So. I knew HOW TO BE OKAY WHEN NOTHING IS OKAY wasn’t going to make it on the NYT bestseller list because my team told me it’s one of the hardest lists to get on because this book would fall under the “advice, cookbook, misc” category and that list is only 10 books long and combines hardcover and paperback, and so when that same team called me unexpectedly I was like “Am I in trouble? Are you mad at me?” and they were like, “IT’S NUMBER 4 ON THE NYT LIST!” and then I fell on the floor.
Insane.
Also, for an embarrassing look behind the curtain…because I’m going back to do a few more tour spots starting in a few days I am supposed to post something that makes new people want to read my book because if people see mentions of the tour stops (thanks, Willamette Week!) they may look me up because they are asking, “Is this something I would enjoy?” and the answer is…maybe? If you are weird, anxious, funny and like dark humor then you are in the right place. If you are easily offended, think depression is just made up by big pharma, or are an asshole, this book is not for you. I don’t think I’m doing this right so instead I’m going to just share some of the blurbs of this book even though some make them blush uncomfortably and I will remind myself that celebrating yourself is a very good thing even if it doesn’t come naturally and makes you want to hide under your desk a little.
“I didn’t expect a book about mental health tips to involve a prolonged subplot about trying to steal a human skull from a hospital, and yet here we are. Jenny Lawson is a gift—funny, weird, and the exact right amount of unhinged.”
—Jennette McCurdy – #1 New York Times Bestselling author of Half His Age and I’m Glad My Mom Died
“BABE IT’S SO GOOD.”
—Samantha Irby, New York Times bestselling author of MEATY
“I love this book. It is a cheese and charcuterie tray from the gods. I need Jenny Lawson’s wisdom in my eyeholes for life, please.”
—Felicia Day, New York Times bestselling author of one of Embrace Your Weird
This is a book for when you’re spiraling. When your brain is a jerk. When you’re grieving or exhausted or suddenly remembering the thing you said in seventh grade. Jenny doesn’t pretend her mess has been turned into meaning. She just makes space for all of life’s ridiculous truths so the rest of us don’t feel so alone.”
—Kate Bowler, PhD, Duke professor, bestselling author, and host of the Everything Happens podcast
“Her words are a mirror for the messy, beautiful parts of life—a reminder that even in the darkest moments, hope can still be found. This book will save lives.” —Kate Baer, #1 New York TimesBestselling author of What Kind Of Woman
“No one writes about serious topics in a funny way like Jenny Lawson. But here’s the thing: when Jenny writes, you laugh in recognition, and with the distinct impression that she wrote specifically to let you know that she sees you, and that you’re not alone. Which, of course, she did, she does, and you’re not.”
—Karen Walrond, author of The Lightmaker’s Manifesto, Radiant Rebellion, and In Defense of Dabbling
“I hope Jenny Lawson never gets tired of being an actual national treasure.”
—John Scalzi, New York Times bestselling author of Starter Villain
“It’s as if your friend, your funny, comforting and wise best friend–the one who makes you feel like it’s all going to be okay–turned themselves into a book so that you could carry it everywhere and never let it go.”
—Jennifer Pastiloff, bestselling author ofOn Being Human and Proof Of Life
“Longtime Lawson fans will find comfort in her bleak humor, trademark profanity, and willingness to share some extremely personal, even unhinged anecdotes…Thanks to Lawson’s humor, frankness, and insight, her book ends up being much more than just another standard self-help guide.”
—Library Journal, starred review
“Lawson’s quirky sense of humor will make you laugh out loud, which might be the best possible form of self-help, as when she advises her readers to consider that ‘we’re doing way better than moles. They’re just rearranging dirt underground their whole lives. What a bunch of weirdos.'”
—Kirkus
Next stops:
San Antonio, California, Oregon, and austin! Click here for details and links to reserve a spot. Please, please come!
Congratulations! And congratulations to me for being the first to say it.
I’m so happy that your publicity crew was able to help you get there.
