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I'll Try Anything Twice: Misadventures of a Self-Medicated Life
For readers who wish Elizabeth Gilbert had a cynical streak comes this propulsive, wildly original memoir about a journalist’s quest to conquer depression and addiction, set against the backdrop of international adventures and modern communal living.
Through the eyes of others, Carly Schwartz seems to have everything going for top editor at the world’s biggest news site, fancy college degree, a seemingly endless parade of friends and parties. But she’s been struggling with crippling, suicidal depression since she was a teenager, and by her late twenties she has learned to cope with a steady diet of drugs, alcohol, and unavailable men.
Then she meets a charismatic guy who invites her to move to the mysterious “sustainable town” he’s building in the Panamanian jungle. As Carly chases her appetite for adventure down to the equator, she ends up consumed by a darkness she can no longer hide from. And when she finally conjures the courage to confront her demons, she finds help where she least expects it.
Equal parts hilarious and heart-wrenching, I’ll Try Anything Twice is a vivid and vulnerable portrayal of the search for belonging, the definition of success, and the risks we’re willing to take in order to learn how to love ourselves.
Through the eyes of others, Carly Schwartz seems to have everything going for top editor at the world’s biggest news site, fancy college degree, a seemingly endless parade of friends and parties. But she’s been struggling with crippling, suicidal depression since she was a teenager, and by her late twenties she has learned to cope with a steady diet of drugs, alcohol, and unavailable men.
Then she meets a charismatic guy who invites her to move to the mysterious “sustainable town” he’s building in the Panamanian jungle. As Carly chases her appetite for adventure down to the equator, she ends up consumed by a darkness she can no longer hide from. And when she finally conjures the courage to confront her demons, she finds help where she least expects it.
Equal parts hilarious and heart-wrenching, I’ll Try Anything Twice is a vivid and vulnerable portrayal of the search for belonging, the definition of success, and the risks we’re willing to take in order to learn how to love ourselves.
- GenresMemoirNonfiction
280 pages, Paperback
Published March 10, 2026
About the author
Carly Schwartz
1 book18 followersCarly Schwartz is the former editor in chief of the San Francisco Examiner and founding editor of HuffPost’s San Francisco bureau. Editor & Publisher magazine named her one of 10 “Women to Watch,” and her writing has appeared in the San Francisco Standard, ELLE magazine, MSNBC, and more. As an advocate for suicide prevention and addiction recovery, Carly has been a spokesperson for the Jed Foundation and Google’s Recovery Month. She’s also the founder of Mindwriters, a workshop series designed to help people transform their lives through storytelling. She lives in San Francisco’s Mission District. For more, visit carly.ink.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
January 25, 2026
Carly Schwartz takes the reader inside her life in a beautiful and candid memoir. She writes of her experiences in journalism, her time in a jungle paradise - ( which was a reality show..)
Carly writes honestly about her struggles with depression and addiction, and what she did to be free. A compelling read.
I received a copy for free, and am leaving this review voluntarily.
Carly writes honestly about her struggles with depression and addiction, and what she did to be free. A compelling read.
I received a copy for free, and am leaving this review voluntarily.
March 15, 2026
I received an advanced copy of I’ll Try Anything Twice, and I want to start by setting expectations the same way Carly Schwartz does in the book itself. She is very clear that this is a memoir, not a self-help book or a guide to getting sober.
Her intention seems to be helping readers feel less alone in their struggles with addiction and depression, and in that sense the book absolutely succeeds.
Carly is a very strong writer. The way she tells her story places you directly in the moments she’s describing, whether she’s traveling abroad for work, navigating complicated relationships, or quietly spiraling deeper into addiction behind the scenes. Her storytelling is vivid and immersive.
One thing that stood out to me throughout the memoir was how much of her addiction remained hidden from people around her. Many of the people closest to her had no idea how deeply she was struggling internally. That aspect felt very real to me. Addiction often hides in plain sight, especially among high-functioning adults.
Another major theme in the book is Carly’s long battle with depression and how alcohol and drugs became part of the way she coped. Unfortunately that creates a painful cycle since many of the substances she describes are depressants themselves, deepening the very feelings she was trying to escape.
Because of the honesty and detail in the storytelling, this memoir can feel intense at times. It’s a raw look at addiction, depression, and the complicated paths people sometimes take while trying to survive both.
Readers who enjoy deeply personal memoirs about mental health and addiction will likely find this a compelling read. Carly’s writing is engaging and vulnerable, and her story will resonate with people who have struggled in similar ways.
From my perspective as someone who works in the sobriety space, I would recommend approaching this book exactly as it’s intended: a personal memoir about one woman’s experience, not a roadmap for recovery.
For readers who are stable in their sobriety or who enjoy raw, honest memoirs about addiction and mental health, this book may be a powerful read.
Her intention seems to be helping readers feel less alone in their struggles with addiction and depression, and in that sense the book absolutely succeeds.
Carly is a very strong writer. The way she tells her story places you directly in the moments she’s describing, whether she’s traveling abroad for work, navigating complicated relationships, or quietly spiraling deeper into addiction behind the scenes. Her storytelling is vivid and immersive.
