Big Mushy Happy Lump

I just received the ARC of this from Netgalley and I'm so excited! I've had the physical book pre-ordered for months and I'll still be getting it because I <3 Sarah Andersen.

This book was just what the doctor ordered. I laughed at every page and loved how Sarah once again manages to make even the mundane hilarious. Even the tragedies of depression and low self-esteem are rendered funny in her single page comics. Just like with her first collection, I wonder if somehow we are connected through our names, or if she is just my spirit animal, because almost every comic had be nodding in agreement while I laughed. I've loaned the first collection to people and I can definitely see doing that with this one as well.

LOVED IT!

What can I say? I love the Sarah Scribbles comics. She posts them on her facebook, and she always makes me smile. Her humor is so spot-on for me, it is like someone is reading my mind and/or plasming my feelings on paper for me to laugh at them.
In this book we find some of her funnier stories about expensives clothes, deadlines, cool clothes, periods, and so on. What I also truly enjoyed on this book is that she tells us some stories and then illustrates them. For instance, she talks about her life with social anxiety and overthinking, and to help us understand we find anecdotes that has happened to her drawn in her particular style. Or about how she is always cold and hates winter, and then we got all this comic strips about her being either a cold blump or a happy lump (dependending on the coldness).
I love that she talks about things I can relate to, and that she does with so much humor. This is a total have, really. Such a funny read you would not be able to put it down until you have read it all!!!

I love Sarah Andersen! She's so funny and talented. I follow her everywhere on social medias and I had the pleasure of reading her previous book, Adulthood Is a Myth. When I saw this one available for request on NetGalley, I didn't think twice before clicking on it! I knew it would be amazing!!! We all can relate to her drawings. Worth reading!

Painfully truthful at points but mostly a feeling of pure joy throughout the whole book. I cannot wait to buy the hard copy when this comes out and laugh all over again.

Another delightful book by Sarah Andersen that speaks to my introverted, anxiety ridden, soul.

From crippling student debt to social anxiety, the scenarios are at once completely relatable and feel utterly true. Sarah Andersen has a way to relate things that I am experiencing and making them FUNNY. I enjoy her work and look forward to seeing more of it in the future!

Another little masterpiece of humor and sarcasm by one of my recent favorite author.

Un altro piccolo capolavoro di umorismo e sarcasmo dalla mia piú recente autrice preferita di strisce.

THANKS TO NETGALLEY FOR THE PREVIEW!

I relate to nearly all the comics collected in here. Especially with Sarah's essay and the accompanying comics about social anxiety and OverThinking. I don't know how to be a person either, Sarah. I feel you.

Its really hard to go wrong with Sarah Andersen's doodles. They're light hearted and funny and for me, usually right on the button. I really love her stuff.

ARC for review - EPD March 17, 2017.

I didn't read the first edition of "Sarah's Scribbles" but I believe it was shortlisted for a Goodreads award this year. Anyway, when I saw that the second edition was available on Netgalley I jumped at the chance for a little fun and Sarah's drawing's are adorable. This edition includes a number of stand-alone comics and three longer stories, covering self-image, sweater-stealing, cats, selfies, liking (or not liking) people, being average, and, of course, cheese. What else would one need in a collection. Very cute and will speak to those who have been missing the wonderful Allie Brosh.

I love Sarah's drawings & will buy any collection she publishes! She's honest, talented, & I love how she talks about her social anxiety, because that's something I can relate to. Highly recommend to all, this one & her first collection as well!

This comic strip is one of the funniest I've ever read, i enjoyed even more that the first book 'cause here the author let us know a little more about her, and that was so cute and interesting.

I'm not exactly Sarah Andersen's age, but I was once. Her humor is universal, and in this book she deftly reaches into the topic of anxiety, especially social anxiety. I particularly love the panels about stress, reading, and that perfect friend who is always healthier than thou.

I also happened to read this on a day when a cat, a dog, and a guinea pig (that don't belong to me) all showed me some love. I could relate perfectly to Sarah's story of Sadie the cat!

Thanks to NetGalley, the author, and Andrews McMeel Publishing for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

The second volume that bundles Sarah Andersen's comics. I just had to have it when I spotted it on Netgalley. I just love her art, her comics are fun (and at times totally relatable).

The comics in this one? Well, like with the previous one, I knew all of them, at least the first part, I am not entirely sure if I know all of her comics in the later part (with the text explaining about her life and anxiety). But that doesn't matter, sure, I read them all, but her comics have a good re-readability, you can just keep reading them again and again.

Sure, I had kind of hoped there would be some more new comics, that is always fun, but I am already quite delighted to see her comics off the internet. Now one can read her comics whenever and wherever they want.

The art is still a good one, of course at times the characters look a bit weird, but mostly it fits the style of the comics.

One might feel a bit awkward about the menstruation comics, but I don't mind them that much. Especially since they are all 101% true.

My favourite comics from this bundle are the ones about her boyfriend, her stealing his sweater, how they met, and more. They were so cute, but also funny to read (and again, relatable!)

All in all, I would highly recommend these comics. Even if you have read them already online, even if you never heard of this artist (how could you!) I would say, read them! Keep reading them. And let's all hope she will be making another fun bundle for her comics.

Yay! I ❤️ Sarah Andersen's comics, and this one-sitting read is absolutely great - I think I made my husband read every other page because of my belly laughing! I follow her on FB, so I'd seen many of the comics in the first half, but the last half has some longer comics with commentary attached that make this collection definitely worth the read. So great!

This is the kind of collection I would never describe as "laugh out loud funny", for the reason that I hate this expression. But I imagine this is something people would say about it. And to be fair, I actually laughed out loud a couple of times. But mostly I just had a comfortable smile on my face. The kind you have when you meet someone who knows exactly what you're talking about, even if it doesn't make sense for everyone else.

Sarah Andersen shares with us those parts of her life we usually like to hide. The fears, the anxieties, the stupid shit. It is really helpful to see that we're not alone in feeling we're alone. And the art style is amazing, of course. Simple, yet expressive. Cute, but not meek.

All in all, a very good collection.

I love Sarah Scribbles! This book is great. Very funny and I can relate to the things she goes through (even though I am older!). I even like the illustrations. It is a fast and easy read, but I loved it! Can't wait for more.

Wonderful! All the feels. We are as one. I will be recommending this everywhere!

After finishing Adulthood Is a Myth I was excited to get my hands on Big Mushy Happy Lump. I absolutely loved the first 75% of the comic. The last quarter was good as well but it wasn't my favorite. Just like with the first collection this comic showed how awkward, shy and anxious people could react to certain situations. It was hilarious, I laughed out loud a lot and I just had to finish it in one sitting. I need a hard copy of this comic. It's just something you can pick up any time of the day, especially when you need a laugh and it will give you this fuzzy and happy feeling. I am hoping for a third collection and can't wait to see what Sarah comes up with. This book is perfect for book lovers like me, who prefer to spend more time with books than people and try to avoid social events.

I had periodically seen Sarah Andersen's work sporadically on the internet and loved that she seemed to have the inside track on what was going on my brain. Having now read this collection I think Andersen has truly captured what many of our generation feel like.

Andersen infuses humor into her experiences with anxiety, depression and antisocial behavior which make the reader feel that she understands us and that it is all surmountable.

As a dog lover I appreciate that at first Andersen wasn't too keen on cats but an definitely related to what it feels like to form an irrational bond instantly with an animal.

A good little collection, I look forward to more by the author and I would definitely recommend this to anyone and everyone but especially gen-xers and younger and to those who identify as female.

Let me start off by saying I am a fan of Sarah's Scribbles and I find the comics very relatable. So I was very excited when I saw this book. To me, there is something very comforting about reading a book like this. I think it takes me back to my youth and my love of comic strips.

Overall, this is a great collection. Some of the topics seem a little bit random, but most were very good. I especially love her strips about being an introvert. They ring so true. I think if you are a fan of Sarah Andersen, you will enjoy this book. It was a fun little read.

