Sign in with Facebook
Loading...
Being Perfect
A few times in your life, someone will tell you something so right, so deeply true that it changes you forever. That is what Anna Quindlen, author of the timeless bestseller A Short Guide to a Happy Life, does here.
In Being Perfect, she shares wisdom that, perhaps without knowing it, you have longed to hear: about “the perfection trap,” the price you pay when you become en...more
In Being Perfect, she shares wisdom that, perhaps without knowing it, you have longed to hear: about “the perfection trap,” the price you pay when you become en...more
Hardcover, 64 pages
Published
April 26th 2005
by Random House
Friend Reviews
To see what your friends thought of this book,
please sign up.
This book is not yet featured on Listopia.
Add this book to your favorite list »
Community Reviews
(showing
1-30
of
1,445)
Dec 08, 2008
Tracy
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Grads, Moms, Perfectionists
Shelves:
non-fiction,
inspirational
This is an essay that reads like a high school or college graduation speech. Actually, at first, that's what I thought it was. It would make a great graduation gift... or a gift for a new mom, for the following section is what struck a chord with me as a mom:
"Sometime in the future, if you are young, you may want to be a parent. You will convince yourself that you will be a better parent than your parents and their parents have been. But being a good parent is not generational, it is deeply pers...more
"Sometime in the future, if you are young, you may want to be a parent. You will convince yourself that you will be a better parent than your parents and their parents have been. But being a good parent is not generational, it is deeply pers...more
I reread my copy of the book (How Reading Changed My Life), and then had Anna Quindlen on my brain. At a recent trip to Barnes and Noble, I spotted her similarly sized book called Being Perfect. As someone who has has those tendencies, but always fails in achieving them, I was captivated and made the purchase. It did not disappoint. It was true Quindlen: lovely, inspirational, and worthy of reading with a highlighter in hand. What I love about her essays is that she is never pedantic. She offers...more
Another antidote to being perfect. "Pursuing perfection makes you unforgiving to others." I really like Anna Quindlen's writing style and don't always agree with everything that she says, but it makes me think. This short little tome is no different. A small volume of photos and creative non-fiction, focused on what many people seem to spend their life pursuing. After all, we grow up learning to do things the "right" way, getting as close to perfect on tests as we possibly can, etc. Who can blam...more
I think I need to read this one every week for a while.
Something about a black hole where your sense of self should be... hmmm...
"... Someday, sometime, you will be sitting somewhere. A berm overlooking a pond in Vermont. The lip of the Grand Canyon at sunset. A seat on the subway. And something bad will have happened: You will have lost someone you loved, or failed at something at which you badly wanted to succeed.
And sitting there, you will fall into the center of yourself. You will look for s...more
Something about a black hole where your sense of self should be... hmmm...
"... Someday, sometime, you will be sitting somewhere. A berm overlooking a pond in Vermont. The lip of the Grand Canyon at sunset. A seat on the subway. And something bad will have happened: You will have lost someone you loved, or failed at something at which you badly wanted to succeed.
And sitting there, you will fall into the center of yourself. You will look for s...more
My Rating: 2 stars
Brief Summary: This 48-page book (half of which are photos!) is an essay on why we should all give up the burden of perfectionism.
Brief Thoughts (But Really A Rant): I can't even begin to tell you how annoyed I am that this "book" is being sold for $12.95 ($17.95 in Canada). And this isn't even Quindlen's first offense of this nature!!! She did the same thing with A Short Guide to A Happy Life (with the emphasis being on "short"). There is nothing in here you can't find somewhe...more
Brief Summary: This 48-page book (half of which are photos!) is an essay on why we should all give up the burden of perfectionism.
Brief Thoughts (But Really A Rant): I can't even begin to tell you how annoyed I am that this "book" is being sold for $12.95 ($17.95 in Canada). And this isn't even Quindlen's first offense of this nature!!! She did the same thing with A Short Guide to A Happy Life (with the emphasis being on "short"). There is nothing in here you can't find somewhe...more
I would read Anna Quindlen's grocery list and LOVE it!
I love Anna Quindlen. Her essay, "On Being Mom," was forwarded to me by email years ago and still sits in the bottom of my inbox, the modern-day equivalent of an ancient, yellowed newspaper clipping taped to the inside of the medicine cabinet -- one that is so faded you can hardly read it anymore, but which you know by heart anyway. As the friend who sent it to me said, "I need to read this once a month to keep my head screwed on straight."
