I love Jenny Lawson! I found her many many many years ago in the blogging world. I knew we would be best friends if we ever met, after I read just how much she loves Wil Wheaton ( me too) and after I read about Beyonce. If you haven't read about Beyonce, please go look up this viral gem. I reread that story anytime I feel bad about life & need a good life.
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I have read all her books & I rave about them. So when asked if I want to read Broken, I said YES. This book does not at all disappoint. Jenny brings such a truth & realness to mental health. She makes how you feel seem ok. She uses humor and her own stories to humanize mental health in a way that no one else can, with laughter & complete honesty. Her books will always be 5 star reads for me. She is my hero. I know we would be best friends.
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So fun. So charming. So clever and well done. Laughed, smiled, thought - what a lovely writer who can make a point by making you laugh. Recommend 1000%. I’m going to bring it on our family vacation and read it aloud- with drinks.

Heartfelt thanks to Henry Holt for the copy. I’m grateful.

I feel like I need to be gentle here, since I dig Jenny and know she has oodles of fans out there. But I didn't entirely love this book. Mostly because it felt, tonally, all over the place. But maybe that's OK, because she seems to have been, emotionally, all over the place when she wrote it.

While Lawson's previous works have touched upon mental illness, this one seems to dive deeper, and give a more vulnerable portrait of her experiences. I'm not implying she was avoiding the truth in the past, but I think she was very aware that she has this brand of being a "funny writer," so she kept those accounts lighter, quippier. That's not the case with many of the chapters in this new book.

In this book, you can feel her exhaustion, the toil of carrying the weight of complex physical and mental illness. Personally, I thought these chapters made the book soar. Lawson is clearly a gifted writer and is doing outstanding work of bringing serious attention and empathy to people who live in this situation (I include myself in this category.)

I'd love to see Lawson do something totally different in her career and write a whole book in this more serious-y tone. Having read a lot of books about both pain and mental illness, I know firsthand that the marketplace could use her trademark candor and humor. The businesses who serve these communities could use her insights.

However, in comparison, I didn't love the funny chapters of this book quite as much. Since Lawson has mined a lot of her life already for her stories the ones in this book felt like she was trying very hard to keep her readers happy and just give them what they want. (Some of these stories aren't even about real things that happened, just funny things she imagines happening.)

I guess for me, knowing she struggles (particularly on this book) and has a lot heavier things to say, seeing her seeming to bend over backward to entertain us and make us laugh had the opposite affect and actually made me deeply sad. I wanted to reach out and hug and her and tell her that I see her and she'd doesn't need to work so hard to be loved.

That's not to say that I didn't laugh during this book, though. Of course, she's still funny. (The chapter, "Awkwarding Brings Us Together" made me laugh so hard, I cried.) I think I just enjoyed the parts of the book where I DIDN'T laugh even more...like there's a new, different kind of author being born there.

I received an ARC of this book courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

I've long been a huge fan of Jenny Lawson, and this book didn't disappoint. Alternately a serious look at anxiety and mental health, and laugh-out-loud stories that are uniquely Jenny, I loved it.

Admittedly - i suffer from anxiety myself, and I read the book in smaller chunks and not in one sitting, because some of the stories made ME anxious and I needed a break - which surprised me. Thankfully, this is a book that is easily digested in bits.

I feel so terrible for the issues that she is dealing with in day-to-day life, but I'm so glad (for us) that she is coping with it through humor.

Here's what I personally love about Jenny Lawson: She is unafraid to write about the darkest side of anxiety, ADD without the H, depression, chronic diseases, and the absolutely horrifyingly CRAPPY health care system that denies people the care they need, with absurd rules and denials. She illustrates this in ways anyone can understand and find unacceptable. And then, from start to finish, she takes the ordinary stupid things that happen to her, maybe a little more than they happen to others, and makes them the funniest, laugh till you pee and cry books you have ever read. So you learn a lot and you laugh a lot and she's such an incredible writer that you fly through the book in a sitting and buy the book you just read for free through Netgalley plus all her other books because you lost them and you imagine watching your adult kids read them in front of you. Jenny Lawson is that good! Broken (in the best possible way) was hard for her to write due to her mental health. Don't forget ever that it is real and part of her and agonizing. If you don't have depression, anxiety, or ADD, but someone you know or possibly love does, you can get into their heads a little by reading this book. And remember, too, that no one is just her illness. No one. Your socially anxious, isolating because of depression and introverted friend who is right now considering backing out of your holiday picnic may also be your funniest friend. Your most creative friend. Your friend who helps you see the world in a new way. Even broken pottery or rats in the backyard. And if she comes to the picnic, she'll impulsively say something horrifying or unintelligible to your guests that is perfectly sensible to her and hysterically funny when she puts it in a book. Many of us want to be Jenny Lawson's best friend, but she's way too tired from getting through her day. So we must thank her for getting this book to us when she could and knocking it out of the park. Is every chapter engaging? No. A few fell flat. Is the book 100% one you should buy. HECK YEAH. The overall experience is a joyride and a deeply personal expose of the inside of Jenny Lawson's head. Again. And if it takes eight or ten or twenty years for the next one, if I am on this earth, I'm in!

