Permission Slips: Every Woman's Guide to Giving Herself a Break [Hardcover]

Sherri Shepherd (Author), Laurie Kilmartin (Contributor)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 5, 2009

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.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

I was one of those kids who was always putting on a show, The View cohost Shepherd writes in this tell-all memoir loosely structured as a self-help book; after every tumultuous chapter Shepherd gives the reader permission to do this or not do that based on her own experience (Write yourself a permission slip that says, 'I tried, and I can't handle this' ). Shepherd is a feisty African-American single mom, comedian and former Jehovah's Witness. The tone is good-natured, rueful and funny. Yet it will be no surprise that Shepherd has had a few bumps in the road: among others, being shamed by her family and church for having sex at age 14; rejected in her showbiz career; and the birth of a severely premature baby, divorce and a diagnosis of diabetes. Shepherd is a woman coming to terms with her altered looks as she passes 40 alone and raising a child. She is still religious, and occasionally the reader may pull back, such as when Shepherd admits she does not believe in evolution. All in all, though, this is a good, dishy read, if not easy to apply to one's own everyday life. (Oct. 14)
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About the Author

Sherri Shepherd currently serves as a co-host on ABC's The View, which airs five days a week on ABC affiliates nationally and consistently draws more than 3 million viewers per show. She also plays a recurring character on NBC's 30 Rock.

Sherri has had a long career as a regular cast member on some of America's best-loved shows, including Suddenly Susan, Everybody Loves Raymond, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, and her own show, Less Than Perfect. Sherri has also been in countless other TV shows and films including Beauty Shop, and Guess Who.

Sherri currently resides in New York with her son.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 288 pages
• Publisher: Grand Central Publishing (October 5, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0446547425
• ISBN-13: 978-0446547420
• Product Dimensions: 1 x 5.9 x 8.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (75 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #950,101 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars A humorus, gentle read September 2, 2009

By D. Matlack

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Vine™ Review (What's this?)

Don't expect out right deep guffaws and belly laughs from Sherri Shepherd's memoirs. Sherri finds the humor in dark moments but relates her life, experiences and observations with class and gives herself some dignity along the way. And since Ms. Shepard professes a deep respect, love and devotion for God and comments frequently on her personal quest for spirituality, you will find nothing to fill bathroom humor requirements.

A nice, light pleasant read about a woman who tries to make the most of life's opportunities.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Giving myself a permission slip to rate this a 3 August 18, 2009

By OlyNomad VINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Vine™ Review (What's this?)

I have a mixed opinion on this one. I've watched Sherri on The View, so I wasn't expecting highly intellectual material in the book, that's just not who she is. This book is pretty much how she is on the show and the positive is that you learn a lot about her history, her experiences and her thoughts. The negative (for me) is that it reads a little too close to a Cosmo magazine article. Too much "girl this and girl that" and massive generalizations, how women are all needy emotional domestic creatures and how men are all destined to be cheaters. Just too much female weakness for me and way too much hypocrisy. An example of a cringe-worthy moment reading it is when she asks herself what she could have done better in her relationship and this is what she comes up with "I should've put out more". Here is another line straight out of the 50's "Also, sex, like classical music, calms the savage beast, and sometime's that's all men are." She talks about her girlfriends in the book and it makes me wonder how good of girlfriends they are because maybe they should be pointing out to her why she attracts that kind of man in the first place? She sets herself up for it.
So, it's worth a buy if you have an interest in learning more about her background and experiences. If you are hoping to find any kind of self-growth or insights through the book, I'd make sure just to rent it at the library.

10 of 13 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars It's Okay To Mess Up October 8, 2009

By Donnica Carter VINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Vine™ Review (What's this?)

Sherri Shepherd's PERMISSION SLIPS is a hilarious take on learning lessons from your mistakes. Sherri takes you through the journey of her childhood, her struggle to pursue her dreams, and even her divorce. At the end of each blurb, Sherri encourages women to give themselves a permission slip when something does not go the way they intended. She addresses her addiction to food and her struggles with diabetes. Her permission slips are funny but laced with truth. Such as giving yourself permission to eat a slice of chocolate cake, only if you promise to make a doctor appointment to get checked for diabetes.

Laurie Kilmartin, the co-author, does a great job capturing Sherri's voice. This will have you laughing and crying at the same time. Sherri's pure honesty is so refreshing. She gives it to you in her tell-it-like-it-is kind of way. And the message is good. Women, look after yourself first. You cannot make anyone happy until you are truly happy. I highly recommend this book.

Donnica Copeland
APOOO BookClub
Sista Talk Book Club

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful

2.0 out of 5 stars Big Mistake For Me To Choose This Book April 25, 2010

By Turtles all the Way Down™ VINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Vine™ Review (What's this?)

I enjoyed her on The View from time to time and thought this would be a lighthearted, pleasant read.
I have procrastinated reviewing this because it took me so long to finally get around to finishing this book(She's long winded and if you have ADHD and need to do a report on this book---you're in trouble!).

On the positive side, she makes the reader feel like her girlfriend with all the "secrets" she reveals and Ms. Shepherd is, for the most part, pleasant & lighthearted about it. But as another reviewer noted, the secrets were nothing unusual and there were no lessons, nothing profound in this book.

It truly was a mistake for me to purchase this because I'm not particularly religious and tire of trite excessive religious wording. Being that it was a mistake of mine to choose this book, I think it would be unfair for me to give it a 1 star, but I think 3 would be a bit generous

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Give yourself permission to enjoy this book! November 23, 2009

By Teacher Jeanne VINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Vine™ Review (What's this?)

Sherri Shepherd's book Permission Slips: Every Woman's Guide to Giving Herself a Break, is a light, easy read full of entertainment and insightfulness into the life and pressures of women. Sherri's permission slips are like her notes to herself that it is ok to mess up, make mistakes, and give yourself a pass on things that happen in life. She wants women to learn to stop being so hard on themselves.

I personally loved this book. When I read it, it was like Sherri was saying it right to me. I could almost hear her voice and feel her presence coming from the page. She has a great gift that allows her to see the humor in some not so humorous experiences in her life. She talks about her childhood, growing up a Jehovah's Witness, her parents divorce, her career pursuits, her marriage and divorce, her premature son, and "the sugar"(diabetes). The book is uplifting and made me take a deep breath, look back at my life and my mistakes, and forgive myself my imperfections.

Some reviewers mentioned the strong religious undertones of this book. I wasn't at all put off by her discussion of her childhood growing up as a Witness or later finding God. She talks about how God talked to her how she didn't listen, and when she didn't want to listen he would talk a little louder or put people in her life to teach her what He wanted her to learn. If you think about it as just listening to your inner voice and being true to yourself then the God part doesn't matter. The message is to take care of yourself, so don't let the religion scare you away. Take what you like and leave the rest, as they say.

Overall I would highly recommend this book. It is a fast read and can be easily put down and picked back up later. It is uplifting and funny and made me feel good.