Jenny Lawson (1)Rezensionen

I could use a good laugh and I don't mind some profanity. In fact, I curse quite a bit myself. But this book had too much profanity and I didn't come across anything even vaugely amusing for twenty pages. It is, like, totally not the book for me. Too much "totally" and profanity. Maybe that is what makes so many people laugh, but I require more. Or maybe just different. Maybe its, like, totally a generational thing.

Broken (In the Best Possible Way) is a mixed collection of chapters: some are laugh-so-hard-you-cry funny, others are brutally honest depictions of mental illness and the treatments needed to be okay, and then there are chapters which I can only describe as quiet reflections on life. Jenny Lawson is known for balancing the outrageously funny with the darker chapters. Even in chapters that are not funny at all she usually has a turn of phase that will make you laugh for a second. In her latest book Jenny moves away from that need to always interject humor. It’s still there in the funny chapters (my favorites were the one where she kept losing her shoe and the tweets from people who experienced hilariously awkward situations), but the reflective chapters are more quiet, whimsical, and artsy. She doesn’t try to move into the humor, but lets the chapters stand as they are. Having read her previous books multiple times, it’s interesting to see her style change a little in this book. Kind of like listening to a beloved artist’s new album: there’s a lot familiar, but some new styles as well. If you’re already a fan of Jenny’s work then you’re going to enjoy this new book as well.

*Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review

I've been reading Jenny Lawson's blog on and off for years. She's always had a mix of hilarity and deeply thoughtful things to say about navigating life with multiple chronic health conditions as well as severe depression and anxiety.

Her books have that same mix and this is no exception. The audio editions read by her are wonderful because you truly get her stories in her voice.

There were chapters that made me aware of the invisible mental and physical health issues that people may be struggling through without me being aware. Some of it was heartbreaking (such as her open letter to her medical insurance company) and other parts were incredibly insightful and lovely.

Then there are the chapters that made me laugh out loud while driving around in my car totally alone. The one about why she can never go to the post office again is the best. Another favorite is the one where her social media followers shared their most embarrassing moments. I need to play those two chapters for my husband.

As always, time with Jenny made me laugh, made me cry, and made me appreciate all the little things in life.

I picked this book up on a clearance table and I love it. Is it a book? Is it a coloring book? Is it art? Is it food for people with dangerous minds? Yes, all of these.

I should not try to read books that are trying to be funny and are not written by David Sedaris. It never works out.

Jenny Lawson is my hero.

Memoir

"Emptying a litter box is basically like serving as a cat's toilet. It is the best way to humble yourself ever. Add 10 more points for being an awesome toilet."

"Add 10 points if you didn't die"

"Give yourself 50 points if you're a vampire. Subtract 40 points if you're a sparkly vampire."

Hilarious, poignant, wonderful!!

Funny, whimsical, ludicrous, gorgeous, touching. Hopeful, and hysterical. And I found myself nodding and agreeing, far, far too much.

When someone says "LOL" about Jenny Lawson's stuff, they probably mean it literally. I did. Do yourself a favor: read this book and start reading Jenny's blog.

It didn't hold my attention quite as well as I hoped that it would. It's essentially a book of essays, and that works for me sometimes, and other times does not work for me. And I like the author's attitude, but it was a bit too chaotic for me right now.

I don't read a lot of non fiction but this was great. I laughed out loud and read it all in less than a day so I'd say I was hooked.

This book is a must read. Jenny Lawson has made me laugh so hard I cried, and made me cry so hard I laughed. She not only understands mental illness, but she eloquently describes how to make the best of it. This book is in fact a self-help book. But not one of those self-help books that makes you feel guilty and worse than you were prior to reading it. This book makes you feel alive again!

I get that this is funny, but it's not my cup of come-tea (that's supposed to be an admittedly terrible pun on "comedy"). Lawson narrates the audiobook herself at lightning speed (slow down, girl). Like [b:Hyperbole and a Half: Unfortunate Situations, Flawed Coping Mechanisms, Mayhem, and Other Things That Happened|17571564|Hyperbole and a Half Unfortunate Situations, Flawed Coping Mechanisms, Mayhem, and Other Things That Happened|Allie Brosh|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1409522492s/17571564.jpg|24510592], there's a lot of good stuff here about the realities of chronic depression and anxiety. Very enlightening for someone who hasn't experienced it and, I imagine, relatable for someone who has.

