This intimate look at psychotherapy from the author's two viewpoints - as a therapist herself, and as a patient in crisis - was entertaining, fascinating, and often deeply moving. Gottlieb is a wonderful storyteller, and boy, does she have some tales to tell. The one downside of this book for me, which at least one other reviewer has mentioned, was the uneasy feeling of voyeurism I experienced while reading about the struggles of Gottlieb's patients (who, she does assure us, have given permission for her to write about them, and whose identities and life details she has "gone to great lengths to disguise"). My own emotional squeamishness notwithstanding, I found this book to be a riveting, five-star read and will be recommending it to others (as well as rereading it myself).

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of this book, which I received in exchange for an honest review.

This book was such a lovely one to read. A mixture of memoir, health (specifically mental health) and self-help Gottlieb invites us into both her professional and personal worlds. She gives us a deep insight into her career as a therapist and her journey through therapy with her own therapist. She shares stories of several patients that whilst we may not all personally relate to, is easy to wholeheartedly connect to. They were informative to read as well as grounding and enlightening. Each patients progress throughout their therapy graciously provides us with "lessons" that anyone can welcome and incorporate into their own lives.

I truly took a lot from this book that I know I will apply to my day-to-day life. I had a few "aha!" moments whilst reading and I love that this book truly endeavors to normalise therapy. There were heart-warming moments and there were soul-crushing moments, but at the end it reminds you of the kindness of humanity and our ability to connect with the people around us if we're bold enough to take down our walls and let people in. Because nine times out of ten they only want to help us, support us and love us.

I adored this genre-bending book. Part memoir; part self-help; part peeping Tom (I mean who wouldn’t want to be a fly on the wall for someone else’s therapy?).

One of the best books I’ve picked up all year.

I was blown away by this book. Lori Gottlieb is a therapist who shares her insights not only about her professional experience but her own journey through therapy. This book helps normalize therapy for everyone, and her ability to share the profound growth both she and her patients experienced was so honest and refreshing.

While Gottlieb includes many important psychological concepts, her writing is clear and conversational and easy for anyone to engage with. I found that there was a perfect balance with the personal stories that will also help her readers become more aware of their own obstacles and moments of growth as they move through this book.

As someone who has had therapy as part of my life since I was a child, it was amazing to see the progress and relatability of Gottlieb and her clients. Sometimes it is hard to see small changes in your own life, but as I read this, I connected with so many of the stories and struggles that were shared in such an approachable and real way.

I found I connected the most with Julie and John's stories and their stories of loss resonated with me so so deeply even if I couldn't relate to their exact situations. I rooted for them and I felt for them I didn't connect as much with the other patient's stories, but everyone has a different reaction and that was just my personal experience.

I especially enjoyed the chapter about her own therapy with Wendell and their journey together was so heartwarming and also so very real. Being able to see so many of these stories through two different lenses(therapist & patient) just made this such a masterpiece and I know I will continue to think about it for a long time to come.

As soon as I finished this ebook I order a hard copy edition to add to my personal library and I know this is one I will come back to again and again.

Thank you to NetGalley and Houghton, Mifflin Harcourt for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

"Maybe You Should Talk to Someone" by Lori Gottlieb

Well, that book surprised me!
If I could give more than 5 stars I would!
Well written, insightful, so interesting, not boring at all! I loved every page!

Lori is a therapist. She talks about her clients, explains what they're in therapy for, and about herself seeking therapy when her life suddenly changes and she can't cope well with a breakup. It's full of info, emotions... I loved that chapters weren't too long and you get to learn from many patients, their struggle... and see what's going on in people's life, Lori's life (past and present).
And it also freaks me out a bit. By that I mean that I've always loved psychology (reading about it, learning) and was always scared about therapy and I don't feel more at ease now knowing that everything we do, say, where we sit, where we look, how we sigh... everything means something, everything is analyzed... scary! But at the same time I feel that Lori might be the one person who could break the ice and make me feel at ease, and not judge me, even though I've always felt like nobody could ever help me.

And I'm so jealous! I can't believe that before being a therapist she was once in the same room as Jen Aniston, George Clooney... wow!

Thank you NetGalley and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for the ARC of this book. This is my honest review. All opinions are my own.

Lori Gottlieb's book "Maybe You Should Talk to Someone" is a masterful work. Her insights as a therapist and as a therapy client are brilliant. I loved this book and I was sad when it ended— that's always a sign of a first-rate book. I'm grateful for authors like Ms. Gottlieb who are willing to share honestly and movingly about their lives without making it into a "TMI" spectacle.

I have to admit i was put off by how long this book is and how many chapters there are, but I'm so pleased I took the plunge and started to read it. Ms Gottlieb has managed to perfect a style in which she is neither preachy nor full of inspirational quotes, but recounts life how it is and ways it may be possible to live it better. I admired her honesty in sharing some of her life and above all wrapping everything in the warmth of looking for the good in people and, where appropriate, laugh out loud humour.
Thank you to netgalley and Houghton, Mifflen, Harcourt for an advance copy of this book

“Will you see the human in my being?”


Well, well, well…it’s been a long time since I’ve been so surprised in a book! But I sure was with “Maybe you Should Talk to Someone”.

I don’t know how to classify it. It is a non-fiction book that reads like a fast-paced novel. It is like an introductory book to therapy interwoven with some deeply personal and sometimes heartbreaking stories. There is even a devastating plot twist in the middle of the book that literally brought tears in my eyes.

I agree with the publisher that it provides “the rarest of gifts: a boldly revealing portrait of what it means to be human”. Lori Gottlieb, a therapist herself, could have used lighter, “humorous” incidents from her practice but she didn’t. She used three heavy subjects: one is about a newlywed diagnosed with a terminal illness after she comes back from her honeymoon. And this is where I think the preciousness of the book lies. It is so wonderful and uplifting to see how she works with her therapist to confront, accept and come to peace with one of the subjects that we most fear to think about: our own mortality.

One of the gifts of therapy is that it gives you the confidence, the serenity and the clarity of thought to realise that life is a precious gift and that no matter what happens, you have the ability and the strength to face it, to figure it out and, ultimately, to move on.

This book is excellently written. It is written with a boldness and a frankness that I, personally, find mesmerizing.

Would I buy this book as a gift to a friend? No. Therapy is a controversial subject as it is so I think it is better to choose a “safer” book. Would I buy this book as gift to myself? Absolutely. It is life-affirming, it is humorous, it is ambitious and it is one of those books that you are going to pick up again and again just to read a few pages.

Lori Gottlieb an actual therapist brings us into her world her profession the always mysterious world of therapy sessions.Lori Gottlieb also shares with us the shocking end to a relationship she thought was leading to marriage till the day he ended it.Then the therapist goes for therapy and the fun the pain begins.Lori s book is entertaining hysterical informative. A great read highly recommend. #netgalley #hmh.

Thanks to Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for the advanced reader copy.

I absolutely loved this book. There was laughing, crying and lots of learning. I'm not sure if I want Lori to be my friend or therapist. She seems like she'd be great as either.

Pros:
This book made me realize I can never be a therapist. They sit through a lot of nonsense that I could not handle without rolling my eyes. You all are the real heroes!
I loved walking through the process of helping people though. I think some of that patience and understanding stuck with me.
Her candid recounting of her own journey through therapy was great too. It really makes you realize that no one is perfect and we all need a little help.
This read like fiction. I was able to fully immerse myself in her stories and was eager to pick it back up every chance I got.

Cons:
I've got nothing.