The Grrl Genius Guide to Life: A 12 Step Program on How to Become a Grrl Genius, According to Me!

by Cathryn Michon

Do you have what it takes to be a Grrl Genius? Of course you do! You are a smart, funny, beautiful Grrl Genius -- just because you say you are. In The Grrl Genius Guide to Life, stand-up comic and Grrl Genius Club founder Cathryn Michon explains why she is a genius and demonstrates how you can become one, too, by following her easy twelve-step program. The first step in the program is the most Admit that you are a Grrl Genius. Acknowledge that you are beautiful, intelligent, and talented and that you are the only person in the world who can decide just how great you are. In subsequent steps, you will learn to embrace the domestic arts, love your Grrl Genius good looks, celebrate your sexuality, appreciate your Grrl Genius mother, and pass the Grrl Genius message on to others! Filled with little-known facts about such unacknowledged Grrl Geniuses as Mozart's younger sister Nannerl and Einstein's wife Mileva, as well as hilarious, embarrassing stories from Michon's own life, The Grrl Genius Guide to Life is a must-read for Grrl Geniuses and Enlightened Males everywhere. Michon shares her most humiliating memories -- singing show tunes at her aunt's funeral, crying uncontrollably in an airplane bathroom and holding up the flight -- as well as her moments of triumph, like attending the birth of her niece (a future Grrl Genius) and getting liposuction that not a single human being noticed. This is an uproarious roller-coaster ride through the life of a self-declared Genius -- in which Michon writes about everything from doughnuts to divorce, from physics to push-up bras -- and a comic inspirational guide for those aspiring to Grrl Geniushood. Cathryn Michon is a genius -- just because she says she is. Read her book, and you will become one, too. As with any twelve-step program, becoming a Grrl Genius takes work. All your life you have been telling yourself that your butt is too big, your ideas are too small, and your love for creme-filled doughnuts is inherently evil. With the help of The Grrl Genius Guide to Life, you will learn to recognize your own brilliance, shamelessly proclaim it to the rest of the world, and eat all the Krispy Kreme doughnuts you want. In case you need inspiration, Michon has included numerous Grrl Genius slogans and Little Pink Post-it Notes; in case you get hungry, she has included her recipe for the best chocolate chip cookies in the world. So go on -- take the first step. Read the book that is guaranteed to change your life forever (or at the very least to make you laugh yourself silly) -- and declare your Genius to yourself and the world!

Genres: Humor, Nonfiction, Self Help

272 pages, Hardcover

First published July 1, 2001

About the author

Cathryn Michon has an eclectic career as a filmmaker, actor, comic, nationally bestselling author, animal advocate and TV host. She is perhaps most proud of being a screenwriter on the films A Dog's Purpose, A Dog's Journey, A Dog's Way Home, all made from the #1 NYT bestselling novels written by her husband, W. Bruce Cameron. Having met thousands of people who have loved and lost a dog, she dreamed for ten years of doing a gorgeous graphic book told from the point of view of an Angel Dog who wants you to know they are still *here* watching you and loving you, but they are also *there* where all the people and animals you have loved run free and without pain. Thus I'm Still Here: A Dog's Purpose Forever was born.

As a writer/director of feature films and television she's written a lot of characters, but she enjoys writing the character of a dog almost more than any other. Who wouldn't want to write a character who loves you unconditionally for all time and who is always happy to see you? Dogs are teachers of joy and Cathryn is so here for that.

Tucker, who is both her muse and her best friend, kindly agreed to model for the paintings of the angel dog in the book, but he would also like people to know that he basically dictated it to her during his many naps. He is that talented, but since he doesn't have opposable thumbs, he graciously allows his Mommy to be his typist.

Reviews

[Ann-Meredith McNeill · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book changed my entire outlook. don't let the cover fool you, it may look like some cheesy self-help nonsense, but it actually contains many laugh-out-loud hilarious personal anecdotes that tie in to the author's ultimate message of "love thyself," which i think many grrls need to learn. i read it frequently, just at random parts of the book, when i need an injection of humor and a reminder that i am a genius if i believe it to be true. i wish i had a copy to give to every female in my life, i love this book so much. cathryn michon is my personal hero.

[Brooke Binkowski · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adored this book. It's a funny, self-effacing book mixed with factoids and written in a manner that's so appoachable you barely even notice the self-help mentality and find yourself repeating it all totally credulously, much later. Cathryn Michon would make a good cult leader. I've started utilizing her very simple steps toward Grrl Geniusdom and am very proud to say, they work. I, too, have joined those ranks because I say I have. Thank you CM!

[Lydia Stanley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Found out on Facebook that this author is married to W. Bruce Cameron, author of A Dog's Purpose and perhaps my newest favorite author. I liked this memoir a lot, but liked her novel better. Still, both are so worth reading. So unlike anything else. Quirky and funny and touching.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book was quite funny but had gems of wisdom. The book was exactly what I needed right now, and the book has kept its spot on my bookshelf so my young Grrl Geniuses can find it and its humor and wisdom.

[Jenn Garrett · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well, this is going to be my second ever DNF book :( Not only that, the first book I own that I will be passing on to one of those little free libraries rather than a friend. She really lost me on page 75, the beginning of step 5, "Job Bashing".
The beginning of the book was light and funny and I read the part about the trolly candle man out loud to my husband, laughing out loud myself the whole time... I'm sure many others will really love this book but it turns out it just isn't for me.

