In this generation-defining self-help guide, a superstar blogger cuts through the crap to show us how to stop trying to be positive all the time so that we can truly become better, happier people.
For decades we’ve been told that positive thinking is the key to a happy, rich life. “F*ck positivity,” Mark Manson says. “Let’s be honest, shit is f*cked, and we have to live with it.” In his wildly popular Internet blog, Manson doesn’t sugarcoat or equivocate. He tells it like it is – a dose of raw, refreshing, honest truth that is sorely lacking today. The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck is his antidote to the coddling, let’s-all-feel-good mind-set that has infected modern society and spoiled a generation, rewarding them with gold medals just for showing up.
Manson makes the argument, backed by both academic research and well-timed poop jokes, that improving our lives hinges not on our ability to turn lemons into lemonade but on learning to stomach lemons better. Human beings are flawed and limited – “not everybody can be extraordinary; there are winners and losers in society, and some of it is not fair or your fault”. Manson advises us to get to know our limitations and accept them. Once we embrace our fears, faults, and uncertainties, once we stop running and avoiding and start confronting painful truths, we can begin to find the courage, perseverance, honesty, responsibility, curiosity, and forgiveness we seek.
There are only so many things we can give a f*ck about, so we need to figure out which ones really matter, Manson makes clear. While money is nice, caring about what you do with your life is better, because true wealth is about experience. A much-needed grab-you-by-the-shoulders-and-look-you-in-the-eye moment of real talk, filled with entertaining stories and profane, ruthless humor, The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck is a refreshing slap for a generation to help them lead contented, grounded lives.
Anastasia Alexander –
Refreshing, Honest, and Actually Helpful
This book is a game changer. It cuts through the usual self help fluff and gets straight to the point with raw honesty and real life truth. The author challenges the idea that we need to be positive all the time and explains how choosing what truly matters while letting go of the rest leads to a more meaningful life. The writing is bold, funny and brutally real which kept me engaged from start to finish. If you are tired of cliché advice and want something practical that actually sticks with you then this book is worth reading. Five stars.
Avid dancer –
Awesome read
I returned this book because I actually wanted the paperback set so I can write in it. But the book is great. Im reading it on line but wanted to own my own copy to reread and jot in. I dont like writing on/in hardback books. Just me
Katerina Meramveliotaki –
Exciting book
I highly enjoyed this book, full of meaning and sometimes philosophical discussions. What I liked the most were the case studies. All of them are very exciting and full of lessons we all can learn from. Actually the author opens the book with one. I can’t recommend this book enough. Not to be missed.
megan1230 –
Perfect Way to Start the Year
I picked this one up for the Barnes & Noble weekly challenge (Week 1: Meditative), and while it’s not traditionally shelved as a meditative book, I’d argue that it absolutely fits the bill. Manson weaves in a surprising amount of Buddhist philosophy and introspective thinking, making it a perfect guide for anyone looking to reset their mindset and cut through the noise.📝 Why It Hit Home:🧘♂️ Protecting Your Peace – Despite the in-your-face title, this book is really about choosing what you care about wisely, prioritizing honesty over fake politeness, and letting go of the small stuff.💬 Brutal Honesty – It’s a refreshing reminder that we don’t need to sugarcoat our feelings or pretend to care about things that don’t matter. It’s about finding your priorities and sticking to them, unapologetically.🤣 Darkly Funny – Manson’s blunt, irreverent style had me laughing out loud more than once, and the lessons stick because of it.💌 Final Take: I’d love to send this book to a few people who could really use the message, but that would be giving a f*ck, and this book just taught me not to do that.💬 Have you read this one? Did it change how you look at your priorities?#BookReview #TheSubtleArtOfNotGivingAF #NonfictionReads #MindsetReset #SelfHelpBooks #NewYearNewMindset
Sophia David –
I love this audiobook!
This is a really great audio book. If you can get past the profanity in the beginning, it’s actually very insightful. It teaches you the things that we waste our energy on daily. And the things that actually deserve our energy. I’ve really enjoyed it so far.
Amazon Customer –
Interesting perspective
I can’t decide if I loved this writing, or hated it. I have to honestly say, it made me feel fairly depressed. It is well written, had some extraordinary points and humour (looking at ourselves)… But I truly believe most people don’t think of themselves in this manner and would be incapable to make the conversion.I do believe the author has made many valid points about the psyche of humans.Reading this is definitely thought provoking.
