As is so often the case, comedian and author Ruby Wax can count herself among the vast numbers of people who, despite the ability to hide behind a smile, hide mental health issues of their own in doing so.
Having long been a crusader for mental health awareness, which led to an OBE in 2015, Ruby found herself in yet another surprise battle in 2022 – further proving that it can creep up on you when you least expect it – and it’s this experience which inspired her latest book, I’m Not As Well As I Thought I Was.
Very candidly written, in her own unique style, the American TV personality explores her innermost thoughts as her idea to write a book about how humans challenge themselves to live fulfilling lives ends up with Ruby herself back in a mental health clinic. Her expedition to find the inner peace “we all crave” takes her all over Europe, and her adventures are fantastically blogged in what would be a compelling book by itself, but the true beauty of this book is Ruby’s unrivalled honesty.
Details of treatments and therapist notes are all disclosed, and the addition of her own musings make I’m Not As Well As I Thought I Was a refreshing and downright inspiring read for anybody who has ever lived with mental health issues.
I’m Not As Well As I Thought I Was, Ruby Wax (Penguin Life)
Price: £18.99/£9.99 Ebook/£16 audiobook. Info: here
words CHRIS ANDREWS
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