Is 'I'M Telling The Truth But I'M Lying' Worth Reading?

2026-03-08 17:31:56
64
Share
ABO Personality Quiz
Take a quick quiz to find out whether you‘re Alpha, Beta, or Omega.
Scent
Personality
Ideal Love Pattern
Secret Desire
Your Dark Side
Start Test

2 Answers

Lila
Lila
Longtime Reader Teacher
I picked up 'I’m Telling the Truth but I’m Lying' after seeing it recommended in a book club, and wow, it wrecked me in the best way. Bassey Ikpi’s honesty is brutal but necessary—she doesn’t sugarcoat the confusion and pain of living with bipolar disorder, and that’s what makes it so compelling. The essays are short but pack a punch, jumping between childhood in Nigeria, her time as a spoken-word artist, and the isolating struggle of misdiagnosis. It’s not a linear narrative, which might frustrate some readers, but the fragmentation perfectly mirrors how memory works when your brain is working against you. If you’re looking for a tidy resolution or a self-help guide, this isn’t it. But if you want a book that feels like someone handing you their diary and saying, 'Here, this is what it’s really like,' then absolutely give it a try. I finished it in two sittings because I couldn’t look away.
2026-03-09 20:54:32
4
Knox
Knox
Reply Helper Worker
Bassey Ikpi’s 'I’m Telling the Truth but I’m Lying' is one of those rare books that lingers in your mind long after you’ve turned the last page. It’s a raw, unfiltered exploration of mental health, identity, and the fragmented nature of memory, told through essays that feel like late-night conversations with a friend who trusts you enough to show their scars. The way Ikpi writes about bipolar disorder is both deeply personal and universally relatable—she doesn’t just describe symptoms; she immerses you in the disorienting whirl of her experiences. There’s a rhythm to her prose that mirrors the highs and lows of her condition, making it almost poetic in its chaos.

What struck me most was how she confronts the idea of truth. The title isn’t just clever; it’s the core of the book. Ikpi questions whether her memories are real or constructs of her illness, and that ambiguity becomes a powerful metaphor for how mental health can distort reality. It’s not an easy read—some passages left me emotionally drained—but it’s an important one. If you’ve ever felt like your own mind was betraying you, or if you want to understand that feeling, this book is a gift. It’s messy, heartbreaking, and oddly hopeful in the way only truth can be.
2026-03-10 10:53:00
2
View All Answers
Scan code to download App

Related Books

Related Questions

Can I read 'I'm Telling the Truth but I'm Lying' online for free?

2 Answers2026-03-08 11:50:19
Finding 'I’m Telling the Truth but I’m Lying' for free online is tricky, and honestly, it’s a book that deserves the investment. Bassey Ikpi’s memoir is raw, poetic, and deeply personal—exploring mental health with a vulnerability that’s rare. While I’ve stumbled across snippets on platforms like Google Books or Scribd during previews, the full experience isn’t something you’d want fragmented. Libraries often have digital copies via apps like Libby or Hoopla, which feel like a win-win: supporting authors while accessing legally. Pirated copies float around, but they’re a disservice to Ikpi’s labor. The audiobook, narrated by her, adds another layer of intimacy—her voice cracks and soars in ways text alone can’t capture. If budget’s tight, secondhand shops or ebook sales pop up occasionally. It’s one of those works that lingers, so owning a copy feels right—like revisiting a friend’s late-night confession.

Is The Lies I Tell worth reading?

3 Answers2026-03-09 08:40:40
Julie Clark's 'The Lies I Tell' is one of those books that sneaks up on you. At first, it feels like a straightforward thriller about a con artist, but the layers unravel so beautifully that I couldn’t put it down. The dual perspectives of Meg and Kat add this delicious tension—you’re never quite sure who to root for, and that ambiguity makes every chapter crackle. Clark’s writing is sharp, and she nails the psychological depth of both women, making their choices feel painfully real. What really hooked me was how the book plays with morality. It’s not just about deception; it’s about survival, revenge, and the gray areas women navigate. The pacing is tight, but it still leaves room for character growth, which is rare in thrillers. If you enjoyed 'The Last Thing He Told Me' or 'Gone Girl,' this’ll hit the same nerve. I finished it in two sittings and immediately loaned my copy to a friend—it’s that kind of book.

Is Scout's Honor: A Kid's Book about Lying and Telling the Truth worth reading?

5 Answers2026-01-21 00:40:40
Scout's Honor' is one of those books that sneaks up on you with its simplicity but leaves a lasting impact. I picked it up thinking it was just another morality tale for kids, but the way it handles the nuances of honesty—through Scout's relatable dilemmas—struck me as genuinely thoughtful. It doesn't preach; instead, it lets kids see the consequences of choices in a way that feels organic. The illustrations are warm and engaging, too, which helps younger readers stay invested. What really stood out to me was how it balances humor with gravity. Scout's fibs spiral in ways that are funny yet cringe-worthy, making it easy for kids to grasp why honesty matters. The book also acknowledges that telling the truth isn't always black and white—sometimes it's scary or complicated. That depth surprised me in the best way. If you're looking for a book that sparks meaningful conversations without feeling heavy-handed, this is a solid pick.

Is 'How to Tell the Truth' worth reading?