One thing that stood out to me throughout the memoir was how much of her addiction remained hidden from people around her. Many of the people closest to her had no idea how deeply she was struggling internally. That aspect felt very real to me. Addiction often hides in plain sight, especially among high-functioning adults.
Another major theme in the book is Carly’s long battle with depression and how alcohol and drugs became part of the way she coped. Unfortunately that creates a painful cycle since many of the substances she describes are depressants themselves, deepening the very feelings she was trying to escape.
Because of the honesty and detail in the storytelling, this memoir can feel intense at times. It’s a raw look at addiction, depression, and the complicated paths people sometimes take while trying to survive both.
Readers who enjoy deeply personal memoirs about mental health and addiction will likely find this a compelling read. Carly’s writing is engaging and vulnerable, and her story will resonate with people who have struggled in similar ways.
From my perspective as someone who works in the sobriety space, I would recommend approaching this book exactly as it’s intended: a personal memoir about one woman’s experience, not a roadmap for recovery.
For readers who are stable in their sobriety or who enjoy raw, honest memoirs about addiction and mental health, this book may be a powerful read.
March 31, 2026
This was mostly fine. Perhaps my bias comes from living in San Francisco, but I’m not sure I’d call this a “wildly original” story. Successful, privileged white woman runs away from her problems (herself) and somehow both believes she’s completely unexceptional, while finding herself to be the exception when it benefits her or her addiction.
And I understand that’s *part* of the depression and addiction taking their toll on a person. But I found myself disappointed that Carly spent more time regaling us with stories of her epic, drug fueled party days with elite SF tech burning man circles of other rich, white, privileged people who believe eating eggs is the same as being a slave owner, at the expensive of not exploring a deeper look into her depressive thoughts over those 10~ years. Her relationship to herself is the most interesting thing about this book, but there is an emotional wall up that absolves her from accountability both to herself and the reader.
It feels as though maybe this book is written a bit too soon post-sobriety. That the healing from that time is still in motion. And, relatedly, I find it funny that the blurb compares it as being “if eat pray love had a cynic streak” considering how Elizabeth Gilbert’s life has unfolded through her memoirs since. Carly is just in the beginning.
And I understand that’s *part* of the depression and addiction taking their toll on a person. But I found myself disappointed that Carly spent more time regaling us with stories of her epic, drug fueled party days with elite SF tech burning man circles of other rich, white, privileged people who believe eating eggs is the same as being a slave owner, at the expensive of not exploring a deeper look into her depressive thoughts over those 10~ years. Her relationship to herself is the most interesting thing about this book, but there is an emotional wall up that absolves her from accountability both to herself and the reader.
It feels as though maybe this book is written a bit too soon post-sobriety. That the healing from that time is still in motion. And, relatedly, I find it funny that the blurb compares it as being “if eat pray love had a cynic streak” considering how Elizabeth Gilbert’s life has unfolded through her memoirs since. Carly is just in the beginning.
February 17, 2026
this is going to be a long one.
i want to start by saying i am consistently moved by any author’s bravery in telling their story, but particularly by the bravery of authors who divulge their lives in recovery-oriented memoirs, especially knowing how dark the path can get before the good stuff happens. the author of this book was remarkably honest, open, and bold with the truths she was willing to tell, exposing so much of herself to the readers in the process.
unfortunately, that brings me to my second point, which is that i strongly believe people shouldn’t be allowed to write recovery memoirs until 5+ years into their recovery. this is partially because i think more time leads to more humility, but also because the recovery stories are where people get the most help, not necessarily the drunkalogs. yes, the fact that the author was able to get sober and feel better is a miracle, but exactly HOW miraculous it is can be lost by the reader when the first 86% of the book is telling stories about a LOT of substance use. only having 14% left to tell a compelling story of “here’s what worked for me” or “don’t give up” didn’t feel like enough time to have the impact I had hoped for. that’s not to say the before stories weren’t interesting - they totally were! but i think i wanted to hear more about recovery if the title/subtitle, book cover, etc. kind of pointed that way
i want to start by saying i am consistently moved by any author’s bravery in telling their story, but particularly by the bravery of authors who divulge their lives in recovery-oriented memoirs, especially knowing how dark the path can get before the good stuff happens. the author of this book was remarkably honest, open, and bold with the truths she was willing to tell, exposing so much of herself to the readers in the process.
unfortunately, that brings me to my second point, which is that i strongly believe people shouldn’t be allowed to write recovery memoirs until 5+ years into their recovery. this is partially because i think more time leads to more humility, but also because the recovery stories are where people get the most help, not necessarily the drunkalogs. yes, the fact that the author was able to get sober and feel better is a miracle, but exactly HOW miraculous it is can be lost by the reader when the first 86% of the book is telling stories about a LOT of substance use. only having 14% left to tell a compelling story of “here’s what worked for me” or “don’t give up” didn’t feel like enough time to have the impact I had hoped for. that’s not to say the before stories weren’t interesting - they totally were! but i think i wanted to hear more about recovery if the title/subtitle, book cover, etc. kind of pointed that way
March 10, 2026
You never really know what's happening behind the scenes. That seems to be the recurring theme in the memoirs I've been reviewing lately. Carly Schwartz shares her story in this honest, funny, sad, and uplifting memoir. Carly's life looks vibrant from the outside—a great job and an active social life. However, internally, she struggles with depression and addiction. When this leads her on a wild journey through the Panamanian jungle, she's left to confront what she truly wants in life. As someone who has done some crazy things while depressed, I can relate to parts of her story.
