The Art of Being Alone is a heavenly book written by author Renuka Gavrani who writes self-help books. In this book review, I am going to tell you the core points which she covers in her book (without giving spoilers) to show you why this book is worth reading. I’ll also explain who this book is for and who should read it.
Books are always a blessing, but if a book is written by a writer who shakes your mind and also speaks to your heart, then such writers are truly rare. And if it’s said that the world needs such writers, it wouldn’t be wrong.
I’m not writing this book review to give you an excuse not to read the book, but to help you understand why you need this book, and what it conveys that we are missing in our lives. I’ve broken this book review down into bullet points so you may remember the reasons to read the book later and uncover the realities in your own way.
3 Quiet Truths That Resonate Deeply
1. Alone Time = Real Time
The first few pages of the book talk about the writer’s sufferings, how loneliness shaped her and how she found meaning through it.
And it’s not just that we need a little loneliness, we actually need more loneliness than the time we spend with people. We need more time with ourselves than with others to figure out where we’re going in life and what direction we need.
We are often on autopilot – not observing, not questioning. Social media plays a major role in this, training our minds to follow, not think. The author urges us to redefine everything – our thoughts, our habits and our very identities.
2. How It’s Only You Who Matter in Your Life
She didn’t write this to make us selfish or uncaring, or to say that nobody matters in life.
But the writer talks more about enjoying time with your loved ones, and also finding joy with yourself when nobody is around.
I’m reminded of a story from my childhood, when I used to live in the village.
In my childhood, I used to spend most of my time with my neighbor friends or cousins. We did homework together, went to school together, and played together; that was my daily routine.
But sometimes, when I felt tired, exhausted, or just wanted some quiet place, I would sit alone under a tree or go to the fields in the evening.
My grandmother didn’t like children being alone. She didn’t want me to look like a weirdo. She would always say,
“Why are you sitting alone? Go and play with the other kids.”
But my grandfather would always say:
“Let them figure things out on their own. Children need to feel something. Let them sit alone for a while. Let them think for themselves too.”
At that time, I didn’t realize it. But now I do, what it means to be alone and discover new ideas.
Now, I understand what kind of freedom he was trying to give us.
This book shares that same message but in a broader and beautifully simple way.
3. How You’re Losing Yourself Without Even Realizing It
You can’t fix a problem until you know where the problem is.
And you can’t know where the problem is unless you sit with yourself.
We’ve never looked inward. We spend so much time absorbing others’ opinions, yet rarely use even half of that to think about ourselves or focus on self-care.
Can a person truly be happy if he don’t even know who he is?
Can someone bring love and joy to others if they can’t give it to themselves?
Sorry to say, but such a person often becomes a burden. A burden nobody wants to carry.
This book shows us how to slowly change that, step by step.
There’s a lot more that the writer shared but you’ll only truly understand when you read it yourself. Even the most thoughtful book review is just the beginning, because every reader connects with it differently.
The real heaven is when you hold the book gently in your hands, sit in a quiet place, and read it word by word with your own thoughts.
The real blessing is holding with your own hand.
Who Should Read This Book?
This book is for those who go through loneliness but see it as a burden, for those who cannot find a middle way through their problems. For those who understand things better when written in simple words, and for those who, when someone opens up their soul in front of them, are able to reflect and improve themselves because we humans have many things in common, and many pains and unspoken feelings that we all go through.
If said in simple words, then this book is for everyone whether a child, an adult or an old person because a book touches each person in its own unique way.
Yuval Noah Harari once said:
you write a book and then the book has its own life and it goes places and it meets people and you really have no idea where it will be going and what kind of impact it will have and that’s a good thing.
There is one more thing, when you reread the book and everything seems more beautiful and different, when every page gives you a new meaning and changes you for the better, that’s when you know it’s a truly special book.
FAQs
Q1. What is The Art of Being Alone about?
It’s a gentle, inspiring read that helps you see solitude in a new light. Instead of treating alone time as loneliness, the book shows how it can be your best chance to connect with yourself, find peace, and grow as a person.
Q2. Can you give me a quick summary?
Sure! The book takes you on a journey of learning to be comfortable in your own company. Through stories, life lessons, and practical tips, it shows how being alone can actually make you stronger, more self-aware, and more at peace.
Q3. What are some key lessons from the book?
A few that stood out to me:
- Being alone doesn’t have to mean being lonely.
- Knowing yourself is the first step to true happiness.
- Quiet moments can be the best time to work on your dreams and passions.
Q4. Is it good for beginners in self-help reading?
Definitely. The language is simple, the chapters are short, and the ideas are easy to follow, even if you’ve never read a self-help book before.
This book review captures just a glimpse of the quiet truths hidden in the book. Before reading The Art of Being Alone, I followed the steps in How to Choose the Perfect Book and Actually Enjoy Reading It and it helped me find books I actually love and finish.