, 2022
Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group for providing me with an early copy of 30 Things I Love about Myself
As someone who turned Thirty in 2021, I have been on the search for novels about Thirty year old characters, bonus points if it is a novel about finding themselves.
Which meant that when I came across this novel for request on Netgalley, I had to request it immediately.
Nina has just broken up with her fiancé, in a job where she isn't recognized or paid enough, and sitting in jail for protesting the rights of Immigrants in Britain. Sitting in her cell wondering where she went wrong in life, she was handed a 'self-help' novel about learning how to love oneself.
In the beginning, I thought this would be a cute little novel with a Quirky protagonist. However, not long after starting it, I knew I was wrong.
This novel is not as easy to digest due to the subject matters it tackles. Nina's father died by suicide while her older brother had to move back home due to his depression. Along with that, Nina's mother doesn't make her life any easier after her broken engagement and not having a good paying career.
The beginning of Nina's journey all the way up until 64% was not easy to read. As someone who also doesn't know what they're doing in life, feeling like a failure in more ways than one and not being able to list more than 3 things they love about themselves, it was slightly triggering at times.
This novel is not perfect, but I do think that for many people, they will pick this up and realize it is the push they need in life to love themselves and recognize that they could use being easier on themselves more.
Unfortunately, this novel didn't do it for me in the way that I hoped it would be. It made me self reflect at some points, but not to the point where I feel like also starting my own spiritual journey.
If you're looking for a story like this, I do believe you ill really enjoy following Nina on her journey and maybe deciding to also start your own.
One little reminder: an apology when you've hurt someone should not include any form of "I'm sorry" followed by 'but' or the words "if I offended you" along with making the apology about you. Just thought it would be nice to sneak in this reminder.
Another reminder: 'Remember to Love Yourself at all phases". Throwing it back to my Booktube days with this one.
⭐️3.5 STARS⭐️
As someone who turned Thirty in 2021, I have been on the search for novels about Thirty year old characters, bonus points if it is a novel about finding themselves.
Which meant that when I came across this novel for request on Netgalley, I had to request it immediately.
Nina has just broken up with her fiancé, in a job where she isn't recognized or paid enough, and sitting in jail for protesting the rights of Immigrants in Britain. Sitting in her cell wondering where she went wrong in life, she was handed a 'self-help' novel about learning how to love oneself.
In the beginning, I thought this would be a cute little novel with a Quirky protagonist. However, not long after starting it, I knew I was wrong.
This novel is not as easy to digest due to the subject matters it tackles. Nina's father died by suicide while her older brother had to move back home due to his depression. Along with that, Nina's mother doesn't make her life any easier after her broken engagement and not having a good paying career.
The beginning of Nina's journey all the way up until 64% was not easy to read. As someone who also doesn't know what they're doing in life, feeling like a failure in more ways than one and not being able to list more than 3 things they love about themselves, it was slightly triggering at times.
This novel is not perfect, but I do think that for many people, they will pick this up and realize it is the push they need in life to love themselves and recognize that they could use being easier on themselves more.
Unfortunately, this novel didn't do it for me in the way that I hoped it would be. It made me self reflect at some points, but not to the point where I feel like also starting my own spiritual journey.
If you're looking for a story like this, I do believe you ill really enjoy following Nina on her journey and maybe deciding to also start your own.
One little reminder: an apology when you've hurt someone should not include any form of "I'm sorry" followed by 'but' or the words "if I offended you" along with making the apology about you. Just thought it would be nice to sneak in this reminder.
Another reminder: 'Remember to Love Yourself at all phases". Throwing it back to my Booktube days with this one.
⭐️3.5 STARS⭐️
February 14, 2023
⭐️⭐️💫
This was an interesting one - it reads like Sanghani was trying to choose between writing a novel and a self-help book and just decided to combine them into one instead. I think a self-love journey is valuable, and there was some good info here for someone looking to get into it, but novel-form was a weird choice. There were sometimes full paragraphs quoted from the self-help book the main character reads, which got a bit tedious.
