Friday, October 30, 2009

Bookworm Week Giveaway #4: Permission Slips CLOSED



When it comes to being a "domestic engineer", I have high - possibly unreal - expectations of myself. I strive for perfection and when I make an honest mistake, I feel guilty. When I feed Nate frozen chicken nuggets instead of a homemade meal, I feel bad. When I take a nap instead of working out, I feel lazy. When I eat the brownie that's calling my name, I look at my thighs and feel sick. There are days I feel I can't do anything right. I rarely make it through a day without feeling a touch of remorse over something that has happened.

So, when I found the opportunity on the PR Place to review Sherri Sheppard's new book, Permission Slips, I thought it would really speak to me and make me feel less ashamed of my imperfections.
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. As her many fans know, Sherri is never hesitant to speak from the heart, and her bubbly personality shines through in this delightful autobiography.
I must say that I'm not a regular viewer of The View so I was unfamiliar with Sherri Sheppard prior to reading this book. But after reading the first few chapters, I knew she was someone I wanted to tune in and watch.

I found her autobiography to be sassy, genuine and funny. It was as if we were new BFF's and she was sharing her deepest, darkest, most intimate secrets with me. Her "girl, let me tell you..." attitude was refreshing and down-to-earth. As Sherri reflects on her past, she shares little tidbits of advice and grants you "permission slips" that allow you to learn from her mistakes. Some of my favorites are "bloom where you're planted and start small", "hark back to your dorky roots" and "you don't know you can do something difficult until you do it because its in the doing that you find your strength."

There were many points in the book that made me laugh out loud. Like when she said that having a toddler makes you celibate by default. Sad but true! Or that sex calms the savage beast. It sure does in my house! Her tell-it-like-it-is approach may rub some the wrong way but I found it to be personable, allowing me to connect to the material. There were also heartwarming stories in the book, such as her infertility, subsequent IVF and the birth of her premature son - some of which I could relate to. I found it amazing the things that she has gone through in her life and yet she still has a sense of humor about it all.

I didn't always agree with Sherri and I think at times, she was a little hard on men. For example, she states that men are "mistakes waiting to be made". Sure, it's good for a laugh and I'm sure we've all had a similar experience a time or two (or more!). But her sweeping generalizations about men were a tad unfair, in my opinion. However, I'm not divorced so if I were, I may feel differently! Like the best friendships, even though we didn't always see eye-to-eye, we could agree to disagree and still get along.

I should also note that Sherri incorporates much of her faith and spirituality into her writing so if you're not a Christian or you don't believe in God, this may not be your cup of tea.

Bottom line: I would definitely recommend Permission Slips to any woman who needs to cut herself some slack. Sherri encourages you to chase your dreams and celebrate shortcomings as lessons learned. She stresses that it is not only inevitable that you'll make mistakes, but that everything will be okay. We all need a girlfriend like that to have our backs.

BUY IT: You can find Permission Slips on Amazon.com or at most major book retailers.

WIN IT: Hachette Book Group is giving away 5 copies of this book to 5 lucky readers!

MAIN COURSE (MANDATORY ENTRY): If you could write a permission slip for a mistake you've made, what would it be? Remember to leave your email address in your comment if it isn't visible on your profile or if you are not a blogger!

SUGAR ON TOP (BONUS ENTRIES): To maximize your chances of winning, you may do any or all of the following. Be sure to complete the above mandatory entry or your bonus entries will not count!

1.) Follow my blog or subscribe via reader or email. Comment telling me which method you chose. If you already follow or subscribe, that counts! (1 entry)

2.) Follow me on Twitter and tweet about this contest. Just leave me a comment with your tweet link. (1 entry)

3.) Add my button to your blog and comment with a link to where I can find it. (1 entry)

4.) Enter any of my other current giveaways and leave a comment telling me which one(s) you entered. (1 entry each)

Giveaway will end on November 14, 2009 at 11:59pm EST. Open to U.S. and Canadian addresses only. Winners will be chosen via Random.org and will have 48 hours to respond to congratulatory email or prize will be forfeited and another winner will be chosen.

Disclaimer: I was offered this review and giveaway opportunity due to my membership at the Product Review Place. I was sent a hardcover copy of this book from Anna at Hachette Book Group to facilitate my candid review. I was not compensated in any other manner for this post. The opinions expressed in this post are purely mine. You may have a different experience upon reading this book.

67 comments:

lisa said...

This sounds like a really good read. If i were to give myself a permission slip on mistakes that i have made i really wouldn't know where to begin. Lets start with half a cake i ate this week, AND i give myself permission to eat the other half today. msmith572@yahoo.com

lisa said...

Email subscriber. msmith572@yahoo.com

lisa said...

I have your button on my sidebar: http://stephie-stephsblog.blogspot.com/

lisa said...

Tweet: http://twitter.com/samasam/status/5317493379

lisa said...

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lisa said...

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lisa said...

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lisa said...

I entered Rebecca Frezza and Big Truck CD giveaway. msmith572@yahoo.com

lisa said...

