I was so pleased to see this title because I have food issues and depression! I often skip meals, then overeat, or just lose interest in eating. Sonali's book is an impressive collection of advice, ideas, and stories about her own journey. I found it to be relatable and brave. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

This was such a good book about cooking with zero or minimal effort.

As someone with ADHD and chronic pain I’ve always struggled with cooking. I love how the author encourages the use of tinned and packaged food, especially ready meals if that’s the only thing you can eat. Eating bread is better than eating nothing at all and I love how the author doesn’t shame anyone at all.

I also love how the recipes included ‘less spoons’ and ‘more spoons’ example to give people a variety dependent on their mood and effort levels for that day.

I just wish there was larger variety of recipes and different types of food. But I loved this book as it was.

💕Thank you for the arc💕

As soon as I saw this, I read the quick description and immediately requested it. I was so happy when the approval came in and I immediately picked it up!!

This had so many great tips that I promise EVERYONE will find at least a couple that will resonate with them. I feel like I need to do a reread with a notebook so I can take notes. (This will likely happen in the future!) I felt so incredibly seen and validated by everything in here. I love the idea of measuring a recipe's level of effort by low spoons and high spoons as that's often how I gauge my ability to do most things.

I have never considered how many foods could become "things on toast" and this might be my new favorite depression food hack.
If you have ever struggled with your effort, self-care and just surviving while going through a bout with depression, I highly recommend picking this up!
I cannot wait to be able to get a physical copy!

This book did not disappoint. I admit that is the cooking book that I had been looking for. I suffer from depression, but not just depression, but a full time job, special needs kids, stress, and more and there are plenty of days where for one reason or another I do not feel like cooking. This cookbook is not the typical cookbook. Every recipe comes with an accompanying, relatable story from the author's life--not the typical snooty book where you cannot relate to the person. I like how the ingredients for each recipe are simple, most of them are probably under 6 ingredients (or should I say mandatory ingredients) and you can get most items cheap from your local grocery store. There are instructions how to simplify, make fancier, and modify most recipes in different ways. The recipes in the book are different - some are healthy, some are moderate, and yeah, there may be some not so good for you foods in there, but I found it to be a good balance, depending on what you want. I would rate this a 5 of 5 stars.

I also forgot to mention the drawings and art. The art style is so cute and there is always a message to these drawings, just reflecting upon self care or some other relatable aspect of life.

I knew as soon as I finished the introduction that I would enjoy this one. This book is memoir, self-help-ish advice, and cooking tips, with comics interspersed along the way. The author has a great voice. She cares about you, and she wants you to care about you.

I’m 49 as of this review, and have been on my own for 32 years, twice as long as the author. We share one of the same diagnoses. I don’t really need the advice in this book. But that’s because over the last 32 years, I’ve taught myself coping skills and integrated nearly all of her cooking tips into my daily life. If I were in my twenties today, still working on getting my mental health straight, still full of the weight of other people’s opinions, this book would be invaluable. And let’s be real, today is a mess. Even the steadiest amongst us is unmoored and I have been needing the skills I’ve learned more than ever. I wish younger me’d had something like this to help teach me all the little ways to cope and care for myself when I was struggling.

I got this book as an ARC and wish that reviewers were permitted to quote ARCs, because a lot of this is quotable. I do want to paraphrase one thing, that she says that reaching out to others is a strength. (I also liked the paragraph where she succinctly and completely eviscerated her performative jerkoff ex-boyfriend. F that guy,)

Practical points: the author gives a solid list of triggers included in the book in the intro, but I found that she was still very careful in how she wrote about triggering things. A great many of the foods are vegetarian or have vegetarian variations. This is not so much a ‘how to cook’ book as a ‘what is easiest to make to eat’ book, with a lot of solid life advice and compassion.

I could write a 12 paragraph review about how much I liked this book and how much she gets right. Instead, I’ll say that if you are struggling with taking care of yourself, burdened by a quest for perfection, don’t know how to put food in your face when just being upright is too much to ask, or you’re just feeling screwed by the world, give this book a chance. It isn't a recipe book, it’s tips to keep you alive.

Thank you to Sonali Menezes for writing this book and to NetGalley and ECW Press for the ARC.

