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Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
Let's Pretend This Never Happened summary
Brief summary
Let's Pretend This Never Happened is a hilarious memoir by Jenny Lawson. It takes you on a journey through her eccentric and unconventional childhood, filled with absurd and laugh-out-loud moments.
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Table of Contents
Let's Pretend This Never Happened
Summary of key ideas
Unconventional Childhood and Early Life
In Let's Pretend This Never Happened, Jenny Lawson takes us on a journey through her unconventional and often bizarre childhood. Growing up in rural Texas, Lawson's father was a taxidermist who filled their home with a menagerie of stuffed animals. The author's mother was a caring woman who tried to maintain some semblance of normalcy despite the chaos. Lawson's early life was filled with odd experiences, including an incident with a giant metal chicken, which she describes with her signature humor.
As a teenager, Lawson struggled with mental health issues, including severe anxiety and panic attacks. She was often misunderstood and misdiagnosed, leading to a deep sense of isolation. During this time, she found solace in writing and developed a keen sense of humor as a coping mechanism.
Love, Marriage, and Motherhood
In the midst of her struggles, Lawson met and fell in love with Victor, a kind and patient man who would later become her husband. While their relationship was filled with love, it was also marked by Lawson's eccentricities and mental health challenges. The couple eventually married and moved to the suburbs, where Lawson continued to navigate the complexities of adulthood and motherhood.
Despite the challenges, Lawson found joy in becoming a mother to a daughter, whom she affectionately refers to as "Rory" in the book. She shares humorous anecdotes about the trials and tribulations of parenting, from dealing with Rory's unique personality to the chaos of everyday life. However, she also bravely addresses the darker side of motherhood, such as her struggles with postpartum depression.
Embracing the Quirks and Oddities
In Let's Pretend This Never Happened, Lawson advocates for embracing one's quirks and oddities, rather than pretending they don't exist. She shares her experiences of feeling like an outsider and the freedom that came with accepting her own unique brand of normal. Lawson encourages her readers to do the same, emphasizing the importance of being authentic and unapologetically themselves.
Throughout the book, Lawson's humor shines through as she recounts her most embarrassing and cringe-worthy moments. She uses these experiences to illustrate her points about acceptance and self-love, reminding us that it's okay to be imperfect and that our flaws are what make us human.
Dealing with Mental Health and Finding Happiness
Despite the lighthearted tone of much of the book, Lawson doesn't shy away from discussing her ongoing battles with mental illness. She shares her experiences with depression, anxiety, and self-harm in a raw and honest manner, shedding light on the often stigmatized topic of mental health.
Despite her struggles, Lawson finds happiness and success through her writing. She started a popular blog, "The Bloggess," where she continues to share her unique perspective on life. Her openness about her mental health journey has resonated with many readers, leading to a strong and supportive online community.
Final Thoughts
In Let's Pretend This Never Happened, Jenny Lawson takes us on a rollercoaster ride through her life, filled with laughter, tears, and everything in between. She teaches us to embrace our quirks, laugh at our mistakes, and find strength in our vulnerabilities. Lawson's unique blend of humor and honesty makes this memoir a refreshing and inspiring read, leaving us with the message that it's okay to be a little bit weird, and that sometimes, the most unconventional paths lead to the most extraordinary lives.
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What is Let's Pretend This Never Happened about?
Let's Pretend This Never Happened is a memoir by Jenny Lawson that takes readers on a hilarious and heartfelt journey through her unconventional upbringing and adult life. With a unique blend of wit and vulnerability, Lawson shares outrageous and often unbelievable stories that ultimately celebrate the beauty of embracing our true selves, flaws and all.
Let's Pretend This Never Happened Review
Let's Pretend This Never Happened (2012) humorously recounts absurd and hilarious life moments, creating a refreshing reading experience. Here's why this book stands out:
- Unpredictable and surreal events make for a laugh-out-loud read, ensuring constant entertainment and surprise.
- The author's candid portrayal of her experiences fosters empathy and connection with readers, making the stories relatable and heartfelt.
- By blending humor with vulnerability, the book offers a unique perspective on life, ensuring it's anything but mundane.
Who should read Let's Pretend This Never Happened?
Individuals who enjoy humorous and relatable personal stories
People who appreciate candid and unfiltered perspectives on life
Readers who are looking for a book that blends humor with heartfelt moments
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Let's Pretend This Never Happened FAQs
What is the main message of Let's Pretend This Never Happened?
The main message of Let's Pretend This Never Happened is embracing the hilarity and chaos of life.
How long does it take to read Let's Pretend This Never Happened?
Reading Let's Pretend This Never Happened takes a few hours. The Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.
Is Let's Pretend This Never Happened a good book? Is it worth reading?
Let's Pretend This Never Happened is worth reading for its humorous and authentic storytelling.
Who is the author of Let's Pretend This Never Happened?
The author of Let's Pretend This Never Happened is Jenny Lawson.
What to read after Let's Pretend This Never Happened?
If you're wondering what to read next after Let's Pretend This Never Happened, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- Eating Animals by Jonathan Safran Foer
- Fast Food Nation by Eric Schlosser
- Why We Get Fat by Gary Taubes
- The Omnivore's Dilemma by Michael Pollan
- Savor by Thich Nhat Hanh and Lilian Cheung
- Eat to Live by Joel Fuhrman
- Nutrition and Physical Degeneration by Weston A. Price
- Salt Sugar Fat by Michael Moss
- Mindless Eating by Brian Wansink
- The Twenty-four Hour Mind by Rosalind D. Cartwright