Let’s Pretend This Never Happened {BlogHer Book Club Review}

I have to admit I did a little squee when I got Jenny Lawson’s paperback book Let’s Pretend This Never Happened (A Mostly True Memoir) in the mail last month. I actually already owned the book (on my Nook), but hadn’t gotten around to reading it yet. Mostly because I am lame.

If you don’ta already know (seriously, what rock are you hiding under?) Jenny Lawson is The Bloggess. While the name SOUNDS intimidating – I assure you the blog (and Jenny) is not. But it IS weird, and dark, and funny. And I don’t think she would be offended that I described it that way.

Ok, so I didn’t start reading The Bloggess until I started blogging ( you guys – there was this whole unknown WORLD to me!), but what she does with words is inspirational. I know, it sounds like I am gushing over a crush (which I kinda am) but, I have never read anything so odd, strange, heartbreaking, and hysterically funny all at once. This book is no different.

Let’s Pretend This Never Happened is a memoir about Jenny’s life. Maybe. Kinda. (actually it’s brilliant for this book to be describe as mostly true – what memoir isn’t exaggerated????). What I think I appreciate the MOST about this book is that it’s NOT a regurgitation of her online persona. She did share a few of the chapters on her blog, but it’s not a bunch of previously written blogs posts stuffed into a book. Surprising, right? Instead, it’s her story. I, personally, felt that the memoir provides some depth to her blog and online personality. You get a little {more} history on why she might be so obsessed with dead stuffed animals (her taxidermists dad might have scared for life with a dead squirrel), as well as  more insight into her battle with anorexia, how her anxiety and depression started at an early age, and the several miscarriages she had before she finally gave birth to her daughter, Hailey.  Now, one might read my review and think, “How the HELL is that funny?” But I assure you – it just is and I really can’t do it justice. It’s like trying to explain why fart jokes are funny to 6-year olds (and all men). For every sad and heart-wrenching tale (which WILL leave you crying), there is a equally funny reprieve (that will also leave you crying). And even if it’s somewhat fabricated, I’d like to believe that most of it IS true.

Now, I don’t really need to sell you guys on this book, do I? If you’ve never heard of The Bloggess before, go take same time and read some of her posts. Maybe start with Beyonce? (which IS a chapter in the book). And then, because you like things that are disturbing, weird, AND funny, you will buy her book. Once you do that, you too can find out about the response to the question, “Are these your pensises?”  You  can learn about the time a serial killer stabbed her in the face and what her stance is on Jesus being a zombie. Seriously guys, all of this and more packed into 336 pages of (mostly true) fun.

Bottom line: Should you read it? If you like laughing… yes.

Have you read Let’s Pretend This Never Happened? What did you think?

In full disclosure - this is a paid review for BlogHer Book Club. However, all opinions and recommendations are my own.