Tag: Bloggess

What’s Ashley Reading?: How To Be Okay When Nothing Is Okay

How To Be Okay When Nothing Is Okay by Jenny Lawson

First line: I have spent a lifetime learning to operate a brain that vacillates between overthinking and total shutdown.

Summary: Jenny Lawson is a best-selling author who struggles with depression, anxiety and imposter syndrome. She fights with her inner demons as she uses her unique sense of humor to show that life can be hard yet beautiful. In her newest book, she shares tips and tricks to help readers find their way through the fog that we call life.

My Thoughts: I absolutely love Jenny Lawson. I have read/listened to all her books, seen her at a Watermark event and follow her on social media. She is real and not scared to tell the world about her struggles. The way she is able to explain her mental health issues gives many people who deal with similar concerns hope and insight. It feels so refreshing.

I usually listen to her audiobooks because she reads them, which I feel enhances every chapter. It does not feel like listening to an audiobook but more a conversation with a friend. She goes off on tangents, emphasizes certain words or points a reader may not and her voice is one I can hear in my head whenever I read her blog posts. Like David Sedaris, her books are better consumed in audio format.

The new book she dives into tips and tricks she uses or has attempted in her journey with mental health. While not every tip speaks to me, some do and I loved hearing her advice. I laughed aloud at multiple points listening to her stories and anecdotes. I love her wit. If you are looking for a funny self-help book then Jenny is your person. She can talk about such serious problems but with a humor that makes it feel less oppressive. Give her a listen!

FYI: Lots of bad language.

What’s Ashley Reading?: Broken (in the best possible way)

Broken (in the best possible way) by Jenny Lawson

First line: You probably just picked up this book thinking, What the shit is this all about?

Summary: In her newest book, Jenny Lawson otherwise known as the Bloggess, details her struggles with memory loss, health insurance and taxidermy animals. She is honest and real about her life and people in it but brings humor that gives the reader a giggle between serious topics.

My Thoughts: I love Jenny Lawson. I have read all her books. I went to see her when she visited Wichita several years ago. She brings real topics like mental illness to the forefront but also adds humor to it. She struggles with so much but has been able to overcome a lot with the help of her family. I listened to this, because that’s the best way to read this book, and I was nearly crying while laughing. Her stories can be hilarious and thoughtful.

There were a few chapters that I skipped over when they got too real. Sometimes reading about depression can make a person feel down. I did not want that so I chose to skip them for the more humorous stories. But I think my favorite part of the book was her open letter to her health insurance company. It is ridiculous how these companies treat people. Rather than help they give even more hoops to jump through. Luckily I have never had to deal with something like what she goes through but many people probably do and it is heartbreaking.

FYI: Very serious but also hilarious at times too.

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