Everybody's Favorite: Tales from the World’s Worst Perfectionist – A Wry and Self-Deprecating Essay Collection on Growing Up, Anxiety, and Religious Trauma

by Lillian Stone

From one of the Internet’s favorite self-deprecating commentators comes Everybody’s Favorite, a laugh-out-loud essay collection that tackles the relentless pursuit of perfection while navigating growing up in the early 2000s.



Lilian Stone—childhood evangelical, AOL girlfriend, and professional nail biter is always living on the edge of anxiety. From the pitfalls of a girl plagued by religious trauma, the incomprehensible yet unforgiving need for perfection, and a twenty-pound beagle she never meant to keep, Everybody’s Favorite is a refreshing story of what it means to pick yourself when the world is telling you otherwise. Still navigating the ins and outs of adulthood, accompanied by an obsessive-compulsive disorder that’s become an exercise in self-acceptance and thus compassion, Lillian has become an expert in fighting the urge to be someone else’s idea of perfect. In this laugh-out-loud essay collection, replete with cringe-inducing touchstones of an early-aughts girlhood, Lillian Stone recounts her quest to be everybody’s favorite.

Set largely during the early 2000s Ozarks, and peppered with Stone’s biting satire and gloriously self-deprecating personal anecdotes, Everybody’s Favorite is a wry, empathetic look at the chaos that ensues when we contort ourselves into an ever-changing assortment of socially acceptable shapes —only to fall out of place, twist an ankle, pee your pants a little, and realize that the pursuit of perfection isn’t really all that interesting.

Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir, Humor, Audiobook, Essays, Mental Health, Biography Memoir

224 pages, Hardcover

First published July 18, 2023

About the author

Lillian Stone is the author of EVERYBODY'S FAVORITE, a laugh-out-loud essay collection that Glamour called "comedic perfection."

She's written for outlets like The New Yorker, Slate, and McSweeney's. She lives in Chicago with her poorly behaved pets.

Reviews

[Lillian · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is my book, which i have read 30 million times over the course of the last year, so i am counting it toward my goodreads challenge quota because i’m a little cheater. i really hope you like it.

[J (Midnight Book Blog) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was like opening up a Time Capsule to the early 2000s, my teenaged insecurity, and somehow, present-day struggles too.

What I liked: even though I was only barely a 90’s baby, I remember enough of the early 2000s era to have gotten such a kick out of most of the references, and related to a lot of that era’s very unique struggles (I did not appreciate being reminded of the gym class hell that was the PACER test, though). Similarly, as a chronic people pleaser, someone who was diagnosed with OCD at a very young age, and a former Christian who dealt with a fair amount of religious pressure, this book resonated with me in a lot of ways. Stone’s introspection was honestly quite amazing, and her way of using self-deprecating humor quickly followed by intense reflection was increadibly effective. She wasn’t afraid to laugh at herself, or critique her past actions which was quite refreshing.

What I didn’t like: honestly I don’t have much here! There was the occasional reference that I didn’t catch (remember, barely a 90s baby) and a few jokes that missed their mark for me even when I did understand them (perhaps being a bit too deprecating), but that’s really it.

Overall: This was an absolute joy to read. Funny and candid and like getting a hug at times. I strongly recommend it, especially to the people pleasers of the world, and even more to those who grew up in the 2000s.

Content warnings: religious trauma, OCD, eating disorder, bullying

————————————————-
I feel like this book is going to speak to my soul. Eternally grateful to Dey Street Books for sending me a finished copy

[Lindsay Bolender · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was promised 90s and 00s nostalgia and there was maybe 5% nostalgia and the other 95% was weird coming of age stories and sexual awakenings that I couldn’t really relate to (at all). The ultimate betrayal. Maybe for someone who could relate, this would be an affirming book (I imagine someone with OCD would get more out of this than I would, for example).

[Sean McGowan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yes! Funny and weird and touching and sweaty and 100% Lillian, which is a feat in and of itself. People would kill to have a command of their comedic voice the way she does. This debut is nothing short of incredible and I cannot wait to see what she does next

[MK LaFs · Rating 4 out of 5]

A people pleaser with a b12 deficiency? Me!