*I'll post to outside sites closer to publication

As a mom of three who struggles with depression, as soon as I saw this book was available, I knew I had to request it. I think there are tips in here that will resonate with anyone, not just those who struggle with depression. And who knew so many things could be put on toast! Brava.

This book is amazing! I can't wait to buy copies for all my younger friends -- and maybe my older friends, too. Whether you're depressed or not, Sonali Menezes offers simple, flavorful dinners you make in a few minutes, even with low energy. Faster and cheaper than Door Dash, these recipes transform dinner from a chore to an adventure in a few minutes. Woven in with the recipes are reflections, flashes of memoir and good advice. (If you cooked, get your friends or your partner to do the dishes.) The whole mix is fantastic.

Depression Cooking is a light, funny, and surprisingly comforting memoir about mental health and self-care. Sonali Menezes manages to discuss heavy topics like depression and anxiety in an honest way without making the book feel overwhelming.

The book blends personal stories, humour, and simple recipes, making it both relatable and easy to read. Beyond being entertaining, it is also genuinely helpful, offering practical and realistic tips for the days when even cooking feels exhausting.

Overall, it is a warm and relevant read that shows how small acts — like preparing a simple meal — can also be a form of self-care.

Really great concept! The mix of recipes and memoir style stories made for a unique read. The book was honest, but not too heavy which is a touch landing to stick--which Menezes did!

As a neurodivergent chronic illness girlie, I struggle sooooo hard to feed myself nourishing things regularly. This book was so deeply relatable for that reason—and offered some realistic recipes without feeling diet culture-y, which I really appreciated. Highly recommend!

Depression Cooking is much more than a cookbook. In this thoughtful and compassionate book, Sonali Menezes combines recipes, memoir, and illustrations to explore the challenges of feeding ourselves during difficult seasons of life. Her approach is nonjudgmental, anti-diet, and rooted in self-care rather than perfection.

Through personal stories and simple, accessible recipes, Menezes offers practical ways to nourish both body and spirit when cooking feels overwhelming. The book’s humor, honesty, and warmth make it especially relatable for anyone who has experienced stress, grief, burnout, or mental health struggles.

Overall, Depression Cooking is a unique and encouraging read that reminds us that caring for ourselves can begin with something as simple as a meal. It is a comforting resource for anyone seeking a gentler relationship with food and with themselves.

Beautifully pragmatic and direct. A lovely gift to the world. Grateful the author chose to turn the zine into something more permanently accessible

As an ADHD girlie who suffers from depression and sensory issues, this book slaps. First off, I love the "handwritten" font that appears various places in the book. The drawings are detailed and add depth to the book. Depression Cooking is part memoir, part food recommendations. This book is something I wish I had 10 years ago when I was barely surviving the day. It includes recipes, ideas to add flair and/or nutrition to foods in a way that doesn't steal from your non-existent "spoons". Originally a 'zine, Depression Cooking in book format makes it more accessible. This book is an essential, especially on those days where everything is hard. Buy it for yourself, your college student, your friends that are struggling, you never know the impact it may have on the hardest days.

Depression Cooking feels like a warm hug from a friend when life is hard. Part memoir, part cookbook, Sonali's stories and anecdotes entertaining, relatable, and encouraging. I
liked the recipes and how the variations are categorized by how many "spoons" you have to work with at the time. I also love that she includes how many dirty dishes each meal makes.
Overall, this is a great book and one my younger self would have benefited from. I feel like the target demographic is people in their teens and early 20s, especially those managing mental and physical illnesses, though it could resonate with and be enjoyed by anyone.

Thank you to ECW Press and NetGalley for the e-ARC. All opinions are my own.

This was a really gentle and caring read. As someone who deals with depression daily and deep depressive "holes" several times a year, this book was a hug for my brain and soul. Because this book includes notes from Sonali's own experiences with depression as well as "recipes" from other people living with depression, it has become a go-to for me. I can find understanding on a daily basis by just opening up to any page.

With books like Depression Cooking I always feel hopeful not only because there are other people who have the struggles that I have, but also that these people care enough to create something like this to soothe other people in some of their worst times in their life. Thank you, Sonali!