Sandra A –
Great read
So I don’t have much I disliked about the book if anything. It’s a relatively fast read I think 200 pages or so and for me and Mark Manson we are about the same as far as childhood goes. Little burnout stoner kid here. Probably quite a dick head My dad passed when I was 13 and things kind of went downhill from there. Ended up in BD schools and what not for those of you do not know behavioral disorder lol. Anyway I can relate a lot to this book. From myself I just quit smoking and I’m trying to quit drinking I could drop smoking about 5 months ago I’ve got a 9-year-old boy a beautiful wife I’ve been with almost 10 years now. But I’m trying to get my s*** together and so I’m looking for books like this and some self-help books. I just feel like this book was what I needed right now. Some of it is kind of a smack in the face like get your s*** together. I like how he tells it like it is. I’m not a huge fan of sugarcoating stuff. At one point in the book he says his wife came out all dressed up and wanted his input and he said I don’t think he looked that good lol That’s the s*** that I would say to my wife but she likes it that way. And I don’t want to tell her she looks good if she looks bad and then she goes out and people are giving a weird looks hahaha. Anyway it’s a damn good read I recommend it highly. There’s some pretty good side stories as well. The one about his friend and the cliff that one kind of hit hard. I’ll tell you what I’m going to read his other book I noticed he has another book about hope or something so I will be checking that out right now. I wish I could find another books similar to this book it was such a good one I’m really sad that I’m finished with it. Good stuff Mark Manson. Keep up the good work!!! Looks like this is what humanity needs for guidance. I think we all need to read certain books in our lifetime and by certain books I mean all of them.
Robert C. –
Surprisingly Profound Little Book
I had been expecting a modern re-framing of the ancient Stoic philosophy, but that’s not what this book is. The author makes the point that you need to be judicious about what you care about. If you care about too many things, it will drive you crazy; however, if you don’t care about anything, you’re a sociopath. He also stresses that there can be value in suffering.The lessons are shared in a rather amusing, but vulgar, manner. I thought that this book was a very worthwhile read.
Shahin Nikoo –
Amazing book
Ahmed –
It really teaches you to not give a F!
نوف –
حلو
Vinothini Kandaya –
good
Edson Camara –
Apesar do título, este é um livro sério, os temas abordados pelo autor, Mark Manson, não são novidades, nem inovadores, mas são sérios e devem ser encarados com seriedade. Não vou negar que comprei o livro pelo título, primeiro a versão americana que tem um sugestivo título, depois de ler alguns capítulos abandonei a leitura, por que tinha outros títulos mais interessantes para ler, quando a edição brasileira saiu, meu interesse voltou e comecei a ler o livro novamente desde o início.Em síntese o livro trata de nossa cabeça, de nossa percepção como ser humano e de como a força das circunstâncias em ter uma vida perfeita nos faz sempre cair em armadilhas. Me identifiquei em várias partes do livro com o autor, que sim tem uma vida muita bem preenchida, mas aquela sensaçãozinha de que “estou fazendo algo errado” no fim não é tão ruim assim e serve como alerta para avaliarmos o rumo que nossa vida está e nos dá a chance de refletir e mudá-lo se necessário.O texto reforça que uma das maiores capacidades do ser humano, é a de poder estar errado, de errar, e depois, a de poder corrigir ou permanecer errado.O autor nos dá dicas e reflexões óbvias, mas verdadeiras, afinal estas, as verdadeiras, são sempre as melhores, para nos ajudar a compreender que nós, e somente nós, somos responsáveis pelas nossas emoções e emoções e consequente estado de espírito e felicidade. O livro é recheado de exemplos de pessoas e eventos que começaram ruim e se deram bem e vice versa e faz o balanço de como “não dar a mínima é importante em nossas vidas.Este trecho sintetiza um pouco da linha de pensamento do autor: “Pessoas com limites fortes não têm medo de chiliques, discussões ou tristeza. Pessoas com limites fracos morrem de medo dessas coisas e sempre moldarão o próprio comportamento para se adequar aos altos e baixos da montanha-russa emocional do relacionamento.Este é um dos melhores livros que li este ano e um dos poucos que me fizeram parar para pensar na vida literalmente.Não se iluda este é um livro sério que trata de coisas sérias da vida.