Review: Furiously Happy (Jenny Lawson)

The first time I read this book was on a road trip with my dad. I don’t remember when this was, and I don’t remember where we were going. I only remember two things from that whole trip, both of which occurred at a roadside Dennys.  I remember that there was a hearse in the parking lot, and that when it drove away there was a very suspicious pile of dirt in its parking space. And I remember Furiously Happy by Jenny Lawson. When the waitress asked if I wanted normal syrup or fruity syrup on my pancakes, I was sobbing, tears running down my face, feeling truly seen by a book for the first time in my life. Honestly I’m tearing up just thinking about it. 

I read the book on a recommendation from my dad, who knows me far too well.  It takes a very good father to see Lawson’s manic taxidermy raccoon cover art and think, “hmm yes, this will improve my child’s mental state!” 

Furiously Happy is an absolutely hilarious memoir full of some of the most honest, charming, and funny writing I have ever had the pleasure of reading.  On several occasions I had to pause and take a break so I wouldn’t piss myself, and not just on the first read through. Every single time. The chapter titles alone are brilliant, my favorites being “I left my heart in San Francisco. (But replace “San Francisco” with “Near the Lemur House” and replace “Heart” with a Sad Question Mark.)” and “We’re Better Than Galileo. Because He’s Dead.”

Lawson takes on the topic of mental health in a series of essays that cover everything from adventures in taxidermy to coming to terms with who you are.  Her words are kind and thoughtful, her message clear and containing an exactly appropriate amount of profanity. Despite the urgings of my terrible college therapist, I do not read self help books. I do not like self help books. This is not a self help book. This is a book where a brilliant, extremely relatable woman learns how to help herself, and in doing so imparts upon the reader a treasure trove of heartfelt advice and life lessons, much of which I have taken to heart in my own struggle with mental illness. 

I am not exaggerating when I say that Jenny Lawson is my favorite living writer. I once ran into John Stamos outside of my high school and I didn’t even pause on my way to class. But if I ever meet Jenny Lawson? I’m pretty sure I would die on the spot of excitement. No writer (besides possibly Douglass Addams) has had a larger positive effect on my mental state or general wellbeing.  

I recommend this book to anyone who has mental health issues and wants to feel less alone. I recommend this book to anyone who has a fabulously healthy brain (if such a person exists) who wants to understand. I recommend this book to every human being on the planet who has ever had a bad day and needed the strength to hope for better times.

Support independently owned bookstores! Purchase a signed copy of Furiously Happy (and her other books) from Jenny Lawson’s bookstore, Nowhere Bookshop in San Antonio. 

https://www.nowherebookshop.com/