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3.52 AVERAGE
3.52 AVERAGE
I thought this was really good, but for some reason, it wasn't calling to me when I put it down. When I decided to pick it up and read, it went by fast and was super enjoyable (as much as you can enjoy reading about this subject matter), but once I stopped, I just didn't have the urge to start again. So that's why it's not 4 stars or higher, sadly.
Read it in a few hours. Describes anxiety very well, but nothing extremely spectacular.
The prose made this book FLY BY; I finished it in less than 24 hours. I just loved the writing style and the author's rawness and honesty about her anxiety attacks. I loved seeing this young woman come to grips with something that can effectively take away from one's way of life. This whole book felt like it was written from my perspective, even though i know that's not true - just MOST OF the things she described when experiencing an anxiety attack, or even with her relationships, are things that I know I have experienced and thought and felt. I loved how it showed the main character in therapy, even mentions that it is okay to dislike your therapist, and experiencing different medications - I know first hand through dealing with my depression that those are truly the only ways you can overcome and have a good quality of life. I just... I'm in love with this book and will most likely hang onto it forever and ever and ever.
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
I’ve had panic attacks, on and off, for 7 years. Samantha Schutz did a good job at describing what they’re like. This book felt like a friend was talking to me. Very conversational writing, which I love and the formatting looks like poetry which makes it super digestible. I didn’t glean much from this, but it was still an interesting read. Plus, it’s pretty short.
It's Christmas Eve, and what am I up to? Am I wrapping presents, or baking cookies, or going to bed early so that I can be well-rested for a long day tomorrow filled with family and friends and socializing? No, of course not. I'm staying up until 1am rapidly finishing a book I started less than 24 hours ago. That is my life.
Title: I Don't Want To Be Crazy
Author: Samantha Schutz
Rating: 4 1/2 stars
Everybody knows what it's like to feel anxious. Everybody knows what panic feels like. But anybody who has an anxiety disorder, or has had panic attacks, or has experienced anything of the sort, will relate to this book on a deep level. I downloaded this book not expecting much, but was intrigued due to my own issues with anxiety. I was hoping I'd be able to relate. And believe me, I related to this book more than I wanted to.
This book is a poetry memoir, and it is beautiful. Schutz writes about her life beyond her senior year of high school, and eventually beyond college, all the while struggling with an anxiety disorder. While reading this book, I felt just as anxious as Samantha while she experienced her anxiety. I almost had an attack just reading this. People who don't have anxiety may not love this book as much as I did, and may not be as touched by it, but I still think it's worth a read. The poetry is beautiful and flows fantastically, and Samantha is such a relatable person. Even if you don't have anxiety or panic disorders, some of you can still relate to the feelings of graduating high school, starting college, traveling abroad, finding a job once school is completely over, the harsh reality of relationships beginning and ending...so many things are packed into this novel. All these things resonated with me on deep levels. I couldn't put the book down. I'm not diagnosed with anxiety, but I believe I have it. I've had panic attacks before, and could relate to Samantha in many of her situations. I may be a junior in college, but it's my first year living on campus, and seeing Samantha transition each year inspired me and terrified me. I have plans to study abroad next year, something that Samantha does, which gives me a little more courage. Honestly, this book means a lot to me. I feel as though I'm rambling in this review - probably because it's one in the morning on Christmas and I had a long day of work and have spent the past few hours filled with anxiety while reading this book, but, it was worth it. I urge you to read this book, whether you have anxiety or not, whether you're in high school or college or recently out in the "real world," as parents like to call it. I Don't Want To Be Crazy is a wild ride, and the fact that it's a true story makes it even more powerful. But it's the relatability you feel while reading that makes it all worth it. True, this book made me feel anxious and scared and all the bad things I like to try and bury, but it also made me feel hopeful, powerful, and a little optimistic. Please read this book.
And I hope everybody has a merry Christmas. I hope you all get some good books this year. Sadly, I have a feeling nobody bought me any...