I liked the depiction of her relationship with her brother. Her mom was pretty difficult to like, but I tried my best. Probably won’t read more from this author in the future.
This was an interesting one - it reads like Sanghani was trying to choose between writing a novel and a self-help book and just decided to combine them into one instead. I think a self-love journey is valuable, and there was some good info here for someone looking to get into it, but novel-form was a weird choice. There were sometimes full paragraphs quoted from the self-help book the main character reads, which got a bit tedious.
I liked the depiction of her relationship with her brother. Her mom was pretty difficult to like, but I tried my best. Probably won’t read more from this author in the future.
January 26, 2022
As someone who is a bit of a perfectionist and gives themselves a hard time, I was fully onboard with the self-love message at the heart of Thirty Things I Love About Myself and thought the timely premise sounded genuinely entertaining and relatable. Unfortunately after a promising start it turned into a real slog and felt like an overlong, repetitive ramble, although the theme of accepting your imperfections is emphasised throughout. The book also makes pertinent points on topic such as being open about mental health and growing apart from friends, but there are noticeable missteps, not least the fact that our British Indian heroine wants to write about race and important issues but clearly hasn’t spent a great deal of time thinking seriously about them (e.g. wanting more brown yoga teachers as yoga is an “Indian thing”).
On the eve of turning thirty and just weeks after having made the decision to break up with the fiancé that her mother adored, disconsolate freelance journalist, Nina Mistry, pops out in her pyjamas to get a takeaway and finds herself caught up in a protest march. Subsequently arrested and facing a lonely night in the cells with no distractions or home comforts she is taken pity on by the desk sergeant and given a book about fixing her suboptimal life and learning to love herself. Despite having to move back into the family home with her overbearing mother, Rupa, and clinically depressed older brother, Nina takes her lead from the book and gives herself a year to find thirty things that she loves about herself, which turns out to be the inspiration for a year of unbelievable highs and lows.
Whilst the narrative didn’t feel preachy in the slightest, it’s impact was diluted by the fact that Nina feels very immature and naive for her age and at the outset is undeniably selfish. Her burning ambition to write about ‘issues’ seems at odds with the fact that she clearly hasn’t spent any real time thinking deeply about said issues. Overall Nina’s journey felt more superficial than profound as she threw herself headfirst into yoga, astrology and meditation and suddenly turned spiritual and I found the whole narrative too glib for the sensitive topics it covered. Nina’s conservative mother is uptight and overly concerned about how she and her family are perceived in the Indian community and right from the off, one of Nina’s bugbears is her mother’s judgemental attitude and disappointment in her. Unfortunately the next moment Rupa’s attitude is used as a source of humour and it completely negates the important point that Sanghani was trying to address. The narrative lacks focus with same territory covered on numerous occasions and given the novel is more sweet than laugh-out-loud funny, it definitely could have been improved by the prose being a little more incisive and punchy. An overlong disappointment and I was bored by a third of the way through.
On the eve of turning thirty and just weeks after having made the decision to break up with the fiancé that her mother adored, disconsolate freelance journalist, Nina Mistry, pops out in her pyjamas to get a takeaway and finds herself caught up in a protest march. Subsequently arrested and facing a lonely night in the cells with no distractions or home comforts she is taken pity on by the desk sergeant and given a book about fixing her suboptimal life and learning to love herself. Despite having to move back into the family home with her overbearing mother, Rupa, and clinically depressed older brother, Nina takes her lead from the book and gives herself a year to find thirty things that she loves about herself, which turns out to be the inspiration for a year of unbelievable highs and lows.
Whilst the narrative didn’t feel preachy in the slightest, it’s impact was diluted by the fact that Nina feels very immature and naive for her age and at the outset is undeniably selfish. Her burning ambition to write about ‘issues’ seems at odds with the fact that she clearly hasn’t spent any real time thinking deeply about said issues. Overall Nina’s journey felt more superficial than profound as she threw herself headfirst into yoga, astrology and meditation and suddenly turned spiritual and I found the whole narrative too glib for the sensitive topics it covered. Nina’s conservative mother is uptight and overly concerned about how she and her family are perceived in the Indian community and right from the off, one of Nina’s bugbears is her mother’s judgemental attitude and disappointment in her. Unfortunately the next moment Rupa’s attitude is used as a source of humour and it completely negates the important point that Sanghani was trying to address. The narrative lacks focus with same territory covered on numerous occasions and given the novel is more sweet than laugh-out-loud funny, it definitely could have been improved by the prose being a little more incisive and punchy. An overlong disappointment and I was bored by a third of the way through.
