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The Strawberry Letter: Real Talk, Real Advice, Because Bitterness Isn't Sexy
Listen up, ladies! Shirley Strawberry, co-host of the nationally syndicated Steve Harvey Morning Show, delivers more of the no-nonsense woman-to-woman straight talk her listeners have come to love. Shirley tells it like it is—from the heart. Whether the topic is cheating boyfriends, crazy mothers-in-law, job troubles, or money problems, Shirley’s girlfriend-next-door honesty has made the Strawberry Letters segment of the show a huge hit. Now, in this uplifting motivational guide, she brings her vivacious, inspirational, and down-to-earth message to women Get up, get out, and be the best you can be!
As a single parent and a woman willing to let Mr. Right find her , Shirley’s been there and done that—and she’s got hard-won lessons to share. In this call to action to help women look at their lives with a candid eye, she tackles the issues her fans want to hear
• Love and the highs and lows of dating, marriage, and breakups
• the challenges of being a great mom
• ways to get (and give) the support you need to stay sane
• tips for overcoming low self-esteem and depression, and finding balance, faith, and acceptance
Full of motivating “Strawberry Tips,” personal stories that provide welcome advice on the run, and helpful suggestions for drama-stuck girlfriends, this book offers a simple message of a challenge to love yourself and your life!
As a single parent and a woman willing to let Mr. Right find her , Shirley’s been there and done that—and she’s got hard-won lessons to share. In this call to action to help women look at their lives with a candid eye, she tackles the issues her fans want to hear
• Love and the highs and lows of dating, marriage, and breakups
• the challenges of being a great mom
• ways to get (and give) the support you need to stay sane
• tips for overcoming low self-esteem and depression, and finding balance, faith, and acceptance
Full of motivating “Strawberry Tips,” personal stories that provide welcome advice on the run, and helpful suggestions for drama-stuck girlfriends, this book offers a simple message of a challenge to love yourself and your life!
- GenresNonfictionRelationships
192 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2011
12 people are currently reading
158 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
October 15, 2011
Thinking about cutting out of a relationship and need a cheerleader? Read the Strawberry Letter! I, however, picked up the book because it was a book club selection. Having been married 10 years on the first go, and 20 and still counting in my current marriage, I’m far too seasoned for this type of advice.
But readers, do be ready for an upbeat opening as the social butterfly speaks of supporting each other. All the way through Shirley Strawberry remains energetic and upbeat. It’s what I enjoyed most, though she did catch me in an ‘ah ha’ moment. I liked the advice she gave about a young woman who needed help with her mother who’d been turning out every party. ‘Record the mom,’ – Sounded effective. And the section, ‘Do You Like What You See’, also pretty good. And on her mother’s quote in the labor room, ‘Where’s your faith,’ – oh man, now that was empowering!
The majority of the book however, dispenses self-help advice, which in short, if people cannot be honest with each other, and sometimes make insensitive comments, and fight about it, but be ready to disagree like adults and still remain friends, then there will be no friendship, and therefore no real relationship. Just all superficial stuff, no matter how gorgeous, intelligent, ‘good in bed’, or lettered you are. Just like on the job, you’ve got to put in the time dealing with just these types of comments (letters), and people, to build rock solid relationships.
Stay beautiful Shirley! You look fabulous!
But readers, do be ready for an upbeat opening as the social butterfly speaks of supporting each other. All the way through Shirley Strawberry remains energetic and upbeat. It’s what I enjoyed most, though she did catch me in an ‘ah ha’ moment. I liked the advice she gave about a young woman who needed help with her mother who’d been turning out every party. ‘Record the mom,’ – Sounded effective. And the section, ‘Do You Like What You See’, also pretty good. And on her mother’s quote in the labor room, ‘Where’s your faith,’ – oh man, now that was empowering!
The majority of the book however, dispenses self-help advice, which in short, if people cannot be honest with each other, and sometimes make insensitive comments, and fight about it, but be ready to disagree like adults and still remain friends, then there will be no friendship, and therefore no real relationship. Just all superficial stuff, no matter how gorgeous, intelligent, ‘good in bed’, or lettered you are. Just like on the job, you’ve got to put in the time dealing with just these types of comments (letters), and people, to build rock solid relationships.
Stay beautiful Shirley! You look fabulous!
April 21, 2011
I give this a 3.5
I was excited to start reading this book because I'm going through an emotionally stressful time in my life right now and I think this book was meant for me to read. I'm not one to read self-help books or really anything that doesn't involve fiction (who likes to read about reality? BOR-RING) but I had high hopes for this book since I know Shirley Strawberry is a sassy no non-sense type of person.
I think most woman would be able to relate or take some advice from atleast one story in this book. I know I sure found some enlightenment with a few. Shirley doesn't preach to you like most self-help/advice books. She relates to each situation by telling us about situations she has faced through out her life, how she dealt with them and how she SHOULD have dealt with them. She mentions how she has made plenty of mistakes in her life and she's trying to help us from making those same mistakes.
She includes quite a few letters she has received from listeners asking for advice and I must say some of them are pretty crazy! She even calls one of the letters a "ghetto hot mess!". It's crazy to hear some of the hardships others are going through but it is also encouraging when I hear that others have gone through my similar situation. It's good to know I'm not that only one who's been there dont that.
I didn't get any kind of amazing life-changing advice out of this book but it sure was helpful and inspiring. I would totally recommend anybody to read this, whether they are going through a hard time right now or not because sooner or later we'll all need some advice to hold on to.
I was excited to start reading this book because I'm going through an emotionally stressful time in my life right now and I think this book was meant for me to read. I'm not one to read self-help books or really anything that doesn't involve fiction (who likes to read about reality? BOR-RING) but I had high hopes for this book since I know Shirley Strawberry is a sassy no non-sense type of person.
I think most woman would be able to relate or take some advice from atleast one story in this book. I know I sure found some enlightenment with a few. Shirley doesn't preach to you like