Cleveland, Ohio, would love to host you!
I adore you, Jenny! You deserve all these wonderful blurbs. Keep being your magnificent self. Thank you for seeing us.
But of course you are nationale treasure in French trésor you are unique you the new Erma Bombeck I am not sure i spelled her last name right but you probably know enjoy the adulation you deserve it fully 😉
So well deserved and very exciting, just reading comments from other prominent authors made me smile and smile!
Already have it, already READ it! I LOVE IT!!! Thanks so much Jenny, you are a ROCK STAR and the only thing I didn’t like about the book was that the skull didn’t come home to live with you. Nobody ever said life is fair, and they were right!!! I LOVE YOU TO PIECES!!!!!!!💗💗💗 Maitri Libellule
Congrats! I have the Audible version lined up and ready to go. Enjoy your book tour and all the good stuff that comes with it!
CONGRATULATIONS!! I’ll be using the audio book version. xoxox
JENNY! This is incredible. I am so happy for you. You deserve all the good things. Congratulations!
So absolutely deserved and I say that without reading the book yet bc I know it will be as amazing as all your previous books have been. Congrats, muffin!
Jenny, you are the best. When I read your books or blog posts, my husband always asks, “what’s so funny”. Um, yeah, we’re funny in that do the authorities know you’re running loose on the streets kinda way. Don’t ever lose your edge.
congrats!!! I can’t sit to see you in Oregon next week!!!
Of course you made the bestseller list! None of us is surprised. Yay you!
You deserve every. single. one. Congrats, Jenny!!!!!!!
All of these blurbs are true! These resonated with me the most:
“No one writes about serious topics in a funny way like Jenny Lawson. But here’s the thing: when Jenny writes, you laugh in recognition, and with the distinct impression that she wrote specifically to let you know that she sees you, and that you’re not alone. Which, of course, she did, she does, and you’re not.”
—Karen Walrond, author of The Lightmaker’s Manifesto, Radiant Rebellion, and In Defense of Dabbling
“I hope Jenny Lawson never gets tired of being an actual national treasure.”
—John Scalzi, New York Times bestselling author of Starter Villain
I will see you on Monday! Please don’t hold HB against me, we aren’t all @ssholes and I’ll bet those that join me at B&N to see you are the blessed minority!
(Oh, sweetie. I live in Texas. I know there are good people everywhere. 🙂 ~ Jenny)
Congratulations 🎊
“No one writes about serious topics in a funny way like Jenny Lawson. But here’s the thing: when Jenny writes, you laugh in recognition, and with the distinct impression that she wrote specifically to let you know that she sees you, and that you’re not alone. Which, of course, she did, she does, and you’re not.”
—Karen Walrond, author of The Lightmaker’s Manifesto, Radiant Rebellion, and In Defense of Dabbling
I just unexpectedly teared up at this review. This is exactly how I feel about reading your writing. That it’s personal. That you are talking to ME. Telling ME it’s okay. And I know that there are a lot of us out there feeling that ME feeling. You have a gift and I am so glad to be on the Earth at the same time as you are to experience it.
also that book at number 2 is a fraud because MR stole that theory. So REALLY you’re number 3 🥳🥳🥳
Jenny, I’m so happy for you! Number 4! You soak that in! See, people love you. They really, really love you!
Speaking of the easily offended assholes, my absolute favorite shirt is the shirt you all my made with the bad reviews. I have worn it so many times you’d think would fall apart but that comfort colors short is the best! Here are two reviews I put up for a new shirt campaign:
Wanted to find a used book store and google brought me here. They don’t have any used books, just overpriced new books.
Atmosphere is nice but, on closer inspection, too many of their books and other products displayed extremely vulgar language.
I woke up this morning with very little if anything being okay then got a text from my bookstore telling me my Jenny Lawson was in and ready for pickup and I got in my van in my pjs and now there’s a lot of okay here. Thank you Jenny for being. Whew. I am not alone.
Congratulations!! Exactly as you deserve. You always center us and give us freedom to dream.
