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Kelli's Reviews > So Sad Today: Personal Essays
So Sad Today: Personal Essays
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I need to review this book so I can stop thinking about it.
Initially I thought the author was very young but the more I read, the more I think she might be closer to my age. Maybe I'm old, a prude, a stuffy New Englander but to me these essays do not "...reveal so much about what it is to live in this world, right now." -Roxane Gay, as printed on the cover. I understand that we live in a world where everything is fair game for publication on social media. I know the younger generation thinks nothing of posting things that previous generations would not have shared with their closest friends. I also realize that this woman started processing her feelings by posting them in an anonymous Twitter account. There is still such a thing as TMI. This book of essays is a testament to how varied we are in our thinking of what is too much information to share.
There is a lot of graphic sexual language in this book that some may find crass or vulgar. For example, one essay includes five pages of sexting with a man she hadn't met. This was over the top! It didn't offend me but I wasn't interested in reading it either. If anything, I was a little awestruck that anyone a) does this and b) would write about it. This leads me to a whole other world of thinking: This woman claims to be self-conscious and concerned about what other's think, so...really?! She is putting it ALL out there. What can be left in her closet? She writes about "a lot of gross people" she has slept with, having a vomit fetish, eating her own bodily fluids, having an open marriage, sexting, being addicted to the Internet, and sending "nudes." I cannot relate. I also started questioning the authenticity, though I doubt anyone would make up a vomit fetish. Other thoughts I had while reading this: Does she have parents? Isn't she worried they will read this? Is this really what everyone is doing? Am I that sheltered? If so, I'm okay with it.
I have to say that the writing is good. Some of the essays, particularly the last, are excellent. She writes about addiction, depression, and anxiety with an openness I've not read before now. There is a vulnerability to opening yourself up in this way and it is hard to not see that as brave, regardless of how many times I read the word "dick" in this book.
I can't see myself recommending this but I would love to see what she does next. I should add that I am basically alone on an island with my rating. People love this book of essays. I will be interested in hearing what my friends think. 2.5 stars.
Initially I thought the author was very young but the more I read, the more I think she might be closer to my age. Maybe I'm old, a prude, a stuffy New Englander but to me these essays do not "...reveal so much about what it is to live in this world, right now." -Roxane Gay, as printed on the cover. I understand that we live in a world where everything is fair game for publication on social media. I know the younger generation thinks nothing of posting things that previous generations would not have shared with their closest friends. I also realize that this woman started processing her feelings by posting them in an anonymous Twitter account. There is still such a thing as TMI. This book of essays is a testament to how varied we are in our thinking of what is too much information to share.
There is a lot of graphic sexual language in this book that some may find crass or vulgar. For example, one essay includes five pages of sexting with a man she hadn't met. This was over the top! It didn't offend me but I wasn't interested in reading it either. If anything, I was a little awestruck that anyone a) does this and b) would write about it. This leads me to a whole other world of thinking: This woman claims to be self-conscious and concerned about what other's think, so...really?! She is putting it ALL out there. What can be left in her closet? She writes about "a lot of gross people" she has slept with, having a vomit fetish, eating her own bodily fluids, having an open marriage, sexting, being addicted to the Internet, and sending "nudes." I cannot relate. I also started questioning the authenticity, though I doubt anyone would make up a vomit fetish. Other thoughts I had while reading this: Does she have parents? Isn't she worried they will read this? Is this really what everyone is doing? Am I that sheltered? If so, I'm okay with it.
I have to say that the writing is good. Some of the essays, particularly the last, are excellent. She writes about addiction, depression, and anxiety with an openness I've not read before now. There is a vulnerability to opening yourself up in this way and it is hard to not see that as brave, regardless of how many times I read the word "dick" in this book.
I can't see myself recommending this but I would love to see what she does next. I should add that I am basically alone on an island with my rating. People love this book of essays. I will be interested in hearing what my friends think. 2.5 stars.
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So Sad Today.
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Reading Progress
April 24, 2016
–
Started Reading
April 24, 2016
– Shelved
April 26, 2016
–
Finished Reading
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Jennifer
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May 05, 2016 02:54PM
Nice review, Kelli. This book wouldn't be for me, either.
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Great review, Kelli. This is not the book for me, either.
Very helpful review! It sounds like too much over-sharing for me, so I'll probably skip this one for now.
I must say, the vomit fetish thing is a new one on me. Each to his own, but I'll give this one a good lettin' alone.
Great review, Kelli! I haven't read this nor do I plan to, but I'm confident you would not be alone with your rating! This book would bring confirmation to my suspicion that I was set on this planet as a practical joke, lol ;)
I LOVE counter trend opinions and thoughts - refreshing to hear your voice from that island Kelli! In my 59 years of life experiences on the planet I've come to accept that people are the most bizarre, strange and unusual creatures on this Earth and things like ...vomit fetishism ... would not surprise me at all ... although I would like to fact check that particularly odd psych disorder in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.I'd give this puppy a whirl if I had a copy dropped in my hands...otherwise, far too many other good reads out there to monkey around with odd pieces of shock & awe literature.
