Title: The Adulting Manual

Author: Milly Smith

Genre: Nonfiction/Journal

Publisher: Studio Press, Bonnier

Publication Date: 3rd September 2020

Rating: 4/5

Cover:

Summary:

You know those things you’re supposed to know how to do as an adult, but you really don’t know? Ever been in that situation where you’re looking for the adult in the room, and then you realise YOU are the adult? Yeah, that. There’s adulting, then there’s adulting for the messy mind. Sometimes you just need extra maps and a GPS. This manual is for adults that sometimes need a little extra help.

From top small talk tips to use next time you’re at the hairdressers to advice on how to ask for help, this interactive journal offers a safe place for people to explore their mental health and express themselves.

Written by Milly Smith, a mental health and body acceptance advocate and public speaker. Milly uses her Instagram account @millykeepsgoing to send positive messages to her 170,000 strong following.

Milly’s wise words are accompanied by the whimsical and quirky illustrations of Katie Abey. Katie’s motivational and pun-filled illustrations have a huge appeal to adults.

Review:

So, I am 28 years old and should probably know how to ‘adult’ by now but half the time I honestly have absolutely no clue what I’m doing so I was really intrigued to try out this manual. It is a kind of mix of helpful and kind ways to get through young adulthood but it’s also sort of a journal at the same time.

I think this would be a really lovely gift to give to a young adult, it would be really helpful especially for someone going away to university for the first time and perhaps feeling a bit nervous. It is full of really cute and fun illustrations and has a heartwarming thread of pure positivity running through it. It’s the sort of book which is nice to look through whenever you need to. You can look back on your thoughts on mental health, body positivity and the issues of living in the social media age and see how you’ve moved on and progressed. I think it will appeal more to younger adults because of it’s quirkiness and tone but there’s something to be found for any adult in here I think. Plus it is a seriously pretty little book!

I received a copy of the book from the publisher. My review is entirely my own honest opinion.