Advanced reader copy provided by booksforwardpr and She Writes Press. All opinions are my own.
Advanced reader copy provided by booksforwardpr and She Writes Press. All opinions are my own.
February 17, 2026
I’ll Try Anything Twice by Carly Schwartz. Thanks to @booksforward for the gifted Arc ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Carly Schwartz may seem to have everything going for her but she is struggling with crippling depression and a steady diet of drugs.
A very genuine and interesting memoir that takes the reader through living with depression and addiction. It was unique because part takes place in a jungle, with a reality show- not very typical in an addiction memoir! This memoir really gives you an idea of what it’s like to live with depression and that can be quite powerful for those who are unfamiliar.
“The depressed version of yourself feels like nothing but a storyline, a sad relic of someone else’s past, a personality type you can merely describe but in turn feel nothing for.”
Read if you like:
-Mental health true life stories
-Depression memoirs
-Addictions memoirs
I’ll Try Anything Twice comes out 3/10.
Carly Schwartz may seem to have everything going for her but she is struggling with crippling depression and a steady diet of drugs.
A very genuine and interesting memoir that takes the reader through living with depression and addiction. It was unique because part takes place in a jungle, with a reality show- not very typical in an addiction memoir! This memoir really gives you an idea of what it’s like to live with depression and that can be quite powerful for those who are unfamiliar.
“The depressed version of yourself feels like nothing but a storyline, a sad relic of someone else’s past, a personality type you can merely describe but in turn feel nothing for.”
Read if you like:
-Mental health true life stories
-Depression memoirs
-Addictions memoirs
I’ll Try Anything Twice comes out 3/10.
March 15, 2026
Reading Carly’s memoir was a deeply moving experience. While I have read many self-help books about mental health and addiction, this was the first book that truly helped me understand what living with bipolar disorder can feel like from the inside.
Carly writes with striking vulnerability about her struggles with addiction, self-efficacy, self-love, and depression. Her honesty makes the memoir powerful; she does not try to simplify or romanticize her experience. Instead, she carefully illustrates the emotional highs and lows that accompany bipolar depression, allowing the reader to see just how complex and unpredictable the condition can be.
What stood out most to me was Carly’s awareness of both her hardships and her privilege. She openly acknowledges how fortunate she is to receive top-notch care at world-renowned mental health facilities, made possible through the health insurance provided by her job at a large tech company in San Francisco. This perspective adds another layer to the memoir, highlighting how access to quality care can significantly shape a person’s mental health journey.
By the end of the book, I felt both more educated and more hopeful. Carly’s story sheds light on bipolar disorder in a way that feels deeply human rather than clinical. Her resilience, honesty, and growth make this memoir not only a compelling personal story but also an important contribution to conversations about mental health and recovery.
This memoir left a lasting impression on me. It reminds readers that understanding mental illness often begins with listening to real stories—and that hope and healing can exist even amid life’s most difficult struggles.
Carly writes with striking vulnerability about her struggles with addiction, self-efficacy, self-love, and depression. Her honesty makes the memoir powerful; she does not try to simplify or romanticize her experience. Instead, she carefully illustrates the emotional highs and lows that accompany bipolar depression, allowing the reader to see just how complex and unpredictable the condition can be.
What stood out most to me was Carly’s awareness of both her hardships and her privilege. She openly acknowledges how fortunate she is to receive top-notch care at world-renowned mental health facilities, made possible through the health insurance provided by her job at a large tech company in San Francisco. This perspective adds another layer to the memoir, highlighting how access to quality care can significantly shape a person’s mental health journey.
By the end of the book, I felt both more educated and more hopeful. Carly’s story sheds light on bipolar disorder in a way that feels deeply human rather than clinical. Her resilience, honesty, and growth make this memoir not only a compelling personal story but also an important contribution to conversations about mental health and recovery.
This memoir left a lasting impression on me. It reminds readers that understanding mental illness often begins with listening to real stories—and that hope and healing can exist even amid life’s most difficult struggles.
April 10, 2026
Funny, honest, and engrossing. A vulnerable and very personal story of one person’s pain, self-discovery, and growth, made more expansive and vivid by being grounded in a highly specific place and time and populated by a rich chorus of supporting characters. The third act is really where it soars.
March 17, 2026
I should've liked this book. Rating 3,5 / 5
As someone who's done her fair share of partying-your-problems-away, I should've loved this book. Unfortunately it didn't really work for me. It's got a lot going for it. The portrayal of deep depression, the impact of mental health issues. I'm applauding the representation of depression and mania... We need more books that show these states from the inside. How it feels like to have an internal critic on overdrive. To always feel empty, like you're not enough. Hmm I wonder why this sounds familiar? 🤔
Instead of interrogating why she's been running away her whole life, or what she's running away from, the author is mostly regaling her most interesting benders. The book is mostly a recollection of events. There's burning Man. There's meeting a guy, getting drunk on cocaïne and love. There's partying in the jungle. There's being depressed in your mom's house. There's partying in San Francisco. Although these events aren't badly written, I found it quite boring. There's no lived experience, any emotions that are present are discussed in a very detached way. Very fitting for someone who's working hard to stay numb most of the time. The book is also filled to the brim with people who are CEO this or that and founder of foundation so-and-so. It just felt like an empty performance culture to me.
