
Member Reviews

Lawson provides amusing anecdotes on her life. She has a lot to say on many subjects thst range from her pets" proclivities to her own angst. I liked the chapter dealing with her family heritage the most. Although she suffers from depression, she addressses her issues in a forthright manner. The book has a lot of all cap words that does get a little tedious. Reading this book will alleviate the doldrums.

I jumped at the chance to read an early copy of Jenny Lawson’s newest book. I’ve read and enjoyed her other books and so I was excited to read this one. As usual, it did not disappoint! She didn’t venture far from the format of the other books - not that that’s a bad thing. I love the way she interacts directly with the reader. It makes for a very engaging read.
Each chapter has a theme or focuses on a particular event. It’s very effective how Lawson intermixes the heavier chapters about mental illness with the lighter, humorous chapters. And it is so good to laugh right now, just be careful where you are when reading! However, my favorite chapters are the philosophical, poignant ones: I Feel It in My Bones, I Am a Magpie, and Strange New Weather Patterns. I will be revisiting these chapters often.
Lawson’s signature mixture of humor and the reality of mental illness makes this book a very worthwhile read, whether you are the one that needs it or someone close to you does.
#Brokeninthebestpossibleway #NetGalley

This book made me laugh out loud and made me cry. It is classic Bloggess, so you likely already know if you will enjoy it. She shares her experiences with anxiety and depression in powerful, really open ways.
There are really two types of chapters in the book: the funny, ridiculous advertisers from her life and the deep, complicated discussions of with mental health issues. I found some of the heavier chapters harder in this book, likely due to the stress of the world right now. However, the funny chapters were a balm to my spirit. I think I interesting that some reviewers find the juxtaposition of these forced because I see them as the reality of life and the Bloggess. Silly things can happen even when everything is horrible, and I firmly believe laughter is the best way to cope at times. I frequently found myself reading excerpts aloud to my husband so we could share in that laughter.
If you read her blog, much of this will be familiar, but the story is more cohesive here.
I received an advanced readers copy of this book from the publisher and Net Galley in return for a fair review.

Where do I even begin? Jenny Lawson is pure gold. She writes about living with anxiety, depression, and other health issues with sincerity and humor. I giggle maniacally, I throw things in frustrated solidarity, I nod enthusiastically in understanding. Jenny truly has a gift and we are all so very lucky that she chooses to share herself and her experiences with us through her books. I can't recommend this book more highly. GO READ IT!
Thank you SO MUCH to NetGalley and the publisher for granting me an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

"Broken (In the Best Possible Way)" is a mixed collection of chapters: some are laugh-so-hard-you-cry funny, others are brutally honest depictions of mental illness and the treatments needed to be okay, and then there are chapters which I can only describe as quiet reflections on life. Jenny Lawson is known for balancing the outrageously funny with the darker chapters. Even in chapters that are not funny at all she usually has a turn of phase that will make you laugh for a second. In her latest book Jenny moves away from that need to always interject humor. It’s still there in the funny chapters (my favorites were the one where she kept losing her shoe and the tweets from people who experienced hilariously awkward situations), but the reflective chapters are more quiet, whimsical, and artsy. She doesn’t try to move into the humor, but lets the chapters stand as they are. Having read her previous books multiple times, it’s interesting to see her style change a little in this book. Kind of like listening to a beloved artist’s new album: there’s a lot familiar, but some new styles as well. If you’re already a fan of Jenny’s work then you’re going to enjoy this new book as well.
*Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review

More than once a Jenny Lawson has given me the strength to shed the negative thoughts creeping in and helped me find a happier place.
She understands humans, as a whole, fail. We make mistakes. We need one another to lift each other up when we fall. Sometimes it happens a lot. Sometimes you just want to tell someone it’s okay to it be okay. Jenny does that and gave us the okay to do it too.

I admit, I freakin' love Jenny Lawson. I've read all of her books, I've gone back over and over again to read the Beyonce story from her blog, and I just think she's the funniest woman ever. Broken is still downright HILARIOUS top notch Jenny Lawson awesomeness, but with some legitimate reality and struggles mixed in. While Lawson has always been very honest about the struggles she experiences with her mental health, she hasn't gone into the depths of it in previous books the way she does in Broken. It is heartwrenching. This story is beautiful and funny and amazing in all ways, and I strongly recommend it to anyone who could use a laugh and a cry.

Jenny Lawson has the unique ability to talk about chronic pain and mental illness in hysterical but very real and relatable ways. She can make you laugh and then make your cry but never makes you feel alone.

