Permission Slips (Every Woman’s Guide to Giving Herself a Break), by Sherri Sheperd

Reviewed by Brenda Seward

In the last year or so, in the course of running my bookstore, I have probably read more self-help and advice books than I have in the course of my life. I don’t mean to say that I don’t like that particular genre of book, but they have never been something I actively sought out. My personal tastes have always run more towards a good story - whether fictional or real. It was not until I started reviewing books that had been sent or recommended to me that I realized how many good stories I was missing out on.

In Permission Slips, Sherri Sheperd (co-host of The View), uses her  own life experiences as a backdrop or point of reference for the "permission slips" she advises us, as women, to give ourselves from time to time. Due to her background as a comedian, Sheperd’s stories all have a (sometimes self-deprecating) comic flair, no matter how serious the actual situation was.

For instance, Sheperd talks about a harrowing stint in a California women’s jail for not paying her parking tickets, and the lessons she learned from that adventure. Every chapter - a story in itself - ends with a “permission slip” that we all can use. These slips run the gamut from recognizing the man we are involved with just isn’t going to change to giving ourselves the courage to jump outside our comfort zone.

 

Most of Sherri’s stories touch on moments or situations we have all experienced at one time or another, and she reminds us that humor (especially the ability to laugh at yourself) can carry you through a lot. She also talks about the fact that women, regardless of progress and changing roles, always seem to take on the role of ultimate caregiver in almost every relationship, and the awesome burden that puts us under. In my opinion, that is the ultimate reasoning behind Permission Slips - to remind us to give ourselves a break and occasionally abdicate the responsibility of being everything to everyone.

In a world that is constantly asking us to do more, be more and to look fantastic while we’re at it, Permission Slips is just the all purpose hall pass we women need. So grab a copy, curl up, pour yourself a glass of… whatever, and laugh your way to liberation.

 

Review by Brenda Seward, Owner, Simple Pleasures Books & Gifts

www.simplepleasuresbooksandgifts.com

Permission Slips released by Grand Central Publishing of Hachette Book Group

Available for sale through Simple Pleasures: http://www.alibris.com/stores/spbooks1 and other bookstores and retailers