The Hilarious World of Depression

Moe (Conservatize Me), host of The Hilarious World of Depression podcast, wryly reflects on life as a “saddie” in this stirring memoir. Moe discusses depressive thoughts and experiences, including addiction in his family, his brother’s suicide in 2007, and moments of acute professional stress. He explains that as he grew up, married, and raised his children, he felt a need (increasingly prompted by his wife) to treat his low-key desire “not so much to die as simply not be alive anymore.” Despite his suicidal ideation and his struggle to move past his guilt after his brother’s suicide, Moe’s story is not bleak. While he does not come out on the mythical other side, he learns—with the help of medication, dogs, listening to music, and therapy—to break the “habit of converting stress into bleak, goth-eyeliner-wearing despair.” Such side-eye commentary separates Moe’s story from the “trite ’70s self-help” he loathes, as does the inclusion of quotes from podcast guests Maria Bamford, Patton Oswalt, and others. Moe’s edifying, enjoyable take on the realities of living with depression will uplift any reader. (May)