Furiously Happy: A Funny Book About Horrible Things
by Jenny Lawson
Why read it
This memoir is an incredibly life-affirming, laugh-out-loud exploration of living with severe clinical depression and anxiety. By reframing her struggles with fierce, unapologetic joy and absurd humor, the author offers a brilliant hand of solidarity to anyone who has ever felt overwhelmed by their own mind. It is a hilarious reminder that finding light in the darkest corners is not only possible but necessary.
Where to get it
Because you want to listen, the absolute best way to experience this is through the audiobook, which is narrated by Jenny Lawson herself—her self-effacing, quirky delivery makes the stories hit twice as hard. In the Netherlands, you can stream it on subscription services like Storytel, Nextory, and Kobo Plus, or buy it outright on Audible and Google Play Books. For physical books or ebooks, you can find English editions at major Dutch retailers like bol.com, Athenaeum Boekhandel, and Donner, or check digital catalogs through the Dutch public library system (de Bibliotheek).
What to expect
Expect an eccentric, deeply candid, and wildly hysterical tone. The pace is fast and episodic, structured as a series of essays that read like a late-night chat with an oversharing best friend. It is incredibly easy to get into and very conversational, though it does contain open, frank discussions about severe mental illness, self-harm ideation, and physical chronic pain, wrapped in plenty of taxidermy jokes and bizarre real-life mishaps.
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