September Letters: Finding Strength and Connection in Sharing Our Stories

by Brittany Snow, Jaspre Guest

An inspirational collection of letters, notes, and conversations among friends, celebrities, experts, and the September Letters community. A guide to help us clearly see that we are not alone, and that sharing your story is powerful and healing. When actress and activist Brittany Snow was a teenager, she read an article about another woman’s hardship that made her feel seen and less alone. She carried that story in her back pocket for a long time. This experience was a gift that Brittany then paid forward when she revealed her own experience in a published article. Brittany’s story resonated with a young reader, who kept that story in her back pocket, where it was when the two crossed paths serendipitously. In September Letters , Brittany Snow and close friend and SL cofounder Jaspre Guest show us how sharing our stories reveals our greater connection. This book features a collection of original letters and notes from Hannah Bronfman, Lily Cornell Silver, Kid Cudi, Maria Menounos, and more, alongside interviews with mental health experts like David Kessler, Gretchen Rubin, Mark Epstein, Jay Shetty, and Wendy Suzuki. Equal parts guide and resource, September Letters is for anyone seeking to feel more connected with themselves and others. The book you hold is meant to be dog-eared and highlighted, to help you reflect on your personal story. Included within is a symbolic pocket, inspired by Brittany’s story, to hold your very own letter.  

Genres: Audiobook, Mental Health, Nonfiction, Self Help

144 pages, Hardcover

Published May 23, 2023

Reviews

[kerrigan · Rating 2 out of 5]

I felt that this concept would have been better conveyed in a magazine article, at least that’s what I felt I was reading already.

These letters did not have any substance, they were all “stay positive” and “life gets better” which is great and all but it was just boring. I was hoping for more of an eavesdropping vibe.

[Jenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Self-help books is a genre that you can say is not my favorite. I tend to find the books a little preachy and sometimes condescending. But I am huge fan of Brittany Snow and when she said she had co-written a book, I knew I was going to check it out.

We've always heard that writing can be healing. It's why journaling is so popular within different therapies. This book focuses on the healing aspects of writing, specifically letters. They can be addressed to you, to people you know, or even strangers. The purpose is to compose the letter and really have time to sit with your feelings and get them down. I had never heard of the September Letters before picking up this book but it seems like a really nice community where one can go and find support and just write.

As someone who's been writing since I was a child, I do agree that there is something about writing that is soothing. I used to love writing letters to people. Having pen pals was all the rage when I was growing up and I looked forward to receiving mail. We definitely have lost that with modern technology when you can send a text message instantaneous. This book brought back those feelings but also dove deeper. While reading these letters it was almost like you were inside these strangers heads, you were feeling what they were feeling. Some were beautiful and some were absolutely heartbreaking.

I preferred the letters over the interviews with specialists mainly because I was drawn to the human connection. And there were definitely some letters in there that I might go back to on certain days when I just need a reminder that everything is ok.

[Jessica Rodgers · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was not what I expected it to be. I adore Brittany Snow and I love how she is trying to bring awareness to mental health. There are personal written letters and then interviews with professionals on each of the topics mentioned. Some of the letters hit home. This book just touches the surface of mental health and how we can use letters to help express, cope, and help others.

[Liv Enloe · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book found me right when I needed it. If you’re feeling alone, going through a transition, or just need to feel like someone is holding your hand, read this!

[Lacey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Write things down. Write letters to yourself or to others. Know you are not walking around alone in how you feel. I loved this book and all the good writing things down can do for you.

[Emmi · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVE LOVE LOVED this!

[Jamie · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderfully thoughtful collection!! I've loved Brittany Snow for years, her advocacy for mental health awareness through September Letters has been a personal source of hope. What a beautifully human thing.

[Angela Schneider · Rating 4 out of 5]

Our stories matter. The lives we lead are the legacies we leave the world. Are you writing your own story or leaving the task to someone else?
This book wasn't at all what I thought it was going to be, and now I don't even recall what I thought it was going to be. While a quick read, the thoughts dispersed throughout can take some time to process ... but as Brittany, Jaspre and many of their interviewees suggest, the best way to process those thoughts is through writing.
The idea is simple and, though the "be positive" message in so many of the letters falls flat on me, it's a good reminder to pick up my pen every day. The catharsis is different between handwritten words and those pounded out on a keyboard.

[Somer Duty · Rating 1 out of 5]

A book that could have been a blog post. I love Brittany Snow which is why I read it and the idea was cute however it felt like a children’s self help book. I would have better spent my time reading actual psychology books rather than little bits of people attempting to sound stoic but not providing any real value. I wish she had written an autobiography instead. Anna Kendrick’s autobiography felt more personal and fun to read than this book of random people sharing stories and ideas with no real substance or end goal.

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some of the letters gave me glimpse of what some people go through in life that I've never really though of, like stuttering. Some letters hit closer to home. The interview with professionals underscored the importance of putting thoughts to paper, weather public or private. But in some of the interviews, the wording was weird and made it difficult to understand the exact intent of the sentence.

[Sarah ✨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I know I love to write, but damn I forgot how imperative it is for our mental health! Especially nowadays with our paperless culture…so many beautiful stories and experts to remind us all that we are not alone in our internal battles. Thank you Britt and Jaspre for collecting this special book and putting it all together. Well done 🙏

[Ericka · Rating 3 out of 5]

Simplemente es un recordatorio que todos lidiamos constantemente con nuestras emociones y que ninguna es eterna a pesar de que así se sienta.

Esté libro es como un curita para el corazón en mis momentos de ansiedad, definitivamente vale la pena escucharlo en audiolibro

[Ron Frampton · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book on mental health issues.

[Amanda Ball · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute little coffee table book with a great message!!

[Allison · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars.

[Ashley Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a good non-fiction read. So many of the letters resonated with me and made me feel uplifted. Highly suggest for anyone who may be suffering with mental health.

[Jesca Cervantes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute book on the importance of letter writing and journaling!

[Alessandra Sagastegui · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book with inspirational letters from different topics, anxiety, depression, grieve, etc. I really enjoyed the audiobook version.

[Jenny Wren · Rating 1 out of 5]

A mile wide and an inch deep

[Tori · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute idea, but I think PostSecrets did it better.

[Jessica P · Rating 4 out of 5]

i love the concept of writing a letter whether to yourself or someone else

[Anaprg · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not my cup of tea. I’m not even sure what I was expecting but it didn’t feel to me like it delivered. Hope it’s only my case!

[kimi]

did not intend this to be in September

[Codi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wasn't sure if I would like this given the format of it, but I loved it. It was such a light read, but also helpful to those that struggle with their own mental health, like myself. I have been wanting to journal so badly, after I started therapy, and I just never knew what to do. How to start, what to write about. This book showed me that I can write just whatever I want. Take the time to write, but also to slow down. We are all going 100mph and never take the time to just breathe. I would recommend this book to anyone who needs a lift, boost, or to just feel like they are not alone - because no one is alone.

[Jess · Rating 5 out of 5]

Didn't expect to cry at this
Very insightful, and empowering

[Lauren Murray · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delightful listen on stories, why handwritten letters are important, and the strengths we all have.

[Raquel · Rating 2 out of 5]

Short but wouldn't listen again for several reasons.
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