The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck

A Counterintuitive Approach to Living a Good Life

By: Mark Manson

Narrated by: Roger Wayne

Length: 5 hrs and 17 mins

Publisher's summary

In this generation-defining self-help guide, a superstar blogger cuts through the crap to show us how to stop trying to be positive all the time so that we can truly become better, happier people.

For decades we've been told that positive thinking is the key to a happy, rich life. "F*ck positivity," Mark Manson says. "Let's be honest, shit is f*cked, and we have to live with it." In his wildly popular Internet blog, Manson doesn't sugarcoat or equivocate. He tells it like it is - a dose of raw, refreshing, honest truth that is sorely lacking today. The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck is his antidote to the coddling, let's-all-feel-good mind-set that has infected modern society and spoiled a generation, rewarding them with gold medals just for showing up.

Manson makes the argument, backed by both academic research and well-timed poop jokes, that improving our lives hinges not on our ability to turn lemons into lemonade but on learning to stomach lemons better. Human beings are flawed and limited - "not everybody can be extraordinary; there are winners and losers in society, and some of it is not fair or your fault". Manson advises us to get to know our limitations and accept them. Once we embrace our fears, faults, and uncertainties, once we stop running and avoiding and start confronting painful truths, we can begin to find the courage, perseverance, honesty, responsibility, curiosity, and forgiveness we seek.

There are only so many things we can give a f*ck about, so we need to figure out which ones really matter, Manson makes clear. While money is nice, caring about what you do with your life is better, because true wealth is about experience. A much-needed grab-you-by-the-shoulders-and-look-you-in-the-eye moment of real talk, filled with entertaining stories and profane, ruthless humor, The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck is a refreshing slap for a generation to help them lead contented, grounded lives.

©2016 Mark Manson (P)2016 HarperCollins Publishers

Title is more promising than the book

The title is more promising than what the book delivers. The problem with taking a popular blog and making it into a book is that it lacks the cohesiveness of a fully thought out topic. It is amusing and lighthearted as expected of blog posts and with some nuggets of insights like how people are often dissatisfied with what they have and think they'll be more satisfied with what that they don't have. Whether rich or poor, young or old, everybody has problems and is constantly complaining about what's lacking. The secret is to solve the dumb problems (like stop trying to impress others) and move on to better problems (like finding time to be with your family). Happiness isn't the absence of problems; it's dealing with them in a productive way. There is some good advice in this book, just don't expect to be enlighted with ideas on how to live a good life.

Nice book, great audiobook

What did you love best about The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck?

I have always enjoyed Mark's writing, so I pre-ordered the ebook. But often not having as much time to read as I'd like, I decided to pick up the audio book version. Roger Wayne is fantastic! He didn't just "read" it he was in it. Excellent.

What did you like best about this story?

I like Mark's succinct writing style. It's got a lot of Buddhist references in here.

What about Roger Wayne’s performance did you like?

Just a very fluid read, he put emphasis where it needed it, he impersonated voices when it was called for. One of the best narrators I've heard.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

If I could have I might have but I did not. But there is a lot to absorb and reflect upon.

Thoroughly Enjoyable

I got a strange look from a passenger seated next to me on a plane flight when I was listening to this and it was on my phone screen. The author is wise beyond his years and I very much enjoyed his perspectives. This is a great book for millennials and I have shared it with a number of my younger friends. Pretty simple...gotta choose our f*cks carefully.

Must read for people with neuroses

I loved this book. The problems Mark addresses are eerily similar to my own, which tells me they aren't unique (he even says so later on). It's a relief, to be honest. I found his blog randomly and decided his book was worth a listen. I wasn't disappointed. For anyone out there who's going through a hard time and doesn't know what to do, at least use your free credit if you have the membership to listen to this book. For the record, Roger Wayne did a brilliantly job narrating.

AKA#47 LOVE ACTUALLY HONESTY

I ALEXANDRIASHIRYL AKA#47, AFTEE EXPERIENCING THIS LIFE CHANGING, PARADIGM SHIFTING BOOK, WILL RUN FOR OFFICE. THERE'S NEVER BEEN A BLACK BLONDE REPUBLICAN GOVERNOR IN NORTH AMERICA, YET. I'M RUNNING AND IF YOU DON'T LIKE IT, WHO GIVES A FUCK... DO WHAT'S IN YOUR HEART, YOUR INTERNAL GID GIVEN DIRECTOR FOR YOUR LIFE AND YOU CAN'T, YOU WON'T GO WRONG... YOUR INTUITION WILL GUIDE YOU, ARE YOU LISTENING #2 IT.

IF PEOPLE AROUND YOU THINK YOU DREAM TOO MASSIVELY... WHO GIVES A FUCK
DON'T DEEM YOUR LIFE LIGHT BECAUSE IT'S TOO BRIGHT AND SHINNING IN THEIR EYES.
GOD BLESS AND GOOD LUCK... I'M NOT RACIST, I'M JUST REAL.. IF YOU NEED A KIND WORD OF ENCOURAGEMENT OR SUPPORT FOR YOUR BAT SHIT CRAZY BIG DREAM JUST RING ME 8502962104 SHIRYL A. MOORE

I'll read it again--every time I need a reminder

I screamed, "no!" when it was done. excellent narration. difficult to put down. this is a must read for everyone, in my opinion.

Perfect Reminder

Every decade you might run into ONE book that is truly relevant and creates a deep impact on you. Rarely there are more...
Mark says it simply an plain what we need to get straight in our life: our values.
Good to have been reminded once again.
Also Roger Wayne was the perfect voice for this!
Grateful.

Uplifting - not your typical "self-help" book

Where does The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

One of the best, by far.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck?

ALL of it.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes, I finished it in two days!

Any additional comments?

I love Mark and his message to us all. Not your average self-help book and he hits all his points right on the nose.

Fun read, several interesting perspectives.

Definitely an interesting perspective and fun to listen to. Would have liked more tactical recommendations on how to implement some of his ideas.

Simple yet powerful and a bit edgy

Such great insight in this book that is relatable and very thought and action provoking. Very inspirational and motivating. It was definitely a nice break from traditional self help books that attempt to sugar coat what is necessary while also avoiding the whole "telling it like it is" book style that can be read as pointing out negativity and spouting ignorance. Relatable and engaging stories mixed with blunt honesty and no political correctness or lines to read between make this one of my favorite self help of all time.