March 19, 2022
Thank you to Netgalley, Berkley and Penguin Random House Audio. Also a big thank you to Radhika Sanghani for writing this delightful book and giving me the opportunity to listen to it with an advanced listening copy.
From the very start I was laughing out loud listening to Thirty Things I Love About Myself. There is a lot of laugh out loud humour in this book and that is my favourite thing about it.
Radhika brings up some heavy topics including suicide, depression, complicated family relationships and racism but somehow manages to keep it a super light read.
Nina is a British born Indian journalist who turns 30 at the very start of the book. Infact her 30th birthday ends with a delightful overnight stay in a prison cell, not quite the luxury spa break one would imagine they would spend their special birthday at 😆🥳
After recently splitting with her long term boyfriend Nikhil she found herself alone on her birthday. Nina decides she deserves a takeaway and ventures out to get herself a yummy falafel and collides with a group of people protesting. She decides its fate and joins them in the protest, only to find herself arrested before she could finish her falafel.
Whilst in the prison cell she is given a book called Thirty Things I Love About Myself and realises she doesn't truly love herself. Which is the beginning of a fun, entertaining journey to discover who she is and finding the love for herself that she truly deserves.
I really liked Nina and connected with her character, I feel like we would be friends in the real world. Radhika did a great job creating this relatable character. I love that the author made the choice to narrate the audiobook, it isn't something that always pays off but Radhika did a wonderful job.
I have to be honest and say that the story did become a bit repetitive and fell a bit flat around the middle, hence the 3 star rating I gave it. It managed to keep sprinklings of humour in there which helped me persevere with the read. But I just needed a bit more.
Overall I'm very grateful I was given this ALC and I'm glad I listened to the book. I think the audiobook was entertaining and would recommend it to anyone who is after a lighthearted, cheery read that deals with everyday issues.
Most of all the humour was welcomed, it definitely gave me a big smile on my face 😊
From the very start I was laughing out loud listening to Thirty Things I Love About Myself. There is a lot of laugh out loud humour in this book and that is my favourite thing about it.
Radhika brings up some heavy topics including suicide, depression, complicated family relationships and racism but somehow manages to keep it a super light read.
Nina is a British born Indian journalist who turns 30 at the very start of the book. Infact her 30th birthday ends with a delightful overnight stay in a prison cell, not quite the luxury spa break one would imagine they would spend their special birthday at 😆🥳
After recently splitting with her long term boyfriend Nikhil she found herself alone on her birthday. Nina decides she deserves a takeaway and ventures out to get herself a yummy falafel and collides with a group of people protesting. She decides its fate and joins them in the protest, only to find herself arrested before she could finish her falafel.
Whilst in the prison cell she is given a book called Thirty Things I Love About Myself and realises she doesn't truly love herself. Which is the beginning of a fun, entertaining journey to discover who she is and finding the love for herself that she truly deserves.
I really liked Nina and connected with her character, I feel like we would be friends in the real world. Radhika did a great job creating this relatable character. I love that the author made the choice to narrate the audiobook, it isn't something that always pays off but Radhika did a wonderful job.
I have to be honest and say that the story did become a bit repetitive and fell a bit flat around the middle, hence the 3 star rating I gave it. It managed to keep sprinklings of humour in there which helped me persevere with the read. But I just needed a bit more.
Overall I'm very grateful I was given this ALC and I'm glad I listened to the book. I think the audiobook was entertaining and would recommend it to anyone who is after a lighthearted, cheery read that deals with everyday issues.
