I was given this book as an ARC to review for my honest feedback.

First off, I loved the title Feral Self-Care as I'm like yep! This is the book I need because my life can be messy, wild and untamed and it's how I feel if I don't take care of myself. When I realized it was written by Mandi Em, I got even more excited hoping I would get approved for this ARC because I LOVE her books, Happy Witch and Witchcraft Therapy. Just like her other books, I like taking my time to enjoy it and implement a lot of the sections she shares but wanted to finish Feral Self-Care sooner than later so I could review it.

Mandi has some great ideas in here! There are so many self care books out there but Mandi reminds you to get back to that feral self, remember how you had fun as a child and embrace that inner part of you to take care of you. In today's world we are so worried on how others judge us when in fact, we just relax and listen to our true inner self on how we want to be; we are reminded that it's only yourself you want to worry about really impressing. As she suggests, go hug a tree! Most people would think that was funny and something our hippy parents (or grandparents depending on your age) did but they knew what they were doing by listening and embracing the nature and world around them! The book is in sections of the type of self care to work on - Mandi explains each one and then has an area that explains "how to do it." Someone could say well that's common sense on how to do it. Umm no, not really. Some people don't know how to take care of themselves or how to take care of a simple thing like a plant. Hi! That's me! I inherited my mother's black thumb (no green thumbs here) and I over water plants. I highlighted the suggestion Mandi gave to buy a moisture meter so I can help my plants survive. Some of these suggestions help us get back to simple things to take care of ourselves and I am all here for it!

If you want a different type of self care book that isn't all about the same thing telling you to take a bubble bath (although I do thoroughly enjoy those) and eat all the treats (that too), this is the book you definitely need to check out! Not to mention, keep it on hand for the tough days when you really need it.

Also, I highly suggest following Mandi Em on Instagram because she has great posts she shares!

Thank you to NetGalley and Adams Media for the ARC. Also thank you to the author, Mandi Em for the amazing writing and great read! Looking forward to reading some of your future books!

This book came at a time when I desperately needed it. The winter months are hard and I have had other priorities than myself unfortunately. This book helped give me some new perspectives that I had forgotten. Many of the tips I have heard before, but it was nice to have them all compiled in one place. As the bonus mom of an 8 year old, it has helped me be more creative and messy with our playing, and it has made an immense difference in our family time! I am working on getting rid of the "all or nothing" mentality and understanding that nothing is perfect and baby steps are just as important.

This is a fun little book of more nature-based self care practices, among other things. I must admit that most of them weren't new to me. I suppose I live a rather feral life already? But it will be a good resource for folks who need a little inspiration in getting away from yoga and bubble baths and towards embracing the seasons, going barefoot, and learning to take good care of yourself and your support system.

I read a temporary digital copy of this for review.

This is perfect for the people that have not unlocked their goblin side, that weren't allowed to play in the mud when they were little. It's also for the people that have forgotten that whimsy in life. A simple reminder to reconnect to Earth. Cute tips, even though some feel a bit repetitive.

Feral Self-Care was a fun yet restoring read. I loved the idea of going into nature and "goblin" mode to better get in touch with ourselves. It was helpful and anti-capitalist!

A very unique self-help book. Any book that encourages embracing the unhinged parts of yourself and creating a sh!t list is bound to stand out. It was fun and insightful and very easy to follow. It provided concrete steps and detailed instructions for each activity. This is definitely a book I'll come back to over and over.

(3.5 stars rounded up to 4)

Feral Self-Care by Mandi Em is a humorous yet useful self-help book featuring mental health.

If you are reading a digital version of this book, I highly recommend reading it on a tablet versus a Kindle Paperwhite. The formatting is a bit lost when reading on the latter. When I switched to my Samsung tablet, it was a lot better. I greatly enjoyed the audio narration by Leslie Howard. She kept me engaged throughout the book.

There are a ton of swears here. That is not a turn-off for me, but please be aware of that fact if it is for you.

As a neurodiverse woman, I felt seen when the author mentioned "being your goblin self."

"...a little break from reality as a treat!"

Em goes beyond the standard self-care suggestions of pretty things like bubble baths or manicures, and suggests perhaps we should instead go back to our feral nature, like we were as children who played. Chapters feature sensory experiences, creativity and play, introspection, and community, spirituality.

Some of the suggestions in here are things I have done in the past, but this book reminded me that I should scheduled them into my life more regularly. There were also a ton of other things that sound fun and useful that I'm absolutely going to try.