Since I'm having an audiobook version, listening it on the go, I'm also a part of an experiment of observation passerby's reactions as I keep on bursting out laughing spontaneously. And you know in Russia it's twice as fun, when most people you encounter on streets wear a stony mask for face :D

I absolutely LOVED this book. I can relate to jenny with a lot of the social awkward moments and the spontaneous switching of conversation from one topic to another. I relate to her paranoia of some things that might not be there. This book kept me laughing and flabbergasted all in the same breath. I would recommend it to anyone!

To be honest I only made it to Page 42 before I went, "wtf am I reading??" and put it down. Apologies to all the fans and Ms Lawson, but I just don't get it. It was a bit too contrived and manic for me, or maybe my sense of humor is not normal.

3.5 stars - It wasn't as funny as her last book "Furiously Happy". It was kind of half funny and half thoughtful/deep essays/ramblings. Also, WAY too many mentions of danger noodles (yes my phobia is to the point where I can't even say the word)!!!

Also, apparently I didn't understand the "why did the chicken cross the road? To get to the other side" joke either until I read this book!!!!! Omg

I’m so grateful that Jenny Lawson continues to share her gift of humor as she opens-up to readers about coping with depression and anxiety. Broken (in the best possible way) is an excellent addition to her previous books, Let’s Pretend This Never Happened and Furiously Happy. In Broken, Jenny keeps inquiring minds up to date with stories of hilarious life moments that had me laughing until I cried. She also shares very serious stories that drive home the real struggles of depression. I appreciate her transparency and advocacy for all people. It’s obvious that she is a very kind, caring person.

I own a signed copy of Broken that I picked up at my local independent bookstore, Joseph-Beth Booksellers, when this book was released. I chose to listen to the audiobook because Jenny narrates, and it’s the best possible way to enjoy her stories. At the end of the audiobook, she tells how she recorded the book in her closet because it was during the pandemic. I remember seeing her social posts about that experience. Speaking of social media, I follow Jenny on Instagram and X and love her posts. If you don’t already, give her a follow on your preferred platform.

My husband and I had the absolute pleasure of seeing Jenny Lawson when she was on book tour for You Are Here: An Owner’s Manual for Dangerous Minds. My author event blog post is linked below for your convenience. She is just as wonderful in person!

I have photos and additional information that I'm unable to include here. It can all be found on my blog, in the link below.
A Book And A Dog

I obtained this short essay/mini memoir about the author's attitude to Hallowe'en, the only holiday season she enjoys, as a free read on Amazon Prime. Some of it was amusing, such as the recollections of cheap or handmade costumes which I'm sure a lot of people can relate to (even if we didn't dress up for Hallowe'en, there were plenty of other school occasions where our Mums had to improvise with crepe paper, cardboard, poster paints and tinfoil), but other parts such as the arch asides to her editor about not being paid by the word came over as boring filler. I didn't enjoy it enough to seek out the author's other works, but it was an amusing short read so I am awarding it 3 stars.

I really enjoy Jenny Lawson. Not many things I watch or read make me laugh full on out loud, but Jenny does it to me every time. My daughter has many similar "conditions" Jenny has and it was heartwarming and heart wrenching to me to hear her description of living it. So worth understanding those I love and support.

Hilarious, touching, revealing, a good read. The picture of the happy raccoon on the front is worth the price of admission, and aptly fits the book.

I've been getting really tired of the toxic positivity type of self-help books, the ones that are all like, "Girl, all you need is a clean face!" and, "You can figure out ANYTHING!" Ummm... screw that. Sometimes life is tough, sometimes it really sucks, and some of us deal with anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues that no amount of face-washing can ever fix. So Jenny Lawson's books are a breath of fresh air in an otherwise pretty toxic string of books that poke you in the eye with the constant reminder that if your life is tough, it's your own damn fault. So just go wash your face again.

This was my first foray into Lawson's work. I wasn't familiar with her before picking up the book, and I found myself happily laughing along (and yelling at Victor) from page one. The mix of genuinely hilarious stories and heartbreaking, first-person accounts of living with depression and anxiety struck just the right balance between light and dark. I found myself nodding along, frequently whispering "Me, too" and "Fuck, yes." Every page offers a beautiful (and non-toxic) reminder that you are enough. You are okay. And you are in good company.

Thank you Jenny Lawson for writing this It reminded me how great your writing is and wish I had read this several years ago.