There's so much priveledge in this book that's not really discussed, which gave me the icks. I know cocaïne can make a person self-centered but still 😅 The first time priveledge is really discussed is when she's lamenting not being able to get a top notch psychiatrist. That kind of bothered me because there are so many people in the book who say they want to make the world a better place. But then just don't.... And I get that this isn't the main topic of the book but to just glance right past that... Didn't help for me to sympathize with the story that was being told.
In the end there is a recovery story, but it feels detached. Does the author learn how to love herself better? I think so, but it's not widely discussed in the book.
Don't get me wrong, I think Schwartz is a very talented writer. She clearly understands her craft and the stories are entertaining. I'm very curious to see what she'll write next. But I don't think she was quite ready to reveal enough of herself to make this book a truly successful memoir or recovery story. (I know, it's scary as hell. That's exactly the reason I'm not writing any memoirs anytime soon).
Thank you for the free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
As someone who's done her fair share of partying-your-problems-away, I should've loved this book. Unfortunately it didn't really work for me. It's got a lot going for it. The portrayal of deep depression, the impact of mental health issues. I'm applauding the representation of depression and mania... We need more books that show these states from the inside. How it feels like to have an internal critic on overdrive. To always feel empty, like you're not enough. Hmm I wonder why this sounds familiar? 🤔
Instead of interrogating why she's been running away her whole life, or what she's running away from, the author is mostly regaling her most interesting benders. The book is mostly a recollection of events. There's burning Man. There's meeting a guy, getting drunk on cocaïne and love. There's partying in the jungle. There's being depressed in your mom's house. There's partying in San Francisco. Although these events aren't badly written, I found it quite boring. There's no lived experience, any emotions that are present are discussed in a very detached way. Very fitting for someone who's working hard to stay numb most of the time. The book is also filled to the brim with people who are CEO this or that and founder of foundation so-and-so. It just felt like an empty performance culture to me.
There's so much priveledge in this book that's not really discussed, which gave me the icks. I know cocaïne can make a person self-centered but still 😅 The first time priveledge is really discussed is when she's lamenting not being able to get a top notch psychiatrist. That kind of bothered me because there are so many people in the book who say they want to make the world a better place. But then just don't.... And I get that this isn't the main topic of the book but to just glance right past that... Didn't help for me to sympathize with the story that was being told.
In the end there is a recovery story, but it feels detached. Does the author learn how to love herself better? I think so, but it's not widely discussed in the book.
Don't get me wrong, I think Schwartz is a very talented writer. She clearly understands her craft and the stories are entertaining. I'm very curious to see what she'll write next. But I don't think she was quite ready to reveal enough of herself to make this book a truly successful memoir or recovery story. (I know, it's scary as hell. That's exactly the reason I'm not writing any memoirs anytime soon).
Thank you for the free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I thoroughly enjoyed this book! "I'll Try Anything Twice" is a compelling read of a person's seemingly unconventional life. Schwartz takes you along for the ride of her highest highs and lowest lows in a way where you feel like you are right there with her, in the room/playa/jungle. I read this over the course of a few days because I simply didn't want to put it down; I wanted (needed) to know what happened next.
Beyond the storytelling and the wild journey, Schwartz does a remarkable job of capturing what her inner world looks like during all of it. She writes about depression and anxiety with such honesty and rawness that it actually made me put the book down briefly. Her way of describing the inner workings of living with depression felt like it was being pulled directly out of my own body. I had never felt so seen in writing like that. She captures that ephemeral, hard-to-articulate experience so precisely that it makes you pause and grapple with it yourself. And yet, despite the heavy underlying current, the memoir never loses its lightness. You also get to experience genuine joy, laughter, true "wtf?!" moments, and ultimately, release, as Schwartz navigates her journey to sobriety.
This is an extremely vulnerable piece to have published, and it's written with care. Whether or not you've ever been to Burning Man or a San Francisco commune, if you've ever lived with anxiety or depression, you will feel seen here too. I'm genuinely excited for this to come out and for others to get to experience this journey as much as I did.
Thank you to the author for an advanced reader copy. This review is left voluntarily!
Beyond the storytelling and the wild journey, Schwartz does a remarkable job of capturing what her inner world looks like during all of it. She writes about depression and anxiety with such honesty and rawness that it actually made me put the book down briefly. Her way of describing the inner workings of living with depression felt like it was being pulled directly out of my own body. I had never felt so seen in writing like that. She captures that ephemeral, hard-to-articulate experience so precisely that it makes you pause and grapple with it yourself. And yet, despite the heavy underlying current, the memoir never loses its lightness. You also get to experience genuine joy, laughter, true "wtf?!" moments, and ultimately, release, as Schwartz navigates her journey to sobriety.
