A big thank you to NetGalley for allowing me access to this book in exchange for an honest review.

It seems quite counterintuitive to call this book uplifting given the fact that I basically cried from the first to the last letter, practically a ceaseless stream of tears fell from my eyes whilst reading.

Butin all honesty, this book is brimming with hope which inadvertently actually rubs off on you.

It was definitely not an easy read in the slightest, some of the topics covered within just hit too close to home for comfort. It definitely showed the real difficulties caused by mental illness and the struggles that people go through in order to try to overcome it.

Albeit in saying that, it was also hugely inspirational. Seeing that people had overcome some problems, and even seeing that most of them were trying even though they may not have been quite there at the point of writing the letter felt monumental. I think everyone at some point during their lives had wanted to go back in time to tell their younger selves something about their future, and in these cases - it was encouraging to see that most people were going for the "keep going, it really does get better despite what you may think right now".

I loved each of the voices, and despite minor mistakes in the writing here and there - I genuinely thought they added a certain degree of naked truth to the contents of the novel, made it feel much more raw and candid.

I honestly think that this book will stay with me forevermore, the illustrations, as well as the letters themselves, made this book unforgettable and I honestly think that it deserves all of the stars for what it is trying to do. And I can only hope that many more people will discover and read it, and that perhaps it can partake in fighting the stigma that still unfortunately surrounds mental health issues today; something that should have been stopped before it had even started but still weighs down upon everyone struggling in our society today - and will shine a light on the fact that it is alright to ask for help if you do think you need it.

I definitely think this is a read for everyone and anyone, struggling with mental disorders or not. It is simply beautiful, phenomenal and I know it will stay ingrained in your hearts and minds for a long long while after you've read it.

My Rating: All of the Stars/ 5

Hello Me, it’s You is a collection of letters by young adults aged 17-24 about their experiences with mental health issues. The letters are written to their 16-year-old selves, giving beautifully honest advice, insight and encouragement for all that lays ahead of them.

Having this book published was a great idea, since there aren't so many. I really liked this book. There is a quote before each letter, which I liked, but the letters were the real "stars" of this book. Each of them is honest - the anonimity helped a lot in that matter -, forgiving and positive. No matter the situation, they try to encourage their past selves to hold on. I got to know quite a few different people with different problems, but their attitudes were the same. I am really glad that this book was published and will reread it in the future.

I hope more people will pick up this book, it's worth a read.

I received a free copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Hello Me, Its You is an amazing little book of letters from sufferers of depression, anxiety and other mental health issues to their younger selves. A lot of these letters are really heartbreaking (especially the ones that say "I hate to tell you this, but it gets worse) but ultimately there is an awful lot of positivity.

I think that this book could really help someone who was suffering from mental health issues. It gives a voice to those who have already been through incredibly difficult times and shows that there is light at the end of the tunnel.

One minor criticism was that I did find it a little repetitive and without knowing any of the back story of the authors some bits were a little cryptic. I think if there was more information about the people writing the letters then it would have allowed the reader to engage more - but I know that wasn't the purpose of the book and obviously the participants in the project had to remain anonymous.

Overall, I thought that this book was brilliant. There were moments of humour, loss and regret but ultimately there was an overriding message of hope. It's not often that you get to read such authentic accounts of such a difficult topic area. Honest, raw, occasionally difficult to read but utterly inspiring, I hope this book can be used to show people that there is a way to live through depression and to not give up.

It's a wonderful idea, but this book could do so much more with the idea. The letters are all vague enough that they start to feel repetitious. The power would come from more specificity, I think, more chance to see yourself in the letters. I love the lettering with quotes before each chapter, though!

Rating: 3.5/5 stars

I think this is a wonderful idea.

Basically, a bunch of young adults (in the literal sense of the word) ages 17-24 who have mental illnesses were asked to write a letter to their 16-year-old selves.
Understandably, a lot of the letters were much the same.

Some said life was so much better, some said they were just getting started on the road to recovery but it was finally getting better, some just said that life would not always be terrible and it would get better. It was uplifting, but although I enjoyed reading the book, at times I felt like the actual writing would simply be more valuable to the people writing them. I don’t know this person’s dad who abused them or screamed at them in a public place because he had bipolar disorder. So although I feel for them and I hate to think that happened, I don’t really know anything about them and I don’t really get a chance to, because it is all anonymous and all you get is this short little letter.
One of the letters was a little off, but I almost liked it more.

The person probably did not exactly understand what they were supposed to be writing about, because it seemed to me more that they were writing more to the reader than to their past self. Unfortunately, I think I actually liked this letter the best, although I did like the others quite a bit. I just felt that as the letters were not intended for me (the reader) or really related to me in any way or explained in any context, they were not quite as valuable or touching as they would be to the people who know the authors personally.
In any case, this little book of letters was still quite sweet and touching.

I did have my favorites, and I loved the little quotes right before each letter; they were beautiful and I felt like they really added to the wonderful feel of the book.
Overall, this was a deep, yet short and quick read.

I would recommend it for something quick to read, or if you’re feeling like you’ll have a hard time focusing on the book, as each little letter is a miniature story in itself.

