Right, let’s get this out of the way, Dodie Clark (or doddleoddle or just dodie as she is also known, no caps makes you super edgy online as my twitter follwers will attest) is a musician and YouTuber. She posts original songs, usually accompanied by a ukulele and more recently, she’s been making videos documenting her experiences with Derealisation and now she’s written a book about that experience. Having dealt with mental health issues myself, I am always interested to read more about how other people work though their struggles, which is why I was so interested to get a hold of this.

When I feel like I’m going mad I write.
A lot of my worst fears have come true; fears that felt so big I could barely hold them in my head. I was convinced that when they’d happen, the world would end.
But the world didn’t end. In fact, it pushed on and demanded to keep spinning through all sorts of mayhem, and I got through it. And because I persisted, I learned lessons about how to be a stronger, kinder, better human – lessons you can only learn by going through these sorts of things.
This is for the people with minds that just don’t stop; for those who feel everything seemingly a thousand times more than the people around them.
Here are some words I wrote.

So given that we’re all aware that we’re supposed to dislike books by YouTubers and given that I have mixed thoughts about the few books I’ve read that happened to have been written by YouTubers, what did I think of this?

Well…
The editor’s letter at the beginning of this mentions Sylvia Plath and I eye rolled so hard it hurt. I love Sylvia Plath and I hate when people are like ‘ohh like I’m cool and edgy, like Sylvia Plath’. Trust me, I have met people who genuinely say things like this. So, even though I was interested to read this, that one sentence had me backing away slowly. But then I pulled myself together and skipped through to the only words that matter, the ones Dodie put in there and by god. If you were put off reading this because of the whole she’s a YouTuber, this is a way for publishers to make money off of her millions of young subscribers then push that thought out of your head. This isn’t Sylvia Plath, but it is, for the most part, beautiful and heart breaking and warm and endearing. Dodie writes in such an unflinchingly honest way about her experiences with mental health, emotional abuse and well… life, its refreshing and captivating.

The reason I was so interested to read this was, as I said, because I am interested in how people cope with their mental health, though this book is also about life lessons and observations, the opening chapters do deal with Dodie’s mental health experiences and the way she writes about it is captivating. As is the advice she gives about obsessions, growing up and love. Though there were times when I was left wondering who the intended audience was, some of the pages were written in a way that transcends age, others were clearly twenty something to twenty something and some spoke to the younger audience that I know Dodie has. In one way this is a plus, people of all ages can read and enjoy this book, in another I’m worried about how it will be marketed, I wouldn’t want anyone to miss out on what is a solid read because no one is sure who to sell it to.

Despite only being in her early twenties, this was a great memoir. Normally I’d be like, live a little first, but honestly, there was more than enough material here to keep me engaged and essay like anecdotes were interspersed with song lyrics, journal entries, submissions from people who know Dodie well, doodles and photographs – i had an egalley of this but the paper/hard back would be a much better reading experience and would allow you to better understand the stories the doodles, journal clippings and selected photos tell.

Also I feel there needs to be a special mention for the dedication at the beginning because it was hilarious.

All in all, though I wouldnt say this book was perfect and there were some moments that were stronger than others, this was a thoughtful, endearing memoir and though I really want to make a 6/10 reference, I think it deserves more than that!

Pleasantly surprised with how much I enjoyed this book. I went into SECRETS FOR THE MAD skeptical and a little wary because as much as I love Dodie and her channels I have learnt the hard way when it comes to Youtubers writing books is that alot of the time their voice on screen doesn't always channel itself as well in a book/on print.

This book however is a delight. It is true Dodie form straight through the book's bones and brims over with her sweetness, personality, thoughts and feelings as well as everything else the book holds. She writes beautifully and every word comes across as thoughtful and sincere. I also thought it was incredibly brave of Dodie to write about some of the things she's gone through and experienced in the past when she could've said nothing about them. It took alot of bravery to write about those things and I commend her for doing so.

Very lovely book, highly recommend.

I was hesitant to read this. I had never read a YouTuber book before and I was nervous. I had heard some pretty negative things about basically all the others and was so worried this would be the same. But I was wrong. See, the thing that dodie has is she’s good at storytelling. She’s good at portraying her feelings and emotions, putting them into words in beautiful ways. This book did that. It went into her life and her feelings and felt so real and relatable. That’s always been one of the biggest things I’ve always loved about her, is how relatable she is. This book honestly just feels like she’s talking to you. The writing is really good, blew my expectations out of the park. The reason this doesn’t get a higher rating is...I honestly don’t know lol??? There’s just something there that doesn’t make me want to leave it a higher rating. I guess I just didn’t leave it feeling like I knew anything more about her (that I didn’t already know cause I’m a big fan) or that I took anything away from it. It was still an enjoyable read though and I’m honestly proud of her and this book! It dealt with a lot of hard topics and hearing her stories on how she’s dealt/struggled with them was cool.

