Welcome to Litsy!

I picked this up on the personal recommendation of a bookseller, who loved it, and because the author‘s novel, Death Valley, was one of my favorite reads last year. All I can say is… this will not be one of my favorite reads this year. 🙈

I suspected it might be too much (and too gross) for me after the first two essays, about consuming your own bodily secretions and working for a tantric sex nonprofit, respectively.👇🏻

Melinda, alienated and alone after calling the cops at a party, learns to navigate high school and speak.

A reread of one of my favorite authors books.

This is an important story which will demonstrate to kids the way depression feels and that there is still hope. That said, it felt like an energy depleting not energy giving story.

Should have DNF, but I was stubborn.

First, I'm not a fan of duo POVs or third person perspective, but that's just my taste. I also don't like perspectives from a teenage boy, so that's three strikes so far. I felt the author just danced around the surface of mental illness and grief. And the instalove, especially after the miscommunication and keeping secrets drove me nuts.

The only part I loved was the dogs.

My secret Santa loves me! 😁

I have historically struggled with CBT (I experience it as abrasive and dismissive, though in fairness I have mostly had shoddy practitioners). But it‘s undeniably the most data-driven and evidence-supported therapeutic model, so I‘m giving it another go. This book was incredibly useful. It has the same maddening condescension as my most annoying therapists, but it‘s presented as a tool in context. The exercises are extremely effective. Recommend!

This book is not for everyone. But for those that struggle with suicidal depression and adjacent mental illnesses this book is an essential tool in your arsenal. Jenny has many tangents that are broken up with (what feel like brilliant rays of sunshine breaking through) such deep phrases of intimate connection you feel like you've made a life-long ally to get you through the darkest hours.

#nonfiction #mentalhealth #depression #pain

A fantastic ending.

#nonfiction #mentalhealth #depression

#12Of2025 March This book was so good it actually surprised me ! It‘s hard this month, I feel it‘s almost a tie . I enjoyed The Woman In White which was a buddy read with the #HashTagBrigade hosted by @BarkingMadRead

#nonfiction #depression