This is an extremely vulnerable piece to have published, and it's written with care. Whether or not you've ever been to Burning Man or a San Francisco commune, if you've ever lived with anxiety or depression, you will feel seen here too. I'm genuinely excited for this to come out and for others to get to experience this journey as much as I did.
Thank you to the author for an advanced reader copy. This review is left voluntarily!
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March 19, 2026
Wildly successful in her own career, Carly feels called to do something different so she takes a fellowship in Mexico where she ensures loans are being used properly by the local businesses. Think like farmers and merchants. During her time in Mexico she meets a magnanimous trust fund baby who is trying to build a sustainable town in the jungles of Panama City. Inspired to join him on his journey, this decision nearly costs Carly her life.
Quietly battling depression, after a failed suicide attempt in college, Carly doesn’t go anywhere without her antidepressants. But what happens when you live in a country where you can’t get them?
This book is the journey Carly took from life of the party girl to sober; relying on her family and friends to help her get through the worst of recovery, Carly learns a lot about herself along the way. I think people who have struggled with addiction will really connect with Carly’s story. And, if you can’t relate to that aspect of the book, I learned a ton about Burning Man which I’ve never attended and thought was cool!
Now you may be asking why 3 stars? There is one aspect I look for in memoirs and it's if the author delves into their own privilege and I felt it was missing here.
Thank to SWP for the gifted copy.
Quietly battling depression, after a failed suicide attempt in college, Carly doesn’t go anywhere without her antidepressants. But what happens when you live in a country where you can’t get them?
This book is the journey Carly took from life of the party girl to sober; relying on her family and friends to help her get through the worst of recovery, Carly learns a lot about herself along the way. I think people who have struggled with addiction will really connect with Carly’s story. And, if you can’t relate to that aspect of the book, I learned a ton about Burning Man which I’ve never attended and thought was cool!
Now you may be asking why 3 stars? There is one aspect I look for in memoirs and it's if the author delves into their own privilege and I felt it was missing here.
Thank to SWP for the gifted copy.
March 29, 2026
Carly Schwartz makes mental health struggles and addiction feel human rather than shameful, even when the stories are hard to sit with. Her storytelling is vivid and immersive, dropping you directly into the moments she’s describing (whether she’s navigating complicated relationships or quietly spiraling deeper into addiction behind the scenes). What’s striking is how much of her struggle remained hidden from the people closest to her, and that felt painfully real, because that’s so often how addiction works. It mirrors my own battles with it.
The depression and substance use cycle Carly portrays is one of the more honest depictions I’ve read. She leans into substances to cope with depression, while the substances themselves deepen the very feelings she’s trying to escape. She doesn’t look away from it. She also doesn’t shy away from acknowledging her own privilege in accessing top-tier mental health care, which adds a self-awareness that keeps the memoir grounded.
As someone with 8 years sober, I want to be clear: this is not a recovery memoir. It’s a memoir about surviving addiction and mental illness, with only a small window into what comes after. Go in knowing that, and it’s a powerful read.
Huge thank you to the author and BooksForward PR for the gifted copy!
The depression and substance use cycle Carly portrays is one of the more honest depictions I’ve read. She leans into substances to cope with depression, while the substances themselves deepen the very feelings she’s trying to escape. She doesn’t look away from it. She also doesn’t shy away from acknowledging her own privilege in accessing top-tier mental health care, which adds a self-awareness that keeps the memoir grounded.
As someone with 8 years sober, I want to be clear: this is not a recovery memoir. It’s a memoir about surviving addiction and mental illness, with only a small window into what comes after. Go in knowing that, and it’s a powerful read.
Huge thank you to the author and BooksForward PR for the gifted copy!
Review of advance copy received from Author
I read I’ll Try Anything Twice in three parts: laughing through the early pages, doing my best to ignore the ominous foreshadowing, and then saving the darker, more sordid Part 2 for a long plane ride where I could plow through it in one sitting. I spent most of that flight holding my breath — even knowing the author makes it out okay on the other side.
There’s a section midway through the book, at the end of the “Avalon Conflict Resolution” chapter, that I haven’t been able to stop thinking about (it’s equal parts funny and heartbreaking, exactly as advertised). The author reflects on depression in a way that felt brutally honest — wishing, if she could wish one thing, that her roommates could understand what it felt like to live inside her body and mind each day. I think for me, that's what I most appreciated about this book. That by the end, I felt like I understood depression a little better — not academically, but emotionally. I walked away with more empathy, and I’m grateful for that.
Thank you for writing this. I can’t imagine how hard it was to share, but I’m glad you did.
There’s a section midway through the book, at the end of the “Avalon Conflict Resolution” chapter, that I haven’t been able to stop thinking about (it’s equal parts funny and heartbreaking, exactly as advertised). The author reflects on depression in a way that felt brutally honest — wishing, if she could wish one thing, that her roommates could understand what it felt like to live inside her body and mind each day. I think for me, that's what I most appreciated about this book. That by the end, I felt like I understood depression a little better — not academically, but emotionally. I walked away with more empathy, and I’m grateful for that.
