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9 April 2025

On my GoodReads page for this book, the space beneath where my review would go is Jenny Lawson. Y'all, I know my limitations: I cannot top Jenny Lawson.

However, I am here, and I have a few thoughts. Thomas came to my attention when his advice column began in the Washington Post, which I was mostly reading for the advice columns. Carolyn Hax is very good at what she does. Miss Manners' column has been impressing me for probably more years than either of us would like to acknowledge. Thomas was a charming addition to this lauded team: he is funny and just so kind. So yes, when I knew there were books, I added my name to the library(s) queues. To my delight, my turn came up pretty quick. But...

...I wasn't feeling it. My reading has gone way the hell down, and honestly, if I am not going to finish a book anyway, I would rather that failure not be something I have high hopes for. So the next person in line got it. Three times. It wasn't until the fourth time my name came up again that I thought I might actually be able to finish it. And I did. And it was a lovely, sad, sweet, funny, and ultimately very cheerful book.

If it seems counterintuitive that a book about depression could be perky, then one just hasn't read enough. Jenny Lawson's books are hilarious. Allie Brosh kills. Because the thing is, people who are going through life without challenges don't know how good they have it. They may suspect, they may be legitimately grateful, but they don't have to carefully construct entertainment to distract from the very messy emotions hiding behind the curtain. Humor is an active choice, I'm saying, so I root for anyone who makes that choice, and I praise anyone who makes it look effortless. A dinner party that included the three people would be a marvelous thing, indeed.

I would very much like to read more books by Thomas: I need more of his warmth and humor in my life. Maybe everyone does.

Library copy