I loved this graphic novel. Even though the author is much younger than me, I could related to most of the topics in this graphic novel.

So this started out as just a collection of comics;. About half way though the author started adding in what drove her to write those comics. About dealing with depression or being an introvert. Before reading this book I had only seen one of the strips (the one about the book store). I can see how the strip works on a day to day, or week to week basis. That being said, I would have liked author commentary throughout, or not at all.

Added Goodreads
Added Litsy

Sarah Andersen follows up her Goodreads Choice Award-winning book Adulthood is a Myth with Big Mushy Happy Lump, which is essentially more of the same - if it ain’t broke, eh?

Andersen’s strips are humorous and self-deprecating snapshots focusing on her insecurities, low self-esteem, lack of confidence, social awkwardness, period pains, and general self-loathing (procrastination) couched within drawings of cute big-eyed/small-bodied figures.

That might sound a bit too neurotic but Andersen turns her public therapy into really funny strips. I laughed at the feline Paris Hilton (that vapid face was dead on!) and Sarah’s expression at seeing a puppy in a sweater, and her observations on tattoos and the differences between men/women’s fashion were insightful and clever.

She’s doing something different from her first book in the second half of this book by branching out into longer-form narratives. Included are stories on learning to overthink less, the Saga of Sadie (a cute kitty who helped solve her mouse problem and showed her why people love cats), and The Sweater Thief, which was adorable. I can see her maybe moving away from strips soon and building up to a book length-narrative - these encouraging longer pieces definitely show she’s got the storytelling rhythm down.

Andersen’s strips are charming and easily accessible and, like many other readers I expect, I identified with her anti-social tendencies to be alone, watching Netflix or reading, over mingling with real people in the real world - blech! Combine that with self-awareness, imagination, comedic timing and wit and it’s not hard to see why people respond to her books.

Not all the strips are home-runs and a few feel like retreads of similar strips from the first book, but Big Mushy Happy Lump is still a very enjoyable, fun read - fans of Sarah’s Scribbles will love this!

A superior collection of comics, and strips used to illustrate essays, regarding the modern foibles, social diseases, isolation, period pain and a whole lot more that women like our author have to put up with. I might have laughed more, but it was a strong work, compared to a recent British variant on the same I shall leave nameless, and as a sophomore volume shows no second-album-syndrome symptoms.

A cute cartoon collection for those that like social awkward humor.

Sarah Andersen is definitely the master of the small one-shot comics, but I enjoyed the inclusion of the longer comics (especially the story about the kitten).

After reading Sarah Andersen's first collection last year, I couldn't wait for another book! Big Mushy Happy Lump is another excellently funny book of comics. This collection did seem to dive a bit deeper into female-specific and mental-health issues and concerns, but it still remains lighthearted and enjoyable. I appreciate and love Sarah's honest look all areas of life as a young woman. Adding some short essay pieces was a nice update with this book. However, I noticed a lot more previously published material in volume 2 (perhaps because I've started following Sarah Scribbles online since her last book release). It would have been nice to see more original, never-before-seen illustrations. Regardless, I would still keep a copy of this book on my shelf and buy copies for all of my friends.

Have you ever heard the phrase: When a funny joke is repeated, it becomes less funny? Well... it's the same for repeated comic strips.

A LOT of the scribbles in Big Mushy Happy Lump are the same ones published in Adulthood Is a Myth, which makes the whole experience much less funny.

Sure, I still related to some things. But... been there, seen that and it's not that amusing anymore.

I've wanted to pick up some of her products before as I love her super relatable and funny illustrations so I'm glad I was accepted to review this ebook via Netgalley. It's her second book and I now want her first. I love the simple illustrations and the topics as well as all of the funny captions. I loved this little ebook and I'd definitely recommend it!

I love Andersem's drawings and the humor in her comics. I have read Andersen's Adulthood Is a Myth and this sequel is just as fun.