Most of all the humour was welcomed, it definitely gave me a big smile on my face 😊
January 4, 2022
Thanks to Berkley for an advanced copy of 30 Things I Love About Myself.
The premise of this book is great == reflecting on youself and self love, but unfortunately this book missed the mark for me. I just didn't like Nina, the main character and thought she was naive and kept making similar bad decisions. She did show some growth throughout the book. The astrology was a little too much for me also.
I did like how this book tackled some tough topics such as racism, depression/suicide, mental health and Indian culture in England.
If you like coming of age books with strong female characters then you might enjoy this.
The premise of this book is great == reflecting on youself and self love, but unfortunately this book missed the mark for me. I just didn't like Nina, the main character and thought she was naive and kept making similar bad decisions. She did show some growth throughout the book. The astrology was a little too much for me also.
I did like how this book tackled some tough topics such as racism, depression/suicide, mental health and Indian culture in England.
If you like coming of age books with strong female characters then you might enjoy this.
August 24, 2024
How I read this: Free ebook copy received through Edelweiss
3.5 stars
The format of this book was quite interesting. It's like it's fiction, but it's also sort of New Age style self-help? (Think books like The Secret.) Cause it's sneakily teaching you all the same lessons of loving yourself and being in the moment as it's teaching the main character, and it sort of goes through all the events that happen to the main character, Nina, as "example material" that you'd have in a self-help.
I actually think that it's quite a brilliant idea, because not all of us love reading nonfiction, it's just not as accessible to everyone in the same way as fiction is. Meanwhile, with this format, you're still reading a fictional story for fun, but at the same time, it briefly goes over the principles of self-care, valuing yourself, the core principles of mindfulness and why you should practice it. You can tell the author has read stuff about manifesting and being positive, because there are a lot of common themes with those books. So for people who have struggled with learning mindfulness and accepting themselves, this might be a great alternative way to get that info.
There's no denying that the story has quite a lot of so called woo-woo (in this case, astrology, energetic stones and some really weird manifesting rituals). But to each his own, and while I personally don't dig astrology, a lot of people do, and it certainly gave the story a flavor of its own. At times it was a bit much for me, but if you're okay with the idea of manifesting and magical thinking, you'll probably like it.
The book also has a few side-topics that are quite big. It touches on talking about race in public and being misunderstood and getting cancelled because of it (especially as a non-white person). About online bullying, as well as showing a side of yourself you want people to see. A lot of it boils down to self-love and realizing that nobody's perfect, and learning to accept oneself. It also touches on some big mental health issues and how family members of someone with depression are affected by it.
In the end, Nina becomes a person who truly loves herself. It was a bit funny though, because I felt like her "self-loving" person was quite unpleasant and over the top. Surprise surprise, like a lot of those people in yoga classes who will judge you about not eating beetroot and only beetroot and not getting up at 5 am, you rascal, you. I liked Nina better in the middle of the book, but hey, maybe that's half the point. We shouldn't be people pleasers. As long as you do no harm to others and accept yourself, who cares what everyone else thinks.
Oh, and I'll tell you what my favorite thing about this story was. And I loved it for it.
I thank the publisher for giving me a free copy of the ebook in exchange to my honest review. This has not affected my opinion.
Book Blog | Bookstagram | Bookish Twitter
3.5 stars
The format of this book was quite interesting. It's like it's fiction, but it's also sort of New Age style self-help? (Think books like The Secret.) Cause it's sneakily teaching you all the same lessons of loving yourself and being in the moment as it's teaching the main character, and it sort of goes through all the events that happen to the main character, Nina, as "example material" that you'd have in a self-help.
I actually think that it's quite a brilliant idea, because not all of us love reading nonfiction, it's just not as accessible to everyone in the same way as fiction is. Meanwhile, with this format, you're still reading a fictional story for fun, but at the same time, it briefly goes over the principles of self-care, valuing yourself, the core principles of mindfulness and why you should practice it. You can tell the author has read stuff about manifesting and being positive, because there are a lot of common themes with those books. So for people who have struggled with learning mindfulness and accepting themselves, this might be a great alternative way to get that info.
