I Want to Die but I Want to Eat Tteokbokki: The cult hit that everyone is talking about Paperback – 6 July 2023

I really felt like I connected to this book and the authors feelings in a way that was quite eye-opening for me. This book has me looking into myself and thinking about my own issues, how they manifest, what they might mean and how I deal with them. I think this is definitely worth a read, especially if you’ve ever felt depressed or anxious or maybe just someone who wants to see how a mind like ours works.

With mental health issues receiving more attention these days, it is not surprising that this little tome became a runaway bestseller in Korea, especially when a member of the phenomenally successful boyband BTS name-checked it.The book is an account of the author’s struggle with dysthymia, or persistent mild depression, and is composed mostly of conversations with her therapist, interspersed with pithy reflective pieces.The strong point of this book is how it breaks the stigma of mental illness by presenting the author’s own struggles in an honest and vulnerable fashion. The pieces pegged at the tail end of the book show her powering through her depression and coming closer to developing empathy for others, such as what she used to think was an inexplicable change of behaviour in an aunt she had felt an affinity withIt is an easy read, though at times, the topics and issues discussed appear repetitive to me, but perhaps these nuggets bear repeating and help to raise awareness of mental health. As if the author anticipates that some readers would take issue with some of the therapist’s advice, there is an afternote where the therapist acknowledges her own inadequacies and what she felt when she listened to the recordings of their sessions.At the end of the day, what comes through is the understanding that depression is not something to be “cured”, but that learning to talk about it honestly and seeking help without fear of stigma are positive steps in the right direction.

It was interesting but it didn't give too many details.

A good read and helped me understand my mood swings. Definitely recommend it.

Honestly, just not a good book. Was going to gift it to my cousin but due to the topic I thought I’d read it first to check that it’s good (and helpful). It isn’t. I bought her something else

The format of this book was really interesting as it’s told as a narrative of very personal psychiatry appointments attended by the author. It’s incredibly honest and self-exploratory, offering insight into the author’s anxieties, relationships and decisions through dialogues with her psychiatrist, which the author recorded. The small notes the author sometimes included, commenting on things such as how it just started raining when she made a certain remark, were a reminder that this is non-fiction. It would be easy to forget this wasn’t fiction, I think.This book highlights mental health and provides a supportive and open conversation around different mental health issues including anxiety and depression. Whilst I struggled to identify with this book and fully engage with it, I did like that there was this recurring point about projecting our thoughts onto others and worrying about what we think other people are thinking rather than living in and enjoying the moment. As an overthinker and someone with social anxiety, this is making me do a lot of self-reflection and encourages me to question my thoughts and behaviour. In that sense, this book was a true gift and a great opportunity for me to look at social situations and interactions from another perspective.The author is leaving herself open to her readers, shining a light on her darkest thoughts and traits and being incredibly honest about her mental health - it’s a really unique idea and one that I’m sure not many people would have the confidence and courage to tackle.The note at the end from the unnamed psychiatrist was a wonderful addition to the book, particularly as I’d been intrigued by the psychiatrist’s involvement in the book as well as their approach to these sessions with the authors, so it was illuminating!I received a free copy of this book. All views are my own.

Annoyingly book had massive dent in it so had to return. Enjoyed bits I did skim. Will buy again one day…

The author was brave to let her feelings be known to the world. Very interesting book! Very relatable and helpful. Shows that healing is a journey with ups and downs, and not to think in black and white. Also liked the recipe for tteokbokki at the end.