Interesting note: I am typing this up after hearing Jenny Lawson speak at the 9th Annual San Antonio Book Festival. My first experience with Lawson's work was actually in 2017 with You Are Here, which is both a collection of musings and motivations, and a wonderful coloring book for adults. Broken (in the best possible way) is her latest offering, and contains much of the same humor and brutal honesty that Lawson has become known for.
Genre, Themes, Fiction: This is a nonfiction book in which Lawson once again opens up about her struggles with depression and anxiety, but with the same humor and unique observations about life that she has become known for. With 37 chapters, Lawson talks about her myriad of illnesses; her problems dealing with insurance companies; her life growing up in small-town Texas; her relationship with her husband; her personal approach to getting any writing done; the various adventures she has had simply attempting everyday tasks like vacuuming, and even brushing her teeth; and of course, her struggles with mental illness. Each chapter is titled appropriately, though some are more straight-forward than others. "An Open Letter to My Health Insurance Company" is pretty much exactly that. But "Eclipse (Not the Twilight Book. The Other Kind.)" is a little more meandering, but in a wonderful way. My favorite chapter title is certainly "INTROVERTS UNITE! (But Sweet Baby Jesus, Not in Real Life.)," although "I Already Forgot I Wrote This" is a close second. The theme of brokenness is woven throughout, and while that can be something that is hard to face, Lawson does so with complete honesty.
My Verdict: What I adore most about Lawson's writing is her approach to what is happening to her and around her. Of course, honesty is something she is big on, as well as being open about what is going on. And while that often means talking about some seriously hard and difficult topics, she is still able to do so with this humor that is approachable and relatable and welcoming to any and everyone else who finds themselves struggling. For me, this humor was evident even in the way the book was organized and the way certain chapters were written. She often goes on tangents or goes down these rabbit holes when the story she started telling is not even done yet, and it is okay because really, that is how most real conversations happen, and it all works, and at the end of it the reader knows a little bit more about the author. Lawson puts her flaws out there, while encouraging others to do the same, if only in an effort to show others that it is okay to admit you are not perfect, because no one is.
Favorite Chapter: I am sure that the chapter titled "Awkwarding Brings Us Together" will be a common favorite among readers. When Lawson sent out a tweet about an awkward encounter she had at the airport, what followed was a flood of responses from her followers sharing their own awkward encounters that are naturally cringe-worthy, but also hilarious.
Favorite Character: I do not often pick a favorite character when reviewing nonfiction, but I have to pick Lawson's husband Victor because he is just the best. But I am always a sucker for those characters that are eternally patient and longsuffering, while also being slightly ridiculous themselves...because who isn't?
Recommended Reading: I have not read Lawson's first two books, Let's Pretend This Never Happened and Furiously Happy. And while You Are Here is a different kind of book, I still cannot recommend it enough.
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