Don’t judge a book by its title
Review of ‘How to not die alone’, a book by Logan Ury
I would have never picked this book, but I did, and it was because of Ali Abdaal. Shout out to Ali for successfully influencing me. I would otherwise have never picked this book because of the title itself. Other than being a cheesy and desperate title, I find it totally unfitting. Better title could be ‘how to not live alone’. Because let’s face it everyone dies alone, no one takes the last breath with you (unless it is a fiction novel ‘notebook’). If having people physically around the death bed is what the title means, then be that be it. I will say however I have seen ‘married’ people with kids alone in their death beds and I have seen ‘single’ folks who were fortunate to have family or friends around their death bed. So, just being in relationship or married does not guarantee somebody will be with you in your last moment. If the title is a sarcasm directed to singles, it does not land well. If the title is an irony, one should limit use of irony to verbal communication.
Even though the title is unfitting, the content of book is something, and has behavioral science in it. Book will teach you to navigate the modern dating. This book is like a friend advising you on dating, but the friend is super intellectual in this matter and talks in terms of behavioral science and biases in the human behavior. It is a fun read. ‘How to not die alone’ in one word is Hilarious, in two words is Hilarious and Insightful, in 3 words is Hilarious, Insightful and Practical. Yes, the book is funny; at the dinner dates with my friends, we had good laugh about the book. How the book exactly tells you what is wrong with the present dating world and exactly tells you what is wrong with your dating habit is uncanny. For those in relationships, book has some helpful insights as well. I recommend reading this book regardless of your relationship status, either you are single or not, because it does have valuable lessons about relationships in general.
My take- ‘everything is a work’, so is the dating and relationship! One must be willing to do the work. The reality is, it is not always the smooth road, it’s going be difficult, like everything that is worthy does not come easy. But find someone who you can work together through difficulties. The initial spark, the perfect date, the meet cute, these are not the characteristics of the long-term successful relationship; but commitment is. You will have similarities, but you’ll also have differences. I often say ‘even the universe has uncertainties’, think about that and work together. As long as you are willing to work on the differences and uncertainties, that is all that matters. As long as you are on the same page about the values in life, have respect for each other and understand each other, able to communicate clearly and respectfully, any relationship will work out. Remember that you repair the roof when sun is shining, for it is too late to repair when it’s raining. So, keep working, keep repairing. Relationship ends when couples phase out, be on a different page, ignore the partners emotions, and when the resentment appears, that’s the end of it, if so then end it and move on.
“The time to repair the roof is when the sun is shining.” John F. Kennedy.
“How to not die alone will teach you to navigate the modern dating. This book is like a friend advising you on dating, but that friend is super intellectual in this matter and talks in terms of behavioral science and biases in the human behavior.”
“How to not die alone’ in one word is Hilarious, in two words is Hilarious and Insightful, in 3 words is Hilarious, Insightful and Practical.”
Also, this book claims in its cover that it will help one find love. Well, good luck!
