Let's Pretend This Never Happened

By Jenny Lawson

The #1 New York Times bestselling (mostly true) memoir from the hilarious author of Furiously Happy.

“Gaspingly funny and wonderfully inappropriate.”—O, The Oprah Magazine

When Jenny Lawson was little, all she ever wanted was to fit in. That dream was cut short by her fantastically unbalanced father and a morbidly eccentric childhood. It did, however, open up an opportunity for Lawson to find the humor in the strange shame-spiral that is her life, and we are all the better for it.

In the irreverent Let’s Pretend This Never Happened, Lawson’s long-suffering husband and sweet daughter help her uncover the surprising discovery that the most terribly human moments—the ones we want to pretend never happened—are the very same moments that make us the people we are today. For every intellectual misfit who thought they were the only ones to think the things that Lawson dares to say out loud, this is a poignant and hysterical look at the dark, disturbing, yet wonderful moments of our lives.

Readers Guide Inside

• Language: English
• Publisher: Penguin Group
• Release date: Apr 17, 2012
• ISBN: 9781101573082

Jenny Lawson

Jenny Lawson is an award-winning humorist known for her great candor in sharing her struggle with mental illness. She lives in Texas with her husband and daughter and was constantly “buying too many books” (“Not a real thing,” she insists), so she decided to skip the middleman and just started her own bookshop, which also serves booze because books and booze are what magic is made of. She has previously written Let’s Pretend This Never Happened and Furiously Happy, both of which were #1 New York Times bestsellers. She also wrote You Are Here, which inexplicably made it onto the New York Times bestseller list in spite of the fact that it was basically a very fun coloring book. She would like to be your friend unless you’re a real asshole. And yes, she realizes that this whole paragraph is precisely the reason she shouldn’t be allowed to write her own bio.

Reviews for Let's Pretend This Never Happened

[bricker-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

There needs to be more stars to rate this properly because 5 isn't enough. Funny and ridiculous and sweet and full of heart...did I say ridiculous?

[cindywho-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

It had its annoying parts (fights with husband) but it was more interesting and funnier than other memoirs by older and more more accomplished people I've read. Someone asked me what the Bloggess wrote about the other day and I said, um - Taxidermy and depression (though it's more anxiety coupled with an active imagination). She's got a potty mouth and gets into some gruesome details, which don't bother me none.

[howifeelaboutbooks · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This book is kind of like reading a woman's hilarious blog. In fact, that's exactly what it is . Jenny Lawson is the Bloggess, and this is her memoir. She claims it is "mostly true" so her family can deny what they want and no one's reputation will be damaged. The stories are hilarious, and at least one sentence in each will you have you laughing out loud, whether it's how her dinner party conversations focus on getting stabbed in the face by serial killers or how she came to love costumed dead animals, despite her father scarring her by being a taxidermist. My favorite sections have to be: the exchange with her husband about GPS while she was driving around lost in her own town, and sharing bits of her crazy experiences working in an office's HR department. Lawson's sense of humor centers around being incredibly ridiculous and potentially offensive - right up my alley!

[readingover50 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This book is hilarious. Laugh out loud funny. I was reading this at work, and several times I had to stop so I could regain my composure. I had previously read her second book, Furiously Happy, and I think this one was even funnier. I loved the stories of her childhood and her father. I could definitely read more of those stories.

[sedzia-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Pretty funny!