Title: I Don't Want To Be Crazy
Author: Samantha Schutz
Rating: 4 1/2 stars
Everybody knows what it's like to feel anxious. Everybody knows what panic feels like. But anybody who has an anxiety disorder, or has had panic attacks, or has experienced anything of the sort, will relate to this book on a deep level. I downloaded this book not expecting much, but was intrigued due to my own issues with anxiety. I was hoping I'd be able to relate. And believe me, I related to this book more than I wanted to.
This book is a poetry memoir, and it is beautiful. Schutz writes about her life beyond her senior year of high school, and eventually beyond college, all the while struggling with an anxiety disorder. While reading this book, I felt just as anxious as Samantha while she experienced her anxiety. I almost had an attack just reading this. People who don't have anxiety may not love this book as much as I did, and may not be as touched by it, but I still think it's worth a read. The poetry is beautiful and flows fantastically, and Samantha is such a relatable person. Even if you don't have anxiety or panic disorders, some of you can still relate to the feelings of graduating high school, starting college, traveling abroad, finding a job once school is completely over, the harsh reality of relationships beginning and ending...so many things are packed into this novel. All these things resonated with me on deep levels. I couldn't put the book down. I'm not diagnosed with anxiety, but I believe I have it. I've had panic attacks before, and could relate to Samantha in many of her situations. I may be a junior in college, but it's my first year living on campus, and seeing Samantha transition each year inspired me and terrified me. I have plans to study abroad next year, something that Samantha does, which gives me a little more courage. Honestly, this book means a lot to me. I feel as though I'm rambling in this review - probably because it's one in the morning on Christmas and I had a long day of work and have spent the past few hours filled with anxiety while reading this book, but, it was worth it. I urge you to read this book, whether you have anxiety or not, whether you're in high school or college or recently out in the "real world," as parents like to call it. I Don't Want To Be Crazy is a wild ride, and the fact that it's a true story makes it even more powerful. But it's the relatability you feel while reading that makes it all worth it. True, this book made me feel anxious and scared and all the bad things I like to try and bury, but it also made me feel hopeful, powerful, and a little optimistic. Please read this book.
And I hope everybody has a merry Christmas. I hope you all get some good books this year. Sadly, I have a feeling nobody bought me any...
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Drug use, Suicidal thoughts, Grief
Minor: Bullying, Death
This book is 100% real. As someone with an anxiety disorder, this book was very relate able. I recommend it for everyone, teens with or without anxiety disorders as well as adults. This was a quick read, but I loved every minute of it.
When Samantha Schutz started college, she began to have frightening episodes for which she had no explanation. She would become fearful, particularly during class, have difficulty breathing, experience heart palpitations, and sometimes pass out. Every episode made things worse: fear of having an attack could trigger an attack. Eventually, Schutz learned that she was having panic attacks, and she suffered from panic disorder.
This is a frank, heartfelt memoir, told in free verse, that describes Schutz's college years and her struggle with anxiety and panic. I was dubious about the poetry format -- who wants to read someone else's poetry about their depression and anxiety? -- but it actually works really, really well. Schutz is able to capture moments and episodes in her life with wrenching clarity, and out of the short poems a complete portrait emerges. I think this is a particularly important book because there are so many memoirs of depression, and comparatively few that describe what it is like to live with unending anxiety. This was published as a YA book, but I would recommend it to just about anyone.
This is a frank, heartfelt memoir, told in free verse, that describes Schutz's college years and her struggle with anxiety and panic. I was dubious about the poetry format -- who wants to read someone else's poetry about their depression and anxiety? -- but it actually works really, really well. Schutz is able to capture moments and episodes in her life with wrenching clarity, and out of the short poems a complete portrait emerges. I think this is a particularly important book because there are so many memoirs of depression, and comparatively few that describe what it is like to live with unending anxiety. This was published as a YA book, but I would recommend it to just about anyone.