But while "On Being Mom" is great, "Being Perfect" is a...more
But while "On Being Mom" is great, "Being Perfect" is a...more
I almost hysterically fantasize of finding a book one day from an abandoned place that will reveal me the secrets of perfection: will tell me how to be a perfect daughter, perfect student, perfect sister, perfect lover, perfect dancer, get the perfect job, etc. So, my disappointment on reading a book, which asks you to embrace the flaws and relax, seems legit to me. I love Anna Quindlen and maybe someday, when I am old and gray, I will concede to her, but not today. Today I will push for perfect...more
Another quick essay-book with pictures. I didn't like this as well as other things by her. It mostly promotes non-conformity and, while it certainly is a valuable message, I also feel like it doesn't address the more complicated issues of how to feel successful when you DO need to be like everyone else. Especially as a Christian, we adhere to a set of principles and commandments that bring happiness. Sometimes we need to reach for perfection, even when it's impossible. And sometimes we need to b...more
Classic Anna Quindlen, I loved it.
"If you have been trying to be perfect too, then perhaps today is the day to put down that backpack before you develop permanent curvature of the spirit. Trying to be perfect may be inevitable for peple who are smart and ambitious and interested in the world and its good opinion. But at one level it's too hard, and at the other it's too cheap and easy... nothing important, or meaningful, or beautiful, or interesting, or great ever came out of imitations. What is...more
"If you have been trying to be perfect too, then perhaps today is the day to put down that backpack before you develop permanent curvature of the spirit. Trying to be perfect may be inevitable for peple who are smart and ambitious and interested in the world and its good opinion. But at one level it's too hard, and at the other it's too cheap and easy... nothing important, or meaningful, or beautiful, or interesting, or great ever came out of imitations. What is...more
First, this isn't really a book. I mean it is literally a book, but it's full of photos and is more like a very, very short essay or journal entry. A "gift book" if you will. That being said, it's great and may be one that I give copies of to others (heads up, others! hahaha). Anna Quindlen is a wise woman.
I, however, did not choose wisely when grabbing a book to throw in for my flight to Corpus Christi! That's the shortest flight ever, yes, but I finished the book before we even took off and h...more
I, however, did not choose wisely when grabbing a book to throw in for my flight to Corpus Christi! That's the shortest flight ever, yes, but I finished the book before we even took off and h...more
This was a short book titled "Being Perfect". You would assume the writing would be an explanation of how to be perfect, instead we are asked to reflect to an earlier time in our lives to find that young person in which was young, naive and willing to make mistakes. She expressed the importance of finding what makes us unique individuals, that way we can learn to share those gifts with other people we will come across in our lives. Quindlen has a great way communicating her ideas from personal e...more
Another ultra-quick read from Anna Quindlen in the same vein as A Short Guide to a Happy Life and How Reading Changed My Life. After those books I've read, I expected more from this one -- but it just didn't grab me like I thought it would (surprising, since I've definitely got some tendencies toward perfectionism!).
While I understand the author's point of not missing out on the life you have by wasting your time in the elusive goal of being perfect, I feel that it left out an important element, in that although we might not want to waste our time striving for "perfection," it is certainly a worthy goal to try and improve yourself (whatever you feel improvement may be). She makes some valid points and offers an awesome quote by Carl Jung which I found to be very helpful. It's a short read, and certainly tho...more
I read the entire book in less than ten minutes. It had some good points about being your authentic self and giving up on perfectionism, but a book this short doesn't have the room to go deep and it ends up sounding like a few pages of platitudes. Seems to have been written with the intention of filling the needs of those looking for a small, inexpensive graduation gift. It wouldn't surprise me if it was sold in Hallmark stores.
This is actually an essay with pictures; it's unfair to call it a book. I snagged it on my library's Kindle site, because it was available, and Anna Quindlen is a big name. It is a rather aged feminist message (being yourself is better than matching society's expectations of perfection), one that we need to start giving kids (boys and girls) long before they are capable of reading prose by Anna Quindlen.
I happened to grab this off the library shelf this afternoon, and decided to read a few pages before bed to see if it was a book I wanted to continue. It ended up being a very fast read, and a nice little boost with which to end the day. There were a number of nuggets in this book to think about when it comes to striving for perfection vs. taking chances and living life fully.
A short and bittersweet booklet that cautions against the perfection trap. Quindlen is a survivor of perfectionism, which she describes almost as darkly as one might discuss alcoholism or a serious gambling addiction. The mention of a "black hole" at the core of this dysfunction seemed so spot-on, I almost cried. As tragedy has taught us, the consequences of trying too hard to be perfect can be deadly.
Nothing totally profound here (read it at the library while the kids were at a program). I love the way Quindlen writes, so it's worth the read just for that, but I didn't take anything away from it. Same old stuff: Live in the moment, stop trying so hard, etc. Still, a nice little (quick) reminder of what is really important. Just not something to rush out for.
