Bad Vibes Only by Nora McInerny

Full disclosure, Nora is my cousin, and I am proud of her success. She's become very well-known through her earlier books, her Ted Talks, speaking engagements, and her podcast titled "Terrible, Thanks for Asking" and deservedly so. To be honest I still want to only see her as my sweet, funny little cousin that my mom would occasionally babysit (and not fangirl over her) so I haven't even listened to her podcast, although people tell me it's great so you SHOULD!

Bad Vibes Only is a collection of essays ranging from Nora's unique life experiences to her views on parenting. All are funny and insightful. Her book is for people that cannot help but put a "little sprinkle of sadness" on their happiest memories because in spite of the constant barrage of smiling, perfect people displayed on social media, none of us is without hardship.

Nora counts herself lucky to have stumbled into two great marriages, in spite of losing her first husband Aaron to brain cancer at age thirty-five which left her alone with their one-year-old son. All within months of Aaron's death, Nora experienced a miscarriage and then the loss of her beloved father at age sixty-four (my hilarious, handsome and dynamic uncle Steve). Nora found herself pulling away from loved ones for a time period because of the very real feeling that no one could quite relate and also it was hard to see other young families intact. Nora's recounting of these events in no way comes across as a pity grab, but rather as a lens through which she sees life.

The essay titled "Competitive Parenting Association" was especially hilarious and anyone that has raised kids in the last decade or so can relate! Social media and Helicoptering have made parenting all the more ridiculous and complicated and Nora writes about her decision to stop posting about her own kids. Nora makes herself vulnerable many times throughout these essays like when she describes her own mistakes in parenting. Nora accidentally left her child in the car in the driveway once for a short period of time and it had me thinking: what parent can't relate to making mistakes? It's refreshing to hear someone speak frankly about it.

Nora's appeal is that she is relatable and self-deprecating. She had me chuckling at many points in the book, like how as a child she fantasized about marrying Chris Farley and how she sometimes follows through with her therapist's instructions only because she wants the therapist to like her. Her descriptions of her family life growing up in a decidedly UN-helicoptering (but loving) household and her great big extended Irish catholic family, along with her years working as a young professional in New York City (the essay titled "Bad Bosses" details this with movie-like fun) have formed her to be the dynamic writer and speaker that she is. Nora lays herself bare in this collection of essays. They're moving and so very funny - what a perfect combination!