[Gigi Ropp · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t think I could love this more! As someone with her own inner Madison and tendency to take responsibility for everyone else’s feelings, I felt as though I could have written some of the hilarious stories myself! Tamagotchis and boy bands and lots and lots of puberty is a recipe for success!

[Abigael Weller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lillian Stone wrote a book and everyone needs to read it.

5 ⭐️

Order a copy of this book immediately and then keep it on your bedside table whenever you need a pick me up or just want to know that another person in the world knows the specific feeling of being born in the Midwest, growing up being a little weird, perfectionist, goody-two-shoes, joining a sorority (preppy clothes and all, never to be spoken of again upon graduation), moving away from home, and now living with unruly pets who rule your life.

In a honest and truly funny anecdotes, Lillian has captured the essence of growing up and growing into yourself in the early 2000s. I found myself laughing out loud through my entire read whether simply describing how it felt to lurk in a pool spying your crush, “like an alligator in a swamp,” or the entirety of the “An Evening of Carnal Delights as Envisioned by My Ten-Year-Old Self” chapter.

But as much as each story made me laugh, I also highlighted nuggets of wisdom and observations to take away. A balance between humor and truth, this collection of essays hits as a quick and enjoyable read.

I have never anticipated a book more than Everybody’s Favorite by Lillian Stone. I remember the day she announced her book deal. I got antsy during the countdown for the book cover reveal. Having already pre-ordered two copies (comes out July 18th!), I jumped at the chance to have the opportunity (privilege? honor?) to receive an advanced copy.

Thanks to HarperCollins Publishers and NetGalley for an advanced copy to read and review.

#pantysniffersighting

[Hannah Brashers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Where to begin. This is the Ozark’s hillbilly, 90’s baby, mentally ill, religiously traumatized, older sister representation I’ve always craved. I was laughing out loud like a crazy person and tearing up – all within the span of a single sentence, mind you! From freakishly weird kid turned high school Jesus Freak turned fake pearl clad sorority sister turned people pleasing, office plant watering young professional, Everybody’s Favorite is a ROMP and you’ll feel Lillian Stone’s growing pains right alongside her. As a former weird child myself, I saw myself in this wonderful tale of religious fervor and teenage horniness. Read this immediately. But be prepared to cackle.

[Andrea · Rating 1 out of 5]

Honestly I only finished it because it was for a book club. A bummer, because I’d been looking forward to it. I don’t know if the ten year age gap between myself and the author played a large role, but the writing itself never grabbed me in a “that’s so relatable” way that other memoirs like this have done in the past.

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Y'all, let's talk about how much I absolutely loved this book. Honestly, that love started with the cover and the immediate launch into the wonder that is gel pens. Throughout, this touched on so many of my favorite things - I mean, it had *NSYNC, so I was automatically in love. I also loved that the author referenced Branson - a place I'm very familiar with, and the way she painted the picture with her words was just perfection. This was just a delight of a read, and a beautiful, wonderful story collection about finding/being yourself told with the best blend of humor and authenticity. It was an absolute joy to read, and I cannot rave about it enough. Thanks to NetGalley for the early look at this upcoming July must-read release!

[Steve O · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hilarious! You may want a crawl up into a ball while thinking about some of the things you did growing up but you’ll get to laugh about them too. After a three day diet of eating eggs, it really makes you wonder how good Lillian is at sucking eggs huh? I wonder how many kisses Sean got.

[ᛚᚨᚱᚲᚨ × ᚠᛖᚾᚱᛁᚱ (Semi hiatus) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am not my affliction.

Interesting book by Lillian Stone, an author that I've never heard of previously, but with which I formed a sort of bond.
I was not much invested in her story at the beginning, but then the essays get better. They are a mix of funny, witty, and intimate, and you just want to know "what's next".
I loved how openly she talks about her mental issues, and maybe I found this book more interesting than other people would because I conntected to her, somehow. I know that I will bring the chapter The Poor Woman's Steve Irwin with its "GO BACK, GO BACK INSIDE YOUR PENIS HOUSE." with me for the rest of my life.

[Greta Cross · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honestly, I loved every part of this book from start to finish and related to so many of Lillian’s stories about growing up in rural Missouri, navigating self identity and entering the workforce post graduation.

