“Permission Slips” by Sherri Shepherd, Co-Host of The View – Book Review/Giveaway Contest **CLOSED**
October 2, 2009 by HHC
Filed under Relaxation & Entertainment
Permission Slips: Every Woman’s Guide to Giving Herself A Break by Sherri Shepherd, Co-Host of The View
Summary: Covering topics such as “It’s Jesus or Jail,” “Marriage, the Hard Way,” “Children: The Gift You Can’t Give Back,” and “All the Things I Don’t Know…And All the Things I Definitely Do,” stand-up comedienne, actress, and ABC’s The View co-host Sherri Shepherd comically chronicles her struggles to keep up with the many roles-professional, wife, mother, daughter, and friend-that women must play in today’s world. Sherri urges women to pursue their most important dreams and to never give up, but also let’s readers know that it’s okay to give themselves “permission slips” when things don’t always work out the way they want them to.
Review: The first thing I noticed about this book when opening the package from Hachette Book Group was the sub-title “Every Woman’s Guide to Giving Herself a Break.” Contrary to my normal habit of allowing myself a few days to begin reading a book once received for review, I immediately curled up with this book and started to read. I’m pretty sure the original attraction to this book was (1) that I really like ABC’s The View; (2) I don’t really know that much about Sherri Shepherd although I think she’s a hoot on tv; (3) there was more housework than I was willing to do on the afternoon that the UPS man brought me this wonderful book and I was pretty sure it would be much more entertaining than my never-ending housework; and (4) I knew I could use the excuse to my family that I was “working” when I didn’t get my housework done that day.
From the first chapter (Part One) ”Doing Everything Wrong”–I was hooked!
I never met a man who obsessed about being a perfect husband, but I know plenty of women who want to be perfect wives.
It ain’t happening. We women have to start accepting that no matter what we do, someone’s always gonna be cranky about it. Instead of feeling guilty, let’s make it okay.
Let’s give ourselves permission to make ripples in our ponds, even if we get a few people wet.
It was totally refreshing to read that Sherri agrees that its okay to forgive ourselves for not doing everything perfect. I have to admit that I “laughed out loud” when I read
…When it comes to your children, you have permission to do everything wrong. Because according to them, you did anyway.
Some of my favorite sections:
- Thighs (pg. 14)
- Panhandled by an angel (pg. 106)
- Boobs that can mop a floor (pg. 147)
- My tummy, like the earth, is not flat (pg. 148)
- Post-diabetes eating is as fun as cleaning the toilet with a toothbrush (pg. 187)
- Going against my nature (pg. 213)
- I became that lady I once mocked (pg. 245)
Conclusion: This is one of the funniest memoirs I have read in a long time. I commend Sherri on being so candid about the events of her life. They certainly gave me a chuckle! In addition to making me laugh, this book also gave me some relief in terms of my own “imperfectness.” And to quote Sherri, I will conclude this review with my very favorite line in the book:
So write yourself a permission slip to see the funny part first. Misery is patient, and will wait.
Review by: @Decotta
Book Signing: Sherri Shepherd will be signing her book ”Permission Slips” on October 3 at 3:00 p.m. at Barnes & Noble, 1972 Broadway, New York, NY
**CONTEST CLOSED**
Giveaway Contest – Enter to Win!
The Hachette Book Group is sponsoring a Giveaway Contest for the Housework Haters Club Members and readers. They are giving a copy of the book “Permission Slips” to five (5) lucky winners.
Official Rules:
-
Contest is open to all U.S. and Canadian residents.
- No P.O. Boxes
- Contest Dates: Begin October 2, 2009 thru 12:00 midnight (Eastern) on October 30, 2009
- Winner(s) will be announced on Twitter (using #HHC hashtag) by 12:00 noon (Eastern) on October 31, 2009
- Winner(s) will be notified by email and will have 72 hours to claim their prize by reply email. After 72 hours or in the event of invalid email address, a new winner will be chosen and notified via email.
- MANDATORY ENTRY: Leave comment below and tell us why you want to win a copy of Permission Slips. (Be sure to leave your email address also; Failure to leave this mandatory entry will void all other entries)
- One (1) entry for joining following @HouseworkHaters on Twitter (Leave Comment for each entry)
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- One (1) entry: Follow Housework Haters Club on Facebook – You can click Facebook link in our sidebar. (Leave Comment)
- One (1) entry: Tweet or Retweet (Below) – (Leave comment with status link of qualifying tweet)
Enter to win the book “Permission Slips” by Sherri Shepherd, Co-Host of The View at @HouseworkHaters http://bit.ly/NGyKS #HHC
Good Luck! In the meantime, check out this:
- All Entries will be verified
- This review made by possible by Hachette Book Group and The Product Review Place
bet this is a fun book!
Subscribed via RSS on email!
boy could i ever use a break -loks like a great read
After putting my kids first, I have to learn how to allow myself to have some me time
sounds like a fun read
Hi, Mrs. Sherri,
I am interested in ur book because I always try to encourage women who wear many hats to not forget themselves because we can’t truly be strong women for our spouses, children , friends, family, jobs, etc..if we are not strong and balanced ourselves.
Much Luv,
Tanya
I’d love to win a copy because it looks like a super fun read! Thanks for the chance to win.
Jamie
jamiejaws AT gmail.com
I love her and a big Fan!
following @Decotta on Twitter (simply_unique79)
GoogleFriendConnect follower
I would like to win this because I enjoy Sherri on the View and I like humorous books.
I became a follower on Google Friend Connect
I would like to win this book because I could use a humorous book to pick me up!
I follow HouseworkHaters on twitter.
Username: StuffSmart
I follow Decotta on twitter.
Username StuffSmart
tweeted
http://twitter.com/StuffSmart/status/4854235909
I want to win this book because I love Sherri Shepperd on The View and I think it would be a good read.
Following you on twitter and tweeted.
http://twitter.com/lovemy2doggies/status/4971967257
I requested to follow you on twitter; @lovemy2doggies
Following Decotta on twitter; @lovemy2doggies
I have a good friend who will benefit from this book. Not that I wouldn’t as well….But she tends to gravitate towards the side of perfection at every turn and is slammed into reality when the tiniest thing goes wrong. This just may help shed some light.
I would love to win this for my sister as she is a big Sherri Shepherd fan.
I am an email subscriber.
Great read, great contest!
I think this would be a fun book to read and we are always in need of more laughter in out lives.
I requested to follow you on Twitter as njhhb.
I’d love to win cause it sounds interesting.
I’ve loved Sherri since she was on Everybody Loves Raymond. Thanks for the opportunity to win her book.
I want to win because I think Sherri is a greast comedian. She’s very funny and I’m sure her book would be just as great as her stand up.
This books just looks like one that would make me laugh! Who doesn’t need a little of that in their life?
I could use a good laugh and I’m sure this book would do the trick!
I would love to read this because she is hilarious and I love her new show.
I follow on google friends connect.
I would like to laugh!
It sounds like a great fun read.
Following housework haters on twitter
Following decotta on twitter
Tweeted (littlecat123)
Sounds like a much needed read for this imperfect mom
email subscriber
I want to hear about her escapades with MVP.
She’s hilarious! I’d love to read this, thanks for the chance!
Sounds like a good book
I’d love to win because I think that Sherri is hilarious!
I follow Decotta on twitter (tornxnxfrayed).
I follow Housework Haters on twitter (tornxnxfrayed).
I love Sherri Shepard and would love to win this for me to read. It seems very funny and down to earth. thank you!
I’m one of those women who is obsessed with being the perfect wife and mother. This book sounds like a good read