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’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