Christian Living
![Mary Katherine Backstrom - [object Object] author](https://res.cloudinary.com/readsomnia/image/upload/authors/a_a_mary_katherine_backstrom.jpg)
Crazy Joy: Finding Wild Happiness in a World That's Upside Down
A bestselling author helps readers find radical joy in a world full of constant comparison by accepting that life is a wild ride and happiness fluctuates with our circumstances.
Happiness is considered a destination, but the finish line is constantly moving-when we get married, find that dream job, move away from home, have a baby, build a dream house, etc. We are promised that a happy life is tied to these milestones.
But what if society has it wrong? What if happiness isn't the goal at all?
With her trademark candor and hilarious storytelling, MK paints a picture of a different life-one bursting with a force that is far more sustainable and vibrant: joy.
Crazy Joy will help readers:
1. Identify and reject ridiculous expectations that society has placed on their lives.
2. Liberate their hearts from the comparison prison and feel content in their current circumstances.
3. View themselves, inside and out, as the masterpiece creations they are.
4. Find joy (and dare we say, laughter!) in the middle of life's biggest messes.
Witty and refreshingly honest, MK invites her readers to embark on a counter-cultural journey toward a life filled to the brim with contentment, humor, and most importantly, Crazy Joy.
Happiness is considered a destination, but the finish line is constantly moving-when we get married, find that dream job, move away from home, have a baby, build a dream house, etc. We are promised that a happy life is tied to these milestones.
But what if society has it wrong? What if happiness isn't the goal at all?
With her trademark candor and hilarious storytelling, MK paints a picture of a different life-one bursting with a force that is far more sustainable and vibrant: joy.
Crazy Joy will help readers:
1. Identify and reject ridiculous expectations that society has placed on their lives.
2. Liberate their hearts from the comparison prison and feel content in their current circumstances.
3. View themselves, inside and out, as the masterpiece creations they are.
4. Find joy (and dare we say, laughter!) in the middle of life's biggest messes.
Witty and refreshingly honest, MK invites her readers to embark on a counter-cultural journey toward a life filled to the brim with contentment, humor, and most importantly, Crazy Joy.
Editorial Reviews
"What a refreshing, heartening experience! Mary Katherine is the kind, funny, and resilient friend we need alongside us as we contend for hope and joy in this world." ―Sarah Bessey, New York Times bestselling author of A Rhythm of Prayer and Jesus Feminist
"MK out here in these streets trying to give out ALL the joy! Crazy Joy is the perfect catalyst to finding your footing again in the midst of these insane times."―Tyler Merritt, author of I Take My Coffee Black
"Mary Katherine is the bomb. In a world of competition and curated perfection, happiness relies on so much. Joy, on the other hand, requires none of those exhausting variables and is exactly what MK turns upside down in Crazy Joy. Through MK's humor and seriousness, Crazy Joy will inspire you to give up the happy act."―Natalie Franke, entrepreneur and author of Built to Belong
"If there was ever a person qualified to talk about joy, it's Mary Katherine Backstrom. Even when life is hard, her ability to laugh and make others laugh is impressive. My life has more joy because she's a part of it."―April Ajoy, Evangelicalish Podcast
"Mary Katherine is a crazy joy genius." ―Meredith Masony, author of Ask Me What's For Dinner One More Time
"What timely and valuable insight from my friend Mary Kathrine Backstrom. In a culture that seems so chaotic and uncertain, finding our joy is imperative to being our best selves. MK not only writes it, but she lives it. You can feel her genuine joy for life and relationships whenever you are around her. It's infectious."―Jeremy Coleman, TikTok's "That Pastor from Oklahoma"
"Mary Katherine's writing gives me permission to laugh and cry, but also think deeper about what's happening in the world around me."―Kate Swenson, founder of Finding Coopers Voice & National bestselling author of Forever Boy
"MK out here in these streets trying to give out ALL the joy! Crazy Joy is the perfect catalyst to finding your footing again in the midst of these insane times."―Tyler Merritt, author of I Take My Coffee Black
"Mary Katherine is the bomb. In a world of competition and curated perfection, happiness relies on so much. Joy, on the other hand, requires none of those exhausting variables and is exactly what MK turns upside down in Crazy Joy. Through MK's humor and seriousness, Crazy Joy will inspire you to give up the happy act."―Natalie Franke, entrepreneur and author of Built to Belong
"If there was ever a person qualified to talk about joy, it's Mary Katherine Backstrom. Even when life is hard, her ability to laugh and make others laugh is impressive. My life has more joy because she's a part of it."―April Ajoy, Evangelicalish Podcast
"Mary Katherine is a crazy joy genius." ―Meredith Masony, author of Ask Me What's For Dinner One More Time
"What timely and valuable insight from my friend Mary Kathrine Backstrom. In a culture that seems so chaotic and uncertain, finding our joy is imperative to being our best selves. MK not only writes it, but she lives it. You can feel her genuine joy for life and relationships whenever you are around her. It's infectious."―Jeremy Coleman, TikTok's "That Pastor from Oklahoma"
"Mary Katherine's writing gives me permission to laugh and cry, but also think deeper about what's happening in the world around me."―Kate Swenson, founder of Finding Coopers Voice & National bestselling author of Forever Boy
Readers Top Reviews
S Evans
Just what you'd expect from Mary Katherine - a warm fuzzy hug in written form. A reminder that we can nurture our own joy in the good times and bad. I'll be revisiting this book every time I need a kick up the butt to focus on what ignites my spark and not to sit back and wait for the good stuff to come along.
