I Want to Be Where the Normal People Are

What is normal exactly? Why strive for normality? …Should you?

Rachel’s voice is loud and clear from the first lines of the book. I’ve been missing it since Crazy Ex-Girlfriend aired its final episode last April. Of course, I have re-watched the show at least four times since, but the difference here is – this time she’s talking right to me, in my head, and it is like being part of this newfound Friendtopia. It’s just only one of us knows about it.

If you haven’t watched the series, go watch it, it’s on Netflix. If you have, you’ll find that a lot of things that Rebecca Bunch does or that are happening to her have real-life origins, inspired by one Rachel Bloom. She writes about the things that could have broken her, but didn’t, in a very funny and raw way, and she doesn’t hold back.

Before we proceed, I would like to give a shoutout to page 25 because that is some solid, ingenious advice right there, and page 193 (you’ll know when you know).

“If you’re a person of substance, you are going to get bullied in school.” Rachel Bloom has a very distinct sense of humour, and, yes, this book is a kind of ultimate revenge on her bullies. But not really. It’s like listening to a friend tell you her life story and you picking out the things that are similar to your own experience. As a result, you might find a lot of revelations here, not just about Rachel, but yourself through Rachel’s narrative. Also, just so you know, to experience these revelations, it is essential that you don’t consider (and have never actually considered) yourself normal.

Rachel also mentions the story behind her tribute video to Ray Bradbury that first got her noticed, “in which I wanted to explore the contrast between how the world appeared and how it actually was”. To me, this summarises the whole tone of this book and the message behind it. Heartfelt. Honest. Genuine. And funny as hell.

I adore Crazy Ex Girlfriend and this book was exactly what I needed it to be. Would highly recommend.

If you're a Crazy-Ex Girlfriend fan, you'll love this book - Rachel Bloom touches on many of the same themes as in the show, with a frank, rude and very funny look at mental health. If you're not a Crazy-Ex Girlfriend fan, you're probably a bad person who hates good things so you won't like the book either. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC

I adore Rachel Bloom - 'Crazy Ex-Girlfriend' is a hilarious and honest show which does not hold back when confronting the truth of sex, love, mental illness and life. This same comedic and chaotic energy is channelled in Bloom's wonderful book which I would highly recommend, whether you are a previous fan of hers or not. And yes, you will have 'Part of your World' from 'The Little Mermaid' circling round your head the whole time - even better!

Bloom's collection essays are largely chronological, detailing significant moments in her life, trying to fit into the ideal of being 'normal'. There are hilarious, heart-breaking and heart-warming moments in equal measure, the unfiltered honesty making Bloom's writing really resonate with her readers. The most profound chapters for me are the details of her struggles with mental health across her life and how this impacted upon various relationships from boyfriends to roommates. Bloom's personal reflections made me appreciate even more the excellent storytelling achieved through Rebecca Bunch in 'Crazy Ex-Girlfriend' and how honestly they were able to depict mental illness and its effects. There are also some witty moments where the narrative is flipped on its head - the chapter from Wiley the dog being a personal favourite of mine! What a hero!

Overall, this is hilarious and heartfelt read which I would highly recommend. Bloom has a hit on her hands!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher who provided an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I Want to Be Where the Normal People Are by Rachel Bloom is an excellent collection of personal thoughts, ideas, essays, anecdotes, advice, memories, and biographical stories written by one of my most favorite people EVER, Rachel Bloom (actress, singer, dancer, writer, and all-around awesome woman). I loved Rachel even before My Crazy-Ex Girlfriend came onto the CW, but now I her even more. She is honest, quirky, hilarious, imperfect, authentic, relatable, talented, and I was so excited to read more about her life experiences and history.

The collection presented in this book lets us all know just how funny, dark, sadistic, sarcastic, and real she is. It also let me know that I am not as strange as I originally thought. (Oh, I am still different, don’t get me wrong.) But, instead of hiding and apologizing for it, I found a sister in my quest to accepting and owning it.I am who I am, and all I can do is improve how I respond to, and treat others, just as she describes in her book. I also learned more about Rachel in general, which I immensely enjoyed. I literally laughed out loud with the occasional snort, and devoured this gem in one day. So awesome.

And kudos to the 80s-90s Judy Blume throwback cover. Very awesome.

5/5 stars

Thank you NetGalley and Coronet/Hodder & Stoughten for this ARC and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 11/17/20.

I am a huge fan of Rachel Bloom from watching Crazy Ex Girlfriend, I love her humour and I love how brutally honest she is when talking about topics like mental health, sex etc.
And this book is no different!
Rachel had me laughing out loud on many occasions (and cringing in a few)
She is brutally honest and not afraid to speak openly about subjects many people avoid.

If you have ever felt out of place, odd or weird, then this book is for you!

It's refreshing to read something that you can tell was written with no filter and no holding back!

Absolutely loved this collection of essays (which do not read like essays)

Rachel Bloom fan's will definitely want to check out her brand new essay collection I Want to Be Where the Normal People Are. If you enjoyed Crazy Ex Girlfriend, you'll love Rachel's sense of humour. There are plenty of hilarious moments, but there are still heartbreakingly real moments. Rachel is honest and it shows. Even if you aren't a fan of hers, you'll find entertainment in this book. Highly recommended!

As a massive Crazy Ex-Girlfriend fan, I was thrilled when Netgalley approved me to read and review Rachel Bloom's autobiography.

First off, love the title. For someone who watched The Little Mermaid every day for a good portion of her childhood, I got it immediately. Also 10/10 for the cover.

I've always related to/been a huge fan of Rachel Bloom, but I after reading this both excruciatingly honest and heartwarming selection of personal essays, I appreciated her and her work on another level - I couldn't put it down, and I read the entire thing in a matter of hours. I would definitely check out the audiobook version as I'm sure it's even better narrated by the woman herself.

This is a fab essay collection written in such a way you feel like you’re having a chat with Rachel. I’m so excited to see if she does the audiobook for this. There were so many points while reading this book I exclaimed that happened to me or I remember that happening to me. There are so many interesting anecdotes about Rachel’s journey to fame and the creation and filming of crazy ex girlfriend. I really hope she writes more and will be preordering anything else she releases!