There's no denying that the story has quite a lot of so called woo-woo (in this case, astrology, energetic stones and some really weird manifesting rituals). But to each his own, and while I personally don't dig astrology, a lot of people do, and it certainly gave the story a flavor of its own. At times it was a bit much for me, but if you're okay with the idea of manifesting and magical thinking, you'll probably like it.
The book also has a few side-topics that are quite big. It touches on talking about race in public and being misunderstood and getting cancelled because of it (especially as a non-white person). About online bullying, as well as showing a side of yourself you want people to see. A lot of it boils down to self-love and realizing that nobody's perfect, and learning to accept oneself. It also touches on some big mental health issues and how family members of someone with depression are affected by it.
In the end, Nina becomes a person who truly loves herself. It was a bit funny though, because I felt like her "self-loving" person was quite unpleasant and over the top. Surprise surprise, like a lot of those people in yoga classes who will judge you about not eating beetroot and only beetroot and not getting up at 5 am, you rascal, you. I liked Nina better in the middle of the book, but hey, maybe that's half the point. We shouldn't be people pleasers. As long as you do no harm to others and accept yourself, who cares what everyone else thinks.
Oh, and I'll tell you what my favorite thing about this story was. And I loved it for it.
I thank the publisher for giving me a free copy of the ebook in exchange to my honest review. This has not affected my opinion.
Book Blog | Bookstagram | Bookish Twitter
January 6, 2022
I enjoyed this book a lot. I wasn’t sure what to expect when I started it, it’s the story of one woman’s journey to learn to love herself. Sounds possibly boring, I know, but it’s funny and is an entertaining read, it makes you ask questions about yourself.
It’s Nina’s 30th birthday, and she’s spending the night in jail after an accidental protest. She’s all cried out and there’s nothing to do, when a book called “How to Fix Your Shitty Life by Loving Yourself” is thrown into her cell. Nina has an epiphany, she going to follow the book and learn to love herself.
First she has to get home to her demanding mother and clinically depressed brother, then she can read the rest of the book and make a plan. It starts out by asking you to make a list of 30 things you love about yourself. As Nina makes her list, she realizes she doesn’t have 30 things to write, so she decides to take chances and have new experiences that will help her identify the things she loves about herself by her next birthday.
I enjoyed reading about Nina’s self-realization journey, especially when she realizes how important her family is to her. It’s a thought-provoking book that I recommend, 4 stars.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
It’s Nina’s 30th birthday, and she’s spending the night in jail after an accidental protest. She’s all cried out and there’s nothing to do, when a book called “How to Fix Your Shitty Life by Loving Yourself” is thrown into her cell. Nina has an epiphany, she going to follow the book and learn to love herself.
First she has to get home to her demanding mother and clinically depressed brother, then she can read the rest of the book and make a plan. It starts out by asking you to make a list of 30 things you love about yourself. As Nina makes her list, she realizes she doesn’t have 30 things to write, so she decides to take chances and have new experiences that will help her identify the things she loves about herself by her next birthday.
I enjoyed reading about Nina’s self-realization journey, especially when she realizes how important her family is to her. It’s a thought-provoking book that I recommend, 4 stars.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
January 10, 2022
There were more than 30 things I loved about this book.
Here are the top three from that list:
1) The book was a funny, endearing, and entertaining read.
This was my first book by this author and it will not be my last. The author is witty and a gifted storyteller.
2) The protagonist's self-realization journey was poignant.
When the protagonist spends an evening in jail for an "accidental protest", she is given a book entitled “How to Fix Your Shitty Life by Loving Yourself”. She begins to read the book and vows to change her life by following the book and learning to love herself.
The protagonist's journey was meaningful and I never stopped rooting for her.
3) The need for public awareness about mental illness and harmful social media were tastefully portrayed.
Even though this book had plenty of humor, it also addressed compelling social issues and did so with sensitivity and flair.
I listened to the audiobook that was read by the author. I usually don't like it when authors read their own fiction books but this author nailed it.
I look forward to listening to future books by this author.
Here are the top three from that list:
1) The book was a funny, endearing, and entertaining read.
