Reasons to Stay Alive: Difference between revisions

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== Introduction ==

 

📘 '''''{{Tooltip|Reasons to Stay Alive}}''''' is a 2015 nonfiction memoir by British author {{Tooltip|Matt Haig}} that recounts his severe depression and anxiety and how he learned to live again. It was published in the {{Tooltip|United Kingdom}} by {{Tooltip|Canongate}} on 5 March 2015; a U.S. edition followed from {{Tooltip|Penguin Books}} in 2016.<ref name="Canongate2015">{{cite web |title=Reasons to Stay Alive |url=https://canongate.co.uk/books/2246-reasons-to-stay-alive/ |website=Canongate |publisher=Canongate Books |access-date=6 November 2025}}</ref><ref name="PRHUS2016">{{cite web |title=Reasons to Stay Alive |url=https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/556177/reasons-to-stay-alive-by-matt-haig/ |website=Penguin Random House |publisher=Penguin Books |access-date=6 November 2025}}</ref> Stylistically, the book blends brief vignettes, lists, and “conversations across time” in a non-linear sequence meant to be dipped into rather than read straight through.<ref name="Guardian2016Kennedy">{{cite news |last=Kennedy |first=Lettie |title=Reasons to Stay Alive by Matt Haig review – one man’s battle with depression |url=https://www.theguardian.com/books/2016/jan/31/reasons-to-stay-alive-matt-haig-review-depression |work=The Guardian |date=31 January 2016 |access-date=28 October 2025}}</ref> The book became a number-one ''{{Tooltip|Sunday Times}}'' bestseller and remained in the {{Tooltip|UK}} top ten for 49 weeks; it was later adapted for the stage in 2019 by {{Tooltip|Sheffield Theatres}} and {{Tooltip|English Touring Theatre}}.<ref name="HaigRTSA">{{cite web |title=Reasons to Stay Alive |url=https://www.matthaig.com/books/reasons-to-stay-alive-2/ |website=MattHaig.com |publisher=Matt Haig |access-date=28 October 2025}}</ref><ref name="ETT2019">{{cite web |title=Reasons To Stay Alive |url=https://ett.org.uk/our-work/reasons-to-stay-alive/ |website=English Touring Theatre |publisher=English Touring Theatre |access-date=28 October 2025}}</ref>

 

== Chapters ==

 

''—Note: The above summary follows the {{Tooltip|Canongate}} hardcover first edition (5 March 2015; ISBN 978-1-78211-508-3).''<ref name="Canongate2015" /><ref name="OCLC2015">{{cite web |title=Reasons to stay alive |url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/907556143 |website=WorldCat |publisher=OCLC |access-date=6 November 2025}}</ref> ''For publication date and page count corroboration, see the UK edition metadata.''<ref name="HayUK2024">{{cite web |title=The Let Them Theory |url=https://www.hayhouse.co.uk/the-let-them-theory-uk |website=Hay House UK |publisher=Hay House UK Ltd |access-date=27 October 2025}}</ref>

 

== Background & reception ==

 

🌍 '''Impact & adoption'''. The title was included on the UK “{{Tooltip|Reading Well}}” ({{Tooltip|Books on Prescription}}) lists for mental health used by public libraries and health partners.<ref name="ReadingWellYork2018">{{cite web |title=Reading Well: Books on Prescription core list (June 2018) |url=https://www.exploreyork.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Reading-Well-core-list-June-2018.pdf |website=Explore York Libraries & Archives |publisher=Explore York |date=1 June 2018 |access-date=28 October 2025}}</ref> In 2019, {{Tooltip|Sheffield Theatres}} and {{Tooltip|English Touring Theatre}} premiered a stage adaptation that toured the {{Tooltip|UK}}, broadening its reach beyond readers.<ref name="ETT2019" />

 

 

{{Youtube thumbnail | MTDnRClsSU4 | Matt Haig at 5x15 on ''Reasons to Stay Alive''}}

{{Youtube thumbnail | tKXqyGyc0aQ | ''Reasons to Stay Alive'' — Stage adaptation trailer}}

 

{{Atlas of the Heart/thumbnail}}

{{What Happened To You?/thumbnail}}

{{The Gift of Fear/thumbnail}}

{{The Comfort Book/thumbnail}}

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== References ==

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