Bird Brain

I initially thought this was gonna be just a collection of comic strips but it ended up being equally divided between them and short essays introducing each chapter’s theme that I ended up being just as in love with.
The comic strips are so funny and to my surprise, I even recognized some of them but what made me love them were how honest and easy to identify with they were. It was also really uplifting to see the way that the illustration style and the pidgeon’s own positivity evolved throughout the book. It made me hopeful and for that I’m thankful.

The text was written in the first person and directed at the reader so while reading this book I felt like I was talking to a friend. I’m so, so happy for Chuck and wish her all the best because that was what she wished me in this book as well.

Not only that, this is a super funny book and if it can make you feel a bit down because of the theme, you will have a better grasp of what anxiety feels like after reading it and will probably close this book with a smile. I know I did.

Thank you to Andrews McMeel Publishing and NetGalley for this DRC.

Bird Brain by Chuck Mullin is a detailed personal reflection on the author's experience of social anxiety and mental illness, as charmingly portrayed by pigeons. Yes, you read that correctly. Although I have not read a vast amount of material on the topic of mental illness, this is the most illuminating, honest, and personal account that I have experienced. Presented through alternating essays and comic strips, the latter featuring said pigeons, I was unprepared for just how relatable so much of the material was and, as a result, this book really resonated with me. I firmly believe that most readers will find the same as they see themselves reflected on these pages.

This book provides an often humorous look at a weighty topic, and I am pleased that the author has found a creative outlet that will surely inspire others. It is heartening to see that the book moves in the direction of positivity and hope. And who doesn't love a googly-eyed pigeon? Recommended.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for this ARC,

I expected a book with just comic strips, but Bird Brain is actually interwoven with short essays. The comic strips and the text accompany each other very well and I think the amount of each is perfect. The book is focused on the mental health journey of the author. The highs, the lows, and the in-betweens.

I think that this book is great both for people who have anxiety and those who don't. It could be very beneficial for people who are not mental health aware because the comic strips really provide the gist of how anxiety feels and what it does to a person. The textual intermissions of the author give a reader a better understanding of what she tries to show in the strips too. Maybe it could help someone to understand that people suffer from anxiety and it is not as simple as to say to oneself: I’m going to be happy. And on the other hand, the people who suffer from anxiety or have any experience with it, it is to put it simply, relatable. It is a great feeling to be reassured that no, you are not weird, other people feel the same as you. You are not alone.

I'm really happy for the author, and also thankful that she created this book because I think many people will enjoy it.

Mental Illness is a topic that isn’t discussed enough. People do not understand it. They lack empathy and are not sympathetic towards those who suffer.

About 20 years ago I struggled with depression, anxiety and panic attacks. I have been lucky in that we found a medication that works with few side effects. My son has sever anxiety as does his partner. I have so many friends and family who suffer ... many in silence. We must do better. This little graphic book is written by a young woman in London who suffers. She opened her heart and mind and shared it with us. Her drawings are expressive and and artistic. The vignettes are astute.

If you know someone who has difficulty understanding what a loved one is experiencing, gift them this book. It releases on 19 November.

Thank you to Netgalley, Andrews McMeel Publishing and the author for the digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Author and illustrator Chuck Mullin has mastered the art of depicting his mental health struggles with depression and anxiety in cartoon form. As someone who struggles with both these conditions, I could relate to almost every graphic. Who knew I could relate so well to a pigeon? ;)

3.75 stars ⭐

no joke this is probably the best depiction of anxiety I have ever seen. not only that but mental health as a whole. nice job Ms. Chuck!

Everyone has to find a way to cope with the things that bother us in life.

Chuck's way to do this was to draw how she felt in different situations, but as a bird.

She tackles family, friends, work, anxiety. It is a tough world out there, and not all meds help the same way.

<img src="https://g2comm.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/bird-brain.png" alt="" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-5478" />

<img src="https://g2comm.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/bird-brain1.png" alt="" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-5479" />

<img src="https://g2comm.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/bird-brain2.png" alt="" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-5480" />

It is a bit repedetive, but that is probably because it isn't always easy to pull oneself out of the illness.

