The Hilarious World of Depression by John Moe is a book that hit close to home for me. Fellow saddies where you at? I could relate to a lot of the things John discusses in this book and I really appreciated how honest he was about his feelings growing up with depression, navigating his career and dealing with his brother’s suicide. Throughout the book are these snippets of hilarious sarcastic wit that shine to make this book not a complete downer to read. Honestly I read this one quite slowly not because I didn’t like it which is normally the case when I read books slowly but because the issues are so intense and especially during this difficult time in the world I don’t think my saddie self could handle it all at once. I recommend this book to all the saddies out there who need some reassurance that you are not alone in your feelings and to all the normies to get a glimpse of what we saddies have to deal with every single day.

I really enjoyed this book. Depression is a serious topic and I think everyone should take it seriously. I follow people that talk about mental health issues because I myself am suffering from depression and anxiety. The author talks about his own struggles and the loss of his brother. I love the sense of humor he has.   I was diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder and I have been researching ways to cope with it and reading books like this one makes me feel like  I'm not alone in this world. I am thankful for the author and Netgalley for letting me read this in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of The Hilarious World of Depression.

I don't listen to podcasts so I had no idea who the author is, but I was intrigued by the title of the book.

The Hilarious World of Depression is anything but hilarious; well, there are some hilarious moments, but for the most part, the author takes the reader into his childhood, his family, and the gut wrenching loss of his older brother.

Mr. Moe is a deft writer; he writes as he speaks, I imagine, and his recollections are tinged with levity, dark humor and brutal honesty.

Part memoir, part anecdotes from celebrities suffering from depression (mostly comedians: I thought of Robin Williams a lot as I was reading), Mr. Moe offers insight into a topic rarely discussed, the stigma of suffering from mental illness and depression and offers support, feedback and advice on finding the path to getting well.

He touches upon how our childhood, our parents, and genetic destiny may predispose certain individuals toward depression, how trauma and traumatic events also play sinister roles in how we manifest the illness and deal with it, and how humor is just one of the ways some people cope and learn how to live with an illness that affects their lives.

Mr. Moe mentions the most critical aspect of depression and how to combat it:

Talk. Find someone to talk to. Call someone. Erase the stigma that society and familial expectations have created and talk about it. There is hope. There is help.

The Hilarious World of Depression ends on a positive note, but realistic note; Mr. Moe stresses that depression is an unending struggle, you won't get cured, but with hope and help, you can feel better.

Although I haven't before listened to the podcast, I was able to quickly follow and enjoy this! Easy reading and helpful.

I feel attacked... in a good way. 

I found this to be really refreshing. I’ve read a lot of psych and self help books recently, but this was a really personal look into the matter. What got me was how relatable this was - the feeling of just not wanting to exist and the author’s excellent description of OCD blew me away. Yes, we know that we’re not unique, but not as many people can describe their experiences with depression and OCD like this author was able to in the first few chapters alone. It felt like someone actually put down those feelings, but was able to keep a “light” heart about the whole thing.

I think this would be good for anyone who wants to get a deeper look into depression or other people in general OR anyone who has been touched by depression. So basically everyone. I’ve enjoyed it!

Very funny and relatable.  When coworkers asked me what I was reading most of them didn't get how depression was funny. There were a few who did, those are my people.  I love how open the writer is about the things that happened in his life. I had never listened to his podcast before but I have started listening just because I like way he writes. I wish I was better at writing and this review wouldn't be so awful.

I was very nervous and skeptical in requesting this book. After all I find nothing hilarious about the severe depression I suffer from. But you know what John Moe has made this book easily readable (for a somewhat difficult topic) for those who are sufferers and those who aren’t but who are in the lives of sufferers. (I’m probably saying that wrong but it’s ok) this book made me feel closer to the community of people who suffer like me, it made me realize that yeah depression sucks but we can talk about it, and be open about it and that helps Mabey a little bit more each time.

Having had listened to the Podcast of the same nameI was very curious and interested in reading John Moe's book. 
John's story is intimate and moving. Through his story he has humanized and personalized the disease that so many suffer from.  Gain some insight and make time to read this book.

Very interesting idea at a relevant time. Interesting how depression and comedy often are intertwined.

I received an advance copy of this book. It is about a mans battle with depression and how he dealt with it and how he got thru his brothers death. The memoir is well written. It held the readers attention.

