Maybe this is ironic, but it took me a few years after receiving the book to pick it up and read it. The reason it took so long is that I was depressed and not ready to face it. Now that I have gathered the courage to face my own struggles, reading Mr. Moe's story has felt like having a friend along the way to put things that feel insurmountable into perspective. I received an advance copy of this book knowing the publishers would like a review to coincide with the release of the book. Here I am, four years later, feeling like a bit of a failure for having waited so long, but I think Mr. Moe would understand. Thank you for this book and reminding me to keep doing the best I can and not succumb to depression.

Not really sure how to describe this. It's part memoir, part encouraging hug. We're not alone.

This book comes out of the podcast by the same name, in which the author interviews comedians and artists (musicians, actors, etc) about their mental health struggles. I guess it adds credibility to the podcast? But really it's good to know that there are others who do understand.

Now I just need somebody to write The Hilarious World of Anxiety, in which we laugh at the ways in which we are paralyzed by simple decisions like "do you want to eat something."

“For you and someone you know” - a perfect dedication for a funny, heartful, well-researched memoir by a talented writer who understands depression on a deep level. The Hilarious World of Depression (THWoD as Moe abbreviates) is a clear, timely and important book.

The chatty tone and gentle wit make THWoD much more accessible than most books on depression. The writing can be sad, angry, funny or hopeful, but it is always honest. With accurate information and moving quotes by celebrities Moe interviewed, it can be read by someone suffering and be a starting point for help and conversations.

Moe speaks of depression as “a formless, colorless, odorless” disease, a “parasite that wants to destroy its host.” Moe’s depression started in junior high and caused him to remember pain and humiliation instead of being elected class president. Moe’s family, like many others with addiction problems, denied it and kept going. He built a fortress around himself to protect him from the inconsistencies of an alcoholic parent and continues, “The parent is the first person you learn to rely on, and when your parent proves unreliable, that means everyone is unreliable.”

Memoir chapters are mixed with ‘podcast sections’ sharing how comedians and celebrities coped with their depression. As Moe’s career grew, so did depressive episodes. When he had an actual diagnosis, he writes, “This awful buzzing weight, this monster in the open closet, this ever-present cloud of thick smog, this was an illness, not a fundamental part of my character. I wasn’t bad, I was sick.”

Suicide is discussed in an open and forthright manner. “The pain of mental illness can sometimes be greater than even the most fundamental logic. If this type of despair responded to reason, we wouldn’t be here in the first place” (talking about it.)

Two things that helped Moe cope with Depression: getting a dog and playing in a band. (He had observed rock stars receive unconditional love and approval and were paid to show off.) His stories about Free Range Chickens in costumes, with instruments – are hilarious.

The final two chapters are particularly useful for anyone living with depression – and those who love them. He lists cognitive distortions that people with depression often use. The last chapter covers nine things Moe learned the hard way, including People Want to Talk, Words Matter, Privilege is Real, and more.

The Hilarious World of Depression was only a temporary name for his show. It became a hit – because of caring guests, thoughtful interviews, humor, and the need for people to know they are not alone with this illness. He kept the awkward title for this excellent book.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Not at all what I thought or wanted it to be. I thought I wanted a light hearted book about depression, but no. I wanted a serious one about dealing with all the facets of life with depression.

An honest book on depression. To me, depression is something that needs to be talked about more, read about more, and thought about more in general. Great job to John Moe for making us want to do just that!

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. Thank you NetGalley!

The cover of this book is simple but eye-catching.
As someone who sufferes from depression, I'm always looking for books to make me feel better about having mental illness. This definitely fit that bill. It was an amazing read.
I'd definitely purchase a copy and check out other books by the author.

This book was spot on when it comes to depression and makes you laugh at the same time. I think the perspective of looking at your own level of depression vary with each person; however, this novel makes those reasons and feeling laughable.

I received an advance reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via netgalley and the publishers.

The Hilarious World of Depression is a fantasticly put together book by John Moe which is funny but shows the seriousness of depression at the same time. This book is nothing like what I expected and I think I couldn't have loved this book more. This book is heartfelt and so relatable and is a must for anyone wanting to know more about depression, suffering from depression or helping someone with depression.

I've not come across the THWoD podcast before, but I will be checking it out now!

Thank you for such an honest book with humour and heart!

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. Here is my link to the review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3384049618?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1

Moe covers a very serious and important topic with evident knowledge of the suffering it causes but I find that other authors have done a more successful job in covering the topic. I was unaware of Moe's other works prior so perhaps if I had already been a fan it would have worked better for me. Overall, the book covered no new territory for me and unfortunately fell far short with the humor aspect, despite the author trying.

I'm a fan of the podcast by the same name. John Moe takes a deeper dive into his own story. Anyone familiar with depression will find themselves somewhere in the pages of this book. They will also find a friend and an advocate in John Moe. Moe offers the rare boon of well-researched, clinical understanding married with his own personal experience, and the experiences of the many people he has interviewed and spoken with over the years -- both on and off the air (podcast).

I read this book in two sittings. It is well-written, clear and inviting. It asks nothing of the reader save the willingness to listen, and was an educational and deeply comforting experience for me. I also listened to the audiobook, read by John Moe himself. While reading The Hilarious World of Depression was satisfying, I would recommend listening as the far greater experience. John Moe becomes a literal voice in the darkness, comforting and human, with tell-tale wisps of irony and dry humor lacing every word. His narration of his own -- and others' -- stories bring them to life and make a profound connection to the listener.

