Full review at Smart Bitches, Trashy Books 
 I've been a fan of Jenny Lawson's blog The Bloggess for a long time-she's a truly funny writer who posts stories about her crazy childhood, her crazy adulthood, and balances them all with reflections on mental illness. Furiously Happy is the same way-it's two parts humor and one part discussion of something that most people find hard to talk to about. It's one of those rare books that makes you snort-laugh in public and also get a little weepy. Anyone who has struggled with depression, anxiety or any other mental illness will find themselves nodding their head as they read this book, as Lawson articulates what we often struggle to understand about our own brains. 
 I try to ration my book money, because otherwise I'm like an addict in the heroin store, but I loved this book so much and identified with it in so many ways, that I bought a copy for my mom, sister and best friend. 
 The thing that makes Lawson a remarkable writer is her ability to blend passages like the one above with a heavier discussion. Lawson suffers from several mental illnesses: depression and anxiety, trichotillomania, dermatillomania (impulse control disorders that make her want to pull out her hair and scratch at her skin, specifically her scalp), and avoidant personality disorder. Lawson describes feeling broken inside, resorting to self harm in order to feel something when her depression is in full swing. 
 Furiously Happy is a rare book, a combination of ridiculous humor and poignant reflection. I think anyone who has suffered from a stigmatized illness will identify with Lawson's honest, sometimes heartbreaking, description of her own pain. It's still an uplifting book though, and that's important. Lawson believes in celebrating small victories and quiet bravery. I get that. Sometimes you're proud because hey, you got out of bed and showered today but you can't post that on Facebook because other people don't get it (and you'll get shitty comments "Wow, I trained for my half marathon and worked 12 hours." NOBODY CARES, GARY). 
 Furiously Happy took courage to write and I applaud Lawson for it. I also thank her for articulating so well what I often struggle to put into words. And for the story of how her taxidermy raccoon got broken on a rollercoaster. That really made my day. 
 - Elyse