I received a free ARC from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

As always, Sarah does an amazing job at narrating a story and making me laugh. I found myself nodding and laughing as I read through the pages. My personal favorite was the comment about the crop top sweater, because these exist, and I have said the same thing several times. This book is short, hilarious, and just extremely fun to read. If you're a fan of Sarah Anderson, you will definitely enjoy.

I absolutely LOVE Sarah's Scribbles and this did not disappoint! A new favourite

When I saw this available I excitedly clicked on it and immediately started reading. *More to come*

Pithy, incisive, and hilarious, BIG MUSHY HAPPY LUMP is a wonderful second collection from Sarah Andersen. Her comics embrace the uncertainty and everyday struggles of millennials and gives them warmth, heart, and just the right amount of sardonic bite. An enjoyable and quick read!

This is my first time reading Sarah's Scribbles and I loved it. The self-esteem issues, social anxiety and tendency to overthink resonated with me so much. There were numerous times I laughed out loud which is always a good sign! I would definitely recommend this.

I can relate to this book so much and couldn't put it down. Very funny and hilarious!

I love when these come across my Facebook page so was excited to get to devour a book full of these quirky comics.

By far, my favorite is making it rain for books. Seriously. Best. Thing. Ever.

Toward the end, it gets into a bit more descriptions before the comic strips which kinda killed it for me. I understand wanting to give some back story, but it kinda killed the flow of this for me.

Still loved it and highly recommend.

*Digital review copy provided by NetGalley and the publisher.

Awesomely funny and relatable. Sarah Andersen proves with her second book that she is an author and illustrator to keep tabs on.

Perfect as always! Sarah is a gem of an artist and just 'gets it'. Will be following her work for years to come!

I am a big fan of Sarah Andersen, and I absolutely loved her first collection. I don't feel like this collection is quite as successful, but I still enjoyed it a lot. The major thing that didn't quite work for is that in this collection there are some written interludes through the book, with cartoons illustrating certain points. It just seemed to disrupt the flow of the book for me, however, your mileage may vary. As always though, Sarah Andersen is so easy to relate to, and I'm sure that everyone would be able to find a comic they can especially relate to. If you're a fan of Sarah Andersen, definitely check this one out.

Sarah Andersen's comics turn me into a big mushy happy lump.

And the thing I love most about collections like this is that, when it comes to her comics, I can *kind of* remember the subject material, and maybe kind of remember the style? But ask me to remember the author/illustrator, and I'm lost.

So, I end up saying things like this:

"Oh, man, I saw the funniest cartoon online, about book shopping. You have to see it."

::pulls out phone and starts googling::

"Comic....book....money...."

::changes parameters::

"Black and white....girl with cat....sarcastic bunny...."

Goddamit.

Collections of online comics make me so happy.

I enjoy Sarah Andersen's comics when I run into them online (and if you run in any bookish/introvert circles, you've probably run into them online) but I don't seek them out. I find them relatable but not terribly memorable-- cute renderings of sentiments you've seen elsewhere.

This collection is a slight departure from her last. About half the comics are just delivered straight, while the other half are worked into longer text narratives about her life. We get to learn about sweater-stealing habits and the process of learning to love cats. Overall I wish these narratives had been dispersed better throughout the book instead of all squashed in together.

Buying comic collections like these are a great way to support creators for things you enjoy online, but don't go in expecting to find much more than you can get online.

Sarah Andersen, I love your drawings!

I could say that it feels as if she can crawl inside my head and see my most intimate thoughts and frustration. But I see many other people feel the same way. So I want to thank Sarah for showing me that there are other people such as myself out there. And I hope that she will publish many more Sarah's Scribbles books/comics.

I enjoyed these immensely, as I enjoyed Sara's other collection. Her sel- effacing style is charming and endearing, but carries great power when describing things like being an introvert. It will be easy to hand-sell this collection

Cheryl DeFranceschi
Assistant Manager
The Book Stall

I love Sarah Andersen, I really do.
I feel like her comics are relatable in a way that's kind of creepy. Like, did she spy on me or something?
I've already saw many of the strips featured on Facebook (because I follow her page religiously) but this doesn't mean I didn't laugh. I could read this book 5 times in a day and I'd still laugh like the idiot I am.

Definitely recommended! - I've read Adulthood Is a Myth earlier this year and loved it as well.

If you're looking for a fun, quick read that guaranteed to make you laugh then look no further. This isn't a novel or anything as lengthy or in depth as that, but it is a great collection of humorous cartoons. It appears this is the second in the Sara's Scribbles book line, though because each comic portrayal serves like miniature essays on everyday life, social skills, female problems, and more. There's no reason to feel you can't start here and go back to book #1 later; that's what I'm going to do. I have noticed some of Andersen's individual pieces online in the past so when I saw this book was available for review and I recognized the artwork I knew I had to get it. I didn't laugh out loud at every "scribble", I did however find most of her musings both relatable and funny. And I continually found myself saying "ooh this is so me!"

Thanks to the author, publisher, and to NetGalley for hooking me up with this enjoyable compilation.

Sarah Andersen did it again! This collection of comics is super fun and extremely relatable (at least it is if you are an introverted book lover and a crazy cat lady).

Thanks to her drawings and texts, the author narrates absurd scenes of everyday life, but at the same time she faces issues like sexism or how difficult being social can be when you worry too much about everything and lack of self-confidence.

All in all, it's an amusing book that you can read in one sitting... and read again and again and again when you need to have a laugh.

Sarah Andersen does it again. Her work is creative, adorable, and very relatable. There’s something so charming about how goofily she draws herself, and even though several of the comics were repeats, they are still so funny that I enjoyed re-reading them.

I can’t wait to add this to my comic collection in the spring! (And if you don’t already follow Andersen on Instagram, you better start!) Thank you to Andrews McMeel for making the galley available on NetGalley—when Adulthood is a Myth came out this year, my husband and I read it together, and we were also able to read Big Mushy Happy Lump together on the laptop. We can’t wait to read Book #3 together too!

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.

I've encountered Sarah Andersen's work frequently in the last two years, very identifiable, awkward and introverted and true. This was a quick read and made me laugh.

Chaos, I am your mistress!

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!

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.

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).

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!

Hilarious and very relatable. Sarah sketched everyday life events, even the smalest things. As enjoyable as the first book!

I admit I don't have a lot of experience reading graphic novels, but I fell in love with these illustrations as soon as I saw the cover. And what better way to start the year with a light read full of 'down to earth' and endearing illustrations and situations that are extremely easy to relate to? Big Mushy Happy Lump is actually the second comic by the author and is coming out on March 7th; the first, Adulthood Is A Myth, I will be looking forward to read soon. I had a lot of fun reading this graphic novel and it was really easy to connect to the illustrated personal essays of Sarah Andersen. I could see myself in so many of the real-life situations! The essays talk about the author's real-life experiences with for example anxiety, career and relationships. They are both fun to read, orginal, easy to relate to and feel authentic; the illustrations a real treat. This bundle would make a perfect gift!

A Big Mushy Happy thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of Sarah Andersen's latest collection.
I don't possess enough love to shower on Sarah's work. Her comics are so universally appealing, ageless and completely spot on. It's as if I confided all my secrets and fears to Sarah and then she managed to make them silly, darling and totally normal.
LOVED the collection. Will ABSOLUTELY be buying as gifts for everyone I know!

absolutely loved this one, I didn't think I could like this one more then her first book - Adulthood is a Myth - but my worries that I might not love this one as much proved to be completed unfounded, the illustrated personal essays in this one were so great & I loved all the comics as well. I'm so glad I saw this on NetGalley & then finally decided to read it today because this was exactly what I needed to read

I read the first volume of Sarah’s Scribbles last year and thoroughly enjoyed it, so when I saw a chance to read and review this volume I couldn’t resist. This collection is even better than the last, and covers so many important topics, making it fun, but also a must read. Topics covered in this volume include social anxiety, self perception and relationships, all told in a fun comic scribble style.