I entered Milkshake Great Day CD giveaway. msmith572@yahoo.com

lisa said...

I entered Peeing in Peace. msmith572@yahoo.com

lisa said...

I entered Stop Praying Ends. msmith572@yahoo.com

lisa said...

Entered Gift of an Ordinary Day. msmith572@yahoo.com

Nancy said...

My permission slip would say it is all right to refuse to volunteer any more of my time when I am already overbooked.

Nancy said...

I entered the PUR Flavor Options Pitcher giveaway.

Nancy said...

I entered the Stop Praying giveaway.

Nancy said...

I entered the Gift of an Ordinary Day giveaway.

Katie S. said...

My permission slip would be to not work for a whole week :)

ktfereva22@aol.com

Katie S. said...

I follow via google

ktfereva22@aol.com

Katie S. said...

I entered the softlips giveaway

ktfereva22@aol.com

littlelatina said...

looks like a fun read

missdenise said...

I would give myself permission to take time for myself or to spend money on myself!

missdenise said...

entered your unilever contest #44

missdenise said...

I entered your softlips contest

Whitney said...

My permission slip is to not be so hard on myself and to take some time for ME (go get a pedicure, see a girl movie with friends, etc.)

Whitney said...

follow your blog

Whitney said...

follow on twitter and tweet- http://twitter.com/whitlump/status/5499597426

Whitney said...

entered softlips

Whitney said...

entered the gift of an ordinary day

Whitney said...

entered peeing in peace

lisa said...

Entered MyPreciousKid.com Safety Pack Giveaway. msmith572@yahoo.com

lisa said...

I entered The Organic Pharmacy Carrot Butter Cleanser. msmith572@yahoo.com

lisa said...

I entered Unilever Goodies Box. msmith572@yahoo.com

lisa said...

I entered Softlips Winter Flavors. msmith572@yahoo.com

missdenise said...

I entered your carrot butter cleanser giveaway

Smooshy said...

i need a permission slip to sleep in on weekends!

Summer said...

I would have to give myself a permission slip to eat the rest of the brownies that I made last night before my husband gets home from work but I'm going to use self control today :-)

souldolphindream said...

I would give myself permission to take that bubble bath even if the kids tear the house down


souldolphindream@aol.com

erma said...

I would have to give myself a permission slip that it is ok to love.
erma.hurtt@sbcglobal..net

checkers said...

A slip for always being late alot

saturdaynightfever said...

I would like a permission slip for being best man at my brother's wedding. She is a shrew and they are now divorced.

edgenemmers@gmail.com

Re said...

looks like a great read. My permission slip would be to grab a hottie and head to Hawaii - PRONTO!

Anonymous said...

My permission slip would say it's OK That I don't have to cook dinner every night of the week! We could have take out :)

Anonymous said...

I follow your blog!

Anonymous said...

follow on twitter and tweet! http://twitter.com/SweepsCat713/status/5703277733

Anonymous said...

Have your button!http://littertidbitsfrommschat.blogspot.com/

Anonymous said...

entered Your Picture Book giveaway!

Sharon Schoepe said...

I would give myself permission to take some time just for me.

susan1215 said...

I give myself permission to eat ice cream once in a while.

Darcie K. said...

My permission slip would say that it is okay that I gained 20 pounds during chemo. No guilt!
dmkayes@gmail.com

Darcie K. said...

I subscribed.
dmkayes@gmail.com

Darcie K. said...

I follow!
dmkayes@gmail.com

Kim Cantrell said...

One mistake? How about I write a permission slip for my whole dang life! :) I love Sherri Sheperd, I love to read, and I would LOVE to win this!

kimberly.cantrell@gmail.com

FrugalQponMom said...

I would write myself a permission slip for the way I tend to procrastinate. I need to be a better example to my kids!

FrugalQponMom said...

I subscribe in Google Reader

Steph said...

I give myself permission to admit that I AM a good mom, even though I feel guilty sometimes that I make mistakes in parenting.

ms0812(at)zoominternet.net

cman said...

I give myself permission to stay in bed an extra 10 minutes because of the pain. I don't wanna go overboard LOL

Tiffany819 said...

I give myself permission from the mistake of not saying no enough growing up. :) Thank you!

Tiffanys819 at gmail dot com

Unknown said...

I would write myself a permission slip for not completing my education. garrettsambo@aol.com

Nancy S. said...

I would give myself a permission slip for not getting the house clean.
ncschools at yahoo dot com

Nancy S. said...

I follow your blog with google friend.
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Nancy S. said...

I follow you on twitter and I tweeted.
http://twitter.com/ncschools/status/5727164282
ncschools at yahoo dot com

Nancy S. said...

I entered your Softlips giveaway.
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/\Heather/\ said...

I would give myself a permission slip for being too concerned about what people think in the past to just go out and do what I love now: perform!

lilyk said...

If I could write a permission slip for a mistake I've made it would be for procrastinating too much.

lilyk said...

I subscribed by email.

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