"Sometimes the best act of feral self-care is to simply allow yourself to be present in your body."

I enjoyed reading this book. I wanted to stop and try things, but I wanted to get through it to leave a review as u was given an advanced copy. I definitely made a list and will be referring back to it as I incorporate many of these into my life. Overall, it was a fun, lighthearted, and yet serious book about ideas of self care.

I feel this is something I will need to reread again and again. Mandi Em discusses how to get back to our "fearl-ness" and live with our messy side. This is such an unconventional yet beneficial book. For myself, I have issues with mess due to my childhood.

I am the worry-wort who stresses over the smallest thing that is obviously out of my control...yet it bothers me none the less. This quote will be something I hang by my mirror and repeat daily as an affirmation. It truly is something I feel many of us need to hear.

"....your problems are not all-consuming. They are simply consuming you."

-'Feral Self-Care' by Mandi Em

Overall, I loved the book. The cover was beautiful and captivating, the writing style was personable...as if the author was speaking directly to you rather than the pages. This is a must have for anyone looking for more than candle lit baths and sweet treats as self care.

"You too are very small in regard to the larger natural world, and your problems are not all-consuming. They are simply consuming you."

-'Feral Self-Care' by Mandi Em

Thank you NetGalley for an Advanced Reader copy of this book.

Not like other Self-Help Books
Thank you NetGalley for an ARC copy of 'Feral Self-Care' by Mandi Em. This is a self-help book that is radically different than all the rest. Most self-help books beg their readers to excel in formal society, but 'Feral Self-Care' asks the reader to question what they consider normal, and it makes the reader wonder if they should step out of the bounds of what society deems 'acceptable'.

Beautiful Cover
'Feral Self-Care' by Mandi Em features a truly outstanding cover. The earthy tones perfectly match the text inside, the delicate details are easy on the eye, and I love the touch of the roots near the bottom. Whether you're reading 'Feral Self-Care' on an eReader or a physical version, make sure you take a moment to appreciate the cover art!

Unique
The narrative voice is really unique. It's a very personable read. While reading this book, you'll feel like Mandi Em is stepping through the page and speaking directly to you.

Easy to Read
This book reads like a blog post, making all the information accessible and the pages fly by. You can even use this book as a reference, and flip to each page as you're participating in that practice.

Embracing the Wild Side
I hope this book finds the right audience. There are a lot of people in the world struggling to get in touch with their primal selves, and I hope this book finds them. This book could bring on radical transformation in the lives of many! I am already a wild, feral creature, so the book was reassuring to see that the author also thinks like me. However, if you plant this book into the hands of most people, it would blow their minds. If you know someone who really needs to touch grass, slide them a copy of 'Feral Self-Care' by Mandi Em, and I am sure they'll be better for it.

Wishing you magic-filled days ahead!
Alice Abyss
Author
Aslcepius.Press
info@asclepius.press

This is a pretty cool book. Just what I needed to read. I definitely need to lean into the joy of chaos and leave perfectionism behind. I like that it was encouraged to read the book any way you like, I definitely went back and forward and all over the place and I think it'll be one I return to.

This is a really unique and fun self care book. I appreciate that the advice is so off from the usual self care books, Plus, no matter how simple or straightforward the suggestion is, they give a detailed how to for each suggestion. Plus, each section and self care idea is set up in the same format.

As a self-identified chaos goblin who has been feeling a bit disconnected lately, ‘Feral Self-Care’ feels like a book that was written specifically for me, specifically for right now. In an age where “self-care” has lost all meaning as a phrase because it’s simply EVERYWHERE, this book is a true standout as it really emphasizes the “self” in self-care & focuses on tuning into what our bodies are telling us that they need. In the end, we are still animals who are meant to be more connected to ourselves & to nature, & this book serves up so many amazing suggestions for how we might better reconnect.

I never really identified with self-care suggestions that seemed focused on the routine & the orderly. I am basically chaos & inconsistency personified & it’s already taken me a long time to unlearn the idea that I am not “normal” & that I need to change. So it’s so refreshing to read a book about self-care from a familiar perspective & that helps to make the idea of self-care more accessible to chaos goblins. Some of the suggestions that really stood out to me included: primal screaming, unhinged affirmations, letting your inner child free, & feeling your way through overwhelming moments.