This should allow others with the same anxiety and mental health problems a good place to connect

Not a coffee table book. .

Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.

Very relatable for people with clinical depression. This was at times touching and inspirational with a lot of good information. Good for people who enjoy short webcomics and struggle with mental illness.

A description of anxiety and depression that manages to be ultra-personal and relatable at the same time. The essays are insightful, if perhaps repetitive at times, but hey...so is anxiety, and in a way, it just reflects the fact that mental illness is not generally a short-term situation. Mullin avoids an overall feeling of monotony, though, with the organization between the (adorable) comics and reflections. Easy to read in one sitting, or across several. This book will likely be a gift for several people I love this year.

I loved Chuck Mullin's little pigeon comics, so when I saw that she was releasing this collection, I jumped at the chance to read it — and I'm so glad I did.

The comics are spaced out with a couple of pages here and there that tell the author's own story with her mental illness, treatment, and her journey to the self-love she's begun to find for herself, and it's really wonderful and touching. I definitely teared up a few times over how much I related to her thoughts and worries, but it was also so comforting to see that she's found things that work for her, and it gives me hope that I can find things that work for me, too. (I've even opted to steal a few of her ideas, like saying one kind thing to yourself in the mirror every day)

If you struggle with mental illness at all, especially anxiety and depression, I can't recommend this collection enough. You'll laugh, you'll get all kinds of Feels™, and I can almost guarantee you'll love these little anxious pigeons as much as I did.

Thank you so much to the publisher for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Half comic, half written, this book is a self reflection by the author on their life dealing with mental illness. It is both heartbreaking, and heartwarming. In general, it showed the many facets of Mullin's mental illness, and it will certainly be relatable in parts to some.

It was also humorous in parts, and that helped relieve some of the tension within the book itself. I think using a pigeon relating back to a story they tell, was well done. It flows in a way that really works. Mullin also talks directly to the reader -- it feels as if you're a close acquaintance or friend. You don't feel alienated by anything they say.

I think this book is going to be good for people both with mental illnesses and those without. It is a reminder to those who may be friends with/in a relationship with/related to those with a mental illness that we don't see everything. We don't know everything.

Overall, I think this was a well done book!

This was a really good story that truly told the struggles of living with anxiety well. Coming from someone who lives with this mental illness, this was really important to read and it made me feel seen. Mullins divides it into three different sections, Bad Times, Relationships, and Positivity. Each one delved into the struggles of going through daily life while baring the heavy weight of anxiety on the daily.

It is a hard thing to deal with and even harder to talk about how one feels about their mental illness. This book is so important, and the art style and pigeons attempt to soften the blow of anxiety as a whole.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing this book in exchange for an honest review.
I absolutely loved this book. The comics and short essays were very relatable and well written. The author gives an honest view of the struggles that anxiety and depression can throw at you.

Just like the author, I too love pigeons and scoff with other people call them sky rats. This book is a combination of drawings of pigeons experiencing bouts of anxiety and the author writing about her own mental health struggle. This was a quick read, but still very enjoyable. I identified with the pigeons in some of the cartoons, and while some of the comics are more light-hearted, some of the short stories from the author are DEEP. Mental illness is no walk in the park, and she definitely doesn't try to lighten up her own experience to make it a more carefree book and I really appreciated that.

I also have a thing for pigeons. I honestly thought I was the only one. In this amazing work, the author tells about dealing with her mental illness. The pigeon drawings were sort of a therapy. I guess that people have to do whatever makes them happy. The author's excitement for this book is so lovely considering that the reader is aware of her anxiety. It's almost as if I know her, as if we could be friends.
Besides telling her story, the author provides a lot of information on mental illness. I've never heard of dissociative episodes until this book. Even if you don't experience anxiety, everyone could use reading this book just to understand that many people you love could be suffering from it and that's ok. The drawings were very entertaining to follow. I could relate to many things told in this book and I'm glad I'm not alone in this. "Improvement is not a linear process."

