The Book of Help

A Memoir in Remedies

By: Megan Griswold

Narrated by: Megan Griswold

Length: 11 hrs and 14 mins

Publisher's summary

A hilarious and heartbreaking memoir-in-remedies by a self-described "professional soul-searcher" that details a journey of self-discovery through more than 160 tonics, seminars, regimens, and transformative therapies.

From an early age, Megan Griswold was set on a path of looking outside herself to learn about herself. At birth, her parents found a Christian Science practitioner for her; at age seven, she asked Santa for a mantra; and at 12, she started taking workshops on personal growth. Her over-the-top existential curiosity eventually led her to outdoor leadership training in Patagonia where she met her husband. Their marriage was not without challenges, and after he was arrested, Megan's world was shattered. Rather than let herself shatter, she embarked on a journey of self-discovery with renewed vigor.

The Book of Help is the story of the 15,000 hours and 160 different remedies, therapies, and modalities that Megan went through, poking and prodding herself to feel better and be better. She explores a past life family tree, gets trained in five-element acupuncture, becomes a doula, takes ayahuasca, does a water fast, and sees psychics and a bevy of therapists.

With a voice that is at once intimate and hilarious, Megan captures the openness and honesty necessary for people to take a new path in life. Listeners will open the audiobook with curiosity about all the different healing therapies that Megan tries, but leave with a new understanding of themselves.

©2019 Megan Griswold (P)2019 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

"Griswold’s debut...provides an exhaustive look at alternative treatments, but wrapped up in that narrative is a personal tale about her own quest to find comfort and healing from the scars of her youth and the tragedy of her divorce.... As remedies, the results were decidedly mixed, but vicariously living them through her telling makes for a fascinating book. Soul-searching has never been more comprehensive." (Kirkus Reviews)

"When Griswold discovers that her husband has an addiction to phone sex and prostitutes, her mother tells her this is all good material. Given this, readers won’t likely blame the author for seeking her own answers.... This [book] will appeal to like-minded seekers." (Booklist)

“Megan Griswold’s intimate, chatty, marvelous voice scooped me up on the first page of The Book of Help and she never left my side until the last. This open hearted, soul searching, intensely readable memoir reminds us that we are far from alone on our journey and how ever much we might want them - there are no finish lines, just resting stops where we can heal, learn, gather strength and, most importantly, keep going.” (Isabel Gillies, New York Times best-selling author of Happens Every Day)

Mr. Toad's Wild Ride has some serious competition!

I don't know how this book popped into my Audible feed -- but, hey, sometimes, that's just the way life works.
Thank You, Audible. I was initially curious about the New Age book title and cover art and thought it quirky, arty and potentially filled with a wheel of mystery for those of us seekers trying to unravel the mystery of our own lives. A quick endorsement by Elizabeth Gilbert calling Megan Griswald "A Rock Star" moved me forward. This, compelling, hilarious, laugh-out-loud, "hang on for the ride of your life", fast-paced, adrenaline-induced, tell-all, fantastical, crazy, let's-put-my-head-into a MRI and then make a pot of mental soup for soul-seekers to feed on for 11 hours is what I listened to from start-to-finish. As a former casting director for 20 years, now artist, soul-seeker, life-examiner, creative writer and observer of people (myself), I can tell you that Ms. Griswold has the "IT" factor. Charming, self-deprecating, quirky, observant, astute, hilarious, neurotic and lovable -- she has experienced some shit in her 40+ years. If you Vitamixed the stand-up comedy of Chelsea Handler, Sarah Silverman, Amy Pohler, Melissa McCarthy, Tina Fey, Kristin Wiig, Amy Schumer, Carol Burnett, Tracy Ullmann, Gilda Radner (you get the picture), you would have have a frothy, no-nonsense, puree of vulnerability, sass, originality and insansity. If that is what you are craving for a long-drive out of town, this, my friends, is YOUR GIRL.

This was so lovely. it feels sacred.

This book was so cozy. It helped me feel connected to someone, something... to life again when I felt all alone.

Eye opener

I laughed. I cried. I envy her unconditional love she gives to everyone around her.

Hard to listen to

I would not recommend this author narrate her future works. Her voice is unpalatable. All I get from listening to her is how anxious & neurotic she seems , and I constantly lost track of the storyline.

interesting & funny read. Perfect narration.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and thought the author did an excellent job narrating. The first half was a tad slower/less interesting than the second half, but it was still a great read/listen.

Amazing

This is an honest, raw , emotional book. Megan gracefully tells her story letting the reader in to witness, see and feel her most private thoughts. Well done, bravo!

Read This Book

Megan Griswold writes like a savant poet-musician: Flawless sentences with perfect delivery. Humor, bathos, and humanity: I love this book. I've read it, listened to it, waiting for my t-shirt!

A Ride With Some Valuable Insight

Absolution is an ubiquitous human longing. You won't find it here, and to be honest a real life story doesn't have one. I count the author lucky in spite of her not so easy life, but she had the twits, tenacity, and resources to pursue her quest for understanding and finding sustainable happiness. Life hits hard and depending on a mix of perspective and experiences it is either a series of trauma responses or challenges, even adventure. This is a worthy listen, and after listening to this book, I only hope Megan is doing well and helping others. I am afraid I do not possess the skills as a listener to distill a proper answer to life's greatest questions, but I respect the author tremendously for her endeavors and wish them the absolute best.

Wild ride

Who knew that self-discovery and the search for meaning could be so funny? This book is half philosophical treatise, half adventure novel. It is thoroughly entertaining and leaves me inspired to try new paths in my own growth. The author welcomes you in so fully that you feel you know her by the third page. The audiobook is well-read by the author.

Loved this story!

Megan is my new hero! I can relate to everything she says! I listened to the entire book in 3 days, sad that it's over. What a great storyteller and reader.