Reviewed by Hilary Hawkes for Readers' Favorite

Hell is Not a Place, It’s a Time by Susan Hart Snyder is a thought-provoking, encouraging, but at the same time entertaining and funny book that will soothe anyone who suffers from worries and anxieties. The author begins by her admission of being a worrier and describes the realizations, insights and coping techniques that she has developed. As all anxiety sufferers know, night-time can be the worst time, and it can feel as though your mind is occupied by "beings" – from Regret, Random Thoughts, Fear and Vanity to Anger, Shame and Sorrow – all of whom are hell-bent on torturing you with their negative talk. But there is much we can do to master these demons and put them in their place. Learning how to just be, relax, connect with others and form nurturing relationships, recovering and learning from our mistakes, making the most of opportunities, living in the moment and practicing the art of gratitude can lead to a more contented and less anxious life.

Hell is Not a Place, It’s a Time is written in a very readable and entertaining style with plenty of humor – the author often laughing at her own reactions will cause the reader to smile in recognition. I loved the comparison Snyder makes between worries, and those unstoppable negative thoughts and the idea of hamsters spinning on wheels in the brain! This is a book with an emphasis on how to accept and rethink aspects of life that may be causing unsettled and anxious emotions. Susan Hart Snyder includes some heartening and enlightening quotes and passages, as well as her interpretations of these and her own ideas – all based on life experience.

It is often the case that our emotions and reactions to events change when we notice what is really important in life, understand that we cannot control many of the things that happen to us, and face the things that we fear: “The road to the deep satisfaction of a life well lived runs straight through challenges, over obstacles, and into the eye of our greatest fears.” The author’s own discovery and advice to the reader is that living in the moment without the desire to make our lives and everything perfect is a calmer and happier way to live. This well-written little book has the potential to calm anxieties and fears, and is a sign post to a way of life that embraces acceptance of ourselves and knowledge of this truth: that it is in giving to others that we make our own lives more fulfilling.