I was pleasantly surprised by this book. I was expecting a a comic strip that made light of a serious topic, made it so it would be relatable to those who haven’t experienced these types of emotions.

I loved that this had both comic strip and story with it and that it was told from first hand experiences. For someone who doesn’t know a lot of about mental health, let alone the emotions that arise from it, this was an eye opening read for me. The author did a great job of making it easy to understand and presenting situations that were relatable. The illustrations was both funny and entertaining, but also very informative and thought provoking. This is my first time reading a book presented like this and I thought it was done nicely.

Bird Brain is a charming collection of Chuck Mullin's works. Her comics are deeply personal, as she documents her struggles with anxiety and depression. And hopefully writing these comics helped her own those a bit too, giving her a bit more control in her life.
These comics are chuckle working, of course. But they'll also resonate with many readers out there. And that is why this collection is so absolutely wonderful. There's something so powerful about being able to read light comics such as these, and then seeing them touch upon some of the toughest things in our lives.
Obviously, I loved these comics. They were a combination of quirky and charming. They were brutally open and honest at times, but that added to the charm in many ways. There's something so refreshing about it all.
The art style is another strong element in this series. The characters are all birds, which seems like an odd decision. But their avian characteristics blended well with the plots of each minicomic, and perhaps allow us to take a step back from the brutality that can sometimes come with these struggles.
Plus, they're cute. It doesn't have to be much more than that, does it? I adore the little birds and all of their quirks. There's something silly, but charming about them.
Finally, I love the way this collection was organized. It's cut into three main sections – four if you count the conclusion. Bad Times, Relationships, and Positivity. The flow and grouping of these comics are perfect.
I loved Bird Brain and every comic within this collection. Though I obviously loved some more than others, I also really enjoyed the collection as a whole. I'm looking forward to seeing more from Chuck Mullin in the future.

The tag line for this graphic novel is "Comics About Mental Health, Staring Pigeons"; I could not hit request quick enough. I'm not normally one for graphic novels but the premise of this sounded so different and made me really want to read it.

The author speaks about their experience of anxiety and the impact its had on her life and her relationships; one way she found helped her work through her feeling was to draw comics.  Most of these star pigeons and work on the basis of what is an everyday animal such as a pigeon was experiencing the same thoughts she was?  The pigeons and the style of illustration add an element of humour and while it is a rather emotive topic I found it to be an uplifting read; focusing on how the author learnt to regain some control over her negative thoughts.

The comics are independent of each other, each capturing a particular thought or emotion, there are also several snippets of narrative from the author explaining her experiences throughout; I think this would be perfect for either helping people unaffected by anxiety who might be struggling to understand what others are going through or to remind people who are affected that their not alone.

Bird Brain by Chuck Mullin is a depiction of Mullin's journey with her anxiety. It is broken up into chapter topics and each contains a short essay on Mullin's own experiences and sometimes reasoning behind certain comics. I found Mullin's essays to be very frank and approachable, she clearly states that these are her own experiences but readers can easily relate those experiences to their own lives. I love the idea of pigeons as a protagonist and Mullin's decision for using them was really great. My only issue is the floating eye - I wasn't a huge fan, but it definitely wasn't a deal breaker.

I've been a fan of the Instagram account Chuck Draws Things for a long time. As someone who struggles with anxiety, I found a lot to relate to, and sharing drawings of cute little pigeons often made it easier to share my struggles with friends and family rather than just bringing it up out of nowhere. The comics in Bird Brain really cover every part of what it's like to live with anxiety- the struggles that arise, how it impacts relationships with others, and the joy of making progress and coming out the other side of a rough time. Some of the comics might slightly trigger tough memories for readers, but there is so much hope and support within these pages. A funny, relatable read that made me feel less alone.

