Warning: This Book Includes Fiercely Loved Taxidermy

Depression and anxiety hardly seem like topics that could be twisted into laugh out loud humor, but Jenny Lawson has a gift for such things.  In her book Furiously Happy she exposes her struggles with the difficult reality of depression and anxiety preventing her from doing even the simplest things, as well as her often unique decisions of trying to find a way to be happy and find a way to live life outside the confines of her dysfunctional brain.

This book 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.”

“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.

Jenny has written more books about her struggles and has a fabulous website thebloggess.com for her additional insights (or giggles galore!).

Good humor is a tonic for mind and body. It is the best antidote for anxiety and depression. It is a business asset. It attracts and keeps friends. It lightens human burdens. It is the direct route to serenity and contentment. -Grenville Kleiser