It's Okay to Laugh: (Crying Is Cool Too) - Nora McInerny Purmort (Book Review)

It's Okay to Laugh: (Crying Is Cool Too) by Nora McInerny Purmort

Genres: Memoir, Humor, Family
Publication date: May 24, 2016
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers  
Format: eARC, 288 pages
How I got it: Edelweiss ARC Request
Buy it: Amazon | Barnes & Noble 
My rating: 5/5
 
Joining the ranks of Let’s Pretend This Never Happened and Carry On, Warrior, a fierce, hysterically funny memoir that reminds us that comedy equals tragedy plus time.

Twentysomething Nora McInerny Purmort bounced from boyfriend to boyfriend and job to job. Then she met Aaron, a charismatic art director and her kindred spirit. They made mix tapes (and pancakes) into the wee hours of the morning. They finished each other's sentences. They just knew. When Aaron was diagnosed with a rare brain cancer, they refused to let it limit their love. They got engaged on Aaron's hospital bed and married after his first surgery. They had a baby when he was on chemo. They shared an amazing summer filled with happiness and laughter. A few months later, Aaron died in Nora's arms in another hospital bed. His wildly creative obituary, which they wrote together, touched the world.

Now, Nora shares hysterical, moving, and painfully honest stories about her journey with Aaron. It's OK to Laugh explores universal themes of love, marriage, work, (single) motherhood, and depression through her refreshingly frank viewpoint. A love letter to life, in all of its messy glory, and what it's like to still be kickin', It's OK to Laugh is like a long chat with a close friend over a cup of coffee (or chardonnay).

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My thoughts:

This book is an amazing memoir, I couldn't put it down I had to keep reading till the end.  Nora writes with humor, which I think makes the story move along as well as makes it readable without balling your eyes out because honestly she has dealt with some horrible losses that could paralyze some peoples lives.  Everyone takes loss differently and grieves differently her approach is one with humor that might allow her to get through this period in her life.

 

I didn't know of Nora's story prior to reading this book I had just read the synopsis on Edelweiss and requested the book.  I am so glad that I got approved and was able to read this book.  The story follows Nora's life through the different stages.  I loved how brutally honest she is in the book, her writing style makes you want to continue reading.   Also, the book is not really in a particular order we get events and details of her life not in the order they occurred.  I loved this because I think towards the end she personally got deeper on the issues and brought the reader in to wanting to read more.

 

I loved how Nora gave the attitude of it is ok for you not to have your life in order during the grieving process and each day you are just trying to figure out how to get through the day.  Another part of the book that I loved was she didn't leave details out.  I felt like I got the whole picture of her life before and after her miscarriage, father's death, and husband's death.   She gave the reader the chance to see her whole life and not feel like you were missing out on something that happened. 

 

Also, I give Nora a large amount of credit, she not only is grieving, but is still raising her son and being a single mother.  She never really complained in the book and  felt bad for herself, she just kept writing and working on herself.   She took the approach to grieving that one could hope to take as it hurts everyday, but you will get through this.

 

I suggest this as an anytime read.  I read it on a longer plane ride and I was very happy since I am not sure I would have been able to put the book down.  The chapters are short so you can easily pick this book up at any time and read a chapter.  The book to me was very emotional to read so be prepared to go up and down through your emotions. 
 
I received this from an Edelweiss ARC Request for the purpose of providing an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

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About the Author

Nora McInerny Purmort is the creator of a blog called My Husband's Tumor (listed on Tumblr's 'Big in 2014' list) and co-creator of her son Ralph, who she is currently raising to avenge his father's untimely death. Nora has been published in The Washington Post, Glamour UK, USA Today and The Huffington Post. She has also appeared on The Today Show and All Things Considered. Twitter: @noraborealis. Instagram: @noraborealis. Visit myhusbandstumor.com.

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