The Art of Being a Woman: A Simple Guide to Everyday Love and Laughter by Veronique Vienne

The Art of Being a Woman: A Simple Guide to Everyday Love and Laughter Reviews

• 
  Tiare

  Reading this book, it was just OK. But then when I was finished and went back and read some of my favorite quotes from it, I realized there are some great lines that if one takes those words, and applies them to one's thinking, it just might change the way you live. And maybe that's what the authors intent was, to leave you wanting to become a better person...if you can get past all the cliches and stereotypes.
• 
  Leah

  I did not like this book. I thought it was going to be inspirational and women empowering and instead it was chock full of crappy advice like "buy myself something pretty" and "it's my duty to wear make-up and make a presentation of my face for the world". No kidding I couldn't make this stuff up. I apparently am also a bad and arrogant person because I dress casually for funerals, call the guy my friend is seeing what's-his-name, and do not own an unabridged dictionary. Seriously?? She wraps this awful book up by talking about when I'm famous on my way to see Oprah and the realizations I will come to? I don't know about you, but this is just not a worry in my life. Aside from the obvious non-empowering (asking me to do housework in a dress and heels) to the flagrant consumerism that grinds against my personal gears (buy yourself something pretty) I really thought this book was awful.
• 
  Desirae Topper

  If you admire European women, are annoyed by feminists, are thankful God made you a woman you may love this little book.
• 
  Pam

  This woman has a way with words. She is insightful and witty. With each of her topics pondered, I found myself wanting to underline her phrases of smart perspective. However, since I was reading these words from a library book, I refrained myself and walked away instead with a good feeling. Yet, I will buy this book and read it again and go back and highlight and underline specifics worth revisiting again and again . Her words and insight are that good.
• 
  Ebony Haywood

  Charming book. Although it is not what I consider to be an in depth read nor a life changing read, Vienne does offer a few gems of wisdom that inspire me to want to live a better life.
• 
  Shreefa

  Not that good and not that bad.
• 
  Julia

  It's a bit hit and miss. Some chapters are good, some are... Bizarre. Overall quite forgettable. Every now and again I read these fluffy books for self-care motivation and a pick me up, and this one didn't do much for me.
• 
  Jazz

  I picked this up for super cheap knowing that I might not like it, so I don't know why I'm so surprised that I didn't like this.
• 
  Vicki

  I liked the whole “series.” Maybe a bit dated, but good womanly content. A
  Appreciated the photography.
• 
  Elbia

  Cute short read.
• 
  Laura Woodyard

  Loved this from beginning to end
• 
  Stefani Akins

  I got this from the library this morning and finished it this afternoon. It is that short and easy to read. I do recommend you approach it with an open mind, and you will find some hidden gems of wisdom to benefit from. Remember to read this as a lighthearted booklet on making the most of your life, not a self-help book, and you'll be the happier for it.
• 
  Sandy

  This French author Veronique Vienne is a gifted writer. She writes as a gourmet chef cooks, crafting her ideas with savory and spicy word selection and sentence tone. The book is pretty to hold, and the font and design are so nice. I was inspired at times while reading, which was a bonus. For example, I can see every female (even the ones I don't really like) as a woman and therefore a sister and hence transcend my irritation. I can see shopping as an exchange of appreciation for the artistry or effort in creating and selling the product I desire. Ms. Vienne suggests dressing up in a grand dress and heels for housecleaning to lift this chore from its doldrums. While I don't expect to try this, the audacity and surprise of this idea delighted me, made me smile, and still does so today. So while the book is probably politically incorrect for the feminist/anti-consumerist/social justice-oriented woman, and is certainly out-of-touch for the billions of women in poverty who simply don't live in a world with the kinds of choices she describes, I still think it is a worthwhile light read. I enjoyed her creative take on the feminine style. Maybe I should put 3 stars.
• 
  Briana

  A lot of great advice in this book, but it left me feeling overwhelmed. While I wish I could completely be the woman she tries to create, I cannot. Maybe in bits and pieces, here and there...but to be this woman entirely, would be quite a feat. To be in an era where being a woman can be celebrated seems a bit utopian. I think we can individually celebrate our own achievements. As for the world celebrating them, I think that only happens on Mother's day. She paints a beautiful picture of what a woman could be given the opportunity to cultivate that in herself. I think it's a good starting point though. It encouraged me to embrace my wholly broken self while I work on incorporating other beautiful traits within my trifecta (mind, body, and soul).
• 
  Yoonmee

  Well, it's definitely a simple guide. Three stars b/c I really liked the parts about viewing other women as sources of inspiration as opposed to competition, about needing to nurture female friendships, etc.
  
  Quotes:
  "You can forever change the way you think about other women by systematically seeking the company of members of the fair sex over a short period of time and actively challenging the assumption that their many qualities are a threat to your ego."
  
  "It takes one to know one -- it takes a great woman to spot greatness in other women. Every time you notice something you like in another woman, you can rest assured that the same quality exists in you."
  
  
• 
  Kate

  Complete disappointment. I had read that this author was “inspirational to women”—however I was far from inspired. Cute cover…but rather characterless contents. I couldn’t even finish this book (and so maybe I missed the inspiring part) but I found no new insights on how to live more authentically other than not reading this book. I actually felt offended by the silly “wisdom”—as if the author thought that that was as deep as women can get (she clearly hasn’t met me, or my friends, or the majority of the women I know).
• 
  Cyllansy

  Having lost my mother in my early 20's, the person from whom I relied on for advice and wisdom, especially as a young woman, I went through stages of uncertainties and insecurities and it took a while until I finally found my own bearing, thanks in part to all the women who became, somewhat of a "mother figure" and "sisters" throughout my life. I would not be who I am had it not been for their friendships.
  Wish this book had been written earlier for it would have made easier the challenges of finding one's way in life, from relationships, career to personal fulfillment...
• 
  Sera

  I thought this book was cute and fairly clever. A light read with the twist of a French perspective on 'the art of being a woman'. Some gems can be found within while other concepts should be taken with a grain of salt. Clever, cute drawings to go along with ideas. Overall, an average book I may recommend to a friend or two looking for mild entertainment on one woman's perspective on being a woman.
• 
  Janelle

  I picked this book up after seeing it referenced somewhere. I thought it might have some gems to reference for a women's discussion group I'm leading at work. I thought it'd be more about "love and laughter" as the subtitle indicates than the fashion, makeup and shopping that fills many of the pages. So it wasn't really what I was looking for. But it was a quick read and I liked the author's tone. I do want to go back to Paris because of her references to her homeland.
• 
  Christina

  I liked the first half of the book much better than the second half. It's a nice little book for young women about life, love, family & fashion. I liked how she addressed the American and French way of living, and the different views they had on life and love.
• 
  cole

  a quick, engaging read.
• 
  Tash

  An insight into why we do the things we do and the unique power we yield as women! It's a nice non comital book that allows you to revisit its wisdom on any page at any juncture.
• 
  Liz Lovesrainbows

  Seemed extremely out of date. Pigeon holed women into 1950's characters.
• 
  Anne

  This was good but I liked 2 of her other books better: "The Art of Imperfection: Simple Ways to Make Peace w/ Yourself" and "The Art of Doing Nothing: Simple Ways to Make Time For Yourself."
• 
  Emily Wetzel

  An author whom I've enjoyed previously, but wouldn't didn't find myself wanting continue as I waded through the chapters.