Julie's Review: The Tao of Martha

Summary: One would think that with her impressive list of bestselling self-improvement memoirs Jen Lancaster would have it all together by now. One would be wrong. After all, shes no Martha Stewart. And thats why Jen is going to Martha up and live her life according to the advice of Americas overachieving older sister—the woman who turns lemons into lavender-infused lemonade. By immersing herself in Marthas media empire, Jen embarks on a yearlong quest to take herself, her house, her husband (and maybe even her pets) to the next level—from closet organization to party planning. Maybe Jen can avoid food poisoning if she follows Marthas dictates on proper storage. Maybe she can rid her workout clothes of meatball stains by using Marthas laundry tips. Maybe she can create a more meaningful anniversary celebration than getting drunk in the pool with her husband. Again. And maybe shell discover that the key to happiness does, in fact, lie in Marthas perfectly arranged cupboards and charcuterie platters. ~powells.com

Review: Thinking I might give audio another go, I went with Michelle's recommendation of The Tao of Martha by Jen Lancaster. As you know, I adore her. I've seen her in person a few different times and she is super funny and friendly. So when Michelle told me JL narrated this one, I knew it was perfect for me.

Jen needs a little organization in her life and so she turns to the goddess of it, Martha Stewart. Determined to live by Martha's edicts for a year, she begins her journey. 2011 was a crap year from Jen and Fletch, so she's determined to have a better 2012. She truly thinks her life would be that much easier if she just was more strict and more organized.

It is when Jen shows her heart that she is at her best. It is through Maizy's illness that we see just how much she adores her furry children. How she will do anything to help them. Listening to this at work and trying not to cry was difficult. Thank god for the invention of Kleenex.

Jen always makes me laugh and this experiment is no different. I admire her gusto and her "be awesome" credo. Not every thing she aspires to do under Martha's tutelage goes well but that's why I love her.

I loved the part where she made fun of Fletch for his prepping but then went all gung-ho with it herself. She justified it by saying she was planning and that canning was essential to the Tao of Martha. I also love how Fletch is still her voice of reason. He knows how to talk her down from the ledge and reminds her what the the true meaning of her year long project is.

Final Take: 4/5


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