What I loved most about this collection of scribbles is how I could identify to so many of the pages. For readers it is so important to read books that you can identify with, and this one really hits the mark. Whether it be wanting to steal my boyfriends hoodies, as they are clearly more comfortable than mine, or whether it be getting that correct angle on a selfie so that I don’t have ten thousand chins. This book explores fun topics, and also more serious topics in a clever and reassuring manner. As you read the pages and giggle to yourself at the scribbles, you realise you aren’t alone, that what you feel about various different experiences in life are common feelings, you basically learn that you are ‘normal’.

While this book works as a standalone, I would highly recommend you read the first book in this collection first, as I think you will get the most out of the books this way. These books help you find confidence in how you relate to so many everyday problems, yet in a humorous and somehow also still sensitive way. I can’t recommend this book enough, and if you are trying to decide whether to read it or not, I highly recommend you just jump on in.

Wacky fun, Big Mushy Happy Lump is like finding your soulmate/BFF. Smart and quirky it perfectly captures our most intimate and introspective moments. Perfect for a quick pick me up or a virtual sympathetic shoulder to cry on, Sarah Andersen knows when and how to comfort our fragile egos.

Once again, Andersen nails it with the right amount of humor and feels. I especially liked the focus on being an introvert, and could relate to so much of it. Looking forward to more of her work!

A fun, short read. I had seen several of the strips in this collection around the internet before reading, but I enjoy Andersen's art and her sweet and straightforward sense of humor.

I think we all need a bit of relatability sometimes and that is exactly what I find in Sarah Andersen’s hilarious illustrations. I love that this particular collection is called Big Mushy Happy Lump because that is totally what I aspire to be (chronic depression and anxiety mess up the ‘happy’ part for me a lot, though), and I really love that Andersen uses her own experiences of anxiety and the big bad world to create drawings that actually represent life for so many people – not the sugar coated, everything is awesome life, but the curling on the sofa and not moving at all life.

The focus on self-love, the importance of friendship, the shittiness of anxiety and depression and self-doubt, the greatness of books and caffeine are all things that appear regularly in Andersen’s illustrations, and at the risk of being repetitive they are so relatable because of it. Life is hard, people are mean, hormones are evil, but there are silver linings – books, hot cups of tea, stealing your partner’s warmth, puppies – that make things a little bit easier sometimes. Coincidentally, Sarah Andersen’s simple black and white drawings are one of those silver linings for me, and they never fail to make me smile.

Most people with a brain cell or two know that life isn’t always brilliant, especially with everything currently going wrong in the world, but this collection – and everything that Andersen draws, I feel – puts a funny spin on it all, a ‘things are terrible but let’s laugh, just for a minute’ spin on it. Let’s face it, most of us laugh and use humour so that we don’t cry or spiral down some abyss of loathing, and that is the beauty of this collection. Anyone who has never been exposed to ‘Sarah’s Scribbles’ should go and get themselves some exposure, and anyone who already loves it should go and get this new book when it’s released.

We should all try to be big mushy happy lumps, and accept that sometimes stuff sucks and life is hard, but at the end of the day we are all majestic goddesses (and gods) who deserve a giggle.

This is such an awesome book! I could relate to so much to this book that I feel like Sarah crawled right in my brain and poked around. It is a great complement to her other book "Adulthood Is A Myth".

A quick and fun read! This one is just as entertaining and relatable as her first collection. Some pages had me nodding my head in agreement and others laughing out loud.

Sarah Andersen is always a delight...actually, delight is far too tame a word to describe her! She is hilariously funny, relatable on all levels, and captures all the angst of being a twenty-something in today's world perfectly! "Big Mushy Happy Lump" is an absolutely perfect follow-up to "Adulthood is a Myth" and everyone should read them both. Right now. 5/5 stars.

Big Mushy Happy Lump is the second collection of comics by artist Sarah Andersen. Andersen's first collection, Adulthood is a Myth, won the Goodreads Choice Award 2016 for Best Comic or Graphic Novel so I was interested in reading this one and seeing what made her book win above all of the other fantastic comics and graphic novels nominated. Now that I've read this one, I am a Sarah Andersen follower. I have so many favourite pages of this book but I think they best are the ones about irrationally buying all the books and the stupid clothes people make for women.

She checks off all of the boxes. Her cartoon drawings are adorable yet clean and well drawn, she makes excellent commentary about the differences between products for woman and men and understands what it's like to be a lazy, uninspired person just like me! I feel like we're two peas in a pod with the way we think and feel, especially with our inner thoughts. This book also has a short personal essay from the illustrator that talks about her anxiety and problems fitting into the crowd.

Big Mushy Happy Lump is the second book in the Sarah's Scribbles series, and like the first book it delivers a combination of humor, timeless troubles of the 20-something set and a connection to many of its readers. Much of the work in this collection is available online, so I have read most of it before I got my hands on this book. However, Andersen's work is the type that no matter how many times you go back to it, it will always give you a giggle.

What was different about this collection is that Andersen doesn't just do single-page strips throughout the whole book. Instead, there are a few multi-page stories accompanied by a narrative that addresses important issues while still maintaining its humorous appeal. Like I said when the first one came out, I can't wait to get my hands on more of Andersen's work. It always makes my day a little better.

After reading Adulthood is a Myth, which made me laugh and relate and laugh some more, I found myself on NetGalley. And Big Mushy Happy Lump was more of the same.

Even though I've passed my twenties, I get it. The introversion, the OverThink, the social exhaustion. It's funny because it's true, but it's comforting that it's relatable.

Whether you consume it like a bag of chips or show some ability to slow down and savor, this one is worth the read.

Thanks, NetGalley, for providing a copy for an honest review.

I enjoyed this book! Sarah's Scribbles always hit the nail on the head for us introverts. This collections reminds us that we are not alone and helps us laugh at the funny aspects of our lives. I find that refreshing that I don't feel bad about myself!

If you like to laugh aloud, read this.
If you are introverted, read this.
If you have issues with your body, read this.
If you like cats, read this.

I came across Sarah Andersen's comics on accident. I honestly think someone had liked her book on Goodreads to be honest. I can't fully remember. However I am sooooo glad I did. I think Sarah Andersen is me but short. Her comics pretty much make me laugh everyone. When I received a free copy of this yesterday from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review, I cheered out loud, much to my husband's funny looks and then immediately downloaded it and started to inhale it at alarming speeds.

I had to actually stop myself last night from reading them all so I would at least get some more pleasure out of it on a second day. From the very start this book made me laugh. I am pretty sure my husband was sick of me shoving my tablet in his face to read the comic. This book gets more than five stars if I could. I am sooo glad I got to read it and am chomping to read the first one now. I look forward to more and more of her comics!!!!

I believe that Sarah Anderson is my soul sister. I felt like every one of these cartoons spoke directly to me. She illustrates perfectly what it is like to be a woman, an introvert and socially awkward in a hilarious way. I found my self laughing uncontrollably many times

Another excellent collection from Sarah Andersen. I particularly enjoyed the addition of the illustrated essays in this collection. Sarah makes understanding anxiety accessible and hilarious.

This is going to be kind of hard to review, because normally I like to give examples of Sarah's silly (but awesome!) Scribbles in my reviews, but considering this is an early review (shout out to Netgalley), I don't think it would be appropriate for me to do so.

So, you guys are just going to have to trust me, that this collection of scribbles is just as funny as the last batch. Sarah had me in stitches, laughing at her (with her?) struggles of being a human in a scary scary world.

There are a few moments that get a little more real, and include actual text, and not just the comic bubbles that we are used to. Sarah explains what it means to be an introvert with (what I would diagnose as) a general anxiety disorder, or someone who is just *truly* the definition of socially awkward.

While Sarah does dip into some real conversations about mental illness, it is accompanied with the light and humorous sketches that readers are used to, and still tackles the matter with the same amount of humor and awkwardness that we all know and love.

If you enjoyed round one of Sarah's Scribbles, there is absolutely no reason why you wouldn't also love, Big Mushy Happy Lump!

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

**Thank you Netgally for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.**

Wonderful as always. I just love these books! Can't wait to own a copy!

