Friday, January 29, 2010

Review: i am neurotic (and so are you) by Lianna Kong

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 WorldBetter with BooksCindy’s Love of BooksPop Culture JunkieReading to MyselfStarting FreshThe 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?

14 comments:

  1. You are reading some good stuff, this and now The Happiness Project! Oh my gosh you are going to love that one!

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  2. This sounds entertaining. As for neuroses, I don't like for people to watch me while I'm surfing the net and blogging.

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  3. OMG...This sounds like a fun read! Thanks for mentioning this book!

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  4. Great review! I like the book better after having read your thoughts on it.

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  5. i love the contrast between your neuroses and the simple things you appreciate! they seem somehow perfectly balanced (complimentary) as ideas :)
    maybe 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.

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  6. 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.

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  7. Avis 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.

    With 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.

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  8. 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.

    -Lauren

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  9. I love that straight quotes and apostrophes bother you!!!

    I 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.

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  10. 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!

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  11. I'm definitely neurotic...aren't we all? ;)

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  12. I love your personal list!!! The book sounds cute.

    I hate when people don't respond to IM on Yahoo. Can't they just say..can't talk now?

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  13. 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.

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  14. Sounds 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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