I originally bout Jenny Lawson’s You Are Here: An Owner’s Manual for Dangerous Minds for one of my sisters. And then kind of ‘forgot’ to give it to her. Not really – I did, eventually give it to her. It was just a pre-read (and now, dutifully reviewed), pre-notated copy. She seemed to enjoy the parts I highlighted for her, the things I thought she should pay especial attention to, the parts I really needed her to hear/see/KNOW, so no harm, no foul. I couldn’t resist underlining and circling, starring and drawing little purple hearts at the parts I felt fit her/us best.
In the introduction to the book, Lawson (better known in internet circles as The Bloggess), calls it a “misfit’s atlas” and I could not love that description more, because we’re a family FULL UP OF MISFISTS, and there’s nary an atlas, encyclopedia or map to be found, most days. But this one is exactly what it needs to be – full of beautiful sketches and quirky, clever quotations. There’s a level of humorous WTH-nees of some of the pages that is beyond what most even adult coloring books are expressing – although we 100% agree on The Giving Tree and its ability to spawn true sociopaths. There are profound, simple thoughts and simply profound thoughts, and there’s the true rambling of somebody who just gets it without having to try, without the awkward reach that’s so often to be found between people who think they’re a mess and are trying to own it, kind of, and people who KNOW they are and embrace it, wholeheartedly.
It’s weird and wonderful, and will fit certain brands of misfits just right. How do you know if you’re that brand? Well, A) check out The Bloggess on any of her many varied platforms, and B) I’m going to post a link to a YouTube video now that’s promoting the book. It’s in German, and I don’t speak German, so I’m taking a real risk that they aren’t saying it’s awful (but it’s from the publisher, so I doubt it), but if you can pretend you understand what’s happening, or ignore the words and enjoy it anyways: Welcome, this may just be your island! 