Product Description

In a society that puts so much emphasis on perfection, Veronica Chambers mischievously casts aside the guilt-inducing litany of “shoulda, coulda, woulda” that seems to define modern-day life and replaces it with a resounding call to live with “foolish bravery.” Refreshingly open about the personal failures and limitations that once weighed her down with shame, Chambers describes how she turned her less-than-perfect qualities into sources of delight and satisfaction. From belting out off-key renditions of torch songs while washing the dishes to seeing even the most unlikely career opportunity as a chance to spread one’s wings, Chambers shows that a willingness to fall flat on one’s face heightens the joys of everyday life and opens a new, wonderfully liberating perspective on work, motherhood, aging, friendship, failure, and success.

With a winning combination of lighthearted anecdotes and heartfelt musings, Chambers encourages readers to follow her example and do the things that tickle their fancies and fire their imaginations—no matter what other people (and that little voice inside) may say. Like Chambers herself, they’ll discover that “what we consider our failures have a surprising ability to charm . . . we are loved for our imperfections—for our funny faces and walks and dances and songs.”

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #173999 in Books
• Published on: 2006-04-04
• Released on: 2006-04-04
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 256 pages

From Booklist
"Throughout my life," write Chambers, "my willingness to fall flat on my face has been my most marked characteristic." Joke she might, but Chambers is no slouch. In this collection of essays, many first appearing in O, Oprah's magazine, she documents various successes and shortcomings. She ditches ballet for a free-spirited African dance class, tries kick-boxing despite her fear of being hit, signs on as a philanthropist and is able to donate a study room in her alma mater's library, and travels to exotic locales. A well-bylined magazine writer, Chambers writes in a breezy, punchy style, although she does address serious matters, including a breast-cancer scare. Through humor, Chambers learns to develop "self-care tools" that prompt her to try new things no matter how foreign or difficult they may seem. Women of all ages will find inspiration in her approach to life and her call for "foolish bravery" in the face of challenges both big and small. Bursting with strong-willed, fiery spirit, Chambers is at the top of her game. Emily Cook
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Review
Advance Praise for The Joy of Doing Things Badly

“Wickedly wise and literally delicious, Veronica Chambers’s The Joy of Doing Things Badly is the perfect desert island gift to self, or friend, stranded and starving on the island of perfectionism.”
—Alice Randall, author of The Wind Done Gone and Pushkin and the Queen of Spades

“This delightfully honest book is a must-read for every woman who has ever failed and triumphed—and for every woman who has ever been afraid to try. Chambers reminds us that it is not only okay to fail, it is imperative in a life lived with gusto.”
—Alisa Valdes-Rodriguez, author of The Dirty Girls Social Club

“Women in all cultures are encouraged to go to ridiculous extremes to live up to others’ expectations. Finally, a self-help book that says STOP—happiness comes from taking risks and making mistakes, not from seeking perfection. Here’s a book that hands out advice for discovering the joy of failure—good advice for women everywhere.”
—Leslie Morgan Steiner, editor of Mommy Wars: Stay-at-Home and Career Moms Face Off on Their Choices, Their Lives, Their Families
 
“There is so much joy in this book! Veronica Chambers writes with a child’s delight at living life and with an elder’s wisdom, a rare and precious combination.”
—Elizabeth Alexander, Yale University, poet, essayist, playwright

“A wonderful and inspirational book for both women and men on how to truly enjoy life, no matter what it throws at you.” —Marcus Samuelsson, chef, restaurateur, author of Aquavit and the New Scandinavian Cuisine

“Just like a conversation with your best girlfriend, The Joy of Doing Things Badly is good food for the soul.”
—Alisha Davis, MTV News

Review
Advance Praise for The Joy of Doing Things Badly

“Wickedly wise and literally delicious, Veronica Chambers’s The Joy of Doing Things Badly is the perfect desert island gift to self, or friend, stranded and starving on the island of perfectionism.”
—Alice Randall, author of The Wind Done Gone and Pushkin and the Queen of Spades

