Be Happy or I'll Scream!: My Deranged Quest for the Perfect Husband, Family, and Life (Paperback)

~ (Author) "I knew I was beaten on the day I finally admitted to myself that I was using the dog as a vacuum cleaner..." (more)
Key Phrases: maze master, terrific mom, pink fire, Baby Jesus, State Fair, Pine Island (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Parents will love Lynch's faux interview with toddler Olivia: "I don't go to sleep; I pass out," the kid tells her. "And I try to take as many people down with me as I can." Lynch (Hello, My Name Is Mommy) cleverly captures the angst of child-rearing in this funny memoir. She works while her husband stays at home with their two children, but that doesn't squelch her desire to create a family like those on TV, with their touching moments and meaningful lessons. Thus she gives herself a year to transform her family. The theme peters out, but Lynch's stories are funny enough that readers won't care. Her subjects—the $850 toddler birthday party, the fact that "the first obstacle to hot marital monkey love is the crushing tyranny of one's own children," disastrous family vacations—have all been covered in other parenting memoirs, yet Lynch is so adroit, her material feels fresh. Working moms especially will applaud Lynch's insight: "if I were the one staying home, complete strangers wouldn't stroll up to him and coo: 'I think it's just so neat how your wife takes care of the kids. And she's adorable, too. Aren't you lucky?' " (Mar.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Review

“…queen of the one-liners…”—Charlotte Observer
 
“(Lynch is) armed with a combination of brutal honesty and razor-sharp wit.”—The Business Journal of Charlotte, NC

--This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin (February 6, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312342349
• ISBN-13: 978-0312342340
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (43 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #883,208 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Fun Read!, July 10, 2006

By	J. A Carty "jkcarty" (Charlotte, NC United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Be Happy or I'll Scream!: My Deranged Quest for the Perfect Husband, Family, and Life (Hardcover)

As you will note from most reviewers on this book, we began as fans of the Bob and Sheri radio show of which the author is co-host, I fall into that category as well. I did not have any particular expectations about the book, but I found it very enjoyable.

From the viewpoint of someone who listens to the show A LOT you might find some of the stories repetitive because you have definitely heard them before, but there are new tidbits thrown in even for the most avid listener.

Sheri structures the book well and her writing style is very professional. This isn't just some radio personality who decided to write a book. She has a gift for storytelling that I think a lot of people overlook, whether it is on her show or in this fun book.

If you enjoy the show or enjoyed books by authors like Erma Bombeck (Please Don't Eat the Dasies) then you will enjoy this book as well. Hey, you don't even have to have kids to appreciate it! (That is for those married but without children like me :)

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Everyone can relate to this book!, March 20, 2006

By	Barbara Wetzell (Mill Valley, CA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Be Happy or I'll Scream!: My Deranged Quest for the Perfect Husband, Family, and Life (Hardcover)

Great book - once again Sheri Lynch nails the "real life" situations families go through! Sheri is a genius and very entertaining! I loved this book!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This One Screams the TRUTH!!!, February 9, 2006

By	Angellicious "Ang" (Charlotte, NC USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Be Happy or I'll Scream!: My Deranged Quest for the Perfect Husband, Family, and Life (Hardcover)

I love listening to Bob & Sheri every morning on my radio. I couldn't wait to get my hands on Sheri's second book. After reading this...there is no doubt that she speaks the truth about what every working mother thinks, feels, fears and desires. Chapter 9, "Betty Briefcase," really spoke to me personally. I can't write enough positive things about this wonderful book.

Check out Chapter 12...I love all the behind-the-scenes of the local Tree Lighting ceremony on television! Who knew?!

Look out America...Sheri Lynch could be the next Erma Bombeck for the new century.