Customer Reviews

Patti's Pearls: Lessons in Living Genuinely, Joyfully, Generously

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

What I enjoyed most about this book is the way Patti described her own personal moments as she gives the pearls of wisdom. You will not only get some "right on" pieces of wisdom, but Patti will tell the ups and downs in her own life as she began to appreciate the very messages she's sharing. I am already familiar with some of the messages she shares(serenity prayer, for example), but this book will give you a fresh view of some time honored truths. If you are a true Patti fan (and who isn't?) you will be familiar with a few of the stories she shares, but those were life changing moments in her life and the lessons learned should be told again and again. One of Patti's pearls that I just love is "You Don't Need A Certain Number Of Friends, Only A Number Of Friends You Can Be Certain Of"..Pick this up for yourself and the teenagers in your life.

"Many a false step is made by standing still"..."You don't need a certain number of friends, just a number of friends you can be certain of"...and my personal favorite quote from "Patti's Pearls": "If you wait until your hands stop shaking you will never open the door. You can't steal second base with your foot on first. You have to go out on a limb..because that's where all the fruit is."

Once again, Miss Patti demonstrates why she is in a class by herself. Simply put, this book is extraordinary. EXTRAORDINARY. On the heels of her two best selling books in recent years I wondered "what on earth has my girl left to say?" To my surprise, and delight, PLENTY. Miss Patti isn't done with us yet! After reading the 30 page sample on Amazon.com I purchased a copy for myself...after reading the book, in just a few hours, I purchased 20 additional copies for my family and closest friends. This is an essential read. A profound read..a book that matters. I promise, you will not be able to put it down. In a profession where the emphasis is on aesthetics and theatrics, "Patti's Pearls" only reinforces what thousands of fans have known for years; Patti Labelle is a woman of substance. If the truth be told, her true gift is that amazing ability, and willingness, to remind us that she is but one of the girls even though that amazing voice tells us she is a chosen one. Other so called Queens and Diva's have written fluff pieces that only further perpetuate their warped belief that they are "above" the rest of us. They erroneously believe that because they sing better, they are better. Patti's courage to bare it all, especially her failures, is awe inspiring and it elevates her above her peers. The chapter about refusing millions of dollars to perform in South Africa brought me to tears...as did the chapter about her father's infidelity and her mother's amazing reaction to it. If you think you have heard all that Patti has to say in concert or in her previous book 'Don't Block the Blessings' you are mistaken. I had not heard most of these stories before and I have been a Patti fan for over 20 years. This should be required reading for every high school in America. There is more wisdom contained within the pages of this book than many of us encounter in a lifetime. As much as I admire many of her contemporaries, nobody-and I mean NOBODY- can do me like Patti. She is the queen of my soul...the book is superb.

In Patti's Pearls, singer/entertainer Patti LaBelle with Ebony columnist, Laura Randolph Lancaster, gives her readers lessons, anecdotes, and pearls of wisdom that she has culled over the years. She takes incidents from her life as an entertainer, daughter, sister, and mother to reveal the fears, trials and joys of life.

Each chapter is headed by a title that will grab and take hold of your senses and make you contemplate, such as "Many a false step is made by standing still", "If you can't be the tablecloth, don't be the dishrag", and "The best way to predict your future is to create it". She shares the heartaches of losing her sisters to illness and the fickle world of show business. She shares candidly the heartache of the end of her long-time marriage and the determination to move on, hopeful that the future promises a brighter future.

This is a little book with big ambitions, not unlike many of the feel-good, self-help books that are offered by many entertainers who want to share their triumphs over adversities. This book is forthright but does not have a preachy tone that can be a turn-off as some other similar books do. I keep this book next to my bed to grab and read a chapter at will for a quick uplifting pick-me-up. Tell it Patti!

Dera Williams
APOOO BookClub

For 40 years as a singer, Patti LaBelle has mesmerized us with a style that many imitate but rarely duplicate. The stylistic rendering of this diva of song from her third Literary effort, Patti's Pearls: Lessons In Living Genuinely, Joyfully, Generously, are self-help inspirational guidelines delivered in a believable idiom much like her singing -- with invigorating energy that implores one to sit up and listen. After listening, I couldn't help but bring to mind my own upbringing, remembering much of the same logic being dispensed here. Written in tandem with her longtime friend, Laura Randolph Lancaster, this offering is in audio form which adds a different, if not compelling. version in light of Patti's stage machinations.

If the intent is to truly inspire, cajole, and motivate, one easily wonders whether these "pearls" are a direct result from personal tragedy, mayhem, or situations from being there. One thing that I feel listeners will agree with is her candor and down-to-earth voice capturing valuable lessons. If you're looking for something different, perhaps you must take a look at yourself before giving this audio-book a chance, especially if it's perceived that they all are one and the same. I feel that to each his own, and one must give a meaningful listen to get the gist of what this author is trying to say. I recommend it¡¦listen for what it's worth. This would be "the perfect anecdote for the ultimate secret of happiness; to grow wise before you grow old" as Patti opined in one of her pearly delights. Give it a shot!

Now, I may be prejudicial, but I am a true Patti fan. And have read and or bought her books and CD's. This book is real good. In it, she touches on her recent divorce, How the song "Nobody is Supposed to be Here" was written especially for her, yet, she turned it down, and it became a hit for Deborah Cox.Her family, her setbacks and more. Reading this book is like sitting down with your favorite girlfriend or older lady friend and letting her tell you the real deal. You won't be disappointed folks. Go out and read it.

What a blessing! This book will encourage your heart and soul.

Patti's Pearls was a inspirational read for me. She shared
some lessons of wisdom which was passed on to her.

It was as if you were having a sister girl conversation and she was and did tell it like it is as she sees it .
So much truth to the words of wisdom and great lessons to think about.
I highly recommend Patti's Pearl for a fast and inspirational read. Who knows you might even learn something from her book of life. I sure did.
You might understand some things in your life. Patti, 4.5* for sharing your words of wisdom .

I picked this up four years ago in the lounge at work. A coworker of mine had brought in a box of books she didn't want, for anyone to take. It was one of those things where I picked it up and said, "Why not? Its free!". I have to tell you, I have picked this book up over the last few years more than any other book I own. I find myself reading it when I am faced with the adversities in life that we ALL face: deceitful people, wavering self-esteem, uncertainty of the future, false friends, failed romantic relationships, to name a few. Some of the chapters I am sure I have read one hundred times. I feel like I am having a conversation with someone, someone who is not afraid to just ADMIT that life is hard sometimes. This frankness alone I find very healing in what is often a nothing-bothers-me-ever world. But most importantly, she gives what I feel are sound suggestions and solutions to the problems. Patti LaBelle is someone I would be honored to meet in person. For me, this book was concrete proof that the best things in life often come to you free. Though I would have gladly purchased it as well! :-)

that's what is so generously and kindly on offer here. I've given this book away several times because it's filled with useful tips about letting go of anger and grudges and instead, motivating yourself to express, contribute, do any small thing with sincerity for the dear ones in your life. Doing the kindest thing for yourself and others surely leads to peace of mind, and I think Patti sees this first hand. Thank you, dear friend, for sharing this priceless and yet so practical trove of help.

Sincerely,

A Fan in Brooklyn

This is a great inspirational book and love it and have read over and over.