"From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Furiously Happy and Let’s Pretend This Never Happened comes a deeply relatable book filled with humor and honesty about depression and anxiety.
As Jenny Lawson’s hundreds of thousands of fans know, she suffers from depression. In Broken, Jenny brings readers along on her mental and physical health journey, offering heartbreaking and hilarious anecdotes along the way.
With people experiencing anxiety and depression now more than ever, Jenny humanizes what we all face in an all-too-real way, reassuring us that we’re not alone and making us laugh while doing it. From the business ideas that she wants to pitch to Shark Tank to the reason why Jenny can never go back to the post office, Broken leaves nothing to the imagination in the most satisfying way. And of course, Jenny’s long-suffering husband Victor - the Ricky to Jenny’s Lucille Ball - is present throughout.
A treat for Jenny Lawson’s already existing fans, and destined to convert new ones, Broken is a beacon of hope and a wellspring of laughter when we all need it most.
Includes Photographs and Illustrations."
I really had to think of which books Jenny would like to be between on this post. Yes, this was very important to me!

A new book from Jenny Lawson is always a cause for celebration! You'll laugh (in fact, you'll probably snort), you'll relate, you'll feel less alone in the world and perhaps just a bit braver. Lawson fans will love this collection, and I have no doubt it will gain her many new admirers.

Jenny's books always make me feel like I am not alone in this world. This book is absolutely wonderful. She makes me feel better, gives me ideas, and lets us peek into her world. And oh my, does she make me laugh and laugh (with her). She is the best friend or sister you always wished you had. Thank you Jenny for sharing more of your life with us!

Raw and witty, Jenny Lawson tackles tough topics with honesty and humor. This book had me laughing and crying, going along on the emotional journey with Jenny. This book will appeal to a broad audience. Relatable and sincere.

I LOVE everything Jenny Lawson writes and this is no exception. She makes me laugh until I almost wet myself and then I’m the blink of an eye, I’m crying because I understood her pain. She gives me hope and joy in all of her books and I highly recommend them for anyone human.

Jenny Lawson has done it again. She has created another masterpiece of truths that few are brave enough to express. She has helped to bring the topic of mental health out of the shadows of the taboo into the light and has connected those who suffer from it. She entertains us by making us burst out laughing at her antics and brings nods and tears with her struggles.

Jenny Lawson is such a treasure. I've never read any book other than her books including this one, that make me laugh and cry and feel seen and understood. It's a rare gift. She has a rare gift. I don't think I could even recommend this book anymore than I do. It's so good. If you're human, I can't imagine you not liking this book. Thank you so much #JennyLawson and #Netgalley for allowing me to read this seriously funny, seriously wonderful book.

It’s very rare for me to laugh out loud while reading, even if I think something is funny. But this book made me laugh out loud SO MANY times. I enjoy Lawson’s writing so much. She hilarious, but also gives up so much of herself and her personal struggles in this book. There were at least 3 passages in this book that I took photos of because they were so funny and I wanted to remember them later. 5 stars.

This isn't my favorite of Jenny's books (that would be Furiously Happy) but it has some parts that are as good as she gets.
What I appreciate most about Jenny's writing is the was she addresses mental illness with blunt language and no apologies. There is also dark humor and moments of joy, which is a realistic representation of a human life.
The essay titled An Open Letter to My Insurance Company is one of the best things she's written and it punched me right in the gut. Having dealt with chronic health issues and battled insurance companies, I have said some of these exact same phrases. But as strong as that essay was, and some of the others, there were a few that felt unfinished and not nearly as cohesive. I understand that's what it's like to be a writer and I know not everything is going to resonate with me.
Overall, Jenny's fans will love this new collection. If you haven't read anything of hers before, this is a fine place to start. You won't be as familiar with her but if you also feel broken sometimes, you will feel like you are listening to a good friend share her stories.

As always I laughed (loudly) outloud while reading Jenny Lawsons new book. Her and willingness to share her mental illness journey is our gain. I laughed and cried and will recommend it readily.

Jenny Lawson is clever and hilarious. I like that she is willing to dive deep into personal issues here.

Thanks to Henry Holt and Company... I have been able to review an advance copy. Thank you thank you thank you. Trust me I will buy the hard copy too only because this book is amazing, true and really great.
So some things to know about this book -
it's scheduled for sale (as of now) April 7th 2021 - available at all the places... but hint hint I suggest buying it from her... if you need to know where... the internet can totally be your friend :).
Things you will enjoy reading about:
* losing a shoe and what it possibly means for all those shoes you see on the side of the road
* how we can all learn lessons in managing the health care system (I read this and was ashamed for the industry that I used to work in... I was blind to how tremendously awful it can be to navigate...)
* keto diets suck (I basically have to live that way now and it kinda sucks)
* laughter will help you survive nearly anything
* marriage is hard but also really hilarious
Each chapter is it's own nugget of knowledge and funny. Jenny Lawson is a humorist but also a truth teller. She doesn't have it easy. But she really does have a great way of looking at life and it's such a message to us all. We are not alone when we struggle. I have also learned that along the way of being a fan of hers. I certainly have found the best message is that if you are kind and share your story it's a winning proposition. This book is about truth in finding humor in your life. It's a great reminder.
It's sometimes an easy read. It's sometimes difficult. But it doesn't disappoint. This is a book that will make you laugh out loud, cry a little and probably think about how you are feeling right now. It's so good y'all. I can't wait to read it again and again. Self help it is not but it does help the self, if that makes any sense... it's so funny and so sad but so awesome. How many books can you say that about?