- Author: Jenny Lawson
- ISBN: 9781447238355
- Genre: Non-Fiction/Memoir
- Pages: 276
I used one of my Audible credits to get this book after listening to Let’s Pretend This Never Happened.
In her new book, FURIOUSLY HAPPY, Jenny explores her lifelong battle with mental illness. A hysterical, ridiculous book about crippling depression and anxiety? That sounds like a terrible idea. And terrible ideas are what Jenny does best.
According to Jenny: “Some people might think that being ‘furiously happy’ is just an excuse to be stupid and irresponsible and invite a herd of kangaroos over to your house without telling your husband first because you suspect he would say no since he’s never particularly liked kangaroos. And that would be ridiculous because no one would invite a herd of kangaroos into their house. Two is the limit. I speak from personal experience. My husband says that none is the new limit. I say he should have been clearer about that before I rented all those kangaroos.”
FURIOUSLY HAPPY is a book about mental illness, but under the surface it’s about embracing joy in fantastic and outrageous ways-and who doesn’t need a bit more of that? – Goodreads synopsis
I enjoyed Furiously Happy even more than her first book. I didn’t think that was possible, but apparently it is. This book also solidified me as a fan of Jenny Lawson. I’m a religious reader of her blog and follower of her Twitter and Instagram accounts. I got ridiculously excited when I found out she’s coming out with a new book, which just happens to be a coloring book. I pre-ordered it as soon as pay day, and I was actually anxious about not having the money to pre-order as soon as it was available. As if, somehow, it would disappear before I could claim my future copy of it?
For the first time, I’ve read of someone else who got so angry about her brain chemistry messing up or getting in the way of her living her life the way she wants to that she decided to give it the finger. As she says in the first chapter, being “furiously happy” isn’t a cure, it’s a weapon. It’s also the realization that being “crazy” is ok. If there is such a thing as the perfect book for just about anyone suffering from Anxiety, Depression, PTSD, chronic medical conditions, phobias, etc., this is the book. It’s an amazing and wonderful reminder that humor and accepting yourself as you are is the best way to get through the craziness of life.
One day I will own Furiously Happy in paperback so I can re-read with highlighter and pen in hand and also read out loud all the passages that I want the Boyfriend to hear. Until then, I’ll just re-listen to bits and pieces of the audiobook whenever I need a reminder to be furiously happy.