This was my first book by this author and it will not be my last. The author is witty and a gifted storyteller.
2) The protagonist's self-realization journey was poignant.
When the protagonist spends an evening in jail for an "accidental protest", she is given a book entitled “How to Fix Your Shitty Life by Loving Yourself”. She begins to read the book and vows to change her life by following the book and learning to love herself.
The protagonist's journey was meaningful and I never stopped rooting for her.
3) The need for public awareness about mental illness and harmful social media were tastefully portrayed.
Even though this book had plenty of humor, it also addressed compelling social issues and did so with sensitivity and flair.
I listened to the audiobook that was read by the author. I usually don't like it when authors read their own fiction books but this author nailed it.
I look forward to listening to future books by this author.
December 29, 2021
As someone who recently turned 30, the story sounded promising and full of humor and reminders of self love. Unfortunately I really didn’t like Nina as a main character. She was constantly selfish and took no ownership for her life and decisions. The story felt like a repetitive loop of mistakes and eventually finding the reasons to love herself. I didn’t like the relationship with her mother Rupa either. The astrology bits added some fun but overall not one I’d widely recommend.
Thanks Berkley and NetGalley for my advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
Thanks Berkley and NetGalley for my advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
April 30, 2023
DNF,
Made it through 70% of it and no thanks.. Not my cup of tea.
It's given me the motivation to go and finish yinka where is your huzband, which I've been struggling to finish for over 4 months now because I actually somewhat enjoyed that one a little bit.
Made it through 70% of it and no thanks.. Not my cup of tea.
It's given me the motivation to go and finish yinka where is your huzband, which I've been struggling to finish for over 4 months now because I actually somewhat enjoyed that one a little bit.
February 1, 2022
*Thank you to the publisher for sending a physical copy of this book to me for review!*
This ended up being quite a fast paced and quick read, though at times for me it felt like a bit of a slog to push through and finish. It began really strong with this intriguing and abrupt introduction to the story and our protagonist, but as time went on the sparkle dimmed a little and there was definitely a lag in the middle.
While this overall was such a happy and positive book, it also dealt with darker themes though like publicly messing up, mental health, suicide and stigma. It brought forward the pressures and expectations of being Asian in this modern society and double standards - both from within your own family and externally. It felt so balanced in the way it discussed different topics.
It was quite spiritual and a refreshing read in terms of it taught you things inadvertently. I liked the emphasis on self love and nurturing family and friendships rather than romance, you really go on a journey with the protagonist herself rather than her plus another human being. After reading so many romance focused novels (which isn’t a bad thing at all, I love romance books!) this felt so refreshing. It didn’t shy away from difficult or taboo things at all, just embraced the messiness and complexity of modern life.
While I liked it overall and it was fun, there were a couple of little points that bothered me enough to bring my rating down. Sometimes the writing felt a bit unpolished and didn’t read like a cohesive narrative. At times, the characters didn’t wholly feel or act real and some elements of speech felt forced and/or unnatural. Plot wise when I think about the overall story arc, there wasn’t much actually going on and nothing piecing it all together cohesively when you think about it. The storyline was a little messy, and elements of virality also seemed a little far fetched.
Overall though, a beautiful message enclosed in an even more beautiful book - that cover artwork is stunning. Wish it was a little more polished, but still a worthwhile read.
This ended up being quite a fast paced and quick read, though at times for me it felt like a bit of a slog to push through and finish. It began really strong with this intriguing and abrupt introduction to the story and our protagonist, but as time went on the sparkle dimmed a little and there was definitely a lag in the middle.
While this overall was such a happy and positive book, it also dealt with darker themes though like publicly messing up, mental health, suicide and stigma. It brought forward the pressures and expectations of being Asian in this modern society and double standards - both from within your own family and externally. It felt so balanced in the way it discussed different topics.
It was quite spiritual and a refreshing read in terms of it taught you things inadvertently. I liked the emphasis on self love and nurturing family and friendships rather than romance, you really go on a journey with the protagonist herself rather than her plus another human being. After reading so many romance focused novels (which isn’t a bad thing at all, I love romance books!) this felt so refreshing. It didn’t shy away from difficult or taboo things at all, just embraced the messiness and complexity of modern life.
