Book Review & Giveaway: The Tao of Martha

By Amy Bromberg

**Giveaway is now closed**

Jen’s still a little rough around the edges. Suffice it to say, she’s no Martha Stewart. And that is exactly why Jen is going to Martha up and live her life according to the advice of America’s overachieving older sister—the woman who turns lemons into lavender-infused lemonade.

By immersing herself in Martha’s media empire, Jen will embark on a yearlong quest to take herself, her house, her husband (and maybe even her pets) to the next level—from closet organization to craft making, from party planning to kitchen prep.

Maybe Jen can go four days without giving herself food poisoning if she follows Martha’s dictates on proper storage....Maybe she can grow closer to her girlfriends by taking up their boring-ass hobbies like knitting and sewing.…Maybe she can finally rid her workout clothes of meatball stains by using Martha’s laundry tips.… Maybe she can create a more meaningful anniversary celebration than just getting drunk in the pool with her husband....again. And maybe, just maybe, she’ll discover that the key to happiness does, in fact, lie in Martha’s perfectly arranged cupboards and artfully displayed charcuterie platters.

Or maybe not. (Summary courtesy of Goodreads.)

Ever since I read Pretty in Plaid, I've been a diehard Jen Lancaster fan. Of course, right afterward I read her previous memoirs. I don't think any author makes me crack up like Jen does. I've had the pleasure of meeting her at a couple of signings, but last year at BEA topped them all. Besides seeing her and Jennifer Weiner do a panel together at Bryant Park, I actually chatted with her for 20 minutes that night at the Penguin Bash. I had to keep telling myself "she's only a person Amy, stay cool."  

I think this may be my favorite memoir by Jen Lancaster thus far. As always there's Lancaster's wit, but this time there's some seriousness too. She's grown up quite a bit since Bitter is the New Black, that's for sure. Perhaps more people can relate because Jen deals with a couple of heavy "adult" issues. I've never been very into Oprah or Martha, but if I had to choose one, it would definitely be Martha. I totally agree with Jen that Oprah is all about feelings, while Martha is about doing. I've read my share of self-help books and barely any of them are about physically doing things.

It's a big coincidence but since last week I've had this huge desire to start cooking and baking (I'm the laziest person when it comes to the kitchen). I made French Toast Strata with raspberries. When I first told my husband this he said "I'll believe it when I see it." Well, I went shopping for the ingredients, actually cleaned our and organized our kitchen cupboard and successfully made this delicious dish. And you know what? I had a fun time doing it. Even though all of Jen's "Martha projects" weren't a success, I do believe she enjoyed herself and learned something through each of them. Isn't that what life is all about?

I cannot recommend Jen Lancaster enough. If you're looking for a book to make you laugh out loud, then look no further than The Tao of Martha. But seriously, you have to read all of her other memoirs as well, as well as her two fiction novels. I promise they won't disappoint.

Earlier this month Jen was on The Today Show. The crew actually filmed in her house during one of her Martha Stewart projects.

Thanks to Penguin for the book in exchange for an honest review. They have THREE copies for some lucky US readers!

How to win:
Please tell us the most domestic thing you do, whether it's folding laundry or making couch pillows...anything goes!

One entry per person.

Please include your e-mail address or another way to reach you if you win.

US only. Giveaway ends July 1st at midnight EST.

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