Furiously Happy

A Funny Book About Horrible Things

De: Jenny Lawson

Narrado por: Jenny Lawson

Audie Award, Humor, 2016

In Furiously Happy, number-one New York Times best-selling author Jenny Lawson explores her lifelong battle with mental illness. A hysterical, ridiculous book about crippling depression and anxiety? That sounds like a terrible idea.

But terrible ideas are what Jenny does best.

As Jenny says:

"Some people might think that being 'furiously happy' is just an excuse to be stupid and irresponsible and invite a herd of kangaroos over to your house without telling your husband first because you suspect he would say no since he's never particularly liked kangaroos. And that would be ridiculous because no one would invite a herd of kangaroos into their house. Two is the limit. I speak from personal experience. My husband says that none is the new limit. I say he should have been clearer about that before I rented all those kangaroos.

"Most of my favorite people are dangerously f--ked-up but you'd never guess because we've learned to bare it so honestly that it becomes the new normal. Like John Hughes wrote in The Breakfast Club, 'We're all pretty bizarre. Some of us are just better at hiding it.' Except go back and cross out the word 'hiding.'"

Furiously Happy is about "taking those moments when things are fine and making them amazing, because those moments are what make us who we are, and they're the same moments we take into battle with us when our brains declare war on our very existence. It's the difference between 'surviving life' and 'living life'. It's the difference between 'taking a shower' and 'teaching your monkey butler how to shampoo your hair'. It's the difference between being 'sane' and being 'furiously happy.'"

Lawson is beloved around the world for her inimitable humor and honesty, and in Furiously Happy, she is at her snort-inducing funniest. This is a book about embracing everything that makes us who we are - the beautiful and the flawed - and then using it to find joy in fantastic and outrageous ways. Because as Jenny's mom says, "Maybe 'crazy' isn't so bad after all." Sometimes crazy is just right.

The audiobook contains a bonus chapter only available to listeners.

©2014 Jenny Lawson (P)2015 Macmillan Audio

Hilarious and Uplifting

Jenny Lawson was already a comedic hero to me after her book Let's Pretend this Never Happened. My husband read the book, sharing it liberally with me. That was enough to make me read it. And then all but re-read it, aloud, to my daughter. And then buy this book on audiobook. Now she's more of a hero to me.

For those who have read Let's Pretend this Never Happened, you will find that Furiously Happy is not a remake, with different punchlines. It is quite different from her first book. This one takes important, serious issues, and presents them rawly and personally, and, yes, hilariously. Still with her intensely funny style and tone, Jenny Lawson opens up courageously to talk about things that matter more to life. She talks openly about struggles with mental illness and intense depression, and also about love, acceptance, and strength -- as well as weakness. If you are looking for straight comedy, you might be disappointed that this book is only about 85% as funny as her previous book; but if you struggle, or know someone else who struggles, with mental health issues (and you do. There is more of it out there than you might realize.) this book can really touch you in a part of your soul that feels things that are hard to talk about. And just as you reach that, she will distract you with gut-wrenching humor.

I applaud Ms. Lawson for writing such a good book, and even more so for the courage to open up her personal trials for the good of others. She shows that no matter what your personal struggles are, you aren't alone.

The narration is pretty good. Her voice is a little bit weak, but I think the telling is, in all, better for being in her own voice. It is raw, real, and un-acted.

The one warning I give is the same as I would give for Let's Pretend this Never Happened: language alert. And milk shooting out the nose alert. Seriously, be careful when you sip. If you aren't bothered by sometimes extreme language, or if you are able to look past it, I can't imagine many people not being better off for having listened to Jenny Lawson.

Exhausting to listen to!

I so wish I would have NOT spent my money on the audiobook version of this book. Maybe the hard copy..
Some really funny parts but the narrator (the author) sounds like a tween on meth. I just can’t handle it...rambling off on tangents and the use of “like” was too much.
I really wanted to like this book..

Normal is overrated.

Jenny Lawson shines in her second book by living her purpose and sharing her ups and downs while navigating love, life, family, mental illness, possums, taxidermy, & maybe a chupacabra or 2. You have choice. Hide under the table or the covers when you need to and be furiously happy. Always.

Great Pick Me Up

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes! In fact, I have! If you're looking for a book to make you laugh out loud, this is it. Jenny Lawson is hilarious and ridiculous and will make you feel like there IS a bright side and that you will find it.

laughed until I cried

Amazingly awesome, a great read (and even better listen) for anyone who's ever lived with mental illness.

Listen on .75 speed

Most authors shouldn't even contemplate reading their own book, if there wasn't a speed adjustment on my iPhone app I would never have finished. She is manic. I skipped chapter 12, but the rest made me laugh several times. My girl friend didn't like it for what that is worth and more often than not we agree. She had tried to read Ms. Lawson's earlier book and did not finish that either.

It is mostly humorous takes and modern life with some mental,illness thrown in as spice.

I'll listen over and over

I don't usually reread books, and I rarely re-listen to audiobooks. But this book is relatable, comforting, heartbreaking, and uplifting in the funniest way. I am a huge Jenny Lawson fan. Thank you for this book.

Another Great Book

If you loved Jenny’s first book then you’ll probably love this one too. I think my only complaint is that it isn’t as funny as the first book. But I enjoyed her talking about depression and I personally found it to be comforting and inspiring. I really hope she writes another book soon!

She is amazing

I need more! can't wait for another book! I love the way she thinks and writes!

Loved every second of it!

This book is sincere, funny and brilliantly poignant. I wasn't familiar with the author before this book, but I'm now a new Jenny Lawson fan!