[J · Rating 3 out of 5]

A long while ago I came across this book and picked it up since the title interested me while I had no idea what I would find within the covers. Although I know that Cathryn has done some comedy and attempts are found throughout the book they just didn't hit my style of comedy although the concept, often repeated in other self-help books, was really what I needed. The confidence, the strength of women who want to acknowledge they are geniuses even when in other places they may feel stupid and so much more.

As it has been a while since I gave up this book to another reader I wanted to read it yet again to remind myself of the contents. At first I had in mind another person or two that I would be more than happy to recommend the book to but when I reread it I remembered the cussing and the open sexual implications that are overflowing the book while I know those particular people wouldn't support such reading content thus making the upcoming recommendation obsolete. So for those who find either distasteful I would warn away before opening this book.

Otherwise I love how the author backs her steps by showing how blemished you can be and yet still acknowledge yourself a genius. That life isn't about perfection but about embracing your own crazy journey while supporting yourself and other women not as competitors but as a supportive group of warm encouragement while including the other gender instead of blaming them for all the wrongs of the world.

So if you don't mind it I would truly recommend it or just as least find the tenets while if they sound like something you need fix them to yourself while taking on the knowledge that you are a grrl genius or an enlightened male.

[Tania · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is really funny in parts. The twelve step approach was a neat spin on the whole idea of women's empowerment; there was a nice satiric bite to the concept. Overall, the book does have some serious moments, in with the humor. The insights just aren't deep enough to really stick with the reader. The book is very easily disposable. She doesn't really have alot to say that hasn't been said before, and parts of the book drag, or are a bit more crude than I like. But the Krispy Kreme stuff is hilarious (I'm now desperate to try them!) and there were other parts where I definitely laughed, which I can't say about every humor book I've read. There are moments in this book where Michon's own Grrrl Genius shines through, but she can't seem to sustain it.

Worth it if you see it in a used book store or a garage sale, but don't go out of your way to track it down.

[Michele Bettinger · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't know WHAT I expected with this book but it was nothing like what I expected.

Does that make sense? It is a tongue-in-chic (like the play on words) grrls 12-step program to understanding your own fabulousness; the fabulousness in other women and the fabulousness in "enlightened males".

More a humor book than self-help but the author does make some good points.

The most intriguing part about the book, to me, was the way she kept interspersing true-life history about women-behind-the-men (Einstein's wife; Mozart's sister, etc.)

I didn't hate it.

I didn't love it.

I'm not sorry I read it.

I don't think I'd read it again.

How's that for a wishy-washy review????

[Lorena · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolute delight! I read this book the first time in 7th grade during STAR Testing and of course it was laugh out loud funny. I love this book and read it today as a much older person (its intended audience) and it still makes me crack up. The bit about the salad competition is my favourite bit, and also the bit where I disturbed a whole class full of 7th graders by busting out laughing those many moons ago!

[Dioscita · Rating 1 out of 5]

I ended up giving this away, having already been indoctrinated (and far more happily) by the Sweet Potato Queens.

[Lulu McGee · Rating 1 out of 5]

I would recommend you NOT to read this book. Very dull with no real "self-help" tips. Waste of time.

[Peter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honestly made m laugh out loud. Not my kind of book, but it's so funny I'm really glad I read it. I liked her other book even better.

[Kannika · Rating 5 out of 5]

Funny and I loved all the true info. Really put me in a great mood! A great escape...

[Stella · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one surprised me. Actually made me feel better about myself.

[Annie · Rating 5 out of 5]

So funny! Plus it had some great inspiring stories...

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this sassy book for a good laugh. I think I have bought copies for all my girlfriends.

[Cecilia Hernandez · Rating 1 out of 5]

this book is one of the worst ones I have ever read . I disliked it completely. I don't appreciate wasting money on a silly book with no point .

[Tolly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the thoughts in this book. I need to read more of her work. It's fantastic.

[Cradle2ACasket · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book wasn’t exactly what I thought it would be. I bought it because I saw an interview of her talking about it and I thought that it was going to have a lot more information about women inventors and that sort of things. Don’t get me wrong there are tidbits about great women and things that women are naturally better at scattered throughout the book, but it definitely wasn’t what I was expecting. That being said, I thought it was a pretty good book for the most part. There were times where her tangents went on a little too long and I felt like I was listening to a 15yr old valley girl talk about a bad perm. But then I would get to a part that I really enjoyed so it definitely didn’t slow me down from reading it. The ending I thought was the best, because she really brought it all back around and wrapped up what she wanted the whole book to be about and I thoroughly enjoyed that. I felt like she spoke from the heart and got on a level that all women... or grrl genius’ can identify with. I would recommend this book for sure and like I said just with the little annoyances with some of the things she says I just read past it. All in all it had a good message. Reprogram your mind to see the positive in yourself. Cause you are awesome. And a genius!

[Holly Voll · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good read especially if you’re a girl and maybe a genius. It is light, sweet and thought provoking all at once.

[Kiara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clever and really enjoyable. I was laughing outloud for most of the book, and I got a few bits of great female history information (and some recipes!) Who says you can't judge a book by it's cover? When I say this book I knew I would enjoy it.

[Mandy Gann · Rating 4 out of 5]

A delightful piece of fluff. Funny.

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Part memoir, part self-help book. This book makes you smile, cry, laugh out loud, and get your butt into gear into showing the world your own grrl genius-ness!"

[MJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is fun girl powering read. Reccomended for all the grrrl geniuses out there

[Susan]

Cute - a little bit off color.

[Heidi Brydon · Rating 5 out of 5]

The perfect book to boost your flagging self-esteem. Did you know Einstein's wife was a bigger genius than he was? Me either! I liked her other Grrl Genius book even better!

[Joan Horkey]

Very funny, but good advice, too.