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Tiny Beautiful Things (10th Anniversary Edition)  By  cover art

Tiny Beautiful Things (10th Anniversary Edition)

By: Cheryl Strayed
Narrated by: Cheryl Strayed, Steve Almond - introduction
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Editorial review


By Madeline Anthony, Audible Editor

TINY BEAUTIFUL THINGS FINDS UNIVERSALITY BY HONORING THE SPECIFICS

This insightful book, a compilation of advice columns for online literary magazine The Rumpus, penned by critically acclaimed author Cheryl Strayed under her beloved pseudonym 'Sugar', is one I find myself drawing wisdom from time and time again. Somehow, it’s as if the people in these stories are not strangers but close friends who just so happened to reach into the void (aka the internet) for guidance. I first discovered Tiny Beautiful Things while browsing an adorable shop in my neighborhood, and after leafing through its pages, I knew I had to read it. That same weekend, I planned to make the eight-hour drive from Brooklyn to my hometown in upstate New York, so I opted to listen to the audiobook, making Strayed, who narrates her work, my sage companion for the ride.

My hunch is that the unique staying power of each column has a lot to do with the uniqueness of 'Sugar' herself. Rather than take on the role of All-Knowing Guru, Strayed bares her soul, sharing her deeply personal experiences so that the advice seeker may mine her life for wisdom rather than take advice the way one might take a pill. She is refreshingly honest, affirming the letter-writer's feelings two breaths before telling them why they are wrong. Listening to Strayed, I was reminded of one of my wisest and truest friends who, whenever I approach her for advice, will listen intently, tell me she loves me, and then announce, "I’m gonna scrape your face against reality," before dispensing some profoundly helpful but often uncomfortable tough love. The columns and stories are tangible threads, intertwining specific yet universal human experiences with such poignancy I couldn’t make it through the introduction without tearing up.

While most letters stand firmly on their own, independent countries in Sugar’s world of wisdom, one section of the book responds to multiple letters at once, all centering on the topic of yearning to leave relationships that don’t have any glaringly ugly problems. In this chapter, the individual letters seem to be in conversation with each other—words penned by people on opposite sides of the country seeming to effortlessly finish each other’s sentences. The result is a feeling of kinship with a largely unknown world. How can one deny the universality of the very problems that make us feel so alone when listening to these converging stories, one after the next?

Of course, certain columns spoke to me more than others, but I was pleasantly surprised by my ability to relate to nearly every selection in some way or another. While the column "Write Like a Motherf---er" spoke to me on a gut level, unsurprisingly, as the focus was on a woman in her late 20s who was struggling to move forward as a writer, a column about a long-married woman whose husband had betrayed her left me equally teary-eyed as I shifted through newfound feelings around the concept of forgiveness.

Strayed has often said of her work, "the only thing I ever hope to do as a writer is to make people feel less alone," and that is precisely what she has accomplished with this radically empathetic collection.

Continue reading Madeline's review >

Publisher's summary

NOW A HULU ORIGINAL SERIES • NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • REESE'S BOOK CLUB PICK • An anniversary edition of the bestselling collection of "Dear Sugar" advice columns written by the author of #1 bestseller Wild—featuring a new preface and six additional columns.

For more than a decade, thousands of people have sought advice from Dear Sugar—the pseudonym of bestselling author Cheryl Strayed—first through her online column at The Rumpus, later through her hit podcast, Dear Sugars, and now through her popular Substack newsletter. Tiny Beautiful Things collects the best of Dear Sugar in one volume, bringing her wisdom to many more readers. This tenth-anniversary edition features six new columns and a new preface by Strayed. Rich with humor, insight, compassion—and absolute honesty—this book is a balm for everything life throws our way.

