How to Be Weird

September 19, 2022
English professor Wilson (Everyone Loves a Good Train Wreck) offers a whimsical guide to embracing eccentricity. He provides 99 activities that aim to foster creativity and wonderment at everyday life, encouraging readers to “spend a day as a termite,” “carve soap,” and “review books that do not exist.” Challenging 19th-century philosopher Charles Peirce’s assertion that left-handedness brings about negativity, Wilson suggests readers try learning to write with their nondominant hand because the change in perspective may, he contends, enhance tolerance and generosity. The author describes Wiccan and Akkadian magicians’ belief in the magic properties of circles—made with chalk, flour, or sticks—and proposes that readers create their own circle to protect them from stressors. Telling how George Eliot and Mark Twain came up with their pen names, Wilson urges readers to invent an alter ego and devise a backstory for them. The array of ideas range in level of practicality (making ink requires more ingredients than determining “if you are asleep or awake”), but Wilson doesn’t skimp on the strangeness and delivers a self-help guide defiantly unlike any other. This quirky volume welcomes the unconventional with humor and insight. Agent: Matt McGowan, Frances Goldin Literary.

Starred review from October 1, 2022

Author (Against Happiness: In Praise of Melancholy) and professor (English, Wake Forest Univ.) Wilson suggests nearly 100 ways to enhance one's life and "release your inner weird." Readers will enjoy the references to great philosophers, authors, and artists and the exercises geared to develop "weirdness" and hone one's skills. From creating a shadowbox to constructing a curvilinear terrarium, the exercises utilize mostly found or created objects, but the author does require readers to record their progress in a journal or notebook. Full of fascinating facts, the title has a resources page for readers to learn more about a quote or nugget of knowledge. This book is not just a fun read; it could also be used for educational purposes. Many of the exercises throughout foster creativity and imagination. Some could even function as writing prompts for teachers or professors to use in creative writing classes. VERDICT From start to finish, this book has great re-readability and a fun voice. Highly recommended for bibliophiles and those who want to break a little right-brain sweat.--Stephanie Webster

Copyright 2022 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.