I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

Author Nathaniel Malabonga shares some insights and fundamental truths about life and the fairness that often eludes us all in the book “One Plus One Is Not Equal To Two.”

The Synopsis

Life is filled with things that shouldn’t occur but happen anyway, and none of it adds up.

Picture this. A CEO runs a company to the ground yet gets a golden exit package worth millions of dollars. Meanwhile, an ordinary hard-working person struggles to pay the bills and is one illness away from becoming homeless, even if they work 2 or 3 jobs at a time. How does any of that make sense?

It’s one of the most demotivating situations one can go through. It builds up a general resentment towards life that’s hard to shake off because it’s born out of the idea that we deserve better. If this describes your life in broad strokes, then it’s time to return to something more basic.

You are more than just a unit of production. This book is a journey back to yourself, to a fundamental truth that most people have ignored for too long and with tragic results. And unlike the intangible soul or the mind, this is a truth that you can touch and feel but is no less profound. It’s a realization that can lead you to rebuild yourself and give you the one thing you may need the most: hope.

The Review

This was an insightful and engaging read. The author had a way with words that spoke to the heart and felt thought-provoking at the same time. The book itself felt conversational in its delivery, with the author able to relate specific themes and topics to personal experiences, pop culture references, and everyday life in an easy and relatable manner.

The themes the author wrote about were timeless and compelling. Two chapters in particular spoke to me. One chapter spoke of holding onto the little things that give people a sense of respite, allowing them to find some form of escapism and understanding others who experience a loss of that escape from their lives. Then there was another chapter that spoke of family versus friendship, and the reality that proves that people can choose their friends, but they cannot choose their family, for better or for worse. These musings and artful approaches to life’s experiences were compelling to get lost in.

The Verdict

Thoughtful, authentic, and engaging, author Nathaniel Malabonga’s “One Plus One Is Not Equal To Two” is a must-read nonfiction self-help book. The authenticity and heartfelt nature of the book’s message, along with the relatability readers will have with the author and their journey, make this a compelling book to revisit time and time. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

About the Author

Nathaniel Malabonga grew up in Marikina City, Philippines. He is an avid gamer who plays tabletop roleplaying games and computer games. He also enjoys anime and manga. For a time, he was into airsoft and dabbled in various martial arts like arnis and BJJ. Eventually, he developed an interest in esoteric energy and healing systems like pranic healing and acupuncture.

A bookworm at heart, the first full-length book he read was the Bible and then Gone With The Wind before discovering Isaac Asimov’s The Foundation series, which ignited his interest in the sci-fi and fantasy genre.