I laughed out loud, I nodded my head in agreement and I stopped to ponder very often.

All millennial and gen z women must read this.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

Won in a Goodreads giveaway.

Delightful & funny with some heartfelt touches of love for younger versions of the authors self.

[HippieWitch · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very cute read. I throughly enjoyed it. Not the usual I’m used to reading but I’m glad I did. Take a look, I think you’ll like it too

[Jennifer]

It just wasn’t particularly funny or insightful. Just a normal person telling normal stories. DNF 53%

[Matt Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well folks I think we did it, I think we finally solved books, everyone else can pack it up.

Towards the end of the book I realized I should have been writing down all quotes that made me laugh but the deep-cut that stands out the most is definitely “I have to imagine the demons triumph every time a twelve-year-old boy re-uploads the BME Pain Olympics on YouTube”

[Emily Callen · Rating 5 out of 5]

a deeply funny and deeply feeling book — I loved every single word!

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you #Netgalley for the advanced copy!

So many hilarious essays that I could not put it down! Being a millennial, so many of these hit home, such as the value of a gel pen, religious school experiences, adopting of dogs, just so many amazing stories!

[Brigitte · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't know what you all are reading on the beach this summer, but for me it was this. As an elder millennial who spent her formative years in the nineties, I felt very seen while reading this book. I didn't quite know what to expect when diving into this one, but after seeing gel pens and a scrunchie on the front cover, and a quote from Bob Odenkirk on the back cover, I was in.

Jillian Stone's storytelling and sense of humor was fantastic throughout the entire book---portions had me audibly cackling. Aside from humor, I genuinely appreciated how Stone approached even her tenderest memories. Nothing was off-putting, it was raw and relatable.

Let's just say that by the end, I had a lengthy list of friends who I will be forcing to read this book.

[Megan Crouch · Rating 2 out of 5]

Mildly funny, but also all over the place. Not sure what I expected, but a theme or a point would have been nice.

[Kendra Lind · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wanted to read this because I usually don’t read books of essays, but the few I’ve read I really enjoyed. I went into this fairly blind, but I did see it was declared “laugh-out-loud funny” and a lot of times that’s not true. This time it was! There were some pretty hilarious parts and I honestly could have written this book myself. Midwest, evangelical upbringing, mental health issues, and a deep fear of the ocean? Oh my goodness. I never heard of this author, but I found her on instagram about five chapters in. I got this from net galley early in exchange for a review, and this may be the first book from them I actually buy when it comes out.

[Caitlin Kunkel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deranged in the best possible way!! This book had me laughing out loud from the author’s descriptions of Y2K madness and our collective descent. I liked the pacing with some shorter humor pieces in between longer essays. Lillian Stone is a unique, vibrant, one-of-a-kind writer, and I can’t wait to see what she does next!

[Nicole Chilton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bravo Lillian! This collection of essays is hilarious, vulnerable and insightful. Eager for more collections in the future.

[Emma Brewer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kind of funny. Kind of relatable. Quick fun read but nothing special.

[Julia Rhea · Rating 5 out of 5]

This conjured up a lot of memories I thought I forgot in my own life, but instead of cringing (okay there might’ve been a smidge of cringing) I found myself chuckling and welcoming it. Absolutely love Lillian’s unapologetic and candid storytelling. Now I need to hold myself back from purchasing a set of sparkly gel pens… and maybe some clogs (though I am heeding Lillian’s warning).

[Kelly Pramberger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a good collection of essays! Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. Five stars. I laughed out loud within the first few pages. I was entertained and loved Stone's style of writing.

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this one. Lillian is funny, witty and totally relatable. It was refreshing to read someone being totally honest about their life. Several laugh out loud moments in this one. Thanks to a Goodreads giveaway for an advance copy.

[Kara DiFilippo Powell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book for all the stressed out people-pleasers of the world to relate to (myself included). Unflinchingly honest in a way that’s necessary to a good collection of personal essays, and funny of course.

(received copy though goodreads giveaways)

[Lindsey Hedrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

A spiritual awakening to relive moments of my adolescence through the lens of Lillian’s mind.