Book Review: Scary Mommy's Guide to Surviving the Holidays by Jill Smokler and Scary Mommy Contributors

Summary:
From New York Times bestselling author and acclaimed “Scary Mommy” blogger Jill Smokler comes a funny and practical guide filled with essays, recipes, and tried-and-true tips sure to get any parent through the holiday season—without losing your marbles.

Ah, the holidays: a time of joy, celebration, serenity, and peace…

Unless, of course, you have whiny, screaming children demanding presents, attention, and a personal appearance by Santa or Judah the Maccabee. Then you’re screwed.

But wait, there’s hope: Scary Mommy Guide to Surviving the Holidays to the rescue!

Yes, in this handy holiday guide, you’ll find everything you need to survive the fall/winter rush of cheer in style, and without having a mental breakdown. From relatable, hilarious essays on everything from the Santa myth to being seated at the dreaded kids’ table, to easy-to-follow recipes that might include just a little something special to take the edge off (can anyone say Kahlua?), to fun and accessible gift ideas, this book is your ticket to peace of mind—and a laugh—during the busy, crazy holiday season!
 
Release Date: November 17, 2014
Age Group: Adult
Source: Purchased
Reviewed By: Kelli
 
Review:
Jill Smokler's website, Scary Mommy, is one of my all-time favorite sites.  The articles, the anonymous confessions, the community with like-minded parents, all of these elements combine to make a site that I visit at least once a day.  Jill hosts guest bloggers regularly and usually has a new article every day.  I love that! 

I bought this book because I knew it would be a fun read, but I also wanted to support Scary Mommy Nation's Thanksgiving Project.  Every year on Scary Mommy, families in need are provided with gift cards to grocery stores so that they can have Thanksgiving dinner.  Isn't that awesome?  Jill keeps Scary Mommy fun, but also helps people---not just at Thanksgiving---and I love that about her and her site.

I really enjoyed Scary Mommy's Guide to Surviving the Holidays.  It was a light-hearted, fast read, and I found myself smiling and laughing as I read.  This book consists of essays by different contributing authors (many of whom I regularly follow on their own blogs) and also recipes for holiday food.  Even the recipes were funny, as each contributor put their own spin on the instructions or the description of the food.  Not to mention, some of the recipes were quite mouthwatering just to read about!

The group of authors and the varied content kept this book feeling fresh and new the whole way through.  I never got bored and found myself loving the change in "voice" with each essay.  The perspectives from other moms, who get just as stressed during the holidays as I do, were comforting for me.  I often feel like I'm the only one who gets so overwhelmed by the get-togethers, the gifts, the busy-ness of the holidays. It was nice to read that other women, women whose writing I know and respect, feel the same way.

Scary Mommy's Guide to Surviving the Holidays was a light-hearted, fast, and fun read.  I had a good time reading it and would definitely recommend it!
 
 

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