Ooof where to begin? I wish she had simply written a serious book about her mental health struggles. That would’ve been a good book. This mix of “humor” and depression/anxiety essays? It didn’t work. I’m familiar with other works by this author and this...nope. Not it.

First off? Not funny. Eyeroll-inducing. If anyone actually lived these stories to the level she portrays, they would not be allowed to function without appointed supervision. It’s too much, too over the top, too fabricated.

The mental health struggles, treatments and life lessons were really well done. Too bad they were ruined by being broken up by ridiculous over the top stories. I wanted to stop 25% in. It was like someone having a manic episode and deciding to try standup comedy on a whim? It’s not funny, there’s so much cringe-worthy stuff. If even half of this wasn’t embellished, no person could function as an adult in this way. Self-indulgent chatter for probably two-thirds of the book and then great insights on the struggle of dealing with mental health issues, insurance companies, and treatment for the other third. Sadly, that one-third doesn’t make up for the rest.

This one really missed the mark.

I've never read anything by Lawson, but I've heard great things about her ... and this book. It did not disappoint. I love her sense of humor, though it may not be for everyone. I haven't laughed so much at a book in some time, so this was a breath of fresh air in that respect. I appreciated the firsthand stories pertaining to mental health issues. It's a topic that definitely needs to be discussed in today's society. And I loved the overall reminder that, whatever you're going through, you're not alone. I look forward to reading other books by this author.

Is there anything better than a book by Jenny Lawson? The answer is absolutely not! Lawson's relatable but hysterical stories make her books unputdownable and this one is no exception. She's like the friend everyone needs - real and raw and doesn't hold back. There are some heavier moments in this one but they're handled in a way that isn't sad - it's inspiring. I highly recommend picking this up ASAP!

Jenny Lawson has many things. She has anxiety and depression. She has many physical illnesses. She has OCD. She has a long suffering husband named Victor. They have a daughter. None of these define this woman who writes honestly and incredibly humorously about all of the above. Not one to shy away for ANY embarrassing situation, her books of essays are like manna to people who also suffer from illness, not just the ones mentioned above. Not only is she relatable, but she makes people who suffer feel not as alone.

Reading Lawson’s book with a smile on your face feels like an oxymoron. The chapters always deal with serious issues, such as her not wanting to leave her hotel room when she is on book tour, but you laugh because she tries to take the stigma out of her fear and make it funny in the best possible way. She explains how it is possible to lose just one shoe, six different times in different ways.

She tries to push the reader to embrace their illness and try to look at it lightheartedly. But most importantly, she tries to make them realize they are not alone. And if YOU think you are having a hard time coping, well just listen to this! She certainly does not sugar coat her situations, but she surely does find herself in some comical circumstances.

In one essay about her marriage, she addresses everyone’s admiration for her husband Victor and his undying love for her. But she explains to the reader that the secret to there long marriage is that neither of them has the energy to divorce!

In another chapter she gives reasons why due to her anxiety she no longer attends any type of party, with an absolutely hysterical list of things she has said while attending such gatherings.

In Awkwarding Brings Us Together she explains how she once tweeted out something silly and embarrassing she had just said and within minutes had replies from hundreds of people who have had that same cringe worthy experience. One example is “A friend thanked me for coming to her husband’s funeral. My reply? Anytime.” I must have read this essay at least twice laughing harder each time.

But the one essay which was not so funny was her insightful open letter to her insurance company in which she explains how she has had difficulty getting medication paid for even though they agree with the diagnosis, or how an experimental treatment may very well help her, but her illness is not that far along. She tells of the hoops they make her jump only to be in the same position as when she started She writes of being denied a medication only to be told months later she should be on the medication only to be denied the medication. She somberly ends with how lucky she is to be able to afford the medications she has been denied and feels for those who are unable to do the same.