2 Answers2026-02-22 22:26:14
I recently picked up 'How to Tell the Truth' after hearing mixed reviews, and I have to say, it surprised me in the best way. The book doesn’t just explore honesty in a superficial sense—it digs into the messy, uncomfortable parts of truth-telling that most people avoid. The author’s approach feels raw and personal, almost like they’re confessing their own struggles alongside the reader. There’s this one chapter about white lies in friendships that hit me hard; it made me rethink how often I sugarcoat things to keep the peace. What really stands out is how the book balances theory with real-life anecdotes. It’s not a dry self-help manual—it reads like a conversation with a wise, slightly cynical friend. The tone shifts between witty and profound, which keeps things engaging. If you’re looking for a book that challenges your perspective without feeling preachy, this might be it. I found myself nodding along one minute and arguing with the margins the next, which is exactly what I want from a thought-provoking read.

Why does the author lie in 'I'm Telling the Truth but I'm Lying'?

2 Answers2026-03-08 22:32:58
Reading 'I’m Telling the Truth but I’s Lying' felt like unraveling a puzzle where every piece was both a confession and a deflection. Bassey Ikpi’s memoir isn’t about deceit in the traditional sense—it’s about the fractured honesty of mental illness. When she says she’s lying while telling the truth, it mirrors how bipolar disorder warps self-perception. One moment, you’re convinced of a reality; the next, it crumbles. The 'lies' aren’t malicious fabrications but the brain’s survival mechanisms—distorting memories, emotions, even one’s own voice. What struck me was how this duality mirrors creative nonfiction itself. Memoirs reconstruct truth through hindsight’s fog, and Ikpi leans into that tension. Her 'lies' are the gaps between what she felt then and understands now. It’s raw and messy, like when she describes manic episodes with vivid certainty, only to undercut it later with doubt. That’s the brilliance—she doesn’t just describe instability; she makes you experience its disorientation. The title isn’t a gimmick; it’s an invitation to sit with the discomfort of unreliable narratives, especially when the narrator is your own mind.

Is Three Truths and a Lie worth reading?

4 Answers2026-02-17 03:59:40
Just finished 'Three Truths and a Lie' last week, and wow—it’s one of those books that sneaks up on you. At first, the premise seems simple: a group of friends playing a game that spirals into chaos. But the way the author layers tension is masterful. The dialogue feels so real, like you’re overhearing actual conversations, and the setting (a remote cabin, of course) adds this claustrophobic vibe that makes every reveal hit harder. The twist? I won’t spoil it, but it’s the kind that makes you flip back pages to see if you missed clues. Some parts drag a bit in the middle, but the payoff is worth it. If you’re into psychological thrillers with messy, flawed characters, this’ll grip you. Still thinking about that last chapter.

Is Scout's Honor: A Kid's Book about Lying and Telling the Truth free to read online?

4 Answers2026-01-23 09:35:51
especially books that tackle tough topics like honesty in a kid-friendly way. 'Scout's Honor' has popped up on my radar a few times—it seems like a great resource for parents and educators. From what I can tell, it's not widely available for free online, at least not legally. I checked major platforms like Project Gutenberg, Open Library, and even educational sites, but no luck. You might find snippets or read-aloud videos on YouTube, but the full text isn't openly circulating. That said, I'd recommend checking your local library's digital catalog! Many libraries have partnerships with services like Hoopla or OverDrive where you can borrow eBooks temporarily. The book's relatively new (2021), so older free-library archives might not have it yet. If you're passionate about teaching honesty, I'd also suggest pairing it with classics like 'The Empty Pot' by Demi—that one's easier to find online and has a similar moral core.

Is The Lies You Told worth reading?

5 Answers2026-02-02 20:52:41
If you’re hunting for a twisty psychological read, 'The Lies You Told' delivers a lot of what makes those late-night page-turners hard to put down. The tension builds steadily rather than exploding immediately, which I appreciated—there’s a slow-burn quality to the secrets and the way relationships fray. The prose leans accessible, which keeps the pace brisk even when the plot thickens, and a couple of the character reveals genuinely surprised me. What I loved most was the emotional undercurrent: the book doesn’t just lay out puzzles, it digs into why people lie and what those lies cost. That made the stakes feel human rather than purely plot-driven. If you like character-forward thrillers in the vein of 'The Girl on the Train' but with a slightly quieter, more intimate tone, this one will stick with you. For me, it was the kind of book I recommended to two friends right after finishing—so yes, worth reading if you enjoy smart, morally messy stories that reward patience. I closed it feeling oddly satisfied and a little haunted, which is exactly the kind of lingering effect I want from a thriller.

What books are similar to 'I'm Telling the Truth but I'm Lying'?

2 Answers2026-03-08 06:52:41
'I’m Telling the Truth but I’m Lying' really stuck with me. If you loved Bassey Ikpi’s fragmented, poetic approach to mental health and identity, you might adore 'The Collected Schizophrenias' by Esmé Weijun Wang. It’s another masterpiece that dissects mental illness with unflinching clarity, weaving personal anecdotes with research. Wang’s prose is hauntingly beautiful, much like Ikpi’s, but it leans more into the clinical side while maintaining that intimate, almost conversational tone. Another gem is 'Heavy' by Kiese Laymon. While it tackles different themes—race, family, and addiction—the way Laymon layers truth and self-doubt mirrors Ikpi’s style. His writing feels like a late-night confession, messy and profound. For something more experimental, 'The Chronology of Water' by Lidia Yuknavitch might hit the spot. It’s a nonlinear, visceral memoir about trauma and survival, with a voice that’s as defiant as it is vulnerable. These books all share that same electric tension between what’s said and what’s held back.
Explore and read good novels for free
Free access to a vast number of good novels on GoodNovel app. Download the books you like and read anywhere & anytime.
Read books for free on the app
SCAN CODE TO READ ON APP
DMCA.com Protection Status