The Art of Living: Reflections on Mindfulness and the Overexamined Life

by Grant Snider

A humorous, uplifting look at mindfulness, from beloved illustrator Grant Snider “Find a quiet spot away from all distraction / Listen to your breath / Watch your thoughts float past you / Forget the obligations of today / Try not to consider your eventual decay / Let yourself drift away / Arise, connected with the Earth / Awakened to the Universe.”   In The Art of Living, cartoonist Grant Snider, author of The Shape of Ideas and I Will Judge You by Your Bookshelf, has created an all-new collection of one- and two-page comics that map his inner thoughts, poetic observations, and frequent failures at living mindfully. With both humor and a touch of reality, The Art of Living centers on mindfulness, but also empathy, relaxation, gratitude, and awareness—evergreen subjects that are more important and relevant now than ever. With a striking package, The Art of Living is an extension of the themes of Snider’s first two books—which explored the creative process and the love of reading—and is the perfect gift for those in a need of reflection, commiseration, hope, and a little extra self-care. Above all, Snider's cartoons will inspire and encourage a more thoughtful way of experiencing the world.

Genres: Graphic Novels, Comics, Nonfiction, Poetry, Mental Health, Self Help, Art

144 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 5, 2022

About the author

Grant Snider began drawing and writing before he knew what he was doing. Soon it was too late to stop.

He is the author of the picture books WHAT COLOR IS NIGHT? and WHAT SOUND IS MORNING? and the creator of Incidental Comics. His comics were collected and published in the books THE SHAPE OF IDEAS and I WILL JUDGE YOU BY YOUR BOOKSHELF. Grant's comics about creativity and the human condition have appeared in The New York Times, The New Yorker, and The Best American Comics.

Grant lives in Wichita, Kansas with his wife, daughter, and three sons, where he also practices orthodontics. You can often find him carrying a sketchbook, lost in his own thoughts.

Reviews

[Alan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is Grant Snider’s best work to date. It’s an entirely novel blend that is unique to him – poetry and graphics to match. I like the tackling of all these “airy” topics that make up our pursuit of meaning in life. Mindfulness, emotions, seasons, creativity, nature. Beautiful book.

Here is an example of something you would find here:



And another:

[Reading_ Tamishly · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you have a frenemy who asks you what you want for a gift, ask them for this book.

It will annoy the hell out of them. If you get the book too it's your win. ☺️


That one book -not a book- that makes you stare into your mind.

Love the content so much!!!!

[Ritika · Rating 4 out of 5]

As always I loved the illustrations and the use of nature to personify what goes inside the mind. Some really deep thoughts, some simpler life lessons, and some funny relatable incidents.

[Bon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some of this was cute and helpful! And a lot of it I was like my adhd wouldn't allow this lmao.

[Rod Brown · Rating 1 out of 5]

Poetic self-help claptrap. Barely-illustrated fortune cookie drivel.

I should have stopped on page one, but I hate read every word so I could be mindful of the crappity-crap-crap-crap herein.

[Rehan Abd Jamil · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant 🤗

[Aiza Idris (biblio_mom) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not all artists are gifted; able to express their thoughts, emotions and observations into drawings (or illustrations), quite literal. That’s not the case with Grant Snider because he’s a genius.

Swipe left (on ig) to see some of my favourite pieces. They’re something I can relate to and have used to ponder about something that has been happening in my life lately especially these past agonising 4 months of reading slump and mild depression episode. Not just relatable, the drawings are humorous too. 😂

- Resentment : Come back to this when you’ve been holding to something burdening you.
- How To Get Unstuck : Come back to this if you found yourself not being able to enjoy the things you used to enjoy doing.
- The Weight : Come back to this as soon as you feel something is weighing you down mentally and emotionally.

[Estibaliz · Rating 2 out of 5]

Pfft! 1.5 stars. But you know what? This one is all on me. Me and mindfulness (does it really have to be written down with a capital M?) are like oil and water.

Also, poetry... nah. And, over all, this graphic novel is just like a cheesy picture books for adults, and not even one with cute art when it comes to that.

Of course, this is a matter of personal taste. I guess some of the content might work in small doses. But all at once? Big no.

No more Grant Snider for me...

[Afi (WhatAfiReads) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Its a wonder how art and words written on paper can heal you.

This book was Perfect at the time i read this. I love that the illustrations were on point, and relevant to what I'm particularly feeling at the moment.

The Art of Living is a narration of living life to the fullest, embracing your fears but in a way that is so very interactive. I love how the author had narrated the story and arranged the artwork, as we can read it as how we want it without thinking too much of the technicalities, which I think was super smart of him. Its a read that you can actually flip through whenever, and take in the full-coloured drawings and the message that the author intended to send.

Its not a book that tells you what to do or dictates how to live your life. I love books like this, where its a collection of thoughts that had been narrated out to be very relatable. It integrates the four seasons in the drawings and I liked how the artwork is super interactive in a way that you will find yourself enamored and engrossed in the book.