©2012 Cheryl Strayed (P)2012 Random House

Critic reviews

“To say that Cheryl Strayed is an Internet advice columnist does not do her justice. Tiny Beautiful Things is a gob-smacking high, a brilliant reinvention of the Miss Lonelyhearts genre. . . . This collection of poignant insights into the complexities of the human heart offers a form of radical empathy and inspired compassion from a fellow traveler—one who not only feels the pain of others but leads them toward light and art.” (Elizabeth Taylor, The Chicago Tribune)

"These pieces are nothing short of dynamite, the kind of remarkable, revelatory storytelling that makes young people want to become writers in the first place. Over here at the Salon offices, we're reading the columns with boxes of tissue and raised fists of solidarity, shaking our heads with awe and amusement." (Sarah Hepola, Salon)

“In this collection of her columns, Strayed proves herself to be an astute amateur psychologist, as well as a compassionate, thoughtful and occasionally tough counselor. As with all personal advice columns, the questions that readers pose to Sugar are at least as intriguing as the answers. Strayed . . . uses her own foibles and misdemeanors to show that ‘we all suffer, we all fail, we all struggle and triumph and struggle again.’” (Cynthia Crossen, The Wall Street Journal)

Featured Article: How to Build Self-Esteem


Often when we talk about the importance of confidence, we neglect to talk about how one might improve their self-esteem in the first place. Self-esteem is, to put it simply, trust and self-assurance in yourself and your own abilities, and your own sense of worth. There are a number of ways to build self esteem and confidence, and your path might vary depending on your personal situation and life goals. If you're looking for some ways to start building your self-esteem, we've got a few tips and some excellent audiobook recommendations to help you in your journey.

What listeners say about Tiny Beautiful Things (10th Anniversary Edition)

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Loved it

Cheryl’s writing is beautiful. I absolutely loved this book. It’s thought provoking, honest and raw.

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Great listen!

I loved listening to this advise. It was very inspirational. I would love to go back and re listen. You will definitely feel like some stories are relatable. But even if you don’t the advise is so honest. Her non-judgment is so refreshing to listen to. I plan on watching the series.

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Beautiful

What an amazing writer
I read this book twice
I loved it
Engaging and powerful

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Beautiful

As I read this book, I felt an incredible amount of sadness, happiness, and hope. The things that were said were so simple and yet so powerful. This is going to be one of the books to keep with me forever.

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So great! Now subscribed to podcast too.

I listened to WILD(audible), enjoyed the movie, read and listened Tiny Beautiful and now I am hooked on the Dear Sugar Podcast. I am a ceramic artist and listen in my studio/doing laundry/taking walks/making the bed. The advice and examples of life's many twists and turns hits home in so many ways. Thank you thank you thank you! Oh and more,please.

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  • 07-29-15

Laughing out loud, crying freely, clutching my heart.

This book moved me. Cheryl Strayed is an amazing woman, with amazing stories, and beautiful words. I will revisit this again and again. Salve for a broken, battered heart.

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Gospel Truth?

Dear Sugar,

I know that you say you are not religious, but most of what you write spins a different story. You write beautifully about God's providence, about loving our neighbors and ourselves, about grace and responsibility are equally important. Blessed are the poor in spirit you say. Over and over again, you say, "Sweetpea, your faith has made you well", knowing that it will. In fact, the Gospel According to Sugar sounds a lot like the Gospel According to Jesus, as far as I can tell. Here is my life, you say, given for you. And you give thanks for it, and then you give away in tiny beautiful pieces for us to share.

Yours,

A Fan

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Second time through

I will always be in a state of rereading this book. It's so beautiful and has inspired a deeper empathy in me.

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Incredible listen!

If you could sum up Tiny Beautiful Things in three words, what would they be?

Thoughtful
Provocative
Empathetic

What about Cheryl Strayed and Steve Almond (intro) ’s performance did you like?

Cheryl was fantastic! Her performance was wonderful and her tone was perfect. This was the first book I have read by her and now I want to read everything she has written.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I laughed and I cried.

Any additional comments?

I have never written a review before, but felt compelled to write this one. I had read the other reviews and thought I would give this title a try. Boy, am I glad I did. It is obvious to me Cheryl has had her share of obstacles and challenges and she has used these experiences to cultivate a wisdom and level of empathy not often seen. I laughed, I cried, and I recommended this title to all of my close friends. Have a listen!

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Fun

Fun, witty, heartbreaking, joyous, human, not normal, what's normal?, sad, surprising, sexy, real, want more, then fast forward

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