Furiously Happy by Jenny Lawson
Reviewed by: Genna Buhr, Director
Genre: Non-fiction, Biography
Suggested Age: Adults
What is the book about?: Jenny Lawson, a.k.a. The Bloggess, writes vignettes about her life with depression, anxiety, and other ailments. She takes us on adventures near and far with odd stories from her life and shares the ways she has learned to live furiously happy despite the dark depths mental illness can bring. Tackling a wide array of topics, expect to learn more about -among countless other things of varied seriousness – a Japanese toilets, anti-psychotic drugs, taxidermy, and clinical depression.
My Review: Mental illness isn’t a subject about which people can usually laugh – in good conscience, anyway. And, I agree, it’s absolutely not a joke. However, I thought this book was an incredible, much needed, inside look from someone who is not only coping with mental illness, but recognizing that she can rock her life with it. I couldn’t make it through this book without a lot of loud snortles – most of which probably woke my husband up as I continued reading this WAY past my bedtime. And I’m a tired girl; it was that hard to put down. I felt like I was having one of those late-night, half-serious/half-hilarious conversations you had with your college roommate, the ones you had after you both had put the books and computers away for the night, and you both learned more about each other and yourselves.
Heads up: If talk about sex, anatomy, dead animals, or curse words make you uncomfortable while reading, be prepared to leave your comfort zone. You may also become obsessed with Rory, the cute raccoon on the cover. I can’t look at him on there without saying “fur-iously happy” in my head. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.
Rating: 5/5
About FDL Reads
Welcome to FDL Reads, weekly book reviews from Fondulac District Library. Librarians (and possibly some other guest reviewers) review all types of books, from children’s picture books, young adult favorites, to the latest adult thriller, and share their thoughts each week at fondulaclibrary.org. If the book is owned by Fondulac District Library (or another local library), you’ll see a direct link to the catalog entry and whether or not it is available. If it is checked out or at another local library, you will be able to place a hold as long as you have your library card and PIN numbers. As with any book review, these are our opinions…we disagree amongst ourselves about books frequently. We all have different likes and dislikes, which is what makes the world an interesting place. Please enjoy, and keep on reading!