“I’ve got a secret for the mad… in a little bit of time it won’t hurt so bad.” Before I was aware of this book I was aware of Dodie Clarke. How could I not be? Like most UK citizens in their early 20s, I watch a variety of ‘YouTubers’. I’ve grown up with them. The growth of YouTube sensations also has a swarm of moneymaking techniques following them them. Most notably: books. I popped into a local bookshop today and like always there was a YouTube section, sandwiched between YA and science fiction. And why not? They sell. But the culture surrounding them confuses me and thanks to this and the fact that these books are being pumped out at a rate of knots, I shy away. But Dodie has something original to say, so when I saw the book I leaped at the chance of reading it. Dodie has a huge audience on YouTube, two fabulous EPs and now a book under her belt. She’s 22; she’s my age. This queues two things in my mind: firstly, a desperate inferiority complex which nags at the back of my skull, and the more apparent second, the screaming voice saying HOW. DOES. SHE. DO. IT. But that’s an issue for another day and one I’m going to ignore here because honestly, I don’t know. Near the start she shares her goal for this book - to let the world glimpse into her mind - and she succeeds. Dramatically, this book captures thoughts in a collection of short essays. They’re unique and original and not once condescending. She writes in a way which feels beyond her years. She’s wise. Add that to the reasons I’m bitter! “Secrets For The Mad” is wonderful. It’s full of hope and wit as her essays try to make sense of mental illness and life. She’s made no secret of discussing her mental illness, as her struggle is documented in her songs and her Instagram posts, as well as her YouTube videos. She has previously already proved herself as a writer so I’m not honestly sure why I was surprised by how wonderful this book was. This book was just like her songs: hopeful, sweet and tinged with happiness, as well as the sadness which comes from such honesty. The writing flows really beautifully and I was unexpectedly drawn in and swept away as lessons and stories were shared. I read it in one day and only had one break (a crying break, no less). I read this book on holiday with tears streaming behind my sunglasses for the first half. It struck home in a way I wasn’t expecting and it was hard to read from a personal perspective. Dodie discusses these topics with maturity and grace, which astounds me. Topics which range from breakfast burritos, to mental illness, eating disorders, sexual abuse, feminism, and so on, in a very accessible way. Each topic is handled with the same amount of care and heart. Nothing about this book feels like ‘filler’, it’s all carefully thought out, honest and dripping with purpose. None of the above issues are sugarcoated; they’re not ‘cute’ or ‘encouragable’. They’re dark and bitter, yet told with such honesty and insight that it makes society’s taboo surrounding them feel old-fashioned and ridiculous. Paired with the writing is the format. The book is sprinkled with photographs and drawings whilst also giving homage to Dodie’s lyrics. The presentation alone would be enough for me to give this book five stars. However, it’s the writing which firmly places this book in one of my favorites of the year. To finish I’d like to leave a small thank you to Dodie, for your candor; for helping to break the barriers down surrounding mental health; for encouraging honesty with issues which aren’t easy to see and rarely easy to help. Thank you for your honesty and for helping me feel less alone. This book is a friend and a shoulder. It’s wonderful.

Talking frankly about her mental health, DPD or Depersonalization disorder, Dodie pours her deepest battles and issues into this book.

Dodie also talks openly about her alcohol usage and how she's come to know what she can handle at a time. Open chats about learning about abusive and loving relationships, death and grief as well as bullying in school and home issues a lot of us can certainly find something to relate to in Dodie's book.

Complete with lyrics and pictures to deepen the messages made in the book, I really enjoyed finding out more about Dodie and her life away from and before YouTube. If you too are a fan I'm sure you will enjoy her book too!

Many thanks to the publishers for allowing me to review this book for them!

If you weren't already aware of what a wonderful, talented human dodie is, you will be after reading her book.

With picturesque writing, each short story feeling like an all consuming snapshot of her life, you can tell dodie is a songwriter. Her writing is somewhat lyrical and tells a secret story, just like her songs, but in a way that makes you feel like you are living it.
Although the stories are very personal, they're also so relatable, so many of them are things that we've all gone through and although incredibly hard to read at times, it's also somewhat comforting.

It also has adorable drawings, a lot of which were written surrounding a variety of her songs and lyrics and pictures and snapshots of her life throughout.

Dodie helps to break down barriers and stigmas surrounding mental health by delving into the ugly parts, the hard parts and the just plain painful parts. She in no sets out to make it seem cute, quirky or something to aspire so. Yet, at the same time, not demonising it or making it a taboo topic to discuss. She's open, honest and raw in an incredibly insightful and I'm sure for some, comforting way.

From sex and relationships to, mental illness, fame and success, her childhood, sexuality, family, friendships, being bullied and being the bully, sexual abuse, feminism and grief, she candidly discusses a spectrum of topics but all through short chapters in a very accessible, not at all intimidating way.

This was a lovely, heartfelt book that I think will help a feel not so alone.

I loved the mix of drawings, song lyrics/poems and prose, that felt really nice. Dodie is very honest (her guide to sex is particularly important) and I think this book is going to do great things for her viewers.

Absolutely beautiful and wonderfully written.

If you love Dodie, then you should be excited about this book. She's open and talks about her experiences with depersonalization, depression, anxiety, ED, and abusive relationships. Her own writing is interspersed with a lyrics to some of her original songs and a few essays/letters from others and handwritten notes from diaries/journals and her own illustrations. Absolutely wonderful, and I had such a great time reading it.

I loved some pieces while others I liked less. Overall, a great collection even if you aren't a Dodie fan (but why wouldn't you be?)

“When you can’t find your purpose in a day, make it to look after yourself.”

I went into this book not knowing too much about the author, other than being absolutely in love with her cover of the song Novels with Rusty Clanton. I must've replayed it over a hundred times since I found it back in April.

I consider it to be one of my all-time favorite songs, thanks to its visceral lyrics that make my heart skip a beat without fail. So I was bound to read Secrets for the Mad sooner or later. Plus, there's the fact that I adore reading memoirs.

Full review with quotes and illustrations can be found:
https://bookspoils.wordpress.com/2017/09/08/review-secrets-for-the-mad-by-dodie-clark/

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2117890778