This was so funny and so painfully relatable. In this collection, Sarah Andersen jokes about adulthood, mental health, and just the daily little things that can make or break your day. Like most graphic novels, it was a quick read, but it made me laugh out loud multiple times.

Big Mushy Happy Lump is a comic where what you see on the cover is what you get inside. It would be an easy, excellent gift for anyone who loves coffee, cats, and men’s sweaters. 4.5/5 stars

i love all of sarah's work! she allways makes me smile. this book is funny, fresh and so quick to read. i finished it in seconds and read it again! i would totally recommend both this book and all of her previous works

Big Mushy Happy Lump is a fairly accurate description of my physical state having reached the end of this collection.

Sarah Andersen has always been uncannily accurate when it comes to tapping into my subconscious and so it was with mild trepidation (but also with biscuits and tea as is the traditional fashion) that I sat down to read her latest offering. Much to my delight and disgust, not only did I discover that as much as I laughed at myself, I also found myself being shocked to startling tea-sobriety. And feeling ooooh so slightly mortified, not to mention full of The Cringe. It’s always complicated finding yourself in comic form not quite looking your best.

You see, I felt as though Sarah had sat for a few months in the corner of my living room, pointing and chortling at my miserable attempts at Adulting and then faithfully sketching them down to add to this collection in order further my humiliation. Except that not really because (deep, deep down) I expect that many people feel this way when first checking out Sarah’s work. It’s why we’re gluttons for punishment and keep coming back to find ourselves beaten down by comic after comic (with unshaven legs, nachos and a Netflix habit).

As always, this was an insightful, sickeningly accurate little collection which makes me love/hate Sarah even more.

It was brilliant, it was harrowing, I will never be an adult and I will never be able to manage money and ohgodonlymylaptopwillloveme – ahem. I’ll be over here now, checking my living room for cameras.

I am ardent follower of Sarah's web comic and love that there are collections coming out! Sarah writes about things every young woman can relate to in such a light and fun way!

I love the Sarah's Scribbles web comic. It captures the world of a modern, artistic young woman with more than a few anxieties. Even those of us who are not exactly young and have only a few anxieties can relate. This book is a must-have. I've already pre-ordered a copy for my daughter's birthday and will be adding it to my library's collection as well. Everyone can use a bit more laughter in their life.

* * * *
4 / 5 stars

I, like most people, have seen Sarah Andersen's cartoon comics floating around the internet. I have not read her previous collection nor have I frequented her website, so virtually all of the content was new to me. This may not be the case for Andersen's avid fans, as most online artists who publish collections only include a small amount of new content. I base my rating off of the fact that this wonderfully adorable collection was completely fresh to me.

1/2 of this short book (130ish pages) consists of one page comics that illustrate and comment on the amusing scenarios that arise in the lives of many young adults. I certainly found them hilarious relatable, and I am almost twenty. From cats to jumper stealing to social anxiety and paying bills, these short comics are hilarious and cute. A few, though by no means all, focus specifically on issues that relate to women - women's fashion, periods, and uplifting female friendships.

The other 1/2 of the book is comprised of short "essays" in cartoon form, supplemented by some text. I thought these provided a cool insight into Andersen's life and broke up the format of one page cartoons - without these the book risked becoming too repetitive, so I found them very welcome.

Overall, a fab quick read. The kind of book you buy, keep on your bookshelf and flick through every once in a while for a laugh, or get as a gift for a friend. I mostly enjoyed this collection because I love Andersen's drawing style and sense of humour. If you don't, then this collection will not appeal to you. If you want a quick read with adorable cartoons that are highly relatable to the young adult trying to forge their way in the adult world of living from home, paying bills, and navigating life, then this might well be for you!

This is real life, specifically the part in which I don't spend any money anywhere except in a book shop where I buy ALL THE BOOKS.

Sarah is hilarious. Buy it. Read it. Love it.

Perfect for fans of Allie Brosh's work. I enjoyed this for a quick read.

I am a fan of this artist's work and her clever web comic and this book does not disappoint! She is so good at conveying humor that is simple yet completely relatable to real life.

I have to confess that I read this book and Sarah Andersen's previous book "Adulthood is a Myth" because I really enjoy Sarah's Scribbles. So a collection of her comics? It's going to be gold in my eyes. There is no question. And it, of course, did not disappoint.

But what can YOU expect if you decide to read her latest work, having had no previous exposure to her? You can expect comics that are perfectly illustrated, and perfectly illustrate what it is like to grow up and realize that all the stages are awkward stages, and that's ok. Her perspective is on-point for many social situations that we all face on a nearly daily basis.

I was pleasantly surprised that in this latest book she has included some longer illustrated passages that tell one overall story. It was a departure from the format of the first half of the book and, I think, had some of the best insights. I particularly liked the struggle to say yes to more things, which is something I have also been trying to do a little more of lately.

This book is a delight to read from beginning to end. It's one of those books that I will pull out again and again because the content is so elegant in its familiarity. It feels like it understands me, in a way, which is comforting. Plus it is FUZZY...unless you opt for the digital version and then any fuzz is rendered digitally only...I assume.

Big Mushy Happy Lump is Sarah Anderson at her finest. I love how easily you can relate to everything she talking about or happens in her comics. This book is perfect for anyone wanting a good laugh.

How can you not love Big Mushy Happy Lump?!? So relatable and so fun! Sarah Andersen does an amazing job of illustrating some difficult things in an honest and humorous way.

Another fantastic outing for Sarah's Scribbles. Her simple style and ordinary subjects speak to universal modern anxieties in an authentic way. I love her work and I hope to see even more in the future.

I really, truly enjoyed this. Starting it, I was afraid it was going to be too similar to Adulthood is a Myth which I’ve read less than a month ago. But, while being close to the theme, Big Mushy Happy Lump finds new ways to interest the reader.
The stories at the end were captivating and even made me tear up.
It was also incredibly relatable, as always.
I really can’t wait for more.

I received an Advanced Reader Copy from NetGalley

Though most of the content published in the second printed volume of "Sarah's Scribbles" is already available for free online through her website, this book is a great way to quickly flip to your favorites and to support a talented artist. Sarah Andersen's comics portray an endearing awkward adult whose highs and lows speak to the experiences of her contemporaries. An interesting addition to this book (that also wasn't present in the first), is a section of comics with added commentary from the author about her struggles with social anxiety and navigating types of social interactions. While initially I found this jarring (because the book does not begin with this added text), it was an interesting add to the reading experience.

Overall, this book reaffirmed my opinion of Sarah Andersen has a funny and talented person and my desire to throw money at whatever she does. I look forward to owning my own copy when this book is released in March.

4 helms

Please follow me on my blog :) Review originally posted on Vellum Voyages (www.vellumvoyages.com)

Ooooh I love Sarah's Scribbles! Sarah Anderson's sense of humour for the millenial generation is bang on and oh so relatable as a female living in a selfie/organic/yoga obsessed reality! Cute, honest and totally sweet cartoons that represent daily life and struggles, relationships and social expectations a Gen Y faces living in this big bad world! Some cartoons have been re-used but I still loved seeing them :)

If you're feeling down on life, pick this up and know your not the only one going through the millenial doldrums! Enjoy the giggles!

My favourite comics from the book are posted here --> http://www.vellumvoyages.com/big-mushy-happy-lump-by-sarah-anderson/

*Thank-you Sarah Anderson, Netgalley & Andrews McMeel Publishing for the ARC.

Yes, we've read most of this book online. But that does not make it any less incredible. To me, the charm of Sarah Anderson's sketches is that most of the things she conveys about herself resonate with me as the reader. It is like she has read my mind and sketched them out on paper.

What I liked most about this book was that I got to know more about the author I adore. Those tiny snippets of words above the comic, explaining tidbits of her life, made me feel a connection to her and it was all the more interesting for me to read.

Two big thumbs up! I would highly recommend it.

I love all of Sarah Andersen's comics, so cute, funny, and relatable!! Seriously, she gets me and I can relate to most of her work. I loved her previous book and love this one just as much. I look forward to seeing more books from her in the future. Her book's brighten my spirit and make me laugh.