“This delightfully honest book is a must-read for every woman who has ever failed and triumphed—and for every woman who has ever been afraid to try. Chambers reminds us that it is not only okay to fail, it is imperative in a life lived with gusto.”
—Alisa Valdes-Rodriguez, author of The Dirty Girls Social Club

“Women in all cultures are encouraged to go to ridiculous extremes to live up to others’ expectations. Finally, a self-help book that says STOP—happiness comes from taking risks and making mistakes, not from seeking perfection. Here’s a book that hands out advice for discovering the joy of failure—good advice for women everywhere.”
—Leslie Morgan Steiner, editor of Mommy Wars: Stay-at-Home and Career Moms Face Off on Their Choices, Their Lives, Their Families
 
“There is so much joy in this book! Veronica Chambers writes with a child’s delight at living life and with an elder’s wisdom, a rare and precious combination.”
—Elizabeth Alexander, Yale University, poet, essayist, playwright

“A wonderful and inspirational book for both women and men on how to truly enjoy life, no matter what it throws at you.” —Marcus Samuelsson, chef, restaurateur, author of Aquavit and the New Scandinavian Cuisine

“Just like a conversation with your best girlfriend, The Joy of Doing Things Badly is good food for the soul.”
—Alisha Davis, MTV News

Customer Reviews

A great "non self help" self help book
This book was great company on train rides home. I like the way Chambers gives her wisdom, but admits when she is clueless about something. In the "I did it, so can you" vain, I found some of her advice to be cliched, but she is savvy enough to say, "this is going to sound like a cliche", which reminds us that there are reasons these things stick around: they are true. I've never read any of her fiction, but I will now!

If You've Got It Why Not Flaunt It?
I really liked this book because Veronica Chambers approaches life in a can-do kind of way. Problems, what problems. In a one man's junk is another man's treasure kind of way, Chambers embraces the notion of problems only being problems if you perceive them to be. Her solutions vary but ultimately they come down to learning to be thoughtful, choosing your battles, knowing that this too shall pass and that trouble don't last always. Far from being a treatise on approaching life wearing rose colored glasses, "The Joy of Doing Things Badly" urges us to face life head on and enjoy it.

The Joy of Being Yourself

Veronica Chamber's second nonfiction book, The Joy of Doing Things Badly, is essentially about acceptance and living one's life on your own terms. Most of us go through life beating ourselves up for our frailties and faults instead of allowing ourselves to learn from our mistakes gracefully. Chambers presents lessons about love, friendships, relationships and career but most importantly she chronicles the joys and sorrows of coming to a place of her own peace and acceptance of herself.

Chambers did not have a happy childhood; however she went to a private college at age sixteen, majored in journalism and has worked for several publications including Glamour and New York Times Magazine. Her career has been a series of ups and downs; an editor once told her she was a bad writer and threw back every idea she pitched. What could have been career suicide for most writers only made her stronger and more determined to do what she needed to overcome that obstacle. It is okay to fall flat on your face, just get up and run faster.

How to be happy in one's own skin, when to let go of toxic relationships and learning from financial mishaps read like a road map to personal success. It was fun to read about Chambers extensive travels; how it has enriched her life and how essential it is to keeping her sanity. She paints a picture of content in traveling abroad alone and her positive experience living briefly in Japan

There are a lot of wise saying and thus wisdom dispensed. "There is no shortage of people who will tell you what you can't do, but these same people don't always have a lot of encouraging advice about what you should be doing....pg. 5.and "Too often, we hear compliments about another person, by the same fashion, we do not hear compliments about ourselves at all." pg. 116.

Most impressive was how the author, when in her twenties, constructed a book by cutting out pictures of women she admired who were in their 30s and older and writing captions of what she admired most about these women. It was something she could look at occasionally and visualize herself as she worked toward her goals. Most women might find much of the advice ordinary common sense and just living and learning but this is an excellent treatise for younger women in high school, college and those in their twenties to read as they negotiate their journey through life. There is even a Joy newsletter you can obtain by writing to joyofdoingthingsbadly@yahoo.com.

Dera R. Williams
APOOO BookClub
www.apooo.org