But what I truly appreciated was the foundational, “behind the scenes” type information that this book shares to help explain why we might be feeling a certain way, why there might be a primal disconnect, & how we can better care for ourselves in a way that stays in-tune with our most primal selves.

I picked up this book because I thought it might be fun, but what I got was a whole lot of life lessons, answers, & a pre-order to get a final copy of the book when it’s published.

Enjoyable book about self-care---getting back to your childhood "feral-ness", and your messy side. This is one of my favorite self-care books I've read.

Thank you Netgalley and Adams Media for the ARC!

Book Review: Feral Self-Care by Mandi Em

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ stars out of 5

Feral Self-Care by Mandi Em is a refreshing and unconventional wellness guide that encourages readers to step away from traditional self-care practices and embrace their wild, authentic selves. This book offers a wide range of ideas and activities that go beyond bubble baths and yoga, providing readers with unique ways to nourish their souls and feel more empowered in their journey towards self-discovery.

One of the standout features of Feral Self-Care is its collection of inspired ideas that truly push the boundaries of conventional self-care. From listening to nature sounds to dancing in the rain, Mandi Em encourages readers to step outside their comfort zones and embrace the freedom and joy that comes with reconnecting with nature and their own inner being. These activities not only provide a break from the monotony of everyday life but also help individuals explore their truest selves and find a sense of empowerment and confidence.

The author's voice throughout the book is engaging, making it easy for readers to connect with the content. Mandi Em's passion for rewilding the self and soul shines through in her writing, making the book a compelling read. The content itself is well laid out and easy to follow, allowing readers to dip in and out of different activities as they see fit.

However, one area where Feral Self-Care falls a bit short is its visual appeal. While the cover is eye-catching and draws you in, the book itself lacks the visual elements that could enhance the overall reading experience. Incorporating more visuals or illustrations could have made the book more engaging and immersive.

In conclusion, Feral Self-Care by Mandi Em offers a fresh perspective on self-care, encouraging readers to embrace their wild and authentic selves. Although the book could benefit from more visual appeal, it makes up for it with its engaging author's voice and well-organized content. If you're looking for unconventional self-care ideas that will help you reconnect with nature and your truest self, then Feral Self-Care is worth exploring.

⚠️This review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may vary⚠️

Let me preface this by saying that I am not a huge self-help or non-fiction reader, especially as someone who just finished grad school, the idea of reading non-fiction usually reminds me of reading for school. However, this book is not your typical self-help book. I was curious to check this one out based on the title alone, and I’m glad I did. It does not give off the vibe of a printed version of a Ted talk like most self-help/care books, but rather seeks to appeal to that primal, childlike instinct inside all of us. Even if you are not struggling from anxiety/depression, recovering from trauma, or experiencing any sort of negative state of mind, I’d still recommend checking this one out. Some of the tips and tricks and coping strategies discussed are not your typical self-care ideas, and could be useful to tap into. I’d like to suggest some of these strategies to my children, like primal screaming and dancing in the rain.

I expected this book to have more activities and illustrations than it did. It was a lot more in-depth than I expected a book titled "Feral self care" to be. That said, I still think the general theme was good and can he belpful to people new to the idea of self care.

3 stars - I liked it

Feral Self-Care is about taping back into our feral selves that we leave behind when we are children and embracing our messy sides. This rejects the idea that self-care can be bought or obtained through pretty methods, instead you dig through the messy reality that is life and embrace your animal nature and honor your primal instincts.

I picked this up because the title caught my attention and the premise connected more to me than most self-care books. This was an interesting and fun look at self-care. I really like the idea of going back to our feral, childhood roots and bringing back that sense of play and joy into our lives, especially during this very stressful time in the world. There were a lot of great ideas and activities for self-care in this book and I highly recommend this book if you struggle with the pretty, standard, and stereotypical self-care books you see flooding the market. This is different and might be just the perspective you need.

NetGalley Arc Review app

OMG absolutely loved this book with my whole heart and soul. The fun raw journey this book takes one on… remarkable. Things and places I even forgot, or forget that just bring life to one’s self.
The author didn’t miss a beat, from information, to layout, making the book perfect in every way. By far my favorite of this topic by far in 2023. Must buy must have the print copy asap.

This book is a powerful look into a "feral" way to caring for yourself and its a great tool for your bookshelves! I enjoyed the overall feel of this book and how it really is a book on how to focus on yourself and reconnect with the world in a busy life. I took several cues from the ideas in this book and highly recommend it!