I was provided a free copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I'm a big fan of Sarah's work and this did not disappoint one bit. If you're an introvert and have anxiety, this is the book for you. I completely empathised with every one of Sarah's pieces in this book. I also laughed a lot. Overall, I greatly enjoyed this humorous and self-deprecating take on being an adult.

This was awesome, as all of Sarah's comics are. We learned a little more about our artist/illustrator and, of course, relate to her even more now.

I don't think I've ever said the word "same" so much in a one-hour period.

Sarah Anderson's comics are the most relatable that I've ever seen, taking a humorous approach to social anxiety, over-thinking, introversion, self-image, adulting, and cats.

I want to re-visit these comics repeatedly forever.

I received an advance copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

While I am yet to get around to the first book in the Sarah scribbles series , I got to reading this already- why, why not!? do I need to elaborate how very relatable and cute these illustrations are !? I think not . From illustrations about why the man's sweater is better than your own , to issues faced by every introvert - she is your spirit animal ! ❤ go read one of these fun books that are a great way to unwind
P.s : Your don't even need to be a bookworm to enjoy this one!

I love Sarah's Scribbles! Big Mushy Happy Lump combines some of her best comics along with some new material. Big Mushy Happy Lump hilariously (and accurately) captures what it's like to be a 20-something woman today, including experiences with sexism, dating, adorable cats, social anxiety and the generational differences between millennials and Baby Boomers. Sarah Anderson is absolutely brilliant - I'm so happy her comics are being published in book-form!

Sarah's books are a rare thing in humour publishing: kind. I am a big fan of hers, a comic featuring money raining down on a fur coated lady at the bookshop is always going to appeal to booksellers!! This collection follows on neatly from the first, she doesn't need to do anything differently. Unfortunately these books are almost impossible to hand sell, but we do stock them for her fans.

Too short! God, this lady makes me laugh. Keep it up girl! It's a comic along the lines of the Oatmeal but by a woman. Which means I totally get 100% of it! :D

Really funny and cute book. It's like the author has a window into my mind for some of the comics! I haven't read her first book or read her online stuff, so this was all new to me. I really enjoyed it. Five fun stars!

My thanks to NetGalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for an eARC copy of this book to read and review.

I loved 'adulthood is a myth' so much that I was checking Sarah's Instagram often for the next book. And then came this lovely lump! Oh Sarah! I wonder how do you capture one's mind exactly as it is. Only you can make that wide smile on my face stay from page 1 till the end cover. Loved 'Big Mushy Happy Lump' like anything! Looking forward to more of her works.
Much love..

4/5 stars

I was mentally and emotionally spent after having read Hannah Kent’s Burial Rites, so this comic collection fit perfectly for my need of something light and easy to cheer me up. I also found Big Mushy Happy Lump a lot more enjoyable and relatable than Andersen’s previous collection, so that left me with an ever bigger smile plastered on my face.

Full review with excerpts can be found here:

https://bookspoils.wordpress.com/2017/02/22/review-big-mushy-happy-lump-by-sarah-andersen/

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1915359144

I'm a huge fan of Sarah Andersen's comics, and I've had this book on pre-order. I was thrilled to be able to read an ARC before the release, and I'm looking forward to receiving the book so I can go through it again and again. Her trademark wit at dealing with the darker human emotions of self loathing, weight issues, depression and loneliness shine through. I can't recommend this enough!

I am already a huge fan of Sarah Anderson so I was extremely excited for her to announce a second book. It's not as good as the first one, it would surprise me if it was, but she didn't have as much time to pull from and I really liked the "stories" included in the second half of the book. It was a nice change. from the first one.

Mrs. Andersen has once again delivered a witty collection of comics. The art is amazing, I love the style of the comics, but what I love even more is the subjects it touches on and the statements it makes. It's relatable, and it's addictive. I read it in one sitting, I just couldn't put down.

Sarah never disappoints. I quite liked that some comics here are exclusive to the book, so I wasn't just reading my Tumblr dashboard all over again.

Not sure how I felt about the narration. They certainly added something to the comic arcs, but maybe the font wasn't quite right....?

Overall, another fantastic volume of comics from Sarah Anderson, the One Who Reads Minds

I've always seen bits and bobs of the opinions mentioned in this on Facebook, a full book of cartoons dealing with regular issues is just so funny. I like the portrayal of street harassment and it is amazing. Thanks Sarah Anderson!

Sarah Anderson captures the mind of the millennial, female introvert in another amusing, laugh-out-loud collection Big Mushy Happy Lump: A "Sarah's Scribbles" Collection. Covering many of the same themes as her first collection, Adulthood is a Myth, Andersen covers social awkwardness, millennial angst, periods, ill-fitting women's clothing, relationships (romantic and otherwise), and other perils of modern life.

Her content is very female-oriented, millennial-focused, and introvert-directed, but as a male, extroverted Gen-Xer, I could relate. (Well, except for the period bits.) Really, whatever your age or gender, check her out. Comedy gold.

Lots of her comics are online:
tapastic.com/series/Doodle-Time
But you should still buy her books.








Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the complimentary electronic review copy!

This is insanely quirky, funny, accurate, and cute. In a style similar to Hyperbole & a Half, Sarah Anderson brings truths to the forefront with a unique perspective that has you seeing the difficulties of being an introvert, unsocial woman in a world that caters to extroverted, social people (sometimes men only...).

It is a quick read. The comics strewn throughout are worth rereading, and I already know that I will be revisiting this book again in the near future.

Give the forty minutes or so it takes to read this and I guarantee you won't be disappointed.

Intended for a female audience, especially teenage/young adult/new adult.

Thank you for the opportunity to review this book. Sarah Andersen is an online favorite and her book doesn't disappoint. She's fabulous, her work is fabulous, and I'll certainly watch for future releases!

Precious illustrations and essays that describe those previously indescribable feelings of an anxious but well intentioned person.

As a Spanish reader, I've found this book very, very easy because it has got not too much text.

Sincerely, it has been a very, very entertaining book, with which I have laughed very much and, if earlier I was loving the vignettes of this girl, now I don't wanto to miss anything of her. Really, I have felt much identified and I believe that she paints the portrait of my personality. Sarah has won me me completely in this book.

You have to read it!

Laugh out loud funny and with an insight into the author with the short personal essays. A great collection.

I loved this comic so much. I felt like everything that was talked about was super related. I believe that's what made it as enjoyable as it was. The comics were drawn out perfectly. I feel Sarah does a perfect job explaining and drawing everything in fun manner. I know if I tried to do something like this it would be all over the place. This is something I can see myself buying as gifts for people because I feel anyone can relate to the situations described. It pokes fun at life. I am sad to admit that I haven't read the first collection. After getting to read these I am going to get myself a copy of the first one and this one when it comes out. This is something I would love to own. It would make a perfect coffee table read.

Everything about this collection makes me happy. I love it when my favorite web-comic people add some really personal dialogue into their collections. It makes it more interesting and the connection to the work more real. Yes, we've (ladies) all experienced the baseball bat to the abdomen that is a period but her characterization of over-thinking was spot on and even extroverts have that problem. "What will I word vomit today????"

So Sarah, please keep writing/drawing. It makes me smile.

This was as perfect as I thought it would be. Sarah's comics are the kind that, in a collection like this, you will find one you can relate to. If you suffer from social anxiety, you will probably relate to 90% of them! I think fans of Allie Brosh would love this. Also, if you love Sarah and haven't read Allie, check her out too!

It is true, that if you follow Sarah Scribbles on tumbler, instagram or MyComics you will already have seen many of these comics before.

It is also true, however, that that doesn't make them any less enjoyable, and I'm pleased to own them in a more 'permanent' media than just finding them online.

I'd say about half is repeats from her website and half is brand new material. It is all completely relatable however, and I loved every page of it :)

This “Sarah’s Scribbles” collection is almost as endearing as her first. With the same self-deprecating and conspiratorial humor, Andersen captures experiences of twenty-somethings, particularly women and introverts, with a universality that makes each comic feel accurate and relatable. Topics covered include procrastination, cats, relationships, negative self-thought, introversion, and generally life as a new adult.

