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Read This If: A Collection of Essays that Prove Someone Else Gets it, Too
MP3 CD Format You are an individual—your very own set of specific characteristics and experiences and emotions. And yet, so much of what you're going through is relatable to so many others. This book will show you that you are never alone. Listen to this book if nobody texted you good morning. Listen to this book if you're worried that you'll never find the one. Listen to this book if there's something you can't forgive yourself for. Whatever you're feeling, this book will help you to feel understood.
1 pages, Audio CD
Published March 1, 2021
424 people are currently reading
2771 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews
July 1, 2018
This is one of those books that everyone should own. It’s a collection of short (2-4 page) essays about things you experience in life.
I read this book from beginning to end, even though a lot of the situations didn’t apply to me. Some of them did, and some of them had applied to me in the past; I wish I had had this book to turn to back then. The ones that didn’t apply to me gave me a bit of perspective on what people who are going through these situations feel like. These short essays let you know that you’re not alone and that you’re going to be okay. They give positive reinforcement. They are inspiring, and make you think about your situation a bit differently.
Highly recommended to everyone, no matter who you are.
I read this book from beginning to end, even though a lot of the situations didn’t apply to me. Some of them did, and some of them had applied to me in the past; I wish I had had this book to turn to back then. The ones that didn’t apply to me gave me a bit of perspective on what people who are going through these situations feel like. These short essays let you know that you’re not alone and that you’re going to be okay. They give positive reinforcement. They are inspiring, and make you think about your situation a bit differently.
Highly recommended to everyone, no matter who you are.
Currently reading
November 9, 2017 I loved this book. It consists of a series of authors who are writing their insight about different situations. For example, the title is "Read This If". Each little story with read this if, then goes into detail on different situations you might be feeling. I think this story was such a brilliant idea because if you really are feeling strongly about something and are looking for direction, this story could potentially help in your favor. Not only is what they are saying true, but it also helps you realize you aren't alone in the situation your in. There are thousands of other people on your boat, and this story is a great way to reassure you of so.
One thing that i wasn't crazy about was that some of the passages could only relate to a specific group of people, mostly likely being over the age of 30. Although it has nothing to do with the book or the author, me being a 15 year old kind of felt like the pages were wasted because i could not relate in any way to them. Other then that, i thought this book was such a good idea to create, it was fun, relatable, and i deffinetely recommend to read.
One thing that i wasn't crazy about was that some of the passages could only relate to a specific group of people, mostly likely being over the age of 30. Although it has nothing to do with the book or the author, me being a 15 year old kind of felt like the pages were wasted because i could not relate in any way to them. Other then that, i thought this book was such a good idea to create, it was fun, relatable, and i deffinetely recommend to read.
October 11, 2018
I have had this title for a while and check it occasionally when I am feeling down to see if there is an essay for my mood. I've never marked it as "read" because I haven't read it all, but at this point in my life I have read all of the essays that relate to me (hopefully for ever), and posting a pic of it to my riotgrams has inspired me to just add it to my Goodreads.
This is a great collection of essays that can cover a wide range of career, mental health, friendship, family, and relationship topics. There are 38 essays, ranging from 2-5 pages each, that really do read like general stories as if you were talking to someone about a shared experience. The short stories always wrap up with a bow that helps really convey that you are not the only one dealing/feeling whatever it is. While I couldn't relate to every story shared, the conclusions have generally always made me feel better and more at peace.
Stories I have read: 'Read This If You're 23 And Lost,' 'Read This If You Think You're Finally Getting Your S*it Together," 'Read This If You're Fiercely Independent But Also Ridiculously Emotional,' Read This If You Thought You'd Be Further Along In Life By Now,' 'Read This If You Don't Really Have An Eating Disorder, But Kind Of Do,' 'Read This If There's Someone You Can't Forgive,' 'Read This If Your Friends Are All Moving On Without You,' Read This If You're Struggling To Love Your Body,' 'Read This If You Feel Like You're Going to Be Single Forever,' & 'Read This If You've Ever Lived In A Small Town.'
This is a great collection of essays that can cover a wide range of career, mental health, friendship, family, and relationship topics. There are 38 essays, ranging from 2-5 pages each, that really do read like general stories as if you were talking to someone about a shared experience. The short stories always wrap up with a bow that helps really convey that you are not the only one dealing/feeling whatever it is. While I couldn't relate to every story shared, the conclusions have generally always made me feel better and more at peace.
