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A review by sophiesometimesreads
I Don't Need Therapy: (and other lies I've told myself) by Toni Lodge
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
Disclaimer: I no longer rate memoirs, or most non-fiction in general. See below for thoughts!
I picked up this book after being invested in and obsessed with the Toni and Ryan Podcast for the last two years, and absolutely loved it! Toni's voice is so authentic and I could honestly hear her reading it in her voice in my head. Her humour, but also her deep stories and authenticity, both shone through in the pages and made this a wonderful (albeit emotional, at times) read.
I loved the fact that each chapter is named after a lie she told herself, and I found a lot of the content to be very relatable. It almost felt at times that I was reading my own memoir, so cheers to Toni for that, you love to see it (or maybe not if a lot of it was related to anxiety...). Also, I could've sworn only my mother called the caravan park bathrooms the "ablution block" but I guess not, the more you know.
I do think that perhaps those who don't already know and have a (parasocial) relationship with Toni may not get as much out of this, but it is a funny, emotional, heartwarming journey through her life until now, with a bit emphasis on her mental health and journey with grief.
Due to the non-chronological nature of the book, there were a couple events that were rehashed multiple times that did stall the pacing just a little, but I was having such a great time with the book that it wasn't a huge deal for me.
I would recommend, particulalry for those who are TARPers (fans of the Toni and Ryan Podcast) and if you're not a fan, go check it out because it's a whole lot of hilarious nonsense that's so much fun.
I picked up this book after being invested in and obsessed with the Toni and Ryan Podcast for the last two years, and absolutely loved it! Toni's voice is so authentic and I could honestly hear her reading it in her voice in my head. Her humour, but also her deep stories and authenticity, both shone through in the pages and made this a wonderful (albeit emotional, at times) read.
I loved the fact that each chapter is named after a lie she told herself, and I found a lot of the content to be very relatable. It almost felt at times that I was reading my own memoir, so cheers to Toni for that, you love to see it (or maybe not if a lot of it was related to anxiety...). Also, I could've sworn only my mother called the caravan park bathrooms the "ablution block" but I guess not, the more you know.
I do think that perhaps those who don't already know and have a (parasocial) relationship with Toni may not get as much out of this, but it is a funny, emotional, heartwarming journey through her life until now, with a bit emphasis on her mental health and journey with grief.
Due to the non-chronological nature of the book, there were a couple events that were rehashed multiple times that did stall the pacing just a little, but I was having such a great time with the book that it wasn't a huge deal for me.
I would recommend, particulalry for those who are TARPers (fans of the Toni and Ryan Podcast) and if you're not a fan, go check it out because it's a whole lot of hilarious nonsense that's so much fun.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Mental illness, and Death of parent
Moderate: Fatphobia, Panic attacks/disorders, Medical content, and Alcohol