Five stars! What a stellar book! I absolutely love gardening but the author takes it one step further and actually makes it account for mental health as well.

What did I like? The book is so relatable it’s stunning. Self help guidance has never been easier. The only thing I would have loved is some pictures. He talks about his front porch being a wash for your aura so you don’t have to bring negativity into a safe space. The author is so out there on social media but I felt his book was kind of shy. Still it was helpful and a remarkable read.

Would I recommend or buy? There are plenty of souls out there that have had a connection with this author. His Instagram is a ton of fun. I was turned to him by my daughter and I feel he is a remarkable person. There is a lot of pain in this book but also a ton of strength and wisdom! Five stars!

I received a complimentary copy to look at… read.. and voluntarily left this review!

How to Grow is a wonderful inspirational and meditative book with a calm voice. I hadn't heard of Marcus Bridgewater before, but the book description intrigued me. I loved his voice and can understand comparisons to Mr. Rogers. It's clear the author is a gentle soul and views things holistically and thoughtfully. Though what he reveals is fairly common sense, it's a great reminder to work on ourselves in a much more tranquil and patient way, focusing on the process instead of the destination. It can be hard to get back to this in our world of constant stimulation and distractions. I loved his holistic perspective and encouragement to connect with others and observe. I also listened to the audiobook, which is narrated by the author. He has a wonderful soothing voice.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for providing this ARC. All thoughts are my own.

I had not heard of Marcus Bridgewater but when I read his book what a kind soul he has!

"How to Grow' by Marcus Bridgewater is a book that you'll want to read daily. It's that uplifting. Kind of like a daily affirmation chapter a day. Marcus has written a book about personal growth with such loving prose and truly his metaphoric writing is effective.

Chapter 9 is my favorite and I know I won't ever forget this remarkable book.

He's kind, has a deep understanding of empathy and compassion. I can't recommend this book enough. Don't go in expecting photos expect to be uplifting and leave feeling grounded to humanity.

As a gardener myself, I really enjoyed Marcus's frequent garden analogies to personal development and wellness. He includes many insights throughout the book and weaves them in nicely. I was impressed by his ability to take many stories from his youth and find such insight in them later in life. While I enjoyed the book immensely, some chapters lacked some cohesion, but overall, I really enjoyed the positive message and the mindset of the author. I think Marcus is awesome and love that he took the time and effort to share his profound words and thoughts with others!