-From the chapter "Things I May Have Accidentally Said During Uncomfortable Silences".
This "review" is going to be mostly me saying how much I loved the book and how it is literally Laugh-Out Loud Funny (like LOL where it's slightly embarrassing to read in public). The other part of this review is going to be sharing some of the examples of those LOL moments. But first, a little background on Jenny Lawson, The Bloggess.
Jenny Lawson started out as a blogger who just blogged about her insane, weird, strange, but hilarious life. Then she decided to put many of these blog posts, plus new material including her lovely (if lovely really means "you can't make this shit up") childhood, and how she met her saint of a husband, into a book. Her first book was called Let's Pretend This Never Happened, and it was the funniest thing I had ever read. So, imagine my huge excitement when I realized this past May at BookExpo that she was coming out with a follow-up full of even more hilarity? I was ecstatic! And also a little peeved that Macmillan handed out *surprise* free ARCS (advanced reader copies) and I didn't know until it was too late (the books only lasted about 10 minutes max). But mostly excited and impatient for September to arrive!
Once I opened up Furiously Happy, I was immediately giggling, but also ready for a bit more seriousness thrown in. I had read reviews before that Jenny imparts more information and details about her struggles with anxiety and depression, as well as a host of other disorders. Some people may be put off by having small chapters on her struggles with leaving the house or with speaking in public, intermixed with absurd chapters titled "George Washington's Dildo" (or something of the sort, I already returned my copy and forgot to write that down). But I think it enhances the book. After all, this is a memoir of sorts, and her illnesses are a large part of her life and partially why she is as funny and quirky as she is. Plus, my only (tiny) complaint I had about her first book was that there were a few times where the humor was getting a little tired, because it's a whole book of it, and so in Furiously Happy she breaks up the humorous bits, and it makes for a an incredibly satisfying, belly-aching, read.
Here is a link to a review I really enjoyed by one of my favorite Goodreads reviewers, Karen. I think she does a great job (as always) of explaining why this book and Jenny Lawson are so great. Much better than I can, that's for sure. Below, I'm going to give you a taste for what is in store if you decide (which you should), to pick up her books.
Oh, I forgot to mention that Jenny loves inappropriate things and cuss words, so watch out!
*From the "George Washington's Dildo" chapter:
ME: Hey. Are you busy?
VICTOR: No. What's up?
ME: Are we...fighting?
VICTOR: Why? What did you do?
ME: I didn't do anything. I was just at my computer and then I remembered that you were talking to me in my office and then I realized you weren't there anymore.
VICTOR: That was like...an hour ago.
ME: I know. But I couldn't remember you leaving and I thought maybe you stormed out on me because I wasn't paying attention to you, but then I didn't notice because I wasn't paying attention.
VICTOR: You don't remember me leaving?
ME: No. It's like when you drive home but then you can't remember driving home once you get there.
VICTOR: Huh. Yep, we're fighting.
ME: Hmmm. Were we fighting before I brought all this up?
VICTOR: Nope.
ME: Well if it makes it any better I was coming in here to say that you were right to storm out because clearly I was not paying attention, and so technically I think you have to accept my apology. Especially since it's for a fight that never actually happened.
VICTOR: No.
ME: BUT I DIDN'T DO ANYTHING WRONG AND I'M APOLOGIZING FOR A FIGHT WE NEVER EVEN HAD.
VICTOR: You didn't even realize I wasn't in the room until an hour after I left.
......ridiculous ensues where George Washington's dildo is mentioned (you'll have to read it to understand)
VICTOR: Do you ever wish we had normal fights like normal couples?
ME: Never.
VICTOR: Huh. Me either. (pg. 51-54)
[The above quote is one of the many instances in this book you can see how much of a saint her husband is and how well they work together].
*From "What I Say to My Shrink vs. What I Mean:
"Although I do, of course, love my pets as much as any normal person."
THE OTHER DAY I HAD INSOMNIA AND I MADE MY CATS A WATER BED OUT OF A ZIPLOC BAG AND A SHOEBOX. THEY POPPED IT WITH THEIR CLAWS AND THEY ALMOST DROWNED. THEN I TRIED TO PUT BABY SOCKS AROUND THEIR FEET BUT THEY KEPT PULLING THEM OFF SO I TRIED WRAPPING RUBBER BANDS AROUND THE SOCK HEMS AND THEN MY HUSBAND WOKE UP WHILE I WAS PINNING ONE OF THE CATS DOWN TO PUT THE SOCK ON HIM AND HE WAS ALL, "WHAT ARE YOU DOING? WHY ARE THESE CATS ALL WET? AND I WAS LIKE, "I'M TRYING TO HELP THEM ENJOY WATER BEDS," AND THEN VICTOR MADE ME GO TO SLEEP. IT WAS A DISAPPOINTMENT TO EVERYONE INVOLVED. (pg. 70)
*From "I'm Going to Die. Eventually."
"So," she (her therapist) asked, "do you think you're finished with therapy?"
"Every time I get a pimple I worry that's it's the beginning of a new nipple."
She stared at me in silence.
"And that was not the answer to your question. I'm sorry. I jumped ahead."
"To tell me about your nipple?" she asked calmly.
"And then I assume the nipple will turn into a new person and I'll be a late-blooming conjoined twin. This is what it's like in my mind pretty much ALL THE TIME."
"So, I'll pencil you in for next week?" (pg. 257-258)
*From "Well at Least Your Nipples Are Covered"
After her husband tells her she looks "okay".
ME: No. You said I looked "okay" which is pretty much the same thing as saying, "Well, at least your nipples are covered." If you'd said I looked "fine" I'd feel better but I'd probably still change, because "fine" equals "You might as well just give up." Which I won't, because I care about my personal appearance.
VICTOR: That is the craziest fucking thing you have ever said.
ME: Not even remotely... (pg. 267-268)
And that statement right there, from Jenny herself, "Not even remotely..." explains this whole book. There is no way that THAT is the craziest thing she has ever said. Just about everything is. And that is why she is awesome.