Stories I have read: 'Read This If You're 23 And Lost,' 'Read This If You Think You're Finally Getting Your S*it Together," 'Read This If You're Fiercely Independent But Also Ridiculously Emotional,' Read This If You Thought You'd Be Further Along In Life By Now,' 'Read This If You Don't Really Have An Eating Disorder, But Kind Of Do,' 'Read This If There's Someone You Can't Forgive,' 'Read This If Your Friends Are All Moving On Without You,' Read This If You're Struggling To Love Your Body,' 'Read This If You Feel Like You're Going to Be Single Forever,' & 'Read This If You've Ever Lived In A Small Town.'
February 26, 2021
5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“So after Netflix asked, “Are you still watching?” One too many times, you decide to take a break from possible murderers,unrealistic romantic comedies,and undead creatures running amuck”
I think this is a book that everyone can relate to in some way or another because each essay has it’s own thing that is something that can happen to anybody and it’s good. I recommend this book to anyone and there are some very humorous parts as well as serious. There also some beautiful written scenes and multiple authors not just one kind. Here is an example of a quote I loved “I don’t know that fear will ever leave. That the pattern will ever break.I think it is etched into my bones like the memory of that lavender dress.”
Also even though I know I’m never truly alone sometimes you need reminded and this book of collections of essays is a good reminder.
I also read this book because I found it on booktok and was like that Is a pretty cover will give it a read without knowing anything about it. So I’m not going to tell you anything about it other than what’s already known.
Happy reading if you decide to read it if....
...
“So after Netflix asked, “Are you still watching?” One too many times, you decide to take a break from possible murderers,unrealistic romantic comedies,and undead creatures running amuck”
I think this is a book that everyone can relate to in some way or another because each essay has it’s own thing that is something that can happen to anybody and it’s good. I recommend this book to anyone and there are some very humorous parts as well as serious. There also some beautiful written scenes and multiple authors not just one kind. Here is an example of a quote I loved “I don’t know that fear will ever leave. That the pattern will ever break.I think it is etched into my bones like the memory of that lavender dress.”
Also even though I know I’m never truly alone sometimes you need reminded and this book of collections of essays is a good reminder.
I also read this book because I found it on booktok and was like that Is a pretty cover will give it a read without knowing anything about it. So I’m not going to tell you anything about it other than what’s already known.
Happy reading if you decide to read it if....
...
September 25, 2022
2.5
Started reading them front to back, then switched to picking out the more relatable ones once I was at the halfway point.
Generally a bit meh.
Started reading them front to back, then switched to picking out the more relatable ones once I was at the halfway point.
Generally a bit meh.
August 11, 2020
Book Review: “Read This If” by a multitude of different authors within @thoughtcatalog.
•
I’m not sure where I initially discovered this book, but I am so happy that it found it’s way into my amazon cart and then into my heart. This book features 38 different short essays ranging in a variety of topics including:
- “Read This If It Feels Like Your Depression Is Getting The Best Of You”
- “Read This If You Thought You Would Be Further Along In Life By Now”
- “Read This If You’re 25 And Have Nothing To Show For It”
- “Read This If You Feel Like You’re Unworthy Of Being Loved”
•
There were so many parts of this book that I thought to myself, “thank god I’m not the only one and that someone else understands how I’m feeling”. It takes difficult topics and shows that you aren’t the only one struggling, even though it sometimes feels like no one notices.
•
Here are a few of my favorite quotes:
1. “There are a thousand minute intricacies that make up the tapestry of who you are and not a single one has ceased to exist since the last time that somebody loved you”.
2. “For all the times I’ve wanted to die, I think about kissing new mouths or falling in love with someone and growing old. It would be an honor to gain wrinkles with someone. I want to age alongside someone and watch our bodies change together”.
3. “Relationships with expiration dates teach us that love doesn’t have to last forever to be meaningful. That someone doesn’t have to stick around to make an impact. That the best things in life are not always measured by their longevity but their intensity. Their complexity. By their patience and wisdom and by every way our lives change as a result of them”.
•
If you want an fast-paced, easy, and inspiring book to read, I highly recommend this for you.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/ 5 Star Rating.