[devilwrites · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The premise: ganked from BN.com: When Jenny Lawson was little, all she ever wanted was to fit in. That dream was cut short by her fantastically unbalanced father and a morbidly eccentric childhood. It did, however, open up an opportunity for Lawson to find the humor in the strange shame-spiral that is her life, and we are all the better for it.In the irreverent Let’s Pretend This Never Happened, Lawson’s long-suffering husband and sweet daughter help her uncover the surprising discovery that the most terribly human moments—the ones we want to pretend never happened—are the very same moments that make us the people we are today. For every intellectual misfit who thought they were the only ones to think the things that Lawson dares to say out loud, this is a poignant and hysterical look at the dark, disturbing, yet wonderful moments of our lives.My Rating: My PreciousI made a conscious decision to STOP being so stingy with my #1 rating. I couldn't put this down. I laughed. I nearly cried. I kept recommending that my friends read this book before I was even done with it. I want to get a physical copy so that when I re-read the book, I can see the pictures and the captions better (and while I'd like the hardcover, word has it the upcoming trade paperback release will have an extra chapter. EXTRA CHAPTER!). And yes, I want to re-read this. Because the theme of this book, amongst all the craziness, the astounding stories and the heartbreaking ones, lies an important message that I wish I'd learned early and I'm still not sure I've taken to heart: life isn't defined by your perfect moments, but rather your imperfect ones, and how you react to those moments defines everything. Lawson writes about her unique upbringing in such a way that no matter how insane, it's relatable, and her humor had me constantly tickled. It's my kind of humor (see the wheelchair comment behind the cut). When she publishes her next book, I'll be there with bells on. Hell, I should be reading her blog religiously by this point, but I'm afraid of spoiling the next book!I know this book isn't for everyone. Hell, I can barely coherently write about it myself (another hallmark of a 10 rating). But I do think there's something in here for everyone to enjoy, even if it's not every page. So read it however you're able, and come back and share your thoughts.Spoilers, yay or nay?: Nay. It's a memoir, what am I going to spoil? Read on, unless you're in a super-hurry and don't want to read about how my reading this book disturbed my husband. :) The full review may be found at my blog, and you can get to full review by clicking on the link below. As always, comments and discussion are most welcome.REVIEW: Jenny Lawson's LET'S PRETEND THIS NEVER HAPPENEDHappy Reading!

[tldegray-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

If you've read Jenny Lawson's blog--The Bloggess--then you know what this book will do. It'll make you laugh out loud and sometimes it will make you cry. Jenny Lawson is brutal in her honesty and that makes her book all the more enjoyable and painful to read.

[grandpahobo_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This is an incredible book. Its "laugh out loud while rolling on the floor" funny. The author is vulgar, opinionated and offensive, but she is never condescending to the reader. Her writing reminds me of Lewis Grizzard, who was a brilliant storyteller.

If you are offended by profanity or overt references to reproductive organs in contexts you would never dream of, stay away from the book.

If you want to read writing that is heartfelt and can make you laugh at things the would normally have you crying, this book is well worth the cost and time.

[ladycato · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Jenny Lawson has an frenetic, anxiety-prone perspective of the world, one I can eerily relate to. While I related to her other book Furiously Happy a bit more (it delves deeper into subjects like depression), this is still a fun read, full of crazy family anecdotes, wacky household incidents, and animals both living and dead. It made me smile and laugh throughout, though I do wish it'd been lighter on the profanity.

[seraphinatealeaf · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Whenever I read anything Jenny writes, it makes me want to write. She is hysterically, uniquely, intelligently awesome.

[therapite · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Oh lord this book was hysterical and awful and amazing and I will need to read it again.

