Introverted Bear

This book is fantastic. A few of these things I had already sussed out for myself as a teenager; existential depression will do that to a person. I was the teenager who was afraid to sleep at night because I was terrified I wouldn't wake up in the morning.

I really appreciate the structure of the book and how the author brought everything together. It's given me a lot to think about, and I also now have more books on my to read list.

I don't think his short description of Santa Muerte did the saint full justification. It's a much older religion than he mentioned. I realize this is a bit funny coming from me, someone who does not believe in Santa Muerte, but I believe the history of religion is important for understanding human nature and behavior.

My other huge complaint is that there is no bibliography. I understand that this is a book geared toward general readers, but the author did a lot of research for it and mentions tons of written works in the book. There should have been a bibliography or at least a further reading section so that readers can more readily find the books that he's mentioned.

I am probably one of the least happiest people I know (Besides my dad. He is much, much worse), and my coworkers frequently don't understand my emotional reactions. I think happiness is overrated, and that it means nothing without a significant understanding of the other emotions in the human spectrum as well. I'm happy to have read a book that I can relate to, and I'm thankful for the author's work and research that he put into this. I feel more relaxed and at ease with my rejection of the cult of optimism. I suppose at this point I must admit that I love this book because it confirms my biases.