Is it bad that I don’t want Jenny Lawson to not be Broken? Her incredible insight into the feelings of people with anxiety, the humor she shares with us when she laughs at herself, the lessons she does not even realize she teaches gives one hope. Hope of looking at situations much differently. Hope of getting better. Hope of not feeling self-conscious. Hope of not being broken. Thank you Jenny!

Thank you #NetGalley #HenryHoltandCo #JennyLawson #Broken for the advanced copy.

*3.5 stars*

Broken by Jenny Lawson oscillates between a real heart-wrenching picture of what it's like to live with depression and anxiety and an uproariously funny collection of observational and awkward humor. I loved both parts of the book equally, though the writing style and some of the chapters felt repetitive towards the end of the book.

I enjoyed Broken much more than Furiously Happy: A Funny Book About Horrible Things, which I read years ago and considered too one-note. Broken had some of those elements and sections that felt draggy, and I'll admit that I even skimmed a few parts. However, the bright spots of the story overshadowed the less interesting sections.

I couldn't stop laughing while reading a few sections. Like, fully-body laughter, which is rare for a book. The mix between these very funny sections and some really compelling, more serious sections was very effective and made for some moving reading. The parts of the book where Jenny Lawson talked about her struggle with depression and anxiety were very eye-opening for me, and I think it made me understand more about the struggles that people with different mental illnesses go through.

Despite some repetitive sections, I think Broken was a successful and entertaining read.

*Copy provided in exchange for an honest review*

Made me laugh at my depression. #winning

Shortest Summary Ever: Jenny Lawson battles many things - depression, anxiety, cock chafers... say whaaaa? Life is tough, yo. Yup, welcome to Lawson’s world where she combats mental illness, conquers her fears (um... ok maybe one), and engages is a war of words with her hubby Victor (spoiler: Lawson always wins). Strange and hilarious thoughts are discussed in her irreverent, hysterical way.

Thoughts: Jenny (I pretend we cool like that in my mind) is my bestie... she just doesn’t know it. Now she’ll read that and think a) psycho who is “my biggest fan” and hide the sledgehammer or b)she hears this A LOT and smiles. I assure her it’s B (FYI I don’t own a sledgehammer. And I have 2 beagle rescues so ya’ know I’m trusty). I think many people FEEL Jenny Lawson - particularly those who suffer the same afflictions. Those who don’t - I’m gonna’ guess you haven’t traveled this path and pray you never do.

I am sadly one of those path people. I spent 7 years of my life homebound with panic disorder w/agoraphobia and Major Depressive Disorder, but then found out along the path I had some serious physical medical issues, namely - Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency, GSID - a sucrose intolerance. Anemia, Gastroparesis, Diabetes, and Hashimoto’s. And in the middle of all this? Pre-cancer of my vulva known as VIN III. Yep I had to have a piece of my vagina - removed. Thankfully not the crucial bits. I battled insurance, a doctor who told me to “push through “ my issues... all of it.

Yeah, Jenny and I are simpatico. And my hope is that she’s reading this and going “OMG well I never lost a lady part, so that’s SOMETHING.” And I hope the loss of that lady bit makes her feel better about her problems. If they had let me save that lady bit I’d give it to her as a medal and pin it on her so she could wear it and tell people how much her new bestie appreciates her. I mean what did you give YOUR bestie? Bet those flowers are looking lame right now. All Because she made me feel better about my problems. And damn that feels good.

I think we’d sit down and agree that the true hope is that neither of us has to have the loss of lady bits or excruciating procedures anymore. That’s some truth.

This book spoke to me in ways that left me laughing out loud or crying. But most of all Ms. Lawson (because I’m nasty) has inspired me to document my own battles. She lays out her life in a raw, unfiltered way. She’s fearless though she talks of her fears. She’s brave while explaining how she’s feeling anything BUT brave. She’s human in every sense of the word. It’s true for me that if I lose my laughter I’ve lost everything. That’s when I know
It’s all over for me. Thank God for my bestie Jenny.

All my reviews available at scrappymags.com around time of publication.

Genre: Non-fiction Humor

Recommend to: all my chronic illness peeps and those who love a good bawdy joke. Bette Midler fans.

Not recommended to: angry people with no souls or tolerance for swear words.