Thank you for writing this. I can’t imagine how hard it was to share, but I’m glad you did.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I'm fortunate to have crossed paths with the author at some of the events of this book, so I doubly enjoyed reading about the debauchery, heartbreak, and hope that was happening on the side of the room, tent, or commune!
Carly's book captures a specific time and place on the West Coast, as young and highly qualified women found themselves in the midst of a cultural current that swept so many of us along. Youtube filled with Burning Man documentaries, Vice magazine reports of progressive post-capitalist jungle towns, and polyamorous communes and we were heady with ideas and opportunities. Yet we found ourselves overwhelmed with the parties and adrift without frameworks to guide our decisions. Against this backdrop she unflinchingly tells her story of mental health, addiction, love, heartbreak and healing. Carly's distinct voice shines through as she looks at her own journey through the maelstrom of coming to terms with herself in this chaotic time and place.
This literary memoir neither preaches not condones, glamorizes or condemns. It simply takes us along as she grows and comes to terms with who she can be in this brave new world.
Bravo!
Carly's book captures a specific time and place on the West Coast, as young and highly qualified women found themselves in the midst of a cultural current that swept so many of us along. Youtube filled with Burning Man documentaries, Vice magazine reports of progressive post-capitalist jungle towns, and polyamorous communes and we were heady with ideas and opportunities. Yet we found ourselves overwhelmed with the parties and adrift without frameworks to guide our decisions. Against this backdrop she unflinchingly tells her story of mental health, addiction, love, heartbreak and healing. Carly's distinct voice shines through as she looks at her own journey through the maelstrom of coming to terms with herself in this chaotic time and place.
This literary memoir neither preaches not condones, glamorizes or condemns. It simply takes us along as she grows and comes to terms with who she can be in this brave new world.
Bravo!
March 11, 2026
3 1/2 stars rounded up to 4
My thanks to @booksforwardpr and @carlicita for a gifted book and a place on this tour
This memoir by Schwartz is a deep dive into her personal struggles with depression, self-medication, and the search for self-love. Despite having a college degree and many friends, Schwartz battles her hidden monsters using parties, drugs, alcohol, and relationships.
The story takes a turn when she meets a man who invites her to a sustainable town he is building in the Panamanian jungle. Here, her journey takes on new challenges and revelations, as the darkness of depression intensifies.
Though the book is described as “Equal parts hilarious and heart-wrenching,” the humor is completely overshadowed by the raw exploration of Schwartz's emotional battles and her efforts to cope with a bipolar and addictive personality.
For those who can relate to the struggles of these experiences and the process of self-discovery, this memoir will likely offer solace and inspiration. Despite my difficulties connecting with her lifestyle, I found the book interesting, and I believe it has the potential to resonate deeply with many readers.
My thanks to @booksforwardpr and @carlicita for a gifted book and a place on this tour
This memoir by Schwartz is a deep dive into her personal struggles with depression, self-medication, and the search for self-love. Despite having a college degree and many friends, Schwartz battles her hidden monsters using parties, drugs, alcohol, and relationships.
The story takes a turn when she meets a man who invites her to a sustainable town he is building in the Panamanian jungle. Here, her journey takes on new challenges and revelations, as the darkness of depression intensifies.
Though the book is described as “Equal parts hilarious and heart-wrenching,” the humor is completely overshadowed by the raw exploration of Schwartz's emotional battles and her efforts to cope with a bipolar and addictive personality.
For those who can relate to the struggles of these experiences and the process of self-discovery, this memoir will likely offer solace and inspiration. Despite my difficulties connecting with her lifestyle, I found the book interesting, and I believe it has the potential to resonate deeply with many readers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I really enjoyed this. Carly’s memoir touches on universal themes of how everything can look good on the outside and still be crumbling on the inside, and how we’ll try anything to try to feel better. I was able to relate to those regardless of not sharing her experiences of depression or substance use.
Her coming of age story is very unique and it’s her keen commentary as a writer that really makes the book stand out. She artfully weaves together a raw and unfiltered account of her pain with entertaining and humorous storytelling.
In particular, I really liked getting to experience her adventures simultaneously through the youthful naivete of her younger self mixed with the wisened piercing commentary of her older self. The way she points out little details and blends those perspectives is great. And she strikes an excellent balance between not being overly snarky nor gushing as she recounts her journey.
Overall, the mix of deep introspection, compelling narration, and stranger than fiction events made it a very engaging and impactful read that stuck with me.
Her coming of age story is very unique and it’s her keen commentary as a writer that really makes the book stand out. She artfully weaves together a raw and unfiltered account of her pain with entertaining and humorous storytelling.
In particular, I really liked getting to experience her adventures simultaneously through the youthful naivete of her younger self mixed with the wisened piercing commentary of her older self. The way she points out little details and blends those perspectives is great. And she strikes an excellent balance between not being overly snarky nor gushing as she recounts her journey.
Overall, the mix of deep introspection, compelling narration, and stranger than fiction events made it a very engaging and impactful read that stuck with me.
