Book Review: Lonely

Last week I finished Lonely by Emily White. I was drawn to this book because of the the subtitle: Learning to Live with Solitude. I would not describe myself as a lonely person - sure I have my moments when I feel lonely but in general, I would describe myself as quite content. I do spend a decent amount of time alone, though, and while I haven't completely given up hope of getting married someday, I do know that there is a chance that I will always live alone. It's positioned as a memoir interwoven with cutting-edge scientific research. After reading it, I would say that it's a book with cutting-edge scientific research, interwoven with White's story - meaning, the bulk of the book is the regurgitation of research White has done on the subject of loneliness.


White asserts that she feels there is less of a stigma to saying you struggle with depression than saying you struggle with loneliness. There is a perception that loneliness should be something you can control, or that it is a result of being lazy or uninteresting or unattractive. I didn't really agree with her opinion that depression has less of a stigma because, as someone who has struggled with depression in the past, I think there is a pretty pervasive belief in society that a depressed person should also be able to 'fixed themselves'. That said, I can sympathize with how White felt during those years when she was battling loneliness and hopefully the fact that loneliness is receiving more research attention will shift the perception about it and lessen the stigma that is currently attached.

Because I was expecting more of a memoir, this book did not appeal to me. If you are interested in the research that has been done in the field of loneliness, then this is the book for you...

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from TLC Book Tours. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.