This was fantastic. I really enjoyed it and couldn’t stop listening. I was hooked from the first minute! The narration was wonderful. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this audiobook.

Thank you to NetGalley and Brilliance Audio for providing a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

There's nothing like getting hit in the face by life AND death. This book explores the idea that reminding yourself that your days are numbered will ultimately lead you to live a more fulfilling life. Want to stop doom scrolling and take a walk with your pup? Just think that you could die tomorrow. Want to go to the gym instead of binge watching a show on Netflix and snacking on chips? Just think that you could die tomorrow.

This was such an interesting concept. I've read a lot of self-help books on how to improve my life and be happier, but none of them talked about death as something that can take all your chances away. It's an obvious fact, but to have a self-help guru erase the taboo-ness of death talk to really get people to think about how they're living their lives is a creative way to go about it. Thinking about all the self-help books I've read in the past, I recall reading them and soaking them in and being like "wow, this is life-changing" with the intent that I will follow their steps to change my life. And the next day I completely forget about it and continue on my merry way. Not saying that they're bad books, some of them just didn't hit the mark for me. However, this one...the talk about death being imminent and looming has really made me think about how I'm living my life. Am I living it to the potential where I am at my most content state? I finished this two days ago and I'm still thinking about it - I've journaled about it - I've had dreams about it...

If you're looking for a good, swift kick in the rump to get your ish together, this is the book for you.

This book really makes you look at death differently. It is a unique perspective that has you thinking about what will be said about you when you die instead of thinking about what you want to accomplish in life. There are several exercises that has you think about what will the people who know you say about you when you are gone. Is that you worked too much or that you lived life fully. I enjoyed this audiobook and it definitely has given me a new way to look at my like that fully intend to continue to use in my life.

Thank you NetGalley, Brilliance Publishing and Karen Salmansohn for the advance listening copy. All my opinions are my own.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of Your To-Die-For Life by Karen Salmansohn!

I really enjoyed the unique twist of this book—blending self-help with a lighthearted, yet powerful reflection on life and the fear of death. The author’s dry humor added a nice touch to such a deep topic. She has a way of reminding you that every day you’re alive is a gift—and not something to waste.

One of my favorite takeaways was the encouragement to stop putting things off and start living more intentionally. The book is full of helpful pointers on facing fears, preparing for the unexpected, and embracing the present moment so life doesn’t pass you by with regrets. Overall, I’d definitely recommend this book to friends and family.

If you need a "kick in the ass" type of motivation, this is the book for you. It gives you great idea, it doesn't hold your hand, but it does remind you that the life we have isn't infinite and that at some point (hopefully sooner than later) you need to realize that and start doing what you can to be who you want to be.

*Your To-Die-For Life* by Karen Salmansohn is a quirky, thought-provoking mix of self-help, workbook, and philosophical life coaching—with death at the center of it all (in the best way). Rather than dwelling in fear or morbidity, Salmansohn uses the idea of mortality as a creative lens to spark bold, intentional living. The result? A pep talk with teeth.

What really stood out to me was the structure and interactivity. It’s not just a passive read—it asks you to *engage* with your life. The journaling prompts are genuinely unique and reflective (like writing your own eulogy or listing things you’d regret not doing). They helped reframe priorities and nudged me to think more deeply about how I’m spending my time.

Salmansohn’s dry humor adds levity without diminishing the message, and her background in design shows—there’s a punchy, visual quality to both the layout and the way ideas are presented. Even the audiobook, narrated by the author herself, carries that same sharp energy. She’s confident, charismatic, and delivers each line with clarity and intention, making it feel personal.

That said, the book does lean a bit repetitive in places, and while its central message is strong, the impact would’ve been tighter with some trimming or deeper expansion on certain topics. Some readers might find the style too quirky or fast-paced for such a heavy subject—but if you enjoy motivational reads with personality, this could be a good fit.

Overall, it’s a smartly packaged, reflective guide for anyone looking to pause, reassess, and move through life with a little more purpose and a lot less fear.

Your To-Die-For Life is part pep talk, part workbook, part existential slap in the face (in the best way). Karen Salmansohn uses humor, eye-catching design, and surprising insights to turn the fear of death into a tool for bold, intentional living.

I loved how she weaves in research and creative prompts — like writing your own eulogy or making a “to-die” list — without getting preachy. It’s a powerful reminder not to put off what matters most.



Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

Rating: 3.5/5
In this book, the author, Karen Salmansohn, takes a "death-focused" viewpoint on life to help optimize the time we have left on earth. Essentially, it is grasping onto what is truly important in life and living to our values. While somewhat morbid, I enjoyed the dry humor incorporated into the self-help book. Karen, herself, narrated the audiobook -- she did a wonderful job and has the perfect voice for it. I found the most value in the journal writing prompts that she gives throughout the book. It gives you a different perspective and really makes you think. While some of the book was a little repetitive, I felt that it was, overall, an interesting book that I was able to get benefit from.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!