A review by gina_readsbooks
You're Gonna Die Alone (& Other Excellent News) by Devrie Brynn Donalson

emotional funny informative lighthearted reflective sad fast-paced

4.0

“With a heart splintered into a thousand pieces, I offered the bits of me up to the wind and the water like a sacrifice, praying it would be enough to stop the pain.”

Thank you to partner Bibliolifestyle and Blackstone Publishing for the gifted copy in exchange for an honest review! 

This is such a great cathartic read. It’s easy to connect with the author as she reveals a lot of her traumas and what helped her, along with poignant poetry and incredibly funny moments. I don’t think it’s easy to balance humor with trauma, but she does it really well. 

I was particularly struck by a chapter in which she talks about losing long-term friendships that truly broke her spirit. This entire chapter really spoke to me as someone who has lost childhood friends that I was sure I would have forever. She details the deep pain and disappointment, along with the self-doubt that comes along with it. 

“How many versions of me have I buried on a hilltop in the sun somewhere? I’ve lost count, to be honest, but I bring flowers to their graves when I’m feeling kind.”

There are a few moments where I thought it was trying a bit too hard to be funny, but overall this is just such a great book. The humor is great and the discussions about trauma are profound and deeply relatable.