i am neurotic (and so are you) is not so much by Lianna Kong as it is edited by her: in 2008, she created the website i am neurotic and invited people to submit their neuroses. This book is thus a collection of anonymous confessions by self-described neurotic folk with photo illustrations by Matthew Stacy. Oddly enough, the book had the opposite effect from what I’d imagined: I felt decidedly un-neurotic after reading it.On second thought, though, I can think of a few of my neuroses (past and present):
- I hate having anyone listen to me while I talk on the phone, including my partner, Mr. B. This means I will go into another room and close the door when ordering takeout for both of us.
- I hate straight apostrophes and quotes, and I go out of my way to replace them with curved ones. (I copy and paste the curved ones into all my blog posts.)
- I’m paranoid about getting lost even when I’m going somewhere I’ve been several times before. This is especially true if the journey involved taking a bus. I have this irrational fear that I’ve gotten on the wrong bus (even when I know I haven’t) or that the landmarks will have changed or somehow moved since I was last there.
- I used to make a point of never walking on city grates—I was afraid I’d fall through one. Then one day I read a magazine article that recommended letting go of an irrational fear (or something along those lines). Since then, I walk on them if they happen to be on my way.
OK, so maybe I am a bit neurotic after all!
i am neurotic (and so are you) is an entertaining (and sometimes somewhat disturbing) read. While this is not the type of book I would buy for myself (it has limited re-readability value), it could make a great gift.
To read other reviews of this book, visit these blogs:
A Bookworm’s World • Better with Books • Cindy’s Love of Books • Pop Culture Junkie • Reading to Myself • Starting Fresh • The Routine Ramblings of a Disorganized Perfectionist
Thank you to Cindy at Cindy’s Love of Books for giving me this book to read.
What about you? Are you a bit neurotic too?
You are reading some good stuff, this and now The Happiness Project! Oh my gosh you are going to love that one!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds entertaining. As for neuroses, I don't like for people to watch me while I'm surfing the net and blogging.
ReplyDeleteOMG...This sounds like a fun read! Thanks for mentioning this book!
ReplyDeleteGreat review! I like the book better after having read your thoughts on it.
ReplyDeletei love the contrast between your neuroses and the simple things you appreciate! they seem somehow perfectly balanced (complimentary) as ideas :)
ReplyDeletemaybe it's a family thing...i can't stand having someone else overhear my phone conversations either. no wonder i don't have a cell phone! (for other reasons really, but it's a point isn't it!)
how lucky that reading about neuroses made you feel like you're allright...
i think one possible neurosis of mine is when some accident happens (a knife slips & i cut myself; my daughter has a bad fall) i can't stop visualizing it over and over again.
This sounds like it would be an interesting book. My neuroses are of the minor variety, sometimes downright silly. Like my not being able to have a book or magazine near me that has a human face looking out at me. I have to cover it up by turning it over or placing something on top of it.
ReplyDeleteAvis thanks for mentioning me. I have to admit I share of few neuroses with you such as the bus thing. I am always scared that I am taking the wrong bus or getting off at the wrong metro stop even though I know I am not.
ReplyDeleteWith the city grates I can't walk on them and will go out of my way to avoid walking on them. I think I have passed this one to Michael now LOL
Great review.
this sounds really amusing. I have many nerouses as well. It's crazy. I have the talking on the phone in front of other people one too.
ReplyDelete-Lauren
I love that straight quotes and apostrophes bother you!!!
ReplyDeleteI could see the attraction of this book ....especially to make yourself feel better. But I know what you mean about limited rereadability. I felt the same way about the PostSecret books.
What a cool idea for a book. I know I definitely have some (or many) neuroses (or superstitions...) so it would be nice to see that I'm not the only crazy one. ;p Definitely picking this one up!
ReplyDeleteI'm definitely neurotic...aren't we all? ;)
ReplyDeleteI love your personal list!!! The book sounds cute.
ReplyDeleteI hate when people don't respond to IM on Yahoo. Can't they just say..can't talk now?
That book sounds so good! I'm sure I have some neuroses too, but can't think of any off the top of my head.
ReplyDeleteSounds fascinating! I couldn't possibly list all my neurosis here..not enough space. I've got an urge to go through your blog looking for curved apostrophes now!
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