The personal essays included as framing for some of the comics are a weak point in this second collection. They are neither written particularly well, nor are they particularly funny. The comics remain the clear focus, with this narrative framing acting mostly as unnecessary fluff. However, this collection remains endearing and relatable, and it should bring a smile to anyone who falls under Andersen’s audience.

I loved this one just as much as the last one. I hope these keep up! These always make me laugh and perk up. I wish the bunny was in more of them I can't get enough of him or her. P.S. Unite Sweater thieves!!!

Reading Sarah's Scribbles is like cuddling up in that one perfect sweater you've stolen. All the feels! All the relating! All the cats!

I already knew some of Sarah's comics, so when I saw that there are two compilations of her comics, I was looking forward to reading them. And I put them on my to-read list... and then I forgot them. Until now!

I read this book cover-to-cover, but I'll definitely come back to it later and re-read parts of it. Especially when I need something to cheer me up.

I really like Sarah's comics. My favorite ones are the ones about periods and I was very happy to see that some of them made it into this compilation. But I can also relate to many of her other comics about anxiety, social interaction, procrastination, books and being an introvert. In this collection, there are also three illustrated essays about social anxiety, cats and stealing sweaters from loved ones. While the first one is a little more sad and serious, the last two essays are very cute and funny.

Although I already knew some of her comics, most of them were new to me.

I would recommend this book to everyone who's a fan of Sarah's Scribbles, likes webcomics or could use something to cheer them up.

Disclaimer: I received a free copy via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Big Mushy Happy Lump is the second book in the Sarah's Scribbles collection by Sarah Anderson. It continues in the vein of Myths About Adulthood. Sarah Anderson's cartoons are just so so relatable. Nearly every single one evokes the "that's me" response. I particularly enjoyed the incorporation of mini-essays on issues such as 'I Don't Know How To Be A Person' and 'The Sweater Theif'.

I really enjoyed this, I will definitely be going out to get myself a physical copy once it comes out.

If you like Sarah's work, you will enjoy this book. If you don't know her work, definitely check it out.

What a super cute book. I have followed these cartoons for quite sometime now on Facebook but having them all in one place made me realize that I need to go out and but this book for real.
Funny cartoons that illustrate real life situations is the best way to describe this hilariously honest book. The adorable drawings make them even better and more lovable. This is the way that our generation communicates with each other now, with sarcasm that drips with truth so real it's scary....these fit the bill completely.
I know that she always has a new cartoon to be posted online on Wednesdays and Fridays, but I hope that she comes out with another book too. This book will guarantee make you laugh, 5/5 stars.

I loved this book and think that the author should write 500 more every year until 2100.

Sarah Andersen writes and illustrates the best relateable humor for adults, specifically millenials. She illustrates social anxiety to a tea. When demonstrating over-thinking, I had to laugh. As a shy adult with very low self-esteem, she presents situations everyone has been in and makes you laugh about them. I loved the inclusion of her personal essays taken from her real-life experiences with anxiety. Her bits on relationships, both in groups and in a romantic way were cute, yet again made you laugh. Having family members with social anxiety, I can see him/her in these strips and it actually helped me to understand their actions just a bit more. I am not sure if they would appreciate me giving them this book or not. It might make them laugh at themselves. the illustrations are great. They are scribbles, but the emotions are so easy to see. I love that Sarah is able to share all this with her readers. Of course the title itself says to much. To just cover up, dress however you want and me a Mushy Happy Lump with no expectations would be wonderful for many people even for short periods of time, but for someone with Social Anxiety, it would be the best.

Definition of a coffee table book: a large, expensive, lavishly illustrated book, especially one intended only for casual reading.

Nuts to that. It doesn't have to be "large", "expensive" or "lavishly". It's a flip book. Something you can enjoy and you don't have time to read it entirely.

This would be a great coffee table book for any lounge section. Coffee houses, libraries (I'm think mine) and reception areas come to mind.. Something anyone could pick up, flip through and enjoy.

Simple illustrations with humorous themes in life we can all relate to.

"Has anyone ever told you that sometimes, maybe, you can be......"

"DRAMATIC?"

"No Baby"

"HAPPY"


Sarah Andersen's scribbles collection is ADORABLE!!!!
and hilarious, for both men and women of all ages.

Life can be messy, and painful. Sarah Andersen is sweetly funny and moving....
filled with with "personal essays on Sarah's real-life experiences".....with adult challenges!

Completely Lovable!!!

Thank You Netgalley. Andrews McMeet Publishing, and Sarah Andersen

Since getting my hands on "Adulthood is a Myth", I've been a fan (*cough* stalker) of Sara's Facebook page as her drawings seem to be a personification of me as the introverted person I am. I was ecstatic to get this in my hands but a little disappointed too, only because I wanted more new stuff and I got some stuff that was in the prior book and many others were already online. I love the comics, the humor, the references to everything from love of books, dealing with the monthly demon and introvert issues. I especially love the snippets that the author actually explains different drawings she wrote about and what lead her to draw them. For someone who is unfamiliar with her drawings, this is great. For one who is already a fan, I wanted more new pics.

Andersen may be one of my favorite people. She really gets what it means to be a true introvert. She addresses social and gender issues with insight and humor. A joy to read and a great gift.

Big Mushy Happy Lump by Sarah Andersen is a second "Sarah's Scribbles" collection. The strips are full of honest vignettes that are frequently funny. I especially liked the slightly longer strips that were mixed with prose. "Sadie - How I learned to get over myself and love cats" was one such set of strips. Sarah's apartment is overrun by mice. So, she borrows her mother's kitten. Cuteness ensues.

The longer set of strips on "I Don't Know How to Be a Person" have insight into social anxiety and overthinking. It's interesting to see this topic handled here since Allie Brosh and Jenny Lawson also have taken a run at similar topics. It's well done and truthful.

But it is not all serious. There is plenty to laugh or smile about in the pages here.

I give this collection 4 out of 5 stars.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Review - Big Mushy Happy Lump by Sarah Andersen
Big Mushy Happy Lump by Sarah Andersen

* Read via NetGalley for review

4 out of 5 gnomes

I've seen her comics before so it was a lot of fun to read a whole books worth. They have a real honesty about them. I love the drawing style too. The pages just fly by. Most of them feel more than a little bit relatable. The text could be a little bigger/stand out more. Overall though a fun quick read.

I’m a big fan of everything that Sarah Andersen does. She’s a brilliant illustrator who is capable of incredibly beautiful work but is probably best known for her insanely relatable cartoons which you can find all over the internet. Seriously. If you have Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or ANY form of social media, I can guarantee that you’ve seen at least ONE of Sarah Andersen’s strips.

I’ve been following her work for quite some time now and early last year, Andersen released her first collection of her comics in Adulthood is a Myth aka the truest title for a book ever. I don’t think I have EVER laughed so hard as I did throughout my reading of that book, relating to nearly every single thing she put down on paper. Even the stuff that isn’t directly relatable is still at the very least hilarious.

I was beyond thrilled to learn that a new collection of Sarah’s comics were being published in a volume called Big Mushy Happy Lump. I devoured it in a night before bedtime during my Christmas holidays, laughing to myself while my cat stared at me, puzzled and probably annoyed at me waking her.

Cats are just one of the many topics that are covered in this book, which gives me endless joy. Unlike the previous volume though, several of these strips are a sort of series. They don’t NEED to be enjoyed back to back but they’re better in succession and paired with Andersen’s commentary on what was going on in her mind at the time when the story was being told. It’s typically a paragraph or so that outlines her behind-the-scenes story and gives us insight into some of the struggles that the artist goes through in her personal life. Many of her comics address her anxiety and social awkwardness and the commentary allows Andersen the opportunity to shed some light on what’s really going on, which is very valuable, in my opinion.

Many of Andersen’s comics are relatable but they’re again, funny. Sometimes it’s hard to see the genuine things going on within the comics when they’re seeped in humour, like mental illness. There are comics that talk about not being able to get out of bed or bailing on friends or having anxiety attacks at parties etc. These are all varying forms of things that many introverts and people suffering from depression go through and it’s important to note that we can laugh at our struggles but they’re still struggles. Andersen’s comics are a fun way to put comics out in the world to shout “YOU’RE NOT ALONE!” and it’s wonderful.

To say that I adore Sarah Andersen and the work she does is a complete understatement. I think through humour, she helps to raise awareness of issues we sometimes don’t even know we have and also, she just tells fantastically funny stories that sometimes have no other meaning than to make us laugh or smile.

Verdict:
Buy this book! Sarah Andersen is a master storyteller and I truly hope she keeps working at her craft for many years to come. I will continue to support her projects for as long as she keeps doing them. Not only is Big Mushy Happy Lump a great gift for anyone, whether they are already into comics or not. These strips are akin to Sunday comics that anyone could enjoy in the newspaper, so worry not about gifting this to someone who may not be fully immersed in the comic book world.

Big Mushy Happy Lump will be out on March 7, 2017.

I read this and then gave it to my wife who is an introvert and she could not stop laughing. Sarah Andersen does a great job of letting her artwork speak for her. She conveys emotions and anxieties of feeling awkward in a seemingly simple, cute character. I enjoyed it but my wife, who could relate to every page, loved it. I would recommend this book for anyone but if you're not sure you'll like it, check out her Instagram. Many of her comics were published in this book but there were enough new ones that it's worth buying.

If you liked Hyperbole and a Half (but with a little less depression) or almost every character Ellie Kemper has portrayed, this is definitely right up your alley. Great gift, will put a smile on your face! Sarah Andersen is a hilarious introvert who likes books and stealing hoodies.

I think she puts out very updated, relevant content that is super sweet and isn’t mean (which is rare these days!).

5/5 stars, would laugh again

I LOVED SOOOO MUCH THIS COMIC. Sarah Scribbles is so funny and lovely and cute and adorable and.... Okay, stop.
I have just finished this comic, finished in half an hour. I follow this girl everywhere and she always manages to make me smile.
In particular, this comic is also quite serious themes like anxiety, solitude and depression, always in a nice way. Definitely I'll buy the hard copy
So.... You MUST read it! NOW!

(Thanks to NetGallery for this preview copy.)

Sarah Andersen is back!! Her comics are a battle cry for awkward, introverted, comfy clothes lovin' people who have a penchant for self-deprecation and bottling up their feelings. My kind of people!!

Once again, her comics feature expressive big headed, big eyed characters with wee appendages. The main character is relatable as she struggles with low self-confidence, social anxiety, unexpected period woes, holding in her emotions and even a sudden addiction to all thinks kitty.

But, while Big Mushy Happy Lump is similar to Andersen's previous book, Adulthood is a Myth, it has more of a personal feel to it as she interjects personal narratives about some of the issues addressed. While I couldn't relate to the character's one-eighty from being a cat hater to lover of all things feline, there were many other of her comics that I could relate to.

Like today after I get my haircut into a short bob I will invariably walk by someone with long, flowing locks and regret my decision. It happens ... every ... time.


My favourite comic shows the differences between men and women when it comes to compliments. This one had me giggling repeatedly because I have reacted exactly that way many times with my sisters.

And don't forget the unfair fresh hell that is puberty for us girls ...


While not all the comic strips were laugh out loud funny (and a few had been featured in her first book) this is still a very enjoyable book. If you're introverted, have suffered through embarrassing social situations, feel pretty snazzy when you're wearing your 'good' undies and would rather snuggle up with a pet in an old ratty sweatshirt and read then this book will give you that "I'm not alone!" feeling. If you're more of an extrovert then this book will educate you on the finer points in dealing with us lovable, awesome, complicated introverts.

Disclaimer: My sincere thanks to Andrews McMeel Publishing and NetGalley for providing me with a complimentary e-copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Sarah Andersen's comics are pretty universally delightful. She's the exact kind of person I like to follow on Instagram because her work is always short, smart, and super super funny. She's got a knack for getting right at the heart of situations we all struggle with. (Like feeling cute and confident until you inevitably face someone cuter and more confident than you. Then of course you spend the rest of the day feeling like a troll.) It's not all about insecurity, though. She also celebrates the introverted book nerd lifestyle, and acknowledges the beauty of spending an entire day on the couch in your underwear. Sarah Andersen is a kindred spirit. I look forward to her Instagram posts every day, and I'll continue to pick up her books as they get released.

**A copy of this book was provided by the publisher via NetGalley.

I think this book would be ideal for any debate about mental health and body positivism. The sketches were funny and uncomplicated but managed to get across some quite deep points. I love her drawing style and many times found myself wishing I had one of the pages as a poster in my room.
very funny and would recommend.

Sarah Andersen is like my long-lost best friend. Her cartoons absolutely get me, in a way no one has before. Big Mushy Happy Lump is no different. It had me laughing and identifying with each page! I plan on buying copies for a few people in my life who I know would appreciate it as well. I hope she keeps releasing new books because I love each one!

Sarah Andersen knows exactly how the mind of an introvert works. Her comics are funny and spot on. Loved it!

Another very funny book by Sarah Andersen. I found myself laughing out loud on several occasions while reading it.
If you are looking for an entertaining read I highly recommend "Big Mushy Happy Lump", specially if you are a young adult because you'll relate more to what is being described.

Big Mushy Happy Lump by Sarah Anderson is a collection of artwork from Sarah's Scribbles along with biographical material including her struggles with anxiety. Swimsuit season is coming up! Better get beach-body ready! Work on those abs! Lift those butts! Or how about never mind to all that and just be a lump, a happy lump. The comics, and the book, are for those of us who boast bookstore-ready bodies and Netflix-ready hair, who are always down for all-night reading-in-bed parties and extremely exclusive after-hour one-person music festivals.

Big Mushy Happy Lump is a fun bunch of comics that I can relate to. However, it is a lot more than that. Sarah uses the book to share some very personal experience and struggles that she has had with anxiety, depression, and so much more. I think that since I could see myself so clearly in parts of the book, that others will see at least a little of themselves, or someone they love, in the book as well. It helps those of us struggling with life in general because we can see that we are not alone. In fact, I think we make up the majority- if only we could interact enough with each other to share that information. I laughed at moments, and tears threatened at others. I think this is a nice balance of memoir and humor, and that the honest and uplifting tone of the book will resonate with a wide variety of readers.

Last year I read Adulthood Is A Myth, which was my introduction to Sarah Andersen, but it almost felt like being old friends, as a lot of her short comics were so relatable.

So, when I came across Big Mushy Happy Lump, my expectations were quite high, but I need not to worry, because it was as nice as the first one. I think the comics are very relatable to a lot of people, but besides the way they are drawn is also helping making these so popular, is my guess.

Much of what I said in my review of Adulthood Is A Myth still stands, and I'm pretty sure that if you enjoyed that one, you'll like Big Mushy Happy Lump as well.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

Another comforting collection of comics that proves there are others like me out there in the world!

I know this is not something most normal beings would be ecstatic about… But… I HAVE to tell you.. There is VELVET in the cover of this book. And I freaking love the velvety texture in the cover!
I think this atrociously cute cartoon is just engrossing! I just can’t get enough of it!

THOSE BIG, BULGY EYES! MY GOD!
So many emotions in those two circles! HAHAHA!

Love them to pieces!

And her hilarious portrait of those things in life that are… Hummm… how to say it? UGH like high school peeps, PMS, students’ loans and interacting with people. Interacting with people in general can be annoying especially when you are an introvert :) The jokes about social anxiety… spot on!

And I need a “don’t care” superhero too for when I get all socially anxious too!
And there is awesome, enjoyable stuff too, like coffee boyfriends and dogs and… ugh I can’t believe I’ll say this… CATS!
There are a few strips that are all about cats’ fabulousness that were just TOO MUCH and made me, a die-hard dog fan who swore to dislike cats FOREVER, think they are so damn cute. So OF COURSE my heart was dripping in desire to get a cat and I was googling “hypoallergenic cats” and… I wanted to get a cat so badly!