Thank you to the author, NetGalley and Henry Holt and Co for my advanced copy in exchange for my always-honest review and making it almost worth losing the lady bit so I could laugh over this book (no, not really... that really hurt, but you have my love).

I adore Jenny Lawson! This book is raw and just as hilarious as her previous two.

Memoirs are always a little hard to review, because it is the persons life. But I can say for sure that I will read anything Jenny Lawson publishes. She has a way with words that really let you feel like you're living her experiences, whether they're fun and light or dark and sad. She's honest and open with her life and her mental health and that she handles it the best way she knows how. Can't wait to listen to the audio book!

This book was extremely disappointing because Lawson's other work is much better written. It is obvious she was struggling with her physical and mental health and had to turn something into her publisher. Her previous books are much better and it seems that she abuses the fact that she already has an audience. I will not be reading any more work that she publishes.

Broken, by Jenny Lawson will bring light,hope,irony, and laughter to those that are struggling to pull themselves out of the shadows of depression. It also brings recognition that this is a journey with struggles for many.

I was so excited to receive this book. I loved her past work and this did not disappoint! The characters were so well established, and the book didn't feel like anything else I've ever read. Loved it!

Broken (in the Best Way Possible) is in my personal opinion, Jenny's best work. In this novel, Jenny tackles discussing anxiety and depression in a humorous light. I laughed out loud numerous times, as always. This novel is a must read for everyone.

Thank you Netgally and the publisher for this ARC in return for an honest review.

I love Jenny Lawson!

I have had the pleasure of reading all her books and have made them part of my regular recommendations and this book will not be an exception.

She has such a way about her which makes everything she goes through relatable and has helped me to understand what other people may be going through. My husband is not a reader, but does suffer from anxiety and I would read parts of this to him which made him feel “normal” when that isn’t always easy.

Thank you Jenny for being so real and so vulnerable and for truly being one of my favorites!!!

ARC from Netgalley.
Jenny Lawson is one of the funniest people in the world. Her blogs and books make me laugh so hard my sides hurt at times. BUT, she also shows that life is amazing in its own way and you have to live it your own way, no matter what.

She calls herself Broken, but in some ways she's stronger than all of us put together.

I truly appreciate her sharing her life and stories with us.

SO.... you should definitely read ALL of her books, but here are some topics from this book that made me laugh really hard (left as a note for me to remember to go back to):
- Losing Shoes to Elevators and accidently kicking people who are pooping
- Dog Condoms
- Reasons I can't come to your party
- Contact with the Vampire Brotherhood
- How do dogs know they have penises?
- Cockchafer Bugs
- The Awkwarding Brings Us Together project (go read the rest of them online... laughing for hours)
- Asking the dentist "Thid you see the balls in my mouf?"
- FasciaBlasters and Vagina Lasers
- Catching your central vacuum on fire, but unable to clean up mess because your ShopVac is full of poop
- Why I can't go back to the post office ever... Taking back illegal drugs, trading them for a bag of dicks, then getting the dicks stuck in your car holes. (I was laughing just retyping this sentence)
- Catching rats and cardboard eclipse viewing boxes on your head
- Shark Tank ideas

If any of these sound funny, go read the book now. I will always recommend Jenny Lawson.

First line: You probably just picked up this book thinking, What the shit is this all about?

Summary: In her newest book, Jenny Lawson otherwise known as the Bloggess, details her struggles with memory loss, health insurance and taxidermy animals. She is honest and real about her life and people in it but brings humor that gives the reader a giggle between serious topics.

My Thoughts: I love Jenny Lawson. I have read all her books. I went to see her when she visited Wichita several years ago. She brings real topics like mental illness to the forefront but also adds humor to it. She struggles with so much but has been able to overcome a lot with the help of her family. I listened to this, because that’s the best way to read this book, and I was nearly crying while laughing. Her stories can be hilarious and thoughtful.

There were a few chapters that I skipped over when they got too real. Sometimes reading about depression can make a person feel down. I did not want that so I chose to skip them for the more humorous stories. But I think my favorite part of the book was her open letter to her health insurance company. It is ridiculous how these companies treat people. Rather than help they give even more hoops to jump through. Luckily I have never had to deal with something like what she goes through but many people probably do and it is heartbreaking.

FYI: Very serious but also hilarious at times too.

Let’s Pretend This Never Happened remains one of my favorite books of all time, however, Broken was a massive disappointment. I’m not sure if Lawson’s sense of humor changed (or mine) but I found her antics to be far more preposterous than entertaining.