I recently discovered Chuck Mullin’s work on Instagram and instantly found her comics featuring pigeons to be super relatable. That’s why I was excited to pick up her book. Bird Brain is sold as a collection of comics exploring depression and anxiety, but there is also personal essay woven throughout. The book is broken into three sections - “Bad Times,” “Relationships,” and “Positivity.” Each section starts with an essay that gives you a glimpse into the creator/author’s experiences that lead her to create the subsequent comics. I commend Mullin for laying it all out there and being unapologetic about her experiences with anxiety and depression. My only wish is that we had seen more of her comics in each section. Overall it’s a great read for anyone with anxiety or depression or for fans of Hyperbole and a Half by Allie Brosh.

I've loved Chuck Mullin's comics for a long time and am so excited to see them being published! Wonderful.

OMG Sharon, can you not?

BIRD BRAIN is yet another collection of comics dealing with the unholy trifecta – anxiety, depression, and general social awkwardness – in a decade that seems to have seen an explosion of them. And I’m totally here for it! (Anxiety and depression, my companions since childhood. If only my dog friends could live as long as you!) A millennial Londoner, Chuck Mullin explores her seemingly never-ending battle with anxiety and depression with humor, self-awareness, and a shit ton of ice cream.

The comics in these here pages tackle a range of mental health issues, from the ups and downs of medication, to self-care, to finding moments of victory wherever you can.

Why pigeons? She loves them, even though most people don’t. They’re an unfairly maligned species, and I am down with embracing that vibe. Pigeons are survivors, yo!

The strips are divided into three categories – “Bad Times,” “Relationships,” and “Positivity” – with a personal essay introducing each. The essays are engaging and relatable AF (as much as I don’t want them to be, damn you to hell anxiety!), though I didn’t love them so much when they pop out at you from between random comics as well. Like, the artwork pretty much speaks for itself, no additional explanations necessary; and sticking more essays in between the comics really interrupts the flow. But I guess you don’t have to read them, or can skip then and come back later. The pigeons won’t judge (unless your name is Sharon).

I absolutely LOVED this little book! The little comic drawings are pretty cute and funny, but there is much more in this book than just that. The little essays that where put between each part, and sometimes between drawings, the crude explanations of anxiety, it all came together to make this a perfect book for me.

Because I suffered from all this things at one point in my life, and even though not everyone has the exact same experience, I could clearly see myself in those little birds, desperately trying to come out of myself and into a real world of happiness.

It is not exactly a happy book, as it goes around delicate topics, however it is one that can help a whole bunch of people to not feel so alone in their illness, to feel that somewhere out there knows (at least in part) how they feel inside.

While reading it, I felt I was part of a secret club, one where I could finally belong in and could be heard. And all my past thoughts came back, but this time I felt reassured that I was never alone, that I was loved and I deserved happiness.

I’m happy to say that those hard times where left behind for me, but Bird Brain is definitely a book that I would love to share with people I know are struggling so they know they are not alone, as well as people who are perfectly happy, so they can be grateful for that and understand a bit better the other side of the coin.

I laughed out loud at this collection of comics about a pigeon who's struggling with their mental health (aren't we all?). Having finished Sarah Andersen's comics recently, I've been searching for something to fill the void, and Bird Brain definitely has a similar vibe. There's humor and silly drawings and #relatable content, and you're supporting a female artist - what's not to like? Thanks to NetGalley for this review copy.⁣

If anyone is curious about mental illness, whether it's their own or about someone they love, I'd recommend this book. Obviously, it's not a substitute for actual help or medical studies but I feel like it's a more relatable/readable version.

Jesus, just reading the foreword and it's like we are the same person. I've never been able to really talk to people about my anxiety, I've always just dealt with it myself. I definitely have never been able to articulate quite what anxiety is/feels like so accurately. Most times you say things like "it feels suffocating", or "it feels like I'm drowning" and I think people who don't have it think you must be over-exaggerating but there is a lot of truth in that it can feel like you're drowning, but there is also a lot of nuanced emotions that are there as well.