Review of advance copy
2.5 stars: how to party with depression
This is a memoir by a constantly partying young woman with crippling depression (and some mania) who seems to live by the motto ‘fake it til you make it’, until she can’t. We hear about her (often tumultuous) relationships, her drug- and alcohol-infused days at Burning Man, and in Mexico, Panama and then finally in California. Towards the end there is more focus on her many failed treatments for her depression.
The opening started well but the book went on way too long. I found it hard to empathize with the author, who frequently reminds the reader of how successful she is in her career despite rarely being sober. I did not get much of this book, but maybe people with depression and/or addictions would be able to relate better?
Triggers: depression and suicidal ideation, break-ups, cheating.
This is my honest review, and I am posting it voluntarily. Thanks to the author & publisher for providing me with an ARC of this book.
This is a memoir by a constantly partying young woman with crippling depression (and some mania) who seems to live by the motto ‘fake it til you make it’, until she can’t. We hear about her (often tumultuous) relationships, her drug- and alcohol-infused days at Burning Man, and in Mexico, Panama and then finally in California. Towards the end there is more focus on her many failed treatments for her depression.
The opening started well but the book went on way too long. I found it hard to empathize with the author, who frequently reminds the reader of how successful she is in her career despite rarely being sober. I did not get much of this book, but maybe people with depression and/or addictions would be able to relate better?
Triggers: depression and suicidal ideation, break-ups, cheating.
This is my honest review, and I am posting it voluntarily. Thanks to the author & publisher for providing me with an ARC of this book.
Review of advance copy
Thanks to Booksirens for the ARC
A very candid memoir about depression, I appreciate people who don't sugar coat things and don't try to make themselves look better with their own writing. Carly makes bad choices, really, over and over, but and that's a very important thing, she's also getting terrible help from doctors and therapists. The amount of bad advice she got from medical professionals is a little concerning (but honestly, been there done that, not that surprised, there's a reason the alternative scams are thriving). Her story has a happy ending, she stops taking drugs and finally finds meds that are working properly, that's the one thing I couldn't relate to (that and the alcohol and the drug use because I never did that), but that's a me thing. Always happy to know that some things might work for people even if I'm not one of those people. I also really enjoyed her voice and her writing, it was a lovely read despite the topic (depression can be a bit depressing)
A very candid memoir about depression, I appreciate people who don't sugar coat things and don't try to make themselves look better with their own writing. Carly makes bad choices, really, over and over, but and that's a very important thing, she's also getting terrible help from doctors and therapists. The amount of bad advice she got from medical professionals is a little concerning (but honestly, been there done that, not that surprised, there's a reason the alternative scams are thriving). Her story has a happy ending, she stops taking drugs and finally finds meds that are working properly, that's the one thing I couldn't relate to (that and the alcohol and the drug use because I never did that), but that's a me thing. Always happy to know that some things might work for people even if I'm not one of those people. I also really enjoyed her voice and her writing, it was a lovely read despite the topic (depression can be a bit depressing)
Review of advance copy received from Author
Carly Schwartz has led a fascinating life. There’s no question about that. International living, a Panamanian reality show, a modern-day San Francisco commune, the Oval Office at Burning Man. I mean, who gets to live that way? But her personal and professional adventures aren’t what make her memoir, I’ll Try Anything Twice: Misadventures of a Self-Medicated Life, so brilliant and different. Carly’s story stands apart for its empathy and vulnerability. It reads like an unfiltered, in-person conversation that begins with “let me tell you what I’ve been up to for the last twenty years,” one where she doesn’t hide the ugly warts of living with addiction and mental illness. Though the subject matter isn’t light, Carly’s playful style and her ability to laugh at herself make for a page-turning, unputdownable read.
March 18, 2026
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Carly Schwartz’s memoir is an honest and courageous look at depression, addiction, and a suicide attempt. She shares her story openly, taking readers through a difficult period of her life, including struggles with substance abuse, relationships, and time spent in Panama.
Ultimately, it is a story of hitting rock bottom and finding a path toward healing. Her decision to go to rehab and remove drugs and alcohol from her life is at the heart of that transformation.
The subject matter is heavy, but the book carries a thread of hope and resilience. I normally do not give star ratings to nonfiction or memoirs, but I am making an exception for this ARC. I am giving it four stars for its honesty, courage, and the journey toward finding happiness.
Carly Schwartz’s memoir is an honest and courageous look at depression, addiction, and a suicide attempt. She shares her story openly, taking readers through a difficult period of her life, including struggles with substance abuse, relationships, and time spent in Panama.
Ultimately, it is a story of hitting rock bottom and finding a path toward healing. Her decision to go to rehab and remove drugs and alcohol from her life is at the heart of that transformation.
The subject matter is heavy, but the book carries a thread of hope and resilience. I normally do not give star ratings to nonfiction or memoirs, but I am making an exception for this ARC. I am giving it four stars for its honesty, courage, and the journey toward finding happiness.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I truly couldn’t put this book down. It carried me through a journey that felt intimately familiar, especially as someone who came of age during the “girl boss,” work-hard-party-hard era. The story captures how depression and addiction spare no one, no matter how polished or successful a life may appear on the surface.
It’s an unflinching, deeply honest portrayal of what it means to hold joy and sadness at the same time, to live a life that is both beautiful and heartbreaking. The tone and emotional texture reminded me of the TV series "Girls" in the best possible way.