Thanks to St Martin's Press and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

If you have not suffered from depression, or do not know someone who has, you may not understand how the words 'hilarious' and 'depression' could be used in the same sentence. However, after reading this book, you may realise that 'The Hilarious World of Depression', is, undoubtedly, a highly appropriate title for Moe's incisive exploration of mental illness. Of course, there is nothing funny about mental illness per se, Yet, on the other hand, there is something otherworldly, slightly farcical and yes - something humorous about depression. It can be inspirational fodder for the most glorious comical skit, a coping mechanism, or a way of rationalising, in hindsight, the irrational. actions of the depressive. If you have experienced depression then Moe's colourful, laugh-out-loud stories will resonate. I know they did with me. More importantly, Moe reminded me that I am not alone. It is one thing to know this on a rational level and quite another to feel it. Depression is inherently lonely, but Moe somehow manages to bind the experiences of the individual to a whole community of... well, sufferers is not the right word... survivors? Undoubtedly. The people you will encounter in this book are exceptional - often high-achievers, which makes depression a two-sides-of-the-coin type of illness. It can be highly debilitating, yet equally, a source of inspiration and striving. Depression is often intrinsic to one's personality, and this is sometimes no bad thing. Not everyone survives the all-pervading tentacles of depression, however, yet not everyone survives cancer, or heart disease, but that does not mean we should not strive for something better. Better understanding, better treatment,  and most importantly, an inclusive conversation that shatters once and for all the silent, taboo subject of depression. We are getting there. Moe's candid, multi-layered approach to the subject that also considers lack of understanding of the symptoms, the challenges of work-life, self-medicating, the fallout of the disease in the lives of our loved ones, the tragedy of suicide, and the hereditary aspects of the disease, is an important thread in our much needed conversation about depression. Indeed, if you only read one book about depression then make sure it is John Moe's 'The Hilarious World of Depression'.  My book of the year so far.

The author has written an an intimate raw look at his lie.He suffers from depression It has effected every part of his life.At times this book is hilarious laugh out loud as he share his daily life.seeing the world through the eyes of the author was fascinating at times difficult to read .John Moe has written a very brave book at the same time very entertaining.#netgalley#st.martins

When it is snowy and cold outside (and my car is buried under 2ft of ❄️ ), superspeed readers like me can read 250+ pages/hour, so yes, I have read the book … and many more today. LOL

I requested and received a temporary digital Advance Reader Copy of this book from #NetGalley, the publisher and the author in exchange for an honest review.  

From the publisher, as I do not repeat the contents or story of books in reviews, I let them do it as they do it better than I do 😸.

For years John Moe, critically-acclaimed public radio personality and host of The Hilarious World of Depression podcast struggled with depression; it plagued his family and claimed the life of his brother in 2007. As Moe came to terms with his own illness, he began to see similar patterns of behaviour and coping mechanisms surfacing in conversations with others, including high-profile comedians who’d struggled with the disease. Moe saw that there were tremendous comforts and community in open dialogue about these shared experiences and that humour had a unique power. Thus was born the podcast The Hilarious World of Depression.

Inspired by the immediate success of the podcast, Moe has written a remarkable investigation of the disease, part memoir of his own journey, part treasure trove of laugh-out-loud stories and insights drawn from years of interviews with some of the most brilliant minds facing similar challenges. Throughout the course of this powerful narrative, depression’s universal themes come to light, among them, struggles with identity, lack of understanding of the symptoms, the challenges of work-life, self-medicating, the fallout of the disease in the lives of our loved ones, the tragedy of suicide, and the hereditary aspects of the disease.

The Hilarious World of Depression illuminates depression in an entirely fresh and inspiring way.

Unless you had or have depression, you may not see the hilarity in this book. I know that my family does not understand my depression(or, according to them. my lack of a sense of humour) but I laughed at this book as I have been there, done that and bought the postcard. The book is well written and moving and people with the disease and those in their family or circle of friends will enjoy it as well.  Savour it as you read it - it is very moving.

This is a heart-touching read that is tough going in parts. Whilst there is humour to be found, it is more of a narrative of the author's life. I have never listened to his podcast but, as a podcast lover, I will definitely be looking into subscribing. Thanks to the publisher and netgalley for an ARC egalley.

Thank you, John Moe, for candidly sharing your struggles with depression through this book! And for doing so in a way that felt completely real and relateable while also making me laugh aloud more than once. Interspersed with Moe's memoir were chapters with parts of interviews with other people who suffer from depression. If you struggle with depression, if someone you love struggles with depression, or if you just live in the world (where you will certainly encounter people who are struggling with depression) - read this book.