This book is an incredibly raw and personal look at how mental illness looks, and feels, from the inside. The chapters are interspersed with a couple paragraphs explaining the perspective of the chapter of comics. Though I am not nearly as eloquent as the author I will attempt a one line descriptor for this book, "It's like a lighthouse, in the middle of a dark and vast ocean, that let's you know you aren't alone in your struggles."

A great comfort read for folks struggling with depression and anxiety issues. Similar in feel to Sara Andersen and I love the bird characters.

This book was very relatable to some that suffers from the same mental illnesses as the author. I would have liked to have had a few more comics in between as there was quite a lot of text.

Thanks to the publishers for sharing this one. It captures the experience of anxiety so well. It's a bit heavy at times but well worth the read. My full review appears on Weekend Notes.

In this extremely relatable, honest and funny book, Chuck Mullin talks about depression, anxiety, self-care, and other aspects of everyday life in a very touching way. As a person who's suffered from depression and anxiety for a long time, this book felt very real in its portraying of what you feel (and don't feel) during these times. I'd definitely recommend this to people who would like to understand or empathize more with a loved one who has suffered / is currently suffering from mental illness, and to anyone interested to learning more about this.

I didn't really know what to expect when I chose to read this book.

This book provides insight into the world of mental illness through the pigeon comics and the accompanying personal stories shared by the author. I don't think that any one book can give us a full understanding of mental illness and how to talk about how it effects our lives, but I think this book provides a great starting point for that conversation.

I appreciated the comics about how to and how not to approach talking to someone with a mental illness. I often do not know what to say so to friends and family that suffer from a mental illness. I find myself walking on eggshells around the subject and avoiding talking about it because I don’t want to make it worse. Your comics helped me realize that I shouldn’t be afraid to bring it up and offer support; I just need to be mindful of how I do it.

Thank you for sharing your story.
#BirdBrain #NetGalley

This is such a perfect example of what it's like to have anxiety. I wasn't expecting there to be such in depth writing outside of the comics but boy was I wrong! It was so good and I hope everyone has a chance to read it.

I wasn’t familiar with Chuck Mullin’s pigeon comics on Instagram but found the cover and premise of this book to be inviting. I expected it to filled with comics but ultimately got so much more. Interspersed between the comics are short essays revealing Chuck Mullin’s personal experiences with mental illness: what it feels like, how it affects your life and how to cope with it and feel better. The essays are very honest, relatable and heartfelt. Mullin takes a serious subject but is able to discuss it, through words and pictures, in a friendly and inspirational way that will at times put a smile on your face.

I was curious as to the choice of pigeons for the comic. Mullin explains overhearing a couple commenting on the pigeons nearby, saying they are “rats with wings.” She felt bad for the pigeons, imagining them being insulted and feeling awful about themselves, and went home and doodled about it. The response to the comic was so positive that she continued drawing pigeons.

I thought about a deeper meaning for the use of pigeons to illustrate her struggle with mental illness. If you have lived in a city, you know that if you walk by pigeons and yell SHOOO or make some loud noise, they will fly away. Pigeons are very sensitive. Also, the notion of flying away to escape negative situations and/or feelings seems apropos. I am reminded of the flight or fight response to a perceived threat. So maybe it was by chance that Mullin chose pigeons but I think they are well suited to the task.

The book is divided into three sections - Bad Times, Relationships and Positivity. While I understand the logical sequence of starting with depression and building up to feeling better, it was tough to read. To put it bluntly, I found the first section to be very depressing, showing how bad things can get. Note that It actually shows the skills of the author to so perfectly capture what it feels like when one is anxious or depressed. She really nails it!

Bird Brain is a very honest yet entertaining look at mental illness - what it feels like, how to cope and ultimately how to feel better. The comics can be funny and witty but this little book carries a big message — you are not alone and it is possible to feel better. It is filled with practical advice and is a much needed resource in this day and age when mental illness can be misunderstood. Besides discussing medication, the importance of support and self-care, we also learn about finding small moments of happiness.

