Broken ( in the best possible way)

“Becoming your own friend means taking care of yourself the way you would someone that you love. And that’s hard. But it is necessary.”

― Jenny Lawson

Why I’m Reading this Book?

This is my third attempt in reading award winning books (Goodreads choice award winners for 2021), which so far was fruitless with Beautiful world where are you and The final girl support group. But I’m nothing if not persistent, so I’ve decided to give humor a try where fiction and horror failed.

Synopsis

This book is about writer’s ongoing journey and struggles/battles with mental illness. She is a chronic patient of anxiety/depression and have whole sleuth of complications that come along with them. But this story is much more than that , just like there is much more to a person with mental illness than just a disease. And the candid way she talks about her disease, helps in understanding these illness that a ‘Normal’ person usually doesn’t understand. As the title says, she is broken but in the best possible way.

My Review…

I’ve read books on or about mental illness and though I empathize; I don’t usually like to read them. They are despondent and I fear about getting depression myself after reading them. So, when I found this award winning book about broken person in humor section, I was intrigued.

I dipped my toes slowly and then I was hooked in chapter 3 where she tells us how she lost her shoes while wearing them 6 times. Incidents are hilarious and embarrassment that comes after is more relatable. I could see the writer and me as a friend from then on as I have my own share of embarrassing moments. And after that It was just like a side-splitting laughter filled conversation with a good friend.

There are many more funny anecdotes along with some somber explanation about the disease that is so terrifying that I’m amazed at the sense of humor and gusto with which Jenny Lawson deals with it. I’m also in awe of people surrounding her who love her unconditionally and also going through this illness along with her and still find life enjoyable and humorous.

From this book , the life lesson that I learned is that may be the best possible medicine for every problem in life is humor. Finding laughter in impossible situation is like finding a glimmer of hope in the darkness we sometimes find ourselves in.

I loved the whole book, but my favorite section is the last one, where Jenny talks about Soul and she does that so beautifully that if nothing else, one should read only this chapter.

A very good book I must say and well deserving to be an award winner. Finally I broke the curse of bad award winning books. 😀

My Rating — 4

On the scale of: (1- Hate , 2- Neither like nor dislike, 3- Like, 4- Love, 5- Gaga)

Why anyone else should read this Book?

It’s a great book to understand people with mental illness without overwhelming yourself. Humor is the thread that binds us all and using humor this book talks about a terrifying subject without making it a heavy and sad read.

Some of the incidents are very relatable and hilarious. If you want a laugh or two, pick this book.

I’ve already recommended this book to few people while I wasn’t even finished with it, so there you go. Pick it up, understand the monsters we all are battling with, empathize and just Live!!

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“In books I have traveled, not only to other worlds, but into my own.” – Anna Quindlen

Love, Richa