Join Jenny Lawson, an award-winning humorist known for her candid insights into mental illness, as she explores the hilariously chaotic experience of living with ADD, describing it as "being a kitten on cocaine." She candidly discusses the guilt of how her struggles impacted her parenting, discovering that her child's fondest memories were shaped by these challenges. Jenny emphasizes the power of vulnerability and sharing awkward moments to combat loneliness and foster connection, reminding us that embracing our imperfections can lead to deeper understanding.
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question_answer ANECDOTE
Writing as Communication Tool
Jenny Lawson discovered writing as a way to communicate since talking made her panicky.
Writing helped her slow down time and express who she truly was despite anxiety.
insights INSIGHT
Reclaiming Brokenness
Jenny reclaims being "broken" as allowing light in and deep compassion.
Mental illness can create new perspectives and empathy, despite severe struggle.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Mother-Child TV Bonding
During her hardest moments, Jenny watched Doctor Who with her child as their special bonding time.
To Jenny, these couch moments were treasured memories her child loved, not signs of failure.
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Let's Pretend This Never Happened is a memoir by Jenny Lawson that combines humor and heartache as she recounts her unconventional childhood with a taxidermist father and her later life struggles with mental health. The book is known for its laugh-out-loud humor and its ability to make readers feel less alone in their own quirks and challenges.
Broken (in the Best Possible Way)
Jenny Lawson
In *Broken (in the Best Possible Way)*, Jenny Lawson shares a series of essays that blend humor with thoughtful reflections on her struggles with depression, anxiety, and chronic illnesses like rheumatoid arthritis. The book offers both hilarious anecdotes and serious discussions about mental health, making it relatable and engaging for readers who appreciate candid storytelling.
Broken Horses
A Memoir
Brandi Carlile
In 'Broken Horses,' Brandi Carlile shares a candid and heartfelt account of her life. Born into a musically gifted but impoverished family, she faced numerous challenges, including contracting bacterial meningitis at age five and grappling with her sexuality as an openly gay teenager. Despite these hurdles, her small town rallied around her, and she found solace and salvation through music. The memoir details her career milestones, from local singing competitions to collaborations with Elton John, Dolly Parton, and other musical legends, as well as her work with the supergroup The Highwomen and her achievements on the Grammy stage. The book is an examination of faith, a meditation on the moments and lyrics that shaped her life, and a testament to her mission to give back through her music and the Looking Out Foundation.
Furiously Happy
Jenny Lawson
In 'Furiously Happy', Jenny Lawson delves into her personal struggles with depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions, using humor to convey her philosophy of embracing life fully despite these challenges. The book combines poignant reflections with comedic anecdotes, offering an uplifting message to those facing similar struggles.
1. Content warning: Discussion of suicide.
2. Jenny puts words to her experience of ADD – "being a kitten on cocaine" – and her anxiety – seeing "rainbow fire.”
3. How Jenny felt guilty for years about a way her mental illness impacted her mothering – only to later learn it was her child’s favorite memory.
4. The moment she decided to be honest about her struggles – and how sharing our awkwardness can save the world and cure our loneliness.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800-273-8255
About Jenny:
Jenny Lawson is an award-winning humorist known for her great candor in sharing her struggle with mental illness. She's written four NYT bestsellers, including Let's Pretend This Never Happened (a mostly true memoir), Furiously Happy (A funny book about terrible things), You Are Here (An owner's manual for dangerous minds) and Broken (in the best possible way), which recently won the Goodreads Choice award for Best Humor of 2021. One of those books is a coloring book but she insists it still counts. She lives in Texas with her husband and child and would like to be your friend unless you're a real asshole.
We Can Do Hard Things 
