Secrets for the Mad

Summary: In this part autobiography, part guide to growing up, musician Dodie Clak outlines the biggest and hardest lessons she’s learned in life so far, covering topics like mental health, alcohol, falling in love, sex, unhealthy and healthy relationships, divorce, family, heartbreak, and sexuality. She also discusses the joys and difficulties of becoming well known through an online platform, and provides practical advice, including recipes. Decorated with their own sketches and drawings, and with song lyrics interspersed throughout, Dodie’s story has a “big sister” feel that young teens, especially those identifying as women, will be able to relate to and learn from. 

Critical Evaluation: Dodie is well known on the internet not only for her soft, relatable music, but her willingness to be open and vulnerable about her life and experiences. Through the years, her listeners and online audience have followed along as she’s grown up, made mistakes, and had successes. Now in her late twenties and not far from teenagehood herself, Dodie is the perfect person to discuss what she’s learned so far. Those who follow them trust their advice and opinions. Recognizing the influence that she has, Dodie is clearly careful to carry a respectful tone, treating the readers of her books like a friend. Her advice is down to earth and doesn’t cut around corners. For instance, within the book she acknowledges how she feels slightly awkward writing about sex, but then continues on to provide real, practical tips and information about what it’s like what you begin to become sexually active. 

The book carries a nontraditional structure, made up of four different factors. In parts, Dodie writes directly to her readers. Other times, she includes selections of texts from friends, past diary entries, or even things her friends have written to or about her, in order to illustrate her point. Speaking of illustrating, throughout the book she includes photographs, simply colored sketches, and even pages in colors other than white. Finally, pages with her song lyrics that are relevant to what she’s speaking about are throughout. These different elements not only keep the reader engaged and interested to see what’s next, but also make the book feel more like a diary or letter to a close friend. They create the intimate feeling that Dodie often strives for in their music, social media, and writing. 

Dodie talks about things in her book that many teens are interested in, but nervous to talk about to their friends or guardians. She carries a frank tone about taboo topics like drinking, sex, eating disorders, grief, and discovering your sexuality. Young adults will appreciate her friendly tone and that her advice is both practical, casual, and useful, as opposed to clinical or judgmental. 

Between her friendly tone, willingness to be open, and commitment to honesty and vulnerability, readers are sure to appreciate and learn from Dodie’s book of advice and life lessons. 

Reader’s Annotation: Dodie Clark is a popular musician with millions of online followers. In her book, she departs life lessons and the stories behind some of her most beloved lyrics.