•
I’m not sure where I initially discovered this book, but I am so happy that it found it’s way into my amazon cart and then into my heart. This book features 38 different short essays ranging in a variety of topics including:
- “Read This If It Feels Like Your Depression Is Getting The Best Of You”
- “Read This If You Thought You Would Be Further Along In Life By Now”
- “Read This If You’re 25 And Have Nothing To Show For It”
- “Read This If You Feel Like You’re Unworthy Of Being Loved”
•
There were so many parts of this book that I thought to myself, “thank god I’m not the only one and that someone else understands how I’m feeling”. It takes difficult topics and shows that you aren’t the only one struggling, even though it sometimes feels like no one notices.
•
Here are a few of my favorite quotes:
1. “There are a thousand minute intricacies that make up the tapestry of who you are and not a single one has ceased to exist since the last time that somebody loved you”.
2. “For all the times I’ve wanted to die, I think about kissing new mouths or falling in love with someone and growing old. It would be an honor to gain wrinkles with someone. I want to age alongside someone and watch our bodies change together”.
3. “Relationships with expiration dates teach us that love doesn’t have to last forever to be meaningful. That someone doesn’t have to stick around to make an impact. That the best things in life are not always measured by their longevity but their intensity. Their complexity. By their patience and wisdom and by every way our lives change as a result of them”.
•
If you want an fast-paced, easy, and inspiring book to read, I highly recommend this for you.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/ 5 Star Rating.
April 26, 2017
It was good. I think it did exactly what the book was supposed to do. It made me feel not so alone in some of the current situations in life. Other people actually get it no matter how much I tell myself no one will.
It made me happy and a little sad but hey some of the topics were sad.
Found some grammar mistakes and that urks me but I mean they were completely awful.
Totally recommending to my friends because there's at least one essay in the book that every can relate to and I think that's important.
It made me happy and a little sad but hey some of the topics were sad.
Found some grammar mistakes and that urks me but I mean they were completely awful.
Totally recommending to my friends because there's at least one essay in the book that every can relate to and I think that's important.
February 9, 2023
I would’ve appreciated this more if I was younger, but some things were still relatable!
July 15, 2017
Best used as a reference book
I read this book and my first thought was that it should be a reference book. Maybe a self help reference book. This isn't an insult, in fact it is high praise.
A lot of these essays don't quite fit me right now, but they might in the future. Plenty did affect me right now. So use this book when you need. It will help.
I read this book and my first thought was that it should be a reference book. Maybe a self help reference book. This isn't an insult, in fact it is high praise.
A lot of these essays don't quite fit me right now, but they might in the future. Plenty did affect me right now. So use this book when you need. It will help.
October 11, 2016
Great book. Fast reading. Deep. Easy to relate.
June 21, 2017
ok read. nothing, life changing.
February 18, 2025
I was going to read this from start to finish, but I feel some of the chapters I wouldn’t necessarily relate to at the moment. I was given this book as a going away gift, and I’ve read most of it over the course of 6 years. It’s a great compilation of short 3-5 page essays that make you feel understood.
Chapters I’ve read to date. Read this if…:
“nobody texted you good morning”
“it feels like your depression is getting the best of you”
“you’re 23 and lost”
“you’ve ever wanted to die”
“you are fiercely independent but also ridiculously emotional”
“there’s someone you can’t forgive”
“your relationship has an expiration date”
“you’re taking too long to move on”
“you feel you’re going to be single forever”
“you are still in the closet and struggling to come out”
Chapters I’ve read to date. Read this if…:
“nobody texted you good morning”
“it feels like your depression is getting the best of you”
“you’re 23 and lost”
“you’ve ever wanted to die”
“you are fiercely independent but also ridiculously emotional”
“there’s someone you can’t forgive”
“your relationship has an expiration date”
“you’re taking too long to move on”
“you feel you’re going to be single forever”
“you are still in the closet and struggling to come out”
March 25, 2020
I found a majority of these short essays to be relatable, and thought provoking on topics I personal might not have experienced. I felt that the chapters that most resonated with me were chapter one, five, seven, and twenty two. However, I learned something about my self while reading each and every story in the versatile collection of essays.
It’s an easy read, and interesting discussions/talking points with others.
It’s an easy read, and interesting discussions/talking points with others.
December 22, 2022
There is something in here for everyone, however I feel perhaps more targeted at people in their 20s or early 30s. I could definitely have used some of the encouragement in here when I was in my 20s and wondering would I ever be successful, would I ever meet my "soul mate" etc. etc. Now I'm on a search for a set of essays from the other end - late 40s onwards, how to navigate the challenges of that period of life.
May 26, 2017
Unrealistic and too much education.
Thought Catalog usually has great content on their website.
The book is a disappointment, since it deals with spirituality through education. It reads like a moral science lesson in passive tone.