Thank you to Andrews McMeel Publishing and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

This collection of comic strips about anxiety and depression is thoughtful, funny, and relatable to those of us who've experienced mental illness, and educational for those that haven't. The author's depictions of herself and her loved ones as pigeons is utterly adorable and is a nice and accessible way into some really serious issues.

Mental health, but with pigeons. Half comics, half essays on mental health, telling the truth of struggling with mental health, without ever becoming preachy and always staying slightly in the humour-lane, without making light of how actually awful living with mental health-issues is.

This is probably the most authentic anxiety-related thing I've read, and it was told in pigeons. Pigeons. I kid you not. The author/artist's short essays on the different "chapters" may have been my favourite part, though - she really knows how to talk about mental health without making it too.. serious. Does that make sense? Nope. But I loved this and I adore the pigeons and I'll be over here smiling at these cute-as-heck lil' pigeons for the rest of the day. And tomorrow, probably.

Love the comics and the notes from the author about how personal these comics are for them. This might be the best representation that I have read in how it deals with what living with anxiety is really like, a must read for people with anxiety and for the people who love them.

As someone who is interested to learn more about mental health, this book has helped me to understand things better. Thank you for writing this humorous yet informative book for someone like me, who is still on the journey to understand this topic :)

I thought this was an interesting book. These aren't the usual kinds of comics I would read, but I found myself relating to many of them. The art itself is really nice, and it made for an enjoyable read. The essays sprinkled throughout were also a nice touch.

This was not what I expected going in. I have not seen the author's works previously and therefore, did not know the kind of content it had. Since I usually like checking out compilations of comic strips, I decided to give it a shot. 

Most of the comic strips that I follow, and some of those that I do not but happen to read occasionally have a layer of hidden meaning about how people view life. I think it is easier to bundle up the truth between the laughs generated from simple gags within thought bubbles. These comics have its message more boldly presented, the drawings are not even the main attraction. I think it will resonate with anyone who has ever had mild panic attacks at the unknown. The author has bared her soul in the pages between the clusters of comics under particular headings. 

The graphics were not my cup of tea, but the message is pretty solid. It is a heavy read and not funny in the 'Haha' sense. 

I received an ARC thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, but the review is entirely based on my own reading experience.

<b>💖 “Bird Brain is a raw, honest portrayal of what living with a mental illness is like, told through heartwarming comics that are both relatable but also can make you chuckle.” 💖</b>

<b>I’m so glad, that I picked up Bird Brain because it was incredible!</b> I heard that it was up on Netgalley and the concept of it immediately drew me in. A comic? About mental health? With pigeons? I was sold immediately and flew through the book during one lazy Sunday afternoon. Let me tell you, Bird Brain is a <b>great comfort read, broken up through texts centered around a topic that breaks up the comics that follow and were right up my alley</b>. There is something comforting about someone understanding what struggling with mental health is like and so many people being able to relate to the comics, that have been around on the Internet beforehand! <b>Here are some of the things I loved about this:</b>

➽ <b>I loved the mix between comics and texts by the author.</b> The book consists of several topics and I liked that this centered the comics around a theme and allowed the author to share her experiences both in text and in her art. Going in I didn’t know that there would be short texts provided by the author, but I feel like they really helped to understand her comics and own perspective on her life with depression and anxiety.

➽ <b>The portrayal of anxiety was so real and relatable to me, as a lot of the comics illustrated what it’s like to think differently from people</b> and fall down a big negative thought spiral. Even the most mundane things like texting can become a huge burden when you’re convinced that everyone hates you. I appreciated the author talking about it so much and also highlighting that you need to challenge these thoughts even though it’s so hard. Her experiences and art resonated within me a lot!

➽ <b>There’s also a focus on the author’s depression (which I cannot talk about, as I don’t personally have it) and her experience with taking medication.</b> I appreciated that she discussed her own experiences with medication, while also making sure she transported that she didn’t speak for everyone and that, of course, different kinds of therapy work for different people.

➽ <b>I loved the art style a lot and especially the author’s choice to depict herself as a pigeon in the comics. </b>She spoke straight to my heart, as – like her – I think that pigeons are pretty misunderstood and often victims of the bad circumstances they live in (like in the city when they don’t get appropriate, healthy food & there is so much overpopulation), but can be kind and gentle animals. [Little Known Fact about me: I’ve always appreciated pigeons and think they can be really cute if cities make an effort to offer them good food and a place to stay. That’s why I resonated with the author’s choice so much because she just got it!] She reclaimed a scorned animal as that’s how she felt as a person with a mental illness and it definitely gave her comics a special meaning!

<b>In the end:</b> I definitely recommend reading <i>Bird Brain</i>, because it has <b>amazing artwork that might make you like pigeons more than you usually do</b> and offers some great insights into the author’s experience dealing with depression and anxiety. I found many parts of her perspective to be so relatable and the comics truly warmed my heart, though they also confronted me with some of the less comfortable truths of having anxiety.

Bird Brain: Comics About Mental Health, Starring Pigeons by Chuck Mullin is a collection of brutally honest, brilliantly weird comics exploring what it’s like to live with mental illness, using pigeons. When Chuck Mullin began experiencing anxiety and depression as a teenager, she started drawing comics to help her make sense of the rollercoaster. Eventually, she found that pigeons—lovably quirky, yet universally reviled creatures—were the ideal subjects of a comic about mental illness. The book is organized in three sections—"Bad Times," "Relationships," and "Positivity"—and featuring several short essays about the author’s experiences.

Bird Brain is a comic collection that I related to on some levels, and not so much on others (I am more of an emotion stuffer than a crier), because we are all different. I loved how honest Mullin is about how she has felt, and the changes that she has made in her life. Like Mullin I have never shared the disdain for pigeons, and find them fun and cute. I liked the stories she shared, and the artwork. I think the only thing I might have changed is the inclusion of resources, like hotlines or online communities, that readers might use for support if they want or need some connection. However, since the book was originally published in the UK, I understand that it would take getting some different information for each publishing market.

The acknowledgement that self love and the love of others is not mutually exclusive, and that improving mental health is a journey, was important to me. So many of the platitudes people throw at people dealing with any kind of mental distress (clinical or situational) are more harmful than helpful- because if people could just smile and feel better don't you think they would? If only it were so easy. I also like that Mullin points out that medication can be part of the solution- but is not the only part and is not for everyone. Side effects and allergies can make medication more problematic than what they are supposed to help, but if he right dose of the right med is found it can make life significantly better for some. I really love the clear point that we are all different, and effect to different therapies and tools accordingly- working with a professional to find the right combination is important and can very greatly depending on the person.

Bird Brain is an honest and relatable collection that will speak to anyone that has suffered through anxiety and/or depression. I think it would also be a great read for those with loved ones that are dealing with them to help them understand what it feels like.

Bird Brain is a delightful collection of comics that realistically show the creator's life with mental illness. I am thankful for this ARC, as I would not have been interested in the title otherwise, but it will fit quite nicely in my fledgling nonfiction YA graphic novels collection.

I am blessed with not having severe anxiety, depression, or any mental illness; but I do know those that do. And the wonderful strength of this book is to shed light on the author's experiences with those things in adorable comics starring a pigeon. While the author wrote it so that others with similar experiences can relate and know that there are others out there struggling, I too found it an extremely helpful read to better understand my fellow humans and hopefully I can be more empathetic to their struggles in the future. I'll be honest that I didn't care for the art style when I started, but I warmed up to it by the end.

Chuck Mullin knows a thing or two about mental illness. As someone who suffered from depression and anxiety for years, she knows the darkness and overthinking that can cause the world to close in around you. She also loves pigeons and feels a kinship to them, as birds of a misunderstood feather. So when she started creating drawings to help illustrate what she was thinking and feeling, she close to express herself with pigeons.

Bird Brain is her first book, a collection of some of the drawings that first appeared online and have inspired so many others in their honesty and positivity. With the drawings are some of her personal essays about her anxiety, relationships, choice to use medication, bad times, isolation, negative thoughts, and personal affirmations.

Despite the charm of the illustrations, this is not an easy book to read. Mullin is exceptionally open about her struggles and her challenges, talking about getting pushback for going on medications and being in an emotionally abusive relationship. But she also shares some of her wins, the joys she finds in her life and in her healing.

If you know her art, you won’t be surprised by the lovely moments her comics illuminate. And you won’t be surprised when they turn dark, reminding you that depression can be a wolf at the door, always ready to strike. Her vulnerability makes this a perfect book for anyone who suffers from mental illness to feel heard and understood, as well for those who don’t struggle with anxiety or depression and want to understand what their loved ones go through in those dark moments.

Bird Brain may be Chuck Mullin’s first book, but I genuinely hope it is not her last. I look forward to learning more about her journey to wholeness and her struggles and successes.

Galleys for Bird Brain were provided by Andews McMeel Publishing through NetGalley, with many thanks.

The comics in this book are so good, almost makes you love pigeons. I didn't really need the commentary for each section but I can see how some would like that. As someone that struggles with anxiety this was a perfect read to brighten my day.

This book is an absolute hoot, so to speak. Well thought out. Relatable and thought provoking. 10/10 will recommend!

Initial tweeted reaction: I just finished this, and I nearly screencapped half the book to go "Look! Look at this comic about the inside of my brain!"

... I didn't nearly miss my stop because I was trying to find a link to two of my favourite comics from it. No one did. That would have been foolish.

Review on Lady Business: <em>Bird Brain</em> is a series of mental health comics told through the medium of pigeons, and it's probably my favourite of all of the #Relatable <a href="https://chuckdrawsthings.com/">webcomics</a> that I read in 2019. The depiction of <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B1E2UDRpL5o/">anxiety</a> and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BztU2kmp_9S/">recovery</a> matches up with <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Bz1H0_LpZQA/">my experience</a> (<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BzgemW3pjHo/">no seriously</a>), and I appreciate the <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B5ldEmrJh8T/">aggressive</a> <a hrf="https://www.instagram.com/p/By3JaFGJlhG/">positivity</a> comics because that's how I cope too! The art is cute and cartoony, and has the right balance of relatable and distance between the reader and the pigeons that it's not <em>too</em> much of a call-out. I really like this one! Would actually buy it instead of just borrowing it from the library!

[This review is based on an ARC from Netgalley]

I just reviewed Bird Brain by Chuck Mullin. #BirdBrain #NetGalley


As we go through stages of life, sometimes we found people with anxiety and depression. By not being one of them, we tend to judge them harshly, and even avoid them at all cost. Some who got bigger heart and want to help, got stuck in the middle of uplifting their peers' mood. This book helps me to understand how these friends think. At least I can understand much better, and hopefully can behave accordingly to help them in their struggle through depression and anxiety.

If you struggle with mental illness at all, especially anxiety and depression, I can't recommend this collection enough. You'll laugh, you'll get all kinds of Feels™, and I can almost guarantee you'll love these little anxious pigeons as much as I did.

Thank you so much to the publisher for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I loved this book! It was a really nice read about mental health. The artwork was quirky and I liked how the author chose a pidgeon as the main character in their book. All of the little comics were relatable and portrayed the struggles of mental health in a truthful yet humerous way. The author also includes short essays about her own experience and struggles with mental health and those were very touching and authentic. I highly recommend this book.

This was a very interesting collection of comics interspersed with essays from the author. The book deals with the authors experience with mental illness. This is a really honest look into mental illness that manages to be authentic and humorous.

This was both cute and hilarious. And it definitely hit close to him as someone with mental illness myself. I was worried that it would not be funny, but it cheered me up.