Moe is funny, poignant, and grippingly honest. I heard his interview on Fresh Air and immediately went to NetGalley hoping to get an ARC (Thanks!!). While I never listened to his podcast, I probably will now, even though I subscribe to too many already. Moe's voice as a writer and storyteller is compelling, brutally honest, vulnerable, and illuminating. While he is the first to say he knows how to craft a story, his skills and talents are put to excellent use here in service to discussing depression and its effects on those who deal with it.
A solid choice for people who like memoir, discussion of mental illness, or dark comedy. It does deal with many things that could be triggering (most notably discussion of his brother's suicide and his guilt over that), but the frank and at times humorous discussion of his experiences (and insights from others through the podcast) are worth it.

John Moe has a podcast by the same name and he titled this book after the podcast. I think this is an important read for anyone who knows someone suffering from depression. It helps to understand and destigmatize a legitimate mental illness that so many suffer from. It is a great read and I highly recommend this memoir.

The Hilarious World of Depression blew me away. John Moe does a wonderful job describing the impact of depression upon his life with such raw truth and humor. The years growing up with depression and OCD without any definition of what was happening to him, to the multiple therapists used (revolving door), highlight the difficulties someone with a mental illness (diagnosed or otherwise) endure until they become more comfortable with their diagnosis (acceptance) and reach out for proper help.

My heart broke for him as I read the many ways he saw himself as a failure, as a husband, father, employee, and as a sibling and son. Always blaming himself when anything went wrong, there was no acceptance of the situation as it was. When his brother took his life, he fell into a tailspin. His brother had read a book he authored that detailed the idea of a suicide attempt at a gun range. His brother shot himself in the head on a gun range.

Finally, being diagnosed with PTSD from the suicide of his brother, Moe has been able to start healing from the guilt of his brother's death. He was not at fault. He never was. Depression skewers a persons perception of reality to such a degree, and makes us believe the lies. Our minds want to kill us. Our minds want to shame us.

When John Moe began talking about his depression, many started to come out to the light. Those no one would even have considered having any form of mental illness. Hence, The Hilarious World of Depression podcast began. John Moe has been providing such a beautiful service to those able to listen to his podcast. Depression is becoming a less taboo topic. More stigma being eradicated. Thank you John Moe and to each an every guest with the courage to come forward and speak the truth.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of this title in exchange for an honest review.

Some really helpful parts that really hit home throughout this book - I didn’t realise however when downloading it was more of an autobiography

I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed are my own.

Oops, apparently this is a podcast? I did not know that going in.

I have two extremes when reading about mental illness: Sylvia Plath and Jenny Lawson. And after The Bloggess herself, this falls short of its promise.

This was denser (subject and feeling) than I expected, and thus harder to read. It took longer than it should have, just because I had to distance myself from it several times.

Brilliantly, poignantly written. If you are feeling alone, then this is the book to read. You will find echoes of your own journey in this story. I highly recommend both this book and the podcast series that inspired. Beautifully written.

I found the podcast, The Hilarious World of Depression, about a year ago during a bad depressive episode. At the time it was one of very few things I could focus on. Since then, I’ve dipped in and out, always appreciating the bracing honesty about depression and what it feels like.

The book, The Hilarious World of Depression, is as delightful as the podcast. This is the story of John Moe’s depression, which first showed up in junior high and has plagued him ever since. After a while it becomes the story of becoming increasingly public about his own depression and starting the podcast.
The descriptions of what depression feels like, especially in the introduction and first chapter, are some of the best writing about depression I’ve ever read. And I have read a lot.

The author is a very honest about his experiences and his continued struggles. He lets us in on how depression has affected his relationships, his work, and his whole life. His voice is funny and wry and real.

If you are looking to feel not-so-alone in your own sadness, or mental health struggles, I think you’ll get a lot out of this book. It’s also a tour of his many therapists, so if you’ve had a hard time finding a therapist, you’re not alone.

John More has written a deeply personal, often hilarious, account of his experience with depression. Everyone should read this book, not just saddies. John Moe has written about depression in such a way that we can relate and understand either ourselves or loved ones that are struggling with depression. A timely book that can shed light on something that is often pushed back and not spoken about.

As someone who struggles with depression, I always find it helpful to read other people's accounts of how they're living with the condition. And if the story can be told with a little humor, that's even better. John Moe, creator of the podcast with the same name, offers a book that's a little different from what I was expecting. It's written almost in the form of a memoir where he writes about his own experience growing up with depression, his suicidal thoughts and urges that developed in adulthood, and how other members of his family struggled with mental illness. Moe is able to express perfectly the despair that's present for people he deems 'saddies.' I related to so much of his descriptions of how depression can affect day-to-day life and how it can hinder your plans for the future. Because Moe's podcast focuses on interviewing celebrities about their own depression, I was expecting more of these other stories from a variety of people (including a lot of comedians who face their diagnosis with a sense of humor). Although Moe includes some, the majority of the book is related to his personal life. The sections devoted to his career were a little less interesting to me, but overall, I think Moe does a commendable job getting down to the gritty details of how his depression informs his thought processes and behaviors. I definitely recommend this book to anyone who has depression and needs help reframing (especially with humor and humility) and for anyone with loved ones who have depression - this book will likely create a lot of empathy instead of judgment.