Recommended for folks who don't have a reading list. Or for folks that may just want to bide time while flying or in transit.
Thought Catalog usually has great content on their website.
The book is a disappointment, since it deals with spirituality through education. It reads like a moral science lesson in passive tone.
Recommended for folks who don't have a reading list. Or for folks that may just want to bide time while flying or in transit.
December 4, 2018
It puts things on perspective
The book put my thoughts on perspective the moment I started reading it. I began around this time last year, when I was going through a hard time and somehow it helped me think as well as gave me a bit of perspective. It’s the type of book you read a bit, put down and grab again another time and it doesn’t have a particular order for reading.
The book put my thoughts on perspective the moment I started reading it. I began around this time last year, when I was going through a hard time and somehow it helped me think as well as gave me a bit of perspective. It’s the type of book you read a bit, put down and grab again another time and it doesn’t have a particular order for reading.
December 8, 2019
I’m definitely a sucker for anything heartwarming and uplifting and this collection of essays/letters meets those requirements ten-fold. Everyday we as humans face countless hurdles and sometimes we feel incredibly alone. This collection proves that there is always someone who understands and it will get better.
August 28, 2020
This really wasn't very inspiring for someone that may be struggling with different issues such as anxiety, or depression. I don't believe that this book does a great job of making the reader feel understood. There were also a lot of grammatical errors which was very irritating to me. The only 2 stories worth reading in my opinion are numbers 36 and 37.
January 31, 2022
A fun and easily consumable collection of essays that offer validation to seeking young and new adult - an ode to “proof that you’re not alone in your thoughts/the way you feel/your experience”. The writing style is light and conversational, like a quick snack to tide you over. If you’re looking for serious contemplation, this collection is not for you.
July 16, 2017
I found this book when I was at the highest point of my depression. Story after story, I felt a little bit better. By the end of the book, I found out what led me to my depression, and how can I fix it.
April 15, 2018
Quick read, would recommend
I enjoyed this book. Several short essays & I probably related to 85% of them. I would recommend this to anyone that is hard on themself or needs some good advice on life.
I enjoyed this book. Several short essays & I probably related to 85% of them. I would recommend this to anyone that is hard on themself or needs some good advice on life.
January 22, 2019
Okay but kinda cheesy
There were a few relatable, well written essays that I very much enjoyed. Others seemed like an article from Teen Beat or Teen Vougue, very middle school sounding. 3 stars because it had a few essays I did enjoy.
There were a few relatable, well written essays that I very much enjoyed. Others seemed like an article from Teen Beat or Teen Vougue, very middle school sounding. 3 stars because it had a few essays I did enjoy.
March 28, 2020
This is an amazing book. You can turn to any page and feel comforted or beautiful or just understood. So many chapters of this book appeared to be written just for me. The first chapter had me crying.
April 7, 2020
Es un libro que varia mucho, realmente seria muy difícil (por no decir triste) que te sientas identificado con todas las historias, por lo cual aquellas en las que no te identificas pasan sin pena ni gloria; pero en mi caso con una de ellas basto para que valiera la pena.
June 17, 2020
Each chapter had a specific theme, like: Read This If You've Never Been In Love. I think that only about half of the book applied to me, meaning the stuff that I could relate to, but I still found almost all of it fascinating. There were a couple authors that wrote better than others. Overall though, I enjoyed the whole book and consider it a great and worthwhile read.
September 23, 2020
This was a cute little 'what if' book. Fun essays and somewhat thought provoking.
Its definitely a pick me up and thoroughly enjoyed. This is definitely something you can read and put away, pick back up later.
Its definitely a pick me up and thoroughly enjoyed. This is definitely something you can read and put away, pick back up later.
June 10, 2023
A collection of short stories - well written, short, and digestible but I think a great book for those in their 20s. Very focused on not being lost in the shuffle of life and remembering that there’s more than the here and now, very appropriate for that hard 20 year old period of feeling lost.
June 15, 2023
Waw finished this book in 1 day. Awesome. Some of the chapter feeling so much me, another one just so so. But I always falling in love all over again with thought catalog publication and their words.
July 20, 2025
Like someone giving you a short and sweet hug. Helped me so much with grief, break ups, loneliness, and any other feeling that comes with being a human. I constantly find myself picking it back up when I need any form of reassurance or comfort.
August 16, 2017
Some short essays were helpful and some weren't really relevant to my life, but it was a good collection of advice.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews