Can't Help Myself

Lessons & Confessions from a Modern Advice Columnist

By: Meredith Goldstein

Narrated by: Meredith Goldstein

A disarmingly honest memoir about giving advice when you're not sure what you're doing yourself, by the woman behind The Boston Globe's Love Letters column.

Every day, Boston Globe advice columnist Meredith Goldstein takes on the relationship problems of thousands of dedicated readers. They look to her for wisdom on all matters of the heart- how to cope with dating fatigue and infidelity, work romances, tired marriages, true love, and true loss. In her column, she has it all figured out, but in her real life she is a lot less certain.

Whether it's her own reservations about the traditional path of marriage and family, her difficulty finding someone she truly connects with, or the evolution of her friendships as her friends start to have their own families, Meredith finds herself looking for insight, just like her readers. As she searches for responses to their concerns, she's surprised to discover answers to her own. But it's after her mother is diagnosed with cancer that she truly realizes how special her Love Letters community is, how this column has enriched her life as much, if not more than, it has for its readers.

Can't Help Myself is the extraordinary (and often hilarious) story of a single woman navigating her mercurial love life, and a moving and poignant portrait of an amazing community of big-hearted, love-seeking allies.

Critic reviews

"The book's strength is the way Goldstein shows the blurring of personal and professional boundaries from the unique perspective of an advice columnist....her story of coping with her mother's illness is moving and tenderly wrought."—Publishers Weekly

"A witty, entertaining memoir [that offers] guidance on the precarious integration of life and love."—Kirkus Reviews

"CAN'T HELP MYSELF is everything we need right now. Meredith is hilarious, smart, and-as you will learn-gives excellent advice without judgment. By the time I got to page two, I was already asking myself, 'how are we not friends?' Every page is a combination of relatable, funny, cringeworthy, and helpful. This book is evidence that none of us is alone, ever."—Alyssa Mastromonaco, New York Times Bestselling author of Who Thought This Was a Good Idea?

"Meredith Goldstein's warm, witty memoir about tending to an ailing mother and fraught love life while giving sage advice to strangers, offers a new perspective on the eternally confounding questions of love, sex, and friendship."—-Ada Calhoun, author of Wedding Toasts I'll Never Give

"To say this book made me laugh and cry doesn't do justice to how many times it made me snort and deeply moved me. In this hilarious and heartwarming quest for answers, Meredith Goldstein is as wise as she is fallible, as compassionate as she is prescriptive, and a true maven of the heart."—Faith Salie, author of Approval Junkie

"Witty and engaging..."—BookTrib

"Funny...moving, and deeply relatable."—eHarmony

"A touching portrait of a single woman navigating the difficulties of life and love for both herself and thousands of others."—Spirituality & Health Magazine

"By the book's end, we are rooting for her to help herself, and applauding all the help she has given to dozens of others."—Lilith Magazine

Listen if you can!

I don’t typically go for audio unless traveling, which is why I downloaded this book. I’ve been a long time reader of LL and enjoy reading Meredith’s advice and the feedback and banter of the contributors.
This book is a lovely extension of that, with a touching, relatable, funny, irreverent (at times) and sweet peek at the story behind the story. Hearing it told in the authors voice brought me totally into the room. Such a great way to pass the trip and, unlike the letdown of other books, I can continue look forward to LL in the Boston Globe while Meredith finishes her next book 👍

Loved and laughed

Dry humor, brutal honesty and a family crisis, read by the author. Fun, engaging and not at all self indulgent. Highly recommend.

Excellent listen.

If you’re a fan of the Love Letters column and/or Podcast, you’ll love this book. Meredith shares a lot of significant experiences in her life while weaving in letters she has responded to her in column that are in line with the theme of the chapter. It’s really well-written (would we expect any less?), honest, and insightful. I really enjoy audiobooks that are read by the author and I knew this would be a great one.

If a book could be a hug from your best friend

Reading this felt more like spending time with that good friend you only see once or twice a year but makes you feel like a better person when you do. Meredith brilliantly mixed a compelling story with wit, wisdom, humor, and , and pragmatic advice that we need to hear. This is one of those books that I couldn’t stop reading but also wanted to savor as long as I could because it was going to eventually end.

Finishing it felt like getting a great hug while saying goodbye. You don’t know when you’ll see them next but hope it is soon.

I want more!

I have been following Love Letters and this book never fails. Meredith is the person you wish you could talk to on a daily. This is the book I wish would never end... but atlas everything good must come to an end. Can’t wait to see what else Meredith has to offer.