Broken (in the best possible way)

An Instant New York Times Bestseller
New bonus chapter

From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Furiously Happy and Let’s Pretend This Never Happened comes a deeply relatable book filled with humor and honesty about depression and anxiety.

As Jenny Lawson’s hundreds of thousands of fans know, she suffers from depression. In Broken, Jenny brings readers along on her mental and physical health journey, offering heartbreaking and hilarious anecdotes along the way.

With people experiencing anxiety and depression now more than ever, Jenny humanizes what we all face in an all-too-real way, reassuring us that we’re not alone and making us laugh while doing it. From the business ideas that she wants to pitch to Shark Tank to the reason why Jenny can never go back to the post office, Broken leaves nothing to the imagination in the most satisfying way. And of course, Jenny’s long-suffering husband Victor—the Ricky to Jenny’s Lucille Ball—is present throughout.

A treat for Jenny Lawson’s already existing fans, and destined to convert new ones, Broken is a beacon of hope and a wellspring of laughter when we all need it most.

Includes photographs and illustrations

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Published May 3, 2022

304 pages

Average rating: 6.79

77 RATINGS

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What-A-Rush

Jan 26, 2025

10/10 stars

It’s not often I find a writer who writes the way my brain reads, processes, works - thank you Jenny Lawson!!

stackedlibrarian

Dec 11, 2024

10/10 stars

Listened to the audio narrated by the author. I experienced two kinds of crying. 1) The laugh so hard you cry then pee your pants while looking insane cackling at a traffic light and almost drive off the road. 2) The ugly mascara running, snot flowing cry of feeling anotherâs soul crushing frustration of fighting tooth and nail with insurance coverage because you are comrades in arms. Even though Iâve got wet pants and a puffy face listening to her, Iâd do it again and again. Jenny you are magic!

Book it with Jess

Sep 28, 2024

10/10 stars

Honestly, if you just read the book itself, I am so sorry. You missed out because the Audio version is amazing, and Jenny is beyond hilarious! Listening to Jenny as she reads her stories and commentary with each story just put me in the best mood. She made me think, laugh, and cry laughing! I was able to relate to majority of her stories as I myself deal with anxiety, and depression. I recommended to anyone who is dealing with mental health problems because this right here shows, we are never alone. Please do buy the audio version, you will not be let down!

Anonymous

May 19, 2024

10/10 stars

I have loved the author's previous books, so when I heard that this one was coming out, I preordered it IMMEDIATELY. Ms. Lawson writes about human flaws in such a humorous, open way that the reader can't help but be sucked into the story.

I learn a lot from her books, too. I had no idea that watermelon was a laxative for cats until she described her leopard spotted carpet. I had to look up a cockchafer, also.

I live the chapter on fighting with the insurance company every week. Sometimes, it's several times a week. I comforted me to know that others have the same fights with the same people, and it's not just me. Now, if we could all band together and allow doctors to decide what is best for patients, and not allow the insurance companies to dictate treatments, so many more people would be happier and healthier.

I highly recommend this book. I laughed through the majority of it, but she discusses many serious subjects, also.

Anonymous

Mar 23, 2024

8/10 stars

Jenny Lawson hits it out of the park again! She is such a master of mixing the funny and absurd with serious contemplations about life. Right when I feel like the book feels a bit over the top, she hits right with the perfect reflection of anxiety and depression. She’s very candid about her journey with her mental illness, but she ultimately doesn’t let it weigh her down, as shown by the humor in this book. She uses it to the best possible effect - by reflecting on it and giving others hope that they are not alone.

I think I said this when I read Furiously Happy, but I can definitely see why Karen and Georgia recommended her books. They have a very similar sense of humor, and I would love to be friends with her (and K+G, obviously).

Her chapter about souls just hit me right in the feels. If you don’t read any other part of the book, read that chapter at least.

I gave it 4 stars instead of 5 this time because I think the humor felt a little too much for me, but overall it was still a really great and important read.