John Scalzi AND Felicia Day? It does not GET any better!
So well deserved! I don’t know if you are aware, but you and I have been best friends ever since I discovered you in 2012 or so when I read your first book while on a road trip to a Gentlemen of the road festival. I kept my friend awake snort-laughimg when I should have been sleeping. Then accidentally left it the hotel in Dixon, Illinois and had to buy another copy. Then I had to buy several more copies for all of my friends who I felt should also own it and read it. Only a few looked at me weird after reading it. I’m not friends with them anymore. If you ever find yourself in Indy (Indianapolis, Indiana) come visit me and my other best friend at her DIY art studio with an art therapy rage room where, for a very reasonable fee, you can don a hazmat suit and scream and throw paint at a canvas, the walls, your friends, another artist’s Mr. Turtle when he accidentally wandered in there once (no turtles were harmed in said incident). You would love it! We have so much fun there! Hunt me down if you’re ever in Indy! We know where all the fun is happening!
Yesss! You go, girl!
The Duke lady’s comment is perfection. Congrats Jenny! You ARE a National Treasure!
Congrats, Jenny! And, I already have my book, but Chicago needs you!
Thanks for all you do.
I bought mine last Friday so clearly I can take credit for this delightful news. 😉 Congratulations!
Whooooooooooooooooooohoooo! And I think you wrote this post exactly the right way.
My husband and I share a kindle. He’s using it for his bestseller thriller right now. My book (aka your book) is downloaded on the shelf… waiting for me! Is it rude to shout “read faster!!” at him?
I have a complaint about your books. They sneak up on me, causing fits in unexpected moments. Loud laughing in an airplane, ugly crying on a train. Just completely inappropriate.
Keep going.
Congrats, Jenny! You’re my hero!
Knock, knock, motherfucker was my initiation to your writing. Everyone in the world should read it, we would all be happier while wiping our tears of laughter from our eyes. Love you, Jenny.
I have depression. I have anxiety. Additionally, I have more chronic illnesses than I have fingers. I’m going to use Jenny’s book as my drug of choice. Thanks Jenny, for the courage to say out loud what so many of us are feeling.
Each blurb is absolutely deserved! You are a treasure! 😘
For anyone who is thinking about seeing Jenny on round 2 of the tour- DO IT! I’m so glad she came to PA, it was an incredible time 🙂
Congratulations, and I’m so glad everyone is discovering why your readers snort and laugh and cry and wet their pants a little, reading your books in public places.
You’re healing the world in your perfectly imperfect way of being exactly and honestly your wonderful weird wacky beautiful broken self and helping everyone deal with their own similar personal struggles along the way.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for being you and sharing your journey with us all.
Congratulations and much love. You are killing it! (In a good way)
On that list, #2 and #3 have already been skewered by If Books Could Kill, so they don’t count. And the author of #1 seems familiar to me as kind of a joke, so I’m going to count your book as #1 overall!
Congratulations! I’m honestly not surprised, but I AM terribly excited for you!! Bravo!
Long time Jenny fan here, and everyone in my life knows she is my favorite author. I am a part time professor and I am running for political office – and I think more students AND politicians should read your work.
Going to start identifying as a longtime Lawson fan because I was and I am and I ever shall be. See you in Portland, lady.
Fabulous fabulous news. Congrats and thank you for working hard to give us your books. So so awesome!
You deserve every single one of these amazing reviews! Congratulations and thank you for sharing your weirdness with us.
The timing of this book is perfection because right now, in the old US of Awfulness, nobody with a functioning brain cell can be okay and we all need this book! Thank you so much for sharing your wisdom & insanity with us.
You are amazing. I wish I could put all of the right words in the right order to tell you how amazing you are.
Congrats I’m sooooo freaking proud of you. My friend is having a really hard time right now and I’m like you need to read Jenny. Whenever someone’s having a hard time I recommend you and your books always help.