While I liked it overall and it was fun, there were a couple of little points that bothered me enough to bring my rating down. Sometimes the writing felt a bit unpolished and didn’t read like a cohesive narrative. At times, the characters didn’t wholly feel or act real and some elements of speech felt forced and/or unnatural. Plot wise when I think about the overall story arc, there wasn’t much actually going on and nothing piecing it all together cohesively when you think about it. The storyline was a little messy, and elements of virality also seemed a little far fetched.
Overall though, a beautiful message enclosed in an even more beautiful book - that cover artwork is stunning. Wish it was a little more polished, but still a worthwhile read.
March 28, 2024
Nina’s life has officially hit rock bottom. She has recently split from her fiancée, it’s the eve of her 30th birthday and she has ended up in a prison cell with hummus stained pyjamas. As Nina begs for some kind of reading material to ensure that she doesn’t go insane during her night in the cells, Nina doesn’t bank on receiving a book that will be the catalyst for the change in her life that she so desperately needs - How To Love Yourself (and fix your shitty life in the process).
Nina’s quest for self love is not without its hurdles. She is forced to live back home with her constantly disproving Mum, Rupa (who I definitely grew to love), and her brother Kal who is very unwell with depression. Alongside this, Nina finds herself in the midst of a media storm after a misunderstanding of her views on live TV ends up with her being branded a racist, when all she was trying to do was to promote equality for all.
I absolutely loved being on Nina’s journey alongside her. Like Nina initially, I would very much struggle to identify 30 things I love about myself, which made Nina’s journey all the more raw and real. Nina didn’t feel like a character, she felt like a friend. Her voice felt so distinct and so realistic.
This is an eyeopening, thoughtful, poignant novel that shines a spotlight on so many societal issues. I found the book to be incredibly powerful and I wholeheartedly related to some of the pressures that Nina was facing. It was also incredibly refreshing for a love story to be focused on the love that we have for ourselves, and not for someone else within a romantic relationship.
There’s so much to love about this book and the secondary characters cannot go unmentioned - Rupa, Trish, Kal, Meera - take a bow. Utterly fantastic.
Nina’s quest for self love is not without its hurdles. She is forced to live back home with her constantly disproving Mum, Rupa (who I definitely grew to love), and her brother Kal who is very unwell with depression. Alongside this, Nina finds herself in the midst of a media storm after a misunderstanding of her views on live TV ends up with her being branded a racist, when all she was trying to do was to promote equality for all.
I absolutely loved being on Nina’s journey alongside her. Like Nina initially, I would very much struggle to identify 30 things I love about myself, which made Nina’s journey all the more raw and real. Nina didn’t feel like a character, she felt like a friend. Her voice felt so distinct and so realistic.
This is an eyeopening, thoughtful, poignant novel that shines a spotlight on so many societal issues. I found the book to be incredibly powerful and I wholeheartedly related to some of the pressures that Nina was facing. It was also incredibly refreshing for a love story to be focused on the love that we have for ourselves, and not for someone else within a romantic relationship.
There’s so much to love about this book and the secondary characters cannot go unmentioned - Rupa, Trish, Kal, Meera - take a bow. Utterly fantastic.
January 20, 2022
Thank you to Berkley and Penguin Random House Audio for gifting me review copies of 30 Things I Love About Myself by Radhika Sanghani.
I really loved this book. It was funny, and heartbreaking, hopeful, and real. The main character, Nina, is a British Indian woman who is basically a hot mess. She finds herself spending the night in jail on her 30th birthday and after begging for something to read is given the perfect book at the perfect time to start changing her outlook. When struggling to come up with five things she likes about herself, let alone a whole list, she decides it’s time to start falling in love with herself. The story is about self-discovery, but it’s also about family, relationships, mental health, friendship, racism and so much more.
The author has a really dry sense of humor that I absolutely loved, and I laughed and cried my way through this book in equal measure. It was just the book I needed in January to help get the year off to a good start.