Experiencing anxiety and depression personally, I was very intrigued by the description of this book as a 'collection of letters by young adults aged 17-24 about their experiences with mental health issues.' The letters are not fiction; they are actual letters written by young adults giving advice and knowledge based on what they have learned to their 16 year old selves. What a lovely concept! I remember my late father saying frequently 'Youth is wasted on the young,' and it is only now that I see more clearly that if I had known at 16 what I know now, how much easier life might have been.
Some of the subjects dealt with by the book are extremely sensitive and painfully raw, exposed by the writers with real depth of feeling. Many of them are positive in their exploration of self, and perhaps this is an exercise that we should all do at some point, in order to reflect on what we have been through and how far we have come.
An interesting book, not too long and repetitive and formatted so that the reader can dip in and out as preferred.

I feel bad for giving this book 3 stars because it's such a wonderful idea for a book and we 100% need more books like this that let young people know that they're not alone, that they can overcome every obstacle, etc. We need more real accounts by real people who have dealt with & are still dealing with mental health issues. That said, I just couldn't fully connect to the letters in the book. I think it was a mix of some letters being much too vague and other letters being much too short. I could definitely sympathise with a lot of the teens, they had it so tough and I really felt for them but I felt detached from all of them.

The three star rating is mainly because of the wonderful idea and also because some of the writers did say things that I could relate to and things that I liked. I would recommend this book to everyone. If you have some mental illnesses, like myself, you may find comfort in some of the letters and if you haven't had a mental illness, these letters might give you a bit of an insight. I would read something else by Hannah Todd. I admire her for doing this and maybe if she does something similar in the future, I will like it more. This book also made me think about writing a letter to 16 year old me and I think if I do it, it would be very therapeutic. Hopefully others will think the same and write to their 16 year old self too.

*I received a free copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

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"As I sit here and write you this letter, my dear 16 year old self, I find much sadness at how much you will have endure in these coming years."

"As much as you say that you cannot and will not -I promise you, you can and you will."

"Depression will exhaust you of everything that you have, and Anxiety is going to strip you bare of everything that you are."

"Firstly, let me start by saying that just because you feel the way you do, that does not make you different, strange, or inadequate in any way."

"It’s not your fault your brain isn’t allowing you to be happy and don’t let anyone make you think it is."

"You can always count on books. A book will never betray you."

"The only person who can ever get you down is you."

"I know you think you are coping fine and it doesn’t affect you and that you’re not bothered. But you are. You are bothered."

"You sabotage relationships so you can be unhappy on your own terms. I guess it’s because you’re afraid of people not being there for you so you don’t give them the chance."

This book is exceptional. It is hard-hitting. Being in the age group of people who have contributed to this made it more emotional and easy to connect with.

Hello Me, It's You is a group of people writing to their younger-selves about their mental health, their struggles, and how they overcome (or actively try to)

The letters discuss several issues such as depression, anxiety, trichtillomania, dermatophagia, body-image issues such as bulimia, anorexia and so on. It is up-lifting and very, very important. I wish mental health weren't such a taboo in our society. It made me realise how many things I would have liked to talked to my younger-self about. Anything to make her feel less lonely and less alienated.

2016 was the year I came to terms with my several of own issues and I'm glad to say that this book helped me in the process. May 2017 be the year I finally face the monster and deal with the damned thing. That will make life a little easier for my future-self.

There were so many great take-away messages in this book :

Talking about it all is okay, not wanting to talk about it is okay too, don't feel guilty either way

Never forget to take care of you

As much as you say that you cannot and will not - I promise you, you can and you will

Help is out there, but it takes a brave soul to go and find it

Nobody can change how you feel inside but yourself

You must be responsible for your own happiness

Your feelings matter

Thank you, Hannah Todd, for making people do this. It makes us all feel more okay. I also thank each and every person who contributed to this book. It CAN'T have been easy.

Thank you for providing me with a Netgalley copy in exchange for a review

I devoured this book in one sitting. It is a wonderful idea - having adults write to their teenage selfs. Every letter details struggles with a variety of mental health issues, and it is really important to see that there is something on the other side. They are honest with the struggles, often saying that it will get worse before it gets better, but they are full of hope and promise that there is something beyond the crippling darkness that mental illness casts over a person.

It is still something I struggle with on a daily basis, and I am afraid my hypothetical letter to myself may not be as optimistic as these, but I appreciate that this book exists.

I feel that this theme is greatly needed and I love the premise behind the creation of it. I was just left wanting a little bit more background. Touching and poignant

This compilation of encouragement to teens who may be experiencing mental health issues could definitely help those who recognize they may need it. It would be a good thing to have on a shelf or bedside table and read when overwhelmed or upset, and I think that is very important, as many people who suffer don't have great support systems or won't reach out to the ones in place.
I do think it gets a little repetitive, leaning heavily toward generalized anxiety and depression, and sometimes gets oddly specific to one person's life...I understand the idea is to write a letter to your younger self, but how does "you'll meet someone whose name starts with A..." help an anonymous external teen? I also wish some of the contributers had been written by older folks, say in their mid-thirties or early forties, because they could provide perspective about how life is cyclical, or at least an inconsistent upward gradient, instead of just someone in college saying "life is great 5 years from now!" I understand it's not as uplifting, but it might be more realistic. Sometimes in crisis, hearing only positive things is too unbelievable.
Personal feelings aside, I think it's well-meant and will do good, so I would put it in the hands of anyone who seems interested, especially fans of Laurie Halse Anderson, David Levithan, A.S. King, or Jennifer Niven.