How to be Alone: If You Want to, and Even If You Don't

Like other readers, I picked this thinking it was going to be a straightforward self-help book.  I chose it by magical chance, and so before I continue to review please note: NO THIS IS NOT A SELF-HELP BOOK IN THAT CONVENTIONAL WAY, AND IF YOU HATE TANGENTS OR NON-LINEAR STORIES, THIS IS NOT FOR YOU. The type of help that this witty author provides is very personal and candid. If you as a reader have experienced a hard childhood, or a sense of loneliness that stems from traumatic experiences that you have had to swallow to appease the normalcy expected in society, then this book is for you. Reading through Lane Moore’s experiences is like walking into any place where you realize you are the most awkward of the lot, and then when you make your way to the corner of the room to pass time pretending not to exist, someone nudges you and tells you: “I understand you.” Excerpt: “At times, I’ve struggled to feel seen, to have my history feel seen, to have where I come from feel seen because I “turned out great.” But that doesn’t mean that I Am Fine. I am working every day, tirelessly, like you wouldn’t believe, on being fine […]” I felt that I was reading my journal or listening to my own thoughts, except yes loneliness is universal and NO you're honestly not alone in your lived experiences. I was deeply moved and empowered by her strength to give her child self those dreams that seem impossible to hold onto, when you have no one to support you in achieving them. Lane Moore uses humor in tangents to navigate through her experiences, and then gives light advice on what might help you, in the way it helped her. I often felt like crying and laughing at once. It is self-help in a confessional, and real, even interactive way. I read through it hungry for the next page, and then listened to her podcast interviews, her music, and re-listened to it in her voice in audiobook; after having read through it all on my kindle (which was a mistake, because now I want a print copy). It carries so many memorable quotes, such that carried me through seeing a bit more about myself. Yes, this book is not for everyone, I do believe that Moore wrote this for those wallflowers like herself, that need to feel less-alone in the world.  

i have so many mixed feelings about this book

Got nothing from this book. Title very misleading.