The author narrated the audiobook as well, and as a general rule I don’t love that. But in this case I’ll make an exception because she did a fabulous job. It’s just over 10 and a half hours long, and a gosh-darn delight to listen to.
Now tell me, could you list 30 things you love about yourself, off the top of your head?
I really loved this book. It was funny, and heartbreaking, hopeful, and real. The main character, Nina, is a British Indian woman who is basically a hot mess. She finds herself spending the night in jail on her 30th birthday and after begging for something to read is given the perfect book at the perfect time to start changing her outlook. When struggling to come up with five things she likes about herself, let alone a whole list, she decides it’s time to start falling in love with herself. The story is about self-discovery, but it’s also about family, relationships, mental health, friendship, racism and so much more.
The author has a really dry sense of humor that I absolutely loved, and I laughed and cried my way through this book in equal measure. It was just the book I needed in January to help get the year off to a good start.
The author narrated the audiobook as well, and as a general rule I don’t love that. But in this case I’ll make an exception because she did a fabulous job. It’s just over 10 and a half hours long, and a gosh-darn delight to listen to.
Now tell me, could you list 30 things you love about yourself, off the top of your head?
January 5, 2022
Squeaking in on my favorite books of 2021 is 30 Things I Love about Myself by Radhika Sanghani. Funny, touching and emotional this book checked every box for me. Nina’s journey touched me and made me really examine the way I treat myself vs how I treat others. How I appreciate in others what I don’t always appreciate in myself. I’m not usually into self reflection or spiritual stuff so I didn’t know if I would connect with this but Nina made it impossible not to. I can’t say I’m going to start meditating but it was a lot of fun to see Nina’s experiences with it. Every character was fully developed and I would love to read even more about them.
May 31, 2022
I loved the first half of this book so much. Nina was funny, witty, self aware, and likable. The second half of the story was very repetitive of the first half and I felt like we kind of lost Nina. She was on a journey to find herself but she tripped and fell flat on herself multiple times. It wasn’t where I saw the story going, which is fine, but again -felt very repetitive. Almost robotic…? My favorite aspect of this whole book was the focus and importance of mental health. Nina’s brother has depression and the author seemed very intentional and sensitive to different aspects within depression. Nina’s love for her brother really showed and her constant support was amazing.
TW: talk of suicide, suicide attempt, depression
TW: talk of suicide, suicide attempt, depression
April 21, 2022
I’m so inspired by Nina’s story! I’m definitely starting my own journey too 🪄.
December 30, 2021
3 Stars
Nina, a British Indian woman, ends up in jail on her 30th birthday. When her mom picks her up the next morning, Nina smuggles out the only book in the facility. A self-love book. The story follows Nina the next year with her many ups and downs, eventually loving herself for who she is completely.
What I liked:
Strong female characters
Diverse characters and views
Deep family/friend bonds
Read if you like:
Yoga
Astrology
Coming-to-age
Triggers:
Depression
Suicide/suicide attempt
Death of a parent/grief
Racism
Cyber bullying
Overall, this was just ok for me. Thank you Berkley publishing for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Nina, a British Indian woman, ends up in jail on her 30th birthday. When her mom picks her up the next morning, Nina smuggles out the only book in the facility. A self-love book. The story follows Nina the next year with her many ups and downs, eventually loving herself for who she is completely.
What I liked:
Strong female characters
Diverse characters and views
Deep family/friend bonds
Read if you like:
Yoga
Astrology
Coming-to-age
Triggers:
Depression
Suicide/suicide attempt
Death of a parent/grief
Racism
Cyber bullying
Overall, this was just ok for me. Thank you Berkley publishing for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
May 14, 2023
I loved this. Self-love, astrology, womanhood, friendship, family. A great mix of themes and very relatable. I would say the writing was a little clunky at times but I think we are witnessing the author growing from a YA writer into writing her first novel for adults and this does not in any way take away from the joy of reading the book. It is a hug in paper form and I want to press it firmly into the hands of all my friends.
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