Let’s Pretend This Never Happened

Summary:

Jenny Lawson realized that the most mortifying moments of our lives—the ones we’d like to pretend never happened—are in fact the ones that define us. In the #1 New York Times bestseller, Let’s Pretend This Never Happened, Lawson takes readers on a hilarious journey recalling her bizarre upbringing in rural Texas, her devastatingly awkward high school years, and her relationship with her long-suffering husband, Victor. Chapters include: “Stanley the Magical, Talking Squirrel”; “A Series of Angry Post-It Notes to My Husband”; “My Vagina Is Fine. Thanks for Asking”; “And Then I Snuck a Dead Cuban Alligator on an Airplane.” Pictures with captions (no one would believe these things without proof) accompany the text. (Summary and cover courtesy of goodreads.com)

Review:

I loved this book and was genuinely laughing out loud at multiple points.  I remember enjoying “Furiously Happy”, but it didn’t stick with me the same way this one has so far.  Jenny’s story growing up in Texas is absolutely insane, yet incredibly relatable in its ridiculousness.  The storytelling definitely lends itself towards something to be read chapter by chapter because otherwise I think the formulaic approach might get slightly repetitive for folks.

Lawson has the flair for the dramatic, which I don’t think would appeal to everyone – and in fact many folks mention they found it exhausting, but I loved its stream of consciousness approach.  She sucks you in with an absurd statement, then tells you an entirely different story and yet I was never disappointed.  I’d say this is a great book for anyone wanting to feel a little more normal in life and/or feel comforted that some people have insane things happen to them too!

Warning: Contains adult content and some graphic imagery.

Rating: 5 stars!

Who should read it? Folks looking for a funny pick-me-up.