Thanks for the heads up and the warning!
Haha, I was wondering how you'd feel about this. I picked it up in the store and randomly opened to a section where she was (view spoiler) and immediately put it back down. I don't consider myself a prude, but there are things I don't need to know about.
Great review, Kelli. I'm scared of this one now! But curious. I have the kindle version. But, oh, it was a no for Julie, too! Now I'm really scared! I don't want to be disgusted. Was she bulimic? Trying to understand the vomit fetish....
Good review, Kelli and a book I will pass on.
Kelli, I think this book would have driven me absolutely bonkers. I mean, just reading through some of those high-praise reviews was making me nuts, thinking "what the !?" I guess I don't get it either, perhaps it is a generational thing. I enjoyed your thoroughly honest review of it though!
Sounds like a pass for me. Great honest review Kelli!
Doesn't sound like my type of book, but it was a good review, Kelli.
Aw, now I get what you meant by "you're too conservative" in your comment on my "to read." I was actually going to start next, but think not! Thanks for the warning. And, I know, others may like, but I don't even like dicks, lol!
Debbie "DJ" wrote: "And, I know, others may like, but I don't even like dicks, lol! "LOL. :)
In agreement with you. Some things should remain private. You reviewed this fairly admitting the writing was good. I don't think it's for me but I'm certain there are others who will want to read it based on your review or a need to know all.
Excellent!
So glad to see a review that warns us about what's really inside this book- and from what you describe this isn't one I will give my time to. Too many great books that are waiting. Thank you
If you are offended by dicks then I can see why this isn't for you. However a lot of people can relate to it and there is no shame in liking dicks ok thanks X
Kayleigh wrote: "If you are offended by dicks then I can see why this isn't for you. However a lot of people can relate to it and there is no shame in liking dicks ok thanks X"I'm not offended by anything in this book and I realize a lot of people can relate to this book and adore it, I'm just not one of them. Or I should clarify, I loved some of it. Have a nice day.
Kayleigh wrote: "If you are offended by dicks then I can see why this isn't for you. However a lot of people can relate to it and there is no shame in liking dicks ok thanks X"Don't you just love how
i totally agree with your review. this book was less about dealing with anxiety and depression and more about vomit fetishes and sex fluids.
FYI: An Elle article about her said that she was in her mid-thirties.
btw the attitude behind all of your negative responses to her honesty is a big part of why she's so filled with self-hatred but
I hate this book. I wanted to believe it but I instead found myself believing she is saying things to gauge a reaction and I understand the questioning of her age as her self-absorption in a vacuum of self-reflection or self-discovery is quite frustrating. Her ability to convey even something that I find repugnant (not bc of content but bc I doubt her truthfulness in the entire narrative) is very impressive. I cannot however surmount the general dismay I have that we are celebrating this degree of self-sabotage as if it is a positive.
I'm only still reading this lousy book because I like to finish things... but wow/ew/gross/icky/yuck/gag/etc... And that only describes one of the chapters... :(
I struggle and relate to her in a lot of ways, but I’m 25 and I hope I mature past a lot of the selfish and dumbass habits she talks about in this book. It’s embarrassing that she’s in her 30s and talking about doing this shit.
I’m so glad you put this review out, this was my thought process too. I’m younger than she is and I grew up in the Twitter era in a lot of ways. Still, I was more than just appalled to see how completely fine she saw it to publish such deeply personal, completely ‘naked’ conversations.
I think this review is just about perfect. The TMI aspect of SO Sad is truly unnecessary.
Right there with you. I adore books of essays. I love painful honesty, but I don't know if I can finish this book. The overly gross sharing and the constant pain and struggle is just dragging me/the reader down. Sadly, and I know people will hate me saying this, I'm worried that she will bring vulnerable readers down, too, and not give them a place to grow from. We need to share our pains, but over-normalizing the lack of self-worth she shares makes me worry others will say, she did it, it's okay if I do, too.
Thanks for being real about the book, Kelli. There’s a solid line between honesty and shock factor, and the author seems to lean towards using the latter to draw people to her work.
i absolutely loved this book and i liked your honest review. i also couldn't help but wonder if she felt uncomfortable by putting this out and having her relatives read it. i admit i laughed out loud in that part of your review.
I'm reading through reviews of this book and the first I stumbled across was someone praising her for stating the core concept of anti-natalism like it was an original thought. Yes, it's clear this woman is an exhibitionist, and you just witnessed another one of her fetishes. Yikes. Glad I didn't pick this one up