ColetteS Evans
I ordered this awhile back, so when I got this package delivered today I didn't even know what it was. Deliveries from Amazon are a regular thing at our house so I thought maybe it was something someone else had ordered. It had my name on it though so I opened it. When I saw it was CRAZY JOY, I was filled with JOY! I had been falling down this rabbit hole for some time getting stuck on social media. I was trapped in a cycle on Facebook, watching clips of tacky TLC shows. I. could. not. stop. It was actually one of the reasons I ordered the book in the first place. MK is a kind soul and has a way of looking at things that I really relate to and agree with. I put down my phone for the first time in weeks and started reading this book. I'm only 3 chapters in but I'm so glad I ordered it. It is just what I needed. It is well written and has a refreshing point of view. Thank you MK for this book!
KristiColetteS Ev
When was the last time you read a really good book? I rarely read for pleasure anymore due to the amount of professional reading/editing I do and, well frankly, I have a very limited attention span, but a friend from high school wrote a new book. She's written 3, but this one really was calling my name with the title being Crazy Joy. I read it yesterday. Yes, the whole book. Mary Katherine Backstrom has created a fantastic book regarding that pure freedom you get when you open your life to "crazy joy". This book felt like I was talking to an old friend who helps you see all the beautiful things in life. Part of that is because I met MK in 7th grade. We have lived similar stories, share some diagnoses, and are the same kind of big personality. But the majority of that feeling comes from the stories she shares, the vulnerability in her sharing her own journey to joy, and the big laughs woven throughout. I highly recommend this book no matter where you are in your own journey to joy.
carrieKristiColet
First, I want to note that I do not usually write reviews, not because I don't want to, because I just never have time to. BUT this book deserves a moment of my attention, a moment to clue y'all in. I LOVED IT, I ordered it and it arrived during the move to my new house, so I did not think that I would have a minute to read it, yesterday my daughter had a two-hour kindergarten orientation and I read the book while I waited to take my mind off the overwhelming sadness of my baby, my youngest little chic- leaving for her first year of school. Anyway- i read the whole darn book. (Another thing i never do). It was so relatable, so vulnerable, insightful, yet still funny, and most of all REAL- you can tell so much of heart went into this book, any hard-working human can appreciate what MK has done here. Thank you, MK, for sharing a bit of your journey with us in hopes to shine a light on the path we bare in front of us, i will be taking suggestions and notes on this book and finding JOY for sure. I love what your doing- keep on. Carrie Sandler
Sylvia G. Brownca
Crazy Joy was a journey into myself I didn't know I needed. Mary Katherine Backstrom did it again with such a beautifully poignant, engaging, and humorous book I will forever be thankful I read. This was a very quick read that I truly enjoyed. Mary Katherine Backstrom always nails the humor with love and wisdom buried in an adventure. Finding happiness can be rough as a person who struggles with mental illness and church hurt- but MK give great gentle reminders that joy is lurking everywhere if we just look for it-- Sometimes the journey to finding joy seems so confusing, yet MK helps shed light on a smaller, more meaningful truth behind joy; it's readily available AND attainable for all of us. Her words felt like sitting for coffee or a few glasses of wine with a beloved girlfriend pondering the meaning of all that is inherently wonderful, even if it doesn't seem to be at first glance. Those are the moments that matter. This book is perfect for anyone yearning for some moments of comforting reflection lightened by fun tales of the wild ride we all call life. This book is a must to keep by your bedside or favorite comfy couch spot.
