How to Be Yourself: Life-Changing Advice from a Reckless Contrarian Paperback – September 30, 2020

I love Simon Doonan's point of view. He always has a fresh, original and compelling opinion on everything--kind of like Diana Vreeland, but more grounded and relatable. I loved Confessions of a Window Dresser, Eccentric Glamour, and Wacky Chicks, but this book ("How to Be Yourself") and The Asylum are my favorites. He's right that everyone's brains have been hijacked by social media aspiration and envy and that the best thing anyone could do is focus on something they CAN control--expressing themselves! Cultivating interesting personal style, being one's true self, and leading an interesting life are themes in most or all of his work. I love this message. I get why he wants people to be their most interesting selves--it makes life more colorful and interesting for everyone around them and it's uplifting and inspiring as well. Can't wait to read his next book.

Great read, honest and refreshing views on accepting and loving yourself.

I enjoyed this book tremendously...still processing and will re-read multiple times. Love Simon's take on life and refreshing tips on how to find yourself across all important chapters of your life: werk, love, family, style, decor, people. Joy to read especially now during the holidays it can feel a bit melancholy, this book put a smile on my face!

Fun and enjoyed.

This book is simple, elegant, and poignant. It addresses the core question in defining ones life, and then asks whether or not you are brave enough to live by the answers. It pushes you to be introspective and raw without being a silly workbook. Great for people with attention and procrastination issues looking for a deep dive into your their personal lives.

This is funny and warm. Written with love. If yiu need a pick-me-up, then this is the book. It also can serve as great history for other fabulous writers that can serve as inspiration.I buy and read all of Doonan’s books. They’re hilarious, inspiring and a joy to read. Would love to wear a kaftan and have drinks with him by any MCM pool... Cheers Darling to another great book. Thanks for the laughs!!

ok a book is a book is a book and i suppose it’s ok but when mr doonan proclaims that karl lagerfeld and anna wintor have great style (because they wear the same thing/look every day!), i had to quit reading. i will not take advice from a meanie (ms wintor) nor a man who proclaims they hate ugly people yet clearly has not looked in the mirror (looking at you karl!) chepette looked a million times better!i mentally threw the book across the room and then returned it.

Read this entertaining, gorgeous, and perfectly bite-sized baby in one day. There’s something really special about this book and chances are it’s Simon Doonan - I fell in love with him immediately! We need more conscious contrarians and stylish stoics like Simon in the world. Great life lessons, loads of wisdom, and fun stories but so much more...

Badly written poorly designed, nonsense content.

A very small somewhat weak book.I really like the story of uk born Simon Doonan and thought this would be a fun book to read but I’m afraid to say it is a somewhat small uninteresting rambling with with lots of poorly printed photos.This is the second book I have purchased on line by Phaidon publishers recently that I have been disopointed with.