Being Perfect

by Anna Quindlen
Being Perfect  
published 2005 by Random House
binding Hardcover
isbn 0375505490   (isbn13: 9780375505492)
pages 64
description 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 ...more
date added
02-16-07



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other reviews (showing 1-20 of 158)



Stars
Stars rated it: 4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars
03/29/08

recommends it for: anyone who lives outsides the mold
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...more
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Lucente
Lucente rated it: 4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars
07/30/07

Read in July, 2007
recommends it for: anyone who lives outsides the mold
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 t...more
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furies
furies rated it: 3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars
11/20/07

bookshelves: non-fiction, philosophy-religion-etc
Read in November, 2007
the only thing i didn't like what that dear anna quindlen never said the most important thing about being perfect - IT ISN'T POSSIBLE. she seems to make the assumption that those of us that are perfect suffer from a huge burden, and we would be better off letting "perfect" exist somewhere else. which i agree with.

except that we can't be perfect. the burden of TRYING to be perfect can be totally overwhelming . . . good little book though. but not one i'll be giving as a present any...more
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Elizabeth
Elizabeth rated it: 4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars
12/18/07

Read in December, 2007
I love to read Anna Quindlen, even if it's an essay masquerading as a book! This was just a nice reminder, especially when I have a daughter who is beginning to struggle with perfectionism. I am grouchy that there are no new full-sized collections of AQ essays to read right now.
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Lucia
Lucia rated it: 5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars
04/16/07

bookshelves: booksreadinjapan
Read in January, 2007
recommends it for: young women, women
Really makes you think about the word "perfect" and how most women are trying to be that very thing. This is another one of Anna Quindlen`s books that changed the way I make decisions and view myself. An amazing read -- I wish all my girl friends could read it!
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Katy
Katy rated it: 5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars
02/23/08

Loved LOVED L O V E D this book.
Great insight into the things that drive me crazy about the load I carry. Very insightful and succinct. Love that about a book... had a good point and got TO it.
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  1 comments

Allison
Allison rated it: 5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars
01/21/08

Read in August, 2005
recommends it for: Anyone who has ever felt the pressures of trying to be perfect
Anna Quindlen is a powerful author. Everyone would benefit from reading this book; even those who don't like to read. (An added benefit: it takes about fifteen minutes)!
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D-t
D-t rated it: 2 of 5 stars2 of 5 stars2 of 5 stars2 of 5 stars2 of 5 stars
04/17/08

a must-read for anyone who suffers from perfection or the striving therefor. that's not my particular affliction, so it was of limited relevance.
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Joy
Joy rated it: 2 of 5 stars2 of 5 stars2 of 5 stars2 of 5 stars2 of 5 stars
11/11/07

Read in November, 2006
Read my thoughts at: Thoughts of Joy...
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Jenn
Jenn rated it: 5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars
03/07/08

I love Anna Quindlen. This is a great essay for anyone struggling with not being perfect.
Anyone?
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  1 comments

Jenava
Jenava rated it: 4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars
11/26/07

bookshelves: mom, womens
Great little pick me up...I keep this on my desk and read it often, then try to give myslef a break.
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Meredith
Meredith rated it: 5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars
03/09/08

bookshelves: library, non-fiction
Read in March, 2008
nice, fast read....there is more to life then pursuing what everyone else expects from us.
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Dottie
Dottie rated it: 3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars
11/16/07

bookshelves: 2005
Read in June, 2005
Another of Quindlan's little but mighty thought provoking books.
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Kricket
Kricket rated it: 4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars
06/14/07

bookshelves: 2006, non-fiction
Read in November, 2006
self-help book ala quindlen. it's just nice to be reminded.
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Lori
Lori rated it: 4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars
02/07/08

Read in January, 2008
Being perfect at being ourselves is the only way to live...
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Naomi
Naomi rated it: 5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars
03/03/08

bookshelves: just-read
Read in March, 2008
Short and sweet!
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Marianne
Marianne marked it as to-read
05/08/08

bookshelves: to-read, to-read-nonfiction
RA to Non-fic
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Courtney
Courtney rated it: 3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars
04/12/08

 

Darren
Darren rated it: 1 of 5 stars1 of 5 stars1 of 5 stars1 of 5 stars1 of 5 stars
09/27/07

 

 Patricia
Patricia rated it: 3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars
10/20/07

 


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book data (includes all editions)

avg rating (all editions): 3.97 (108 ratings)
avg rating (this edition): 3.95 (106 ratings)
number of reviews: 17






other editions

Being Perfect and A Short Guide to a Happy Life (Audio CD)