bluestocking reviewed Burnout by Emily Nagoski
The phrase "human giver syndrome" changed me
4 stars
This was a 3.75 for me. I did overall really like this book--it has Nagoski's signature voice (and literally, too, since I listed to the audiobook!) that feels both knowledgeable and playful, and sympathetic without being entirely cloying. I gleaned a lot of useful information from this about how to actually manage stress in ways that are lasting... and also had to acknowledge that a lot of the stuff that I choose to carry isn't really mine to worry about. It's wild hearing a phrase like "human giver syndrome" and hearing it described and going "oh, so, like, my whole personality? coooool cool cool cool." Would recommend this to anyone who constantly feels like they're drowning. It's a self-help book for sure, but backed by research and with many actionable solutions and useful examples.
I think the only part I didn't like was the bit re: body positivity, not because …
This was a 3.75 for me. I did overall really like this book--it has Nagoski's signature voice (and literally, too, since I listed to the audiobook!) that feels both knowledgeable and playful, and sympathetic without being entirely cloying. I gleaned a lot of useful information from this about how to actually manage stress in ways that are lasting... and also had to acknowledge that a lot of the stuff that I choose to carry isn't really mine to worry about. It's wild hearing a phrase like "human giver syndrome" and hearing it described and going "oh, so, like, my whole personality? coooool cool cool cool." Would recommend this to anyone who constantly feels like they're drowning. It's a self-help book for sure, but backed by research and with many actionable solutions and useful examples.
I think the only part I didn't like was the bit re: body positivity, not because it was wrong or bad, but just because I'm a fat liberationist and have Done The Reading. So that section felt like being taken back to preschool and honestly felt like it stretched on way too long. I'm sure it's helpful and useful for others! All of that was just stuff I knew already and left me bored and ready to get to the rest of it. That and having to hear "patriarchy (ugh)" with the "ugh" said aloud every time the word came up kind of made me cringe. We can use the big girl words! It's okay!!! (But also this book was published in 2019, truly A Different Time.)
One other downside: the audiobook has music clearly designed to elicit emotional reactions at points, which I did not love.
But these are very minor gripes. The centering of the human need for community and connection is, in many ways, what makes this book stand out. Absolutely worth a read, especially if you are a perpetually exhausted woman.