Another quick audiobook. I have mixed feelings about this one. I have issues with trying to be perfect and I thought this book might help me see things differently and maybe help me get my priorities in order. I felt she brought up a lot of good points but left them unanswered and unaddressed. It was more like reading a blog post and left me wanting more.
Is this a book or an essay? I read it on my Nook, so when it said "page 1 of 16" at the bottom, I didn't know what was going on. Whatever it is, it is a lovely little lesson on being perfect, er, rather, trying to be perfect. It sounds like it could have been a keynote speech at graduation. Lovely words, wonderful message.
I purchased four copies and intended three to go to my nieces, Emily, Rose and Betsy...I game Emily hers and I still have Rose and Betsy's on my shelf...I forgot about it! Must send. Anna addressed Education Minnesota members a few years back at our professional conference and was wonderful and that is when I got these books.
What every girl should know and every woman should share with every girl she knows and loves. I bought copies of this book for both my daughters. I probably completely annoyed them with all the passages I highlighted to make sure they read them. Classic no nonsense, tell-it-like-it-is Anna Quindlen.
This took about ten minutes to read and it was good.
Don't try to be perfect, try to be yourself.
Don't do something that isn't fun.
Follow your bliss.
But first you have to find it. Someone tell me how to do that and I will give their book five stars. Even ten!
Also, it had nice pictures.
Don't try to be perfect, try to be yourself.
Don't do something that isn't fun.
Follow your bliss.
But first you have to find it. Someone tell me how to do that and I will give their book five stars. Even ten!
Also, it had nice pictures.
This is an inspiring, easy read! With less than 50 pages (and about half of those with photos) I actually read it all the way through the night I picked it up from the library!
On the back cover there is quote from the author: "What is really hard, and really amazing, is giving up on being perfect and beginning the work of becoming yourself."
At this time of my life, this work is on my proverbial radar. Becoming yourself is like breathing, we all do it — every day — without thinking. However, on...more
On the back cover there is quote from the author: "What is really hard, and really amazing, is giving up on being perfect and beginning the work of becoming yourself."
At this time of my life, this work is on my proverbial radar. Becoming yourself is like breathing, we all do it — every day — without thinking. However, on...more
This was such, such a good book. It's super short and has a lot of pictures. I encourage all my friends, all women, and all people to read this. Anyone who has ever felt the need to be perfect, whether that is about their weight, appearance, job performance, or whatever it is. And I'm certain that we've all felt that way at some point or another. Do yourself a favor, and get this from your library. You won't regret it.
A meditation on how good life is when rid of the ideo-spiritual plague of perfection. Manifold b&w photos.
Line for 2013-Books found poem:
- "That way lies dancing to the melodies spun out by your own heart."
Line for 2013-Books found poem:
- "That way lies dancing to the melodies spun out by your own heart."
Kind of confusing overall. A cute little book for a gift. I think the way the author writes is a bit loftier than most people normally think or speak. She does have some good ideas and shares some interesting photos.
I adore Anna Quindlen...love her Newsweek writing as well as her short books. Her novels for me haven't been as good since One True Thing, but her short books are always insightful and thought-provoking.
I really enjoyed this short, quick read. This is my favorite quote from the book:
"Perfection irritates as well as attracts" pg. 32 (Louis Auchincloss actually wrote this and Quindlen quoted him.)
"Perfection irritates as well as attracts" pg. 32 (Louis Auchincloss actually wrote this and Quindlen quoted him.)
There are no discussion topics on this book yet.
Be the first to start one »
Anna Quindlen is an American journalist and opinion columnist whose New York Times column, Public and Private, won the Pulitzer Prize for Commentary in 1992.
She began her journalism career in 1974 as a reporter with The New York Post. Between 1977 and 1994 she held several posts at the New York Times. She left journalism in 1995 to become a full-time novelist. She currently writes a bi-weekly colu...more
More about Anna Quindlen...
She began her journalism career in 1974 as a reporter with The New York Post. Between 1977 and 1994 she held several posts at the New York Times. She left journalism in 1995 to become a full-time novelist. She currently writes a bi-weekly colu...more
Share This Book
1 trivia question
More quizzes & trivia...
“Trying to be perfect may be inevitable for people who are smart and ambitious and interested in the world and its good opinion...What is really hard, and really amazing, is giving up on being perfect and beginning the work of becoming yourself.”
—
30 people liked it
“And eventually being perfect became like carrying a backpack filled with bricks every single day.... What is really hard, and really amazing, is giving up on being perfect and beginning the work of becoming yourself.”
—
14 people liked it
More quotes…
Dec 11, 2012 03:10am