WOOOOOOOT!!!!! So happy for you Jenny! (Omg I unexpectedly had a wisdom tooth removed today, it wasn’t as traumatizing as I’d feared but now it’s just super sore, perfect timing for some awesome Jenny news!)
I am about 40 pages into the book and already it has made me exclaim repeatedly to the effect that this would have helped me countless times through difficulties in my lifetime! I turn 72 in June and I have confidence that this book will help me make it! I wish you would come on tour through upstate South Carolina so I could see you and tell you how much you mean to me. (Not that I don’t understand it, because it can get pretty goddamn bleak here, what with Trump and Lindsey Graham, Nancy Mace and the whole fucking MAGA universe, but we DID have a No Kings march, so there are signs of intelligent life in the universe.) All of which is to reiterate that you absolutely rock!
The number 13 is my lucky number because I was born on a 13th (in the fall), and I went to high school and met my husband of 42 years in Huntington Beach, and we now live in Oregon! SO you’ll do great!
I’m so happy for you! And I can’t wait to get started on your book!! 😊❤️
For so many who adore your imperfect, relatable self, it was entirely expected! Congratulations! Because you DO save lives.
thanks for making it easy to leave a comment without needing to log in! i’ll definitely be checking back for more updates on scritchy scratchy.
AAAAAAAHHHHHHHH CONGRATULATIONS!!!! I’m almost done reading it and have already recommended it to a bunch of people (including my therapist!!) John Scalzi said it and we all agree…. You are a national treasure!!!!
I’m so proud of you, and excited to read it! The timing is perfect, my brain has resumed trying to kill me, and all I want to do is cry.
Fuck yeah baby! You beautiful soul you. Thank you for writing books where I feel seen and understood.
I’m excited to see you in Oregon! Got my ticket. I’m also unreasonably delighted by John Scalzi’s comment. You are a national treasure, don’t forget it.
Whoa! Jenny, even your reviews are best-seller quality! Hats off to you and your big, generous heart.
You so absolutely deserve all the wonderful blurbs. I think you’re a Universal Treasure!
Congratulations! The book is fantastic, It’s nice knowing I’m not the only crazy one. 😂
So grateful for you, my friend ♥️
Congrats! I’m glad it’s a bestseller because reading this book makes people better at people-ing and being good people. That is something we need in this world. Also, when are you coming to San Francisco? Seriously
THIS MAKES ME SO HAPPY FOR YOU!!! I am a day-one reader of the blog and own every book and coloring book and calendar etc. I guess I’m Jenny Lawson-Stan. The amount of joy your words and illustrations have brought so many of us- this is well deserved! Brava, Jenny!
Hi. I’m Brenda. I have been reading and rereading your books forever. I am so sorry that you have to go on book tours. I hope that you don’t suffer too much. I hope that the good parts of the tours can sustain you through the immense trials of travel. I think those of us who are living very similar lives to yours would prefer to let you stay home but so many other people just cannot fully understand and I guess they win because they are the majority. It’s not fair. I’ll be thinking of you.
Deserved. Also, this makes me miss old timey twitter, before it became a dumpster fire of hate, when I followed you and John Scalzi, even though I’ve never read any of his books. Now the internet’s piecemeal with everybody scattered across a thousand social media. I miss the old feelings of community on there.
Congratulations! Well-deserved! I just finished reading the chapter I’m Writing this Down to Remind Myself and cried with feeling seen. Thank you for writing.
I just snagged a signed copy at the Third Place Books in Lake Forest Park, WA. I’m really looking forward to reading it!
Superb reviews! I especially like Karen Walrond’s.
You getting this restores the balance in the universe a little.
Congratulations x1000!!! I share in the sentiment of the review blurbs and just love how your brain works!!!! Keep at it!
So glad you were in southern CA today. But alas, alack, aday, Huntington Beach is to far to get to during rush hour. I hope the audience was fabulous. thank you for being you and I am bereft that i missed seeing and hearing you in person, but I did go to my singing lesson after work today, so all is not lost (unless of course you have heard my voice ;-). )
So happy for you!!!