Overall, its a read that had comforted me whilst I was reading this. If you actually found this book anywhere, flip through it and take in on the message that it had sent. Its a book that you can read at any time without rush and one that I appreciate a lot.

Biggest thank you to Times Reads for gifting me this copy!

[Bahar meow · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED THIS ! WHAT A LOVELY ART !

"I will pay attention to what's in front of me."
"I will go outside no matter the weather."
"I will find beauty in the everyday."
"I will do one thing at a time."
"I will put my thoughts on paper."
"I won't be afraid to be bored. "

[Iulia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grant Snider's books feel like a getting a hug. 'The Art of Living' in particular has a sense of serenity and calm to it.

[Alicia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like these slice of life true comics from humorous and introspective author/illustrators, however the one thing that I perseverate on is how he never took a stand. Everything was a dichotomy, a balance, a "yet but no" where there was never his thoughts shining through whether it was going outside in any weather or new beginnings (my favorite page). And essentially endless synonyms that felt like reading a book about Groundhog Day.

However, taken separately there are insightful pages and panels brought to life by the layout, color scheme, and illustration style that I thoroughly enjoyed reading with my morning cup of tea.

[Andrej Garaj · Rating 5 out of 5]

Terapeuticka komixova zalezitost

[Sha Mohamed · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ilustrasi yang mengiringi kata-kata.. Memang layanlah..

[Yaii11 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cómo me gusta que me regalen libros. Y, este, es una preciosidad. Gracias @rut

[Chandreyee Momo · Rating 5 out of 5]

how refreshing!

[Jenny (knasentjej) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Vackra illustrationer som alltid och tankeväckande citat.

[Pat of Rocks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not quite as enjoyable as "I Will Judge You By Your Bookshelf" which challenged one's sense of literary trivia, but this one has the same elements of graphical wordplay and poetry that toggles between humorous, heartwarming, and reflective. It was easy to read and feel relaxed in doing so

[Ujala · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am not sure if Grant Snider knows that he is such a powerful force against thousands of engineers trying all their mba marketing techniques and million algorithms to hook everyone to their screens. He pushes back with power, hope, positivity, optimism and lots of colours!

Art of living actually has a lot to teach. It is remarkable how Grant Snider finds so much beauty, wonder, story and creativity in the mundane. The book makes you fall in love with solitude, more books, drawing, illustrations, trees, birds, mountains and literally everything that is part of your daily life ..except your phone. The book is slow paced and I found it extremely beautiful in its presentation.

It makes you feel, "I wish I had more time..to go out alone and see things and beyond!". I consider it one of my Bibles and worship Grant Snider's work like anything. I read it in soft copy and kept taking screenshots. I now feel, the whole book was worth filling my phone with those drawings.

I don't want anyone who cannot give 5 stars to this legendary piece, in life. Anyone who is rich and loves me, must send me as much hardbound Grant Snider illustrations as much is present out there.

[Abdulkhalek Zohbi · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story of getting this book is funny, my bestie picked it up for me while I was like really ? no.

Yet, she won, and started the book.

I didn't want this book to end. it's full of peace, faith and hope.

Reading it made me feel relaxed and happy. The drawings are simple and gentle; they helped clear my mind and made me feel at ease.

Each chapter had little messages that reminded me to slow down and enjoy the small things in life. There’s so much around me that’s worth noticing and appreciating.

This book felt like a quiet friend, reminding me to breathe, smile, and enjoy the moment.

[Diana Flores · Rating 3 out of 5]

The art is cute, colorful, and changes as the tone of each "subject" changes. Individually, these one or two page comics are great. It's something I'd like to see as a weekly installment, perhaps even a page-a-day calendar... but, as a collection, I just couldn't stick with it. I panel-by-panel read the first third of this book, then flipped through each page and read a few more. I get the gist, I like it, but in small doses.

[Pug · Rating 3 out of 5]

This pretty little poetic graphic novel was a good reminder to slow down and take in the beauty of the world around you. But it was a tad boring.

[Eline · Rating 2 out of 5]

I've learned that I really don't like these types of books

[RandomReader · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved some of the messages, while others I didn't fully understand. Some felt pretentious or mediocre.

The illustrations were okay, I neither liked nor hated them, but I loved the colouring. Overall I don't regret reading it.

[fer_reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had to enjoy this comic book in snippets throughout the last 48 hours. The artwork and the messages are simple, yet poetic and whimsical. A nice reminder to breathe, relax, and enjoy the blessings in life and all that this beautiful Earth has to offer.

5 ⭐️

[| Shakshi | · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a great book with inspirational dialects for every age group along with adorable illustration style of illustrationist💕💕

[Bunga Aulia Juhedi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book even more than “I Will Judge You by Your Bookshelf”

[Haliza Ali · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful illustrations with meaningful life lessons/advices

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

This felt like a big hug

[Eva Helena · Rating 5 out of 5]

How wonderful <3