[chrisblocker · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

Imagine if you will a guy who works at a library. He enjoys reading. He loves the scent and feel of books. He mostly reads literature, but he's not a snob. Okay, he's a snob, but he'll try something slightly out of his comfort zone. One day, one of his coworkers says to him, “Would you be interested in leading one of our book groups? I'm thinking of passing it on.” “Sure,” he says. Here's a chance to get paid just talking about a book every other month. He's all ready. He's going to be a great leader. The books are all planned out through January of the following year. His first meeting will be in August. He looks at the schedule to see what inspirational and brilliant work of literature they're going to read in August. Oh boy, he thinks. How am I ever going to explain this to my friends on social media?The preceding story is true. I'm sure, because it happened to me. Let's Pretend This Never Happened purports to be a true story, but I really doubt most of it. The other difference between Lawson and Blocker: Jenny Lawson is apparently hysterical. I am not. Except, I don't think Lawson is funny. Not. One. Bit. Like, you may not believe me, but I didn't laugh once. Not once. I didn't even smile. As I neared the end of the book, I actually forced a smile, thinking that maybe the physical action would help me find the humor. It didn't work. There were a few times when I thought, oh, that was wee bit witty. But only a wee bit. And not even then, I was just trying really hard to find the positive.I'm truly, honestly really glad that people love this book. Because they do love it. I'm glad people can laugh until they can no longer breathe (assuming it's temporary). I want people to be happy and apparently Let's Pretend This Never Happened makes them really happy. I don't get it. It's not that I'm completely incapable of humor. It's difficult to get a laugh out of me, but I do find some things funny, things that no one else finds funny. I'm entitled to my own brand of humor, but I do wonder if part of my distaste is that Lawson, her mania, her mood swings, and her ridiculous stories remind me of a girl I once dated. I lived the “mostly true,” but not true stories for several years and let me tell you, it's exhausting and, over time, it's no longer the least bit funny. I'm glad that Lawson found a way to turn her mania into something she can be successful with and that so many people can enjoy. I'm glad she didn't choose a more destructive path. But reading this makes me manic. And that's not a good thing for any of us.So I hated Let's Pretend This Never Happened. There's one reason to read this book, and that's because of the humor. If you don't find it funny, there really isn't a point to it, is there? I didn't find it the least bit funny. I went to book club knowing that someone else would agree. Since it was my first time leading the group, I didn't want to sway anyone. I'd wait for someone to mention how the book really wasn't funny, then I'd pounce. Surely, someone would say it. No one did. They all thought it was hysterical—a nice change of pace. So I smiled, nodded my head, and mostly remained quiet. I asked a few questions that I hoped would elicit some underlying disdain, but no, they genuinely loved it.So again, I'm glad everyone else in the world is wildly entertained with this “memoir.” It just wasn't for me. And if ever I'm asked to read a book like this again, I'll know I can just fake it by saying, “oh yeah, that was hilarious.”Let's just pretend that this never happened.

[askelmore · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

From by Cannonball Read 5 Review ...

This book is great, y’all.

Sorry. I’ve been known to say ‘y’all’ on occasion (who knows why – I grew up on the west coast), and after listening to Ms. Lawson read her hilarious, sweet and bizarre memoir, I’ve incorporated it into my vocabulary once again. I can’t help it.

You might be familiar with Jenny Lawson but not know it. She is better known as The Bloggess, and she is a brilliant writer. She’s open, a fantastic storyteller, and able to make me laugh out loud, tear up, cringe, and feel nostalgic for my own (pretty different from her) childhood. Often in the same chapter.

Lawson grew up poor in West Texas. Like, bread sack shoes poor. Her father was a taxidermist and would do things like stick his hand up a dead squirrel and treat it like a puppet, or bring baby bobcats into the home to hang out. While the subtitle of the book says the memoir is “mostly” true, the reality is that most any chapter struck me as both completely ridiculous and totally plausible. Do I believe that she once had her arm up a cow’s vagina during animal husbandry class? Yes. Do I believe that they had raccoons as pets for a while? Yes.

The stories follow Lawson from childhood through adulthood, into married life. She is a mother, although only a couple of her stories deal directly with her in that role, and one of them is a doozy. In that chapter she talks in great detail about her miscarriages and attempts at having a child. I cannot imagine how devastating that was, but Lawson has such a tremendous way with words that I felt like I was hearing a friend describe it. It had me tearing up and wanting to give her and her husband a big hug.

One thing I really appreciated about this book is that there is a sensitivity that runs throughout it. The stories are mostly hilarious and guffaw-inducing, but there’s a rawness and reality behind them. It is vulnerability and self-reflection and strength all wrapped up together.