But the best character was not scribbled Sarah or her cats. NOOOO it the uterus! Yes people this book has an uterus here that SMACK! Sarah all the time with all kind PMSing situations

And it so freaking hilarious!

So now I’m a HUGE fan of Sarah and just want to fangirl over her scribbles implacably and buy ALL. Everything in her shop ALL of it! I want ALL THE BOOKS, and mugs, and t-shirts and

I WANT IT ALL!
I want her sweaters to so I can be a Big Mushy Happy Lump, especially during the cold New England winter :)

“Big Mushy Happy Lump” is the newest addition to the Sarah Anderson collection, and it’s just as good as all of her previous work. Everyone will find something to relate to and laugh at. It’s a real joy.

Sarah Andersen's comics make me wonder if she's my doppelgänger who can actually draw. I can relate to most of the comics in this book. (And when I say most I mean pretty much all of them.) I find this book a very entertaining and fun read because of it.

I'm the type of person is who is quiet, shy, and particularly good at pretending that I'm socially adept. I also love cats. LOVE THEM. She addresses all of these qualities in her comics and it's really refreshing to know that there is someone out there like you.

The only reason it's 4 stars instead of 5 is because some of the comics from Adulthood Is a Myth are featured in this book. I wouldn't mind the book being shorter without the redundancy.

Ohmigosh.

I don't know what it is about Sarah but she's a genius capturing real life and making it funny.

What she says about high school? Completely on point.

Well, almost everything in this book is completely on point.

Good stuff. Funny stuff.

Read it.

Loved it. Will be recommending to many girlfriends

Once again Miss Andersen has made me feel like I'm not alone. I actually believe she's a copy of myself or at least found a way into my brain and is making comics about me.

I have struggled with self-esteem, socializing and depression for most of my life so I really related with the chapter called "I don't know how to be a person" because, you guessed it, I don't know how to be a person. I am not good at making conversation or maintaining friendships.
The way she describes overthinking, being a female, trying to be more social are completely relatable to me, but still made me laugh and think that maybe it's ok to be the way I am. Also she makes a good point of trying to see certain situations as normal instead of incredibly embarassing, for instance awkward silences. Maybe they don't need to be so awkward after all.

Of course, I didn't start realizing these things after reading this book. On the contrary, I already knew all of them but it's good to see that I'm not the only one thinking about it since these things are not discussed on a day to day basis between people. Also it's good for people who are not socially awkward to read and maybe sympathize a little.

The art was still on point in comparison with the first book. Sarah has a unique way of making incredible simplistic scribbles (see what I did there? AH!) look artistic and most importantly, funny.

All in all it was a good read and I would recommend it to pretty much everyone.

Who doesn't love Sarah's Scribbles? These little cartoon strips say what we all know to be true inside with a levity and creativity that gets them shared over and over across social media, and this is a convenient collection to grab as a way to enjoy them all in one place.

Similar to Sarah Andersen's previous book, Big Mushy Happy Lump is full of comedy. It is filled with drawings interpreting her anxieties and thoughts on personal experiences. Some of the sketches are sure to relate to your own experiences in a way you'll want to share them. It's a quick read, great for passing time.

A collection of Andersen’s popular short comics as well as some illustrated personal essays that showcase an awkward twenty-something with anxiety navigating life, relationships and sweaters.

As with the previous collection most millennials will find themselves in Andersen’s work. The art style is simple and effectively conveys humour, and a realistic portrayal of the character. The leg hair is a nice and very relatable touch.

Unlike Adulthood is a Myth, Big Mushy Happy Lump does have three longer pieces that combine comics and text to tell a story. One is humorous about the author’s habit of stealing sweaters while another is, while still funny, slightly more serious covering depression, anxiety and self-loathing.

Andersen draws comics that showcase little situations, everyday things where many people probably feel very isolated. People often think that they’re the only person who feels a certain way and I believe that Andersen has created a good dozen comics that will make people realize they are not alone.

Silly and fun, but will leave plenty of readers feeling immensely understood and connected.

I loved Sarah's first book and was excited to hear about her new one and read it. I wanted to give it 5 stars but it just wasn't as good as the first one to me. Don't get me wrong, I loved it still but I guess I connected with the first book more on some issues. There were still lots of laughs and moments when I said "Hey! thats me!"

She's back and as funny as ever!

I am a massive fan of Sarah's Scribbles, and I was so excited when this second book was announced. Continuing with her fun drawing style and cracking wit, this is a fab follow-up but it stands alone in its own right.

I read this late at night, which was a really bad idea as I was having to stifle the giggles and snorting laughter! Some of the strips were familiar from her online material, but there were plenty of new ones to enjoy and I really liked the illustrated essays toward the end of the book. Even if I didn't relate to every strip, the drawings themselves make me snigger - some of the facial expressions are just hilarious.

Overall, a great little book when you need a good laugh, or a reminder that there's other socially awkward people out there too!

I adore Sarah Andersen's work. It truly is the view of a millenial. My library owns the first volume of her work, but our adult collection in general doesn't seem to be taking traction, so I'm not sure if we'll be purchasing this second volume. If the first volume does well in your library, this is absolutely a must-purchase.

Are you finding yourself over-thinking every aspect of your day-to-day life? Have you ever exchanged a day of social interaction for a book and/or Netflix binge? Do you have days where you really just can’t “adult”? Then Big Mushy Happy Lump is the book for you!

This was an incredibly cute, hilarious, and relatable read—exactly the kind of book I needed at this moment in my life. This was my first experience with Sarah Andersen’s work, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Along the lines of one of my favorite books in the entire world—Hyperbole and a Half by Allie Brosh—Andersen’s adorable doodles perfectly capture the awkward, neurotic, introverted book lover that is me. However, one does not have to be as self-conscious and irrationally anxious as I am to have a good time with this collection. A satirical and candid look at what makes all of us human, these little vignettes portray feelings and life experiences that are very easy for anyone to connect with.

This is one of those books that makes you feel as though the author has read your mind and flawlessly rendered your entire life and thoughts in a highly comical format. For me, that totally clicks with my sarcastic and humorous outlook on life and myself. It reminds me of my various “delightful” quirks and makes me remember that, while me and my thought processes can be exceptionally…unique, I am not entirely alone. In fact, many of the things that make me feel as though I am an alien that must have accidentally fallen out of a UFO at some point and landed on Earth are actually what make me—and every one of us—human.

My only—very small—complaint with this book was the fact that there wasn’t more of a personal essay element. There was a bit of this, but not nearly enough. It ended up being a sort of jumble of randomly collected cartoon panels that were entertaining, but left me wanting something beyond just that. I always like to read a little story along with these types of cartoons—a peek at the author’s own life experiences. I believe that storytelling aspect allows the reader to connect their life, their thoughts and feelings, even further with those that are depicted, creating a more engaging reading experience.

That bit aside, this was a very quick read and a wonderful pick-me-up as I fought to get out of a horrific reading slump. And now I can continue on, fully embracing the over-thinking, neurotic, reclusive person that I am. I can find even more humor in watching my painfully awkward floundering through adult life and social interaction. And, most importantly of all, I can get back to reading voraciously as I take on my true form—a big mushy happy lump…with a huge pile of unread books.

Great book and i love the illustrations. I have never come across this author but i'm glad i have.

What a wonderful collection of comic strips! So easy to relate to!

A great successor to Andersen's first collection of comics.

I love the Sarah Scribbles web comic. It was great to read them all in book from.

BIG MUSHY HAPPY BOOK (5 STARS)

I absolutely adored Andersen's Adulthood is a Myth so I was thrilled to get another book filled with the same relatable hilarity. It's funny in general but I think it hits a lot of struggles contemporary women face like body image and mental health. I would recommend this as a gift to any friend who has been feeling down and could use some chuckles.