This should be front and center on every cooking-related table. Everyone needs a cookbook that validates your current experience. This one hit home for me. It felt like I was reading a long-food-love letter from an older sibling. It felt comforting, validating, and hopeful. This book reaches beyond the act of eating meals and into the steps before and after as well. Dishes, mess, "healthy" vs not...it all fuels that depressive cycle. Menezes helps break down the steps and gives comfort and reassurance that we are all doing out best.

Fed is best, one foot in front of the other!

"It's ok to..."
Thank you <3

Thank you to NetGalley for this E-ARC addition in exchange for an honest review.

Depression Cooking is far more than a cookbook—it's a compassionate, comforting companion for anyone navigating depression, burnout, grief, chronic illness, or simply one of life's difficult seasons. Blending memoir, illustrations, and practical recipes, Sonali Menezes has created a unique resource that feels like a warm hug, offering understanding, encouragement, and gentle reminders that caring for ourselves doesn't have to be perfect.

What makes this book so special is its honesty and accessibility. Through personal stories and contributions from others living with depression, Menezes creates a sense of community and connection that helps readers feel seen and understood. Her approach is refreshingly nonjudgmental and anti-diet, focusing instead on self-care, nourishment, and meeting ourselves where we are.

The recipes are thoughtfully designed for real life, with energy levels taken into account through the helpful "spoon" system, making it easier to choose meals based on what you can realistically manage on any given day. I also appreciated practical touches like noting how many dishes each recipe creates—an incredibly thoughtful detail for anyone struggling with limited energy.

Filled with warmth, humor, and empathy, Depression Cooking is a book you can return to again and again, whether for a simple recipe, a moment of reassurance, or a reminder that you're not alone. While it will be especially valuable for teens, young adults, and those managing mental or physical health challenges, its message of self-compassion and gentle nourishment is universal. An uplifting, deeply caring, and highly recommended read.

As someone with mental illness this was exactly what I needed right now. Depression Cooking is a memoir, self-help, and recipe book all mixed into one. Menezes does an amazing job of balancing raw memories of dealing with eating disorders, family traumas and dramas, and more and the food she's found that help nourish her.

The recipes are extremely simply, but not in a bad way. In a way that when you have no spoons these seem doable. There are a few that are so simple, but sometimes you need someone else to say 'hey you can do this and it works' for it to click as a possibility in your tired mind. I also loved the variation depending on how many spoons you're working with that day. I've tried a few and it has been a huge help.

And Menezes's tidbits are extremely raw and even though she and I are from completely different walks of life, I still found myself resonating with some of the stories.

I cannot recommend this enough to someone who needs some support and ideas to keep nourished without wiping out the few reserves that you might have.

Depression Cooking is so much more than a cookbook. It's a gentle reminder that nourishing yourself doesn't have to look perfect, especially during the moments when simply getting through the day feels like an accomplishment.

Sonali Menezes writes with remarkable empathy and understanding, recognizing that depression can make even the smallest tasks feel overwhelming. Rather than promoting elaborate recipes or unrealistic expectations, she meets readers exactly where they are. The meals are approachable, practical, and designed for days when your energy, motivation, and emotional reserves are running low.

What makes this book stand out is the compassion woven into every page. There's no judgment, no pressure to "do better" only encouragement to care for yourself in whatever way you can. Whether that's preparing a nourishing meal from scratch or relying on shortcuts, the message remains the same: feeding yourself is an act of self-care, and that is enough.

Beyond the recipes, this book speaks to something many people experience but rarely discuss openly. It acknowledges the connection between mental health and everyday routines with honesty and kindness, helping to remove the shame that can accompany difficult seasons. The result is a resource that feels comforting, validating, and deeply human.

I would recommend Depression Cooking not only to those navigating depression, but also to caregivers, friends, and anyone looking to better understand how small acts of nourishment can become meaningful expressions of self-compassion. It's a beautiful reminder that healing doesn't always begin with grand gestures sometimes it starts with making yourself something to eat.

Wow. In Sonali’s prose, I instantly felt understood, hugged, cared for, at ease. I wasn’t sure what to expect going in, if it would be mostly cookbook, but it was the perfect combination of vulnerable, relatable memoir, gentle support, meal ideas, and actual recipes. While some of the food content is simple concepts, it is a valuable reference material I’ll certainly be buying so I can have it on hand. Really blown away by how much I loved this and I’ll be hoping for more from Menezes.