A couple of things to keep in mind before you run out to buy the paperback version (on the NY Times bestseller list now! First: There is a ton of cursing in this book. I don’t subscribe to the idea that cursing is offensive or lazy writing. I think the concept of someone saying ‘heck’ when their personality and feelings want them to say ‘fuck’ is ridiculous, unless you’re in church or possibly at work. If the author is thinking ‘fuck’, she should write it down. Clearly, Lawson is often thinking ‘fuck.’ And it works. It makes sense, it isn’t shocking, and it’s a hell of a lot less jarring than someone reacting to something utterly absurd with ‘dagnabbit’ instead of ‘holy shit.’

Second: PLEASE buy the audio version of this book. Lawson has a fantastic voice and amazing comic timing. Her delivery of the stories makes them all the funnier. The audio book also has the bonus chapter that is found in the paperback version, plus a good 10 minutes at the very end which is just her in the sound booth, offering up some fantastic ideas. And saying ‘vagina’ a lot.

This book is staying on my phone for multiple re-listenings, and it is going to get five stars, because it is awesome.

[soubhikiewiet · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book is friggin hilarious. Well written, paced perfectly, great interaction between the writer and other characters, esp her usually exasperated husband.

I loved it!

[cubsfan3410 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

My sister got me this book and I LOVED it! I laughed so much while reading this.

[marsap_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Not as funny as I thought it would be. Good insight however on anxiety disorder--really felt her pain at times.

[tipsy_writer · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I really did love this book. No, it wasn't life changing and no I don't feel that I learned any major life lessons but it was certainly an entertaining comic relief on a lazy weekend.

[bridgetann-2 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Loved it. Jenny has a great sense of humor. The book is a mix of laughs, tears, and lessons. This is a MUST read!

[starwolvie · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I enjoyed reading Jenny's memoir. An extension of her blog, it was a quick read.

[nospi-2 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Enjoyable book relating the author's childhood and struggles with mental health issues as an adult. Meeting her husband in this book is worth the price of admission.I enjoyed the second book more t han this one.

[cynrtst · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Super funny, super strange, I wish Jenny Lawson was my friend. But not her Dad.

[bragan_8 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Jenny Lawson, aka the Bloggess, shares stories of her life, from her bizarre childhood growing up as the daughter of a taxidermist obsessed with animals both living and dead, to surreal conversations with her long-suffering husband, to accounts of various I Love Lucy-esque escapades. (Well, if Lucy swore a lot and worried about the zombie apocalypse more often.)If you've ever read her blog -- and if you haven't, you really should -- you know just how utterly hilarious she can be, and that is fully in evidence here. I was already smiling by the time I finished looking over the table of contents, and by the end of the two-page introduction, I was laughing out loud. And even though she also talks about some very un-funny parts of her life -- miscarriages, crippling anxiety, chronic pain, the death of her beloved dog -- she somehow finds a way to make you laugh around and through it all.

[verkruissen · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book was fantastic! I laughed out loud throughout this book. This girl is so dysfunctional and funny at the same time...I could seriously just start re-reading the book today.

[mirrani_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I loved this book so much that I ended up reading parts of it to everyone who would listen to it, just so that we could laugh together until we cried. It is just so very well done that there simply aren't any words to explain just how entertaining this read is. I can guarantee that you will laugh at things that you will feel guilty about, but at the same time you just can't help yourself. Reading this book is like having a conversation with your funniest friend, one hundred times over. It lifted me up every day that I read it, from my happiest day, to my lowest, saddest day. Just reviewing it makes me want to read it again.

[dele2451 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Crazy funny.

[fatmashahin · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Ridiculously funny, though I hope that goes without saying. Also, these stories are outrageous, which is exactly why this book is so much fun.

[mirkwood-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Utterly fabulous.

[keyboardscoffee · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Simple. A-f*cking-mazing.

[lindoula-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Highly recommended!

[cybercarotte-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I laughed so much I cried, and then felt sorry for myself because MY life is so dull and normal... almost. ;-)