I felt the full spectrum of emotions while reading, but above all, I felt a deep tenderness for Carly. Beneath it all, she is simply a little girl trying to find her way, and in that, she feels universal.
It’s an unflinching, deeply honest portrayal of what it means to hold joy and sadness at the same time, to live a life that is both beautiful and heartbreaking. The tone and emotional texture reminded me of the TV series "Girls" in the best possible way.
I felt the full spectrum of emotions while reading, but above all, I felt a deep tenderness for Carly. Beneath it all, she is simply a little girl trying to find her way, and in that, she feels universal.
Review of advance copy received from Author
"I'll Try Anything Twice" is a blisteringly honest memoir about depression and addiction, and a fascinating journey through the author's wild life. Though much of it feels stranger than fiction, Schwartz never flinches - not at the corporate excess or personal privilege, her low self-esteem and failed relationships, her drug use and dependency, or even her multiple suicide attempts. Instead, she emerges as a confident storyteller who is unafraid of the truth, a disco ball in the dark.
The book is a wild ride from start to bright finish, made tender by slow-burn female friendships and empathy. Come for the Burning Man parties and jungle communes, stay for the honest discovery of connection and self-worth.
The book is a wild ride from start to bright finish, made tender by slow-burn female friendships and empathy. Come for the Burning Man parties and jungle communes, stay for the honest discovery of connection and self-worth.
March 18, 2026
I loved reading this book. The author navigates serious subject matter with humor, humility, vulnerability, and heart. The first half finds the author navigating mental health throughout amusing adventures in Mexico and Panama, whereas the second provides a raw and honest portrayal of depression and how substance use feeds it. I'd recommend this book to anyone navigating addiction or mental health issues as a means to feel less alone. Or anyone who knows anyone struggling with addiction or mental health as means to build more empathy. So, basically, everyone?! Despite the heavy topics, this is also a really enjoyable read with beautiful writing and I suspect will appeal to just about anyone who loves a good memoir.
April 6, 2026
It’s hard to find books that take on serious subjects well, and which are also funny and uplifting. This one manages that balance perfectly. I flew through it. I enjoyed the scenes from San Francisco and Central America. I found the way she describes the tech/party communities she inhabits to perfectly capture their hypocrisy — so much talent and energy going in the wrong directions! I really loved the ending because it gave me a lot of hope that all that energy could be directed in a better way. I also learned a lot about the co-mingling of depression and addiction that I’m sure will help me relate to friends and family members who might face similar struggles. Definitely would recommend!
Review of advance copy received from Author
I loved this book. It’s a very honest view of what it’s like to live with depression and search for relief in every possible place, but it’s also a wildly entertaining and funny story about various West Coast subcultures and questionable adventures. I very much relate to the experience of being so open-minded that you risk your brain falling out. In the end, the author is very easy to root for. Her vulnerability and her self awareness turn a serious subject matter into a delightful, relatable journey. Definitely worth the read.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book is a beautifully written, honest, raw memoir that somehow manages to be at times both heartbreaking and laugh out loud funny. Carly describes her struggles with depression and addiction in such a compelling way, I constantly found myself rooting for her well-being. Her detailed descriptions of people, places, and events made her story come to life, taking the reader on adventures through the Panamanian jungle, the streets of Mexico City, the desert at Burning Man, and her eclectic life in San Francisco.
March 10, 2026
Carly Schwartz doesn’t tiptoe around the hard stuff -- suicide, substance abuse, the kind of messy self-work and reflection that makes you want to scream…and I love it. She’s not romantic about recovery. She takes you through the discomfort and the difficult work of looking yourself in the eye, even when you hate what you see. "I’ll Try Anything Twice" is heartbreaking, unflinchingly real and even unexpectedly funny at times. This is a book that makes talking about mental illness feel less scary and reminds us that healing isn’t a straight line, and that no one is ever truly alone.
February 10, 2026
I loved this memoir! Carly writes with such humor and warmth, even while describing her at times harrowing personal experiences. Full of keenly observed details and fascinating digressions into worlds both very familiar to me (digital media, 2010s San Francisco) and extremely far from my own (the jungles of Panama, Burning Man), it’s a compulsively readable and moving look at one woman’s journey to a happier life.
Review of advance copy
It’s a tender, gripping read—suspenseful, well-paced, and insightful.
What lingered for me is her unsparing portrayal of depression: how it distorts perception, and makes it hard for a person who moves between mood states to relate to their other self. As a therapist, I especially appreciate how powerfully Schwartz helps the reader understand what depression feels like to those who don’t have it.
What lingered for me is her unsparing portrayal of depression: how it distorts perception, and makes it hard for a person who moves between mood states to relate to their other self. As a therapist, I especially appreciate how powerfully Schwartz helps the reader understand what depression feels like to those who don’t have it.
November 18, 2025
"I'll Try Anything Twice" was a beautiful memoir that was equally hilarious as it was interesting. Schwartz writes beautifully about her struggles with her mental health and drug addiction and I couldn't put the book down. This book is perfect for fans of introspective memoirs who enjoy great storytelling.
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