Reviewed by Marie-Hélène Fasquel for Readers' Favorite

You Can't Change The Past by Keith Thorn is about something we all do, even if we don’t always notice it: thinking again and again about the past. The author explains how we replay moments in our heads of things we said, choices we made, and how we imagine what could have been different. Each chapter focuses on a different idea related to our thoughts. For example, there is a part about the expression “if only,” and how it can trap us into imagining a better version of the past. There are also chapters about why we keep holding on to memories, and why it is sometimes so difficult to let go. It is a series of reflections. The style is very simple, calm, and relatable. Keith guides the reader step by step, almost like a conversation.

You Can't Change The Past by Keith Thorn is easy to read and understand, as we all regularly face this issue. It is first and foremost about feelings and thoughts that I think many people have, even younger readers. For example, I sometimes think again about things I said in class or to friends, and I imagine what I should have done instead. The book made me realize that this doesn’t really help. What I found most interesting is the idea that there is a difference between thinking to understand and thinking in circles. The author shows that we often believe we are learning from the past, but actually, we are just repeating it in our minds. It also made me think about how we compare real life with an imaginary “better version”. The book gives us time to really reflect. This is a quiet and thoughtful book. It gives strong advice and helps us see things differently and maybe feel a little lighter about the past. And that is so important!