Guest Blogger Book Review: Let's Pretend this Never Happened

By Tracey Meyers

Back in November 2011, I randomly stumbled upon this blog post by The Bloggess, Jenny Lawson.

I can't even begin to tell you much I laughed. I loved it so much that I forwarded it on to a friend who I just knew would enjoy it as much as I did. Since then, I have been a faithful follower of "The Bloggess." So, as you can imagine, when I saw she was coming out with a book, "Let's Pretend this Never Happened (A Mostly True Memoir)," I was beyond THRILLED! Furthermore, when I got the chance to review the book, I LEAPED at the opportunity.

To say I LOVED this book is an understatement. Anyone, and everyone, I know has heard about this book and why they need to read it. (Even one of the security check individuals at the State of Illinois building was "highly encouraged" to pick up a copy after she laughed at the title of the book as my items made their way out of the scanner.) Often, I could be found smiling and laughing aloud while reading Jenny's recollection of her childhood in rural Texas or her struggles with various social situations. (Just to name a few things.)

As I made my way through the book, I began wondering which chapters my friends would find the most entertaining -- Yes, I have a list of friends whom I will insist read this book, and will then be encouraged after reading the book to tell me which chapter they liked the most. If I had to guess, I think my best friend will like the chapter titled, "And That's Why Neil Patrick Harris Would Be the Most Successful Mass Murderer Ever." Not that I think my best friend thinks that Neil Patrick Harris WOULD actually make a successful mass murderer; it's just we have a thing with "How I Met Your Mother," and the chapter has to do with how Jenny met her husband, Victor. Those two things alone have me convince this is my BFF’s favorite chapter. As for me, it is hard to decide which chapter I liked the most. I have to admit, I enjoyed reading about Jenny’s courtship with Victor and their unique engagement story; however, I also enjoyed her stories about growing up the child of a taxidermist, her adventures in Human Resources and the five-foot-tall chicken named Beyonce. (Again, just to name a few.) I guess what I’m trying to say is that below her sarcasm and tell-it-like-it-is rambling, are charming stories that I believe many can relate to.

After all this praise, I do have one small word of warning...
One of the things I love most about The Bloggess blog is Jenny's witty, conversational and rambling style of writing. However, it is this same style of writing that can become a little much after reading a few back-to-back chapters. It's not to say this takes away from the book (if that were the case I probably just wouldn’t have finished reading it). It just caused me to put down the book more frequently than I would have liked to.

I thoroughly enjoyed "Let's Pretend This Never Happened." As much as I enjoyed "pretending" with Jenny, I don’t want to pretend that I never read this book. Without a doubt I will surely pick up this book again sometime in the future because ultimately the greatest thing I got from this book is Jenny's unspoken message that being able to laugh at yourself, and the good, bad and ugly that the world throws at you, is key so you don't have to pretend they didn't happen.

P.S. I’d like to add that Jenny is now on my list of authors I hope to meet in person someday so I am *crossing my fingers* that Chicago is added to her book tour appearances! I can only imagine how much fun it would be to meet The Bloggess, Jenny Lawson, in real life someday.

Tracey Meyers lives in the Chicago suburbs and enjoys photography, running, roller derby, knitting and, of course, blogging. She is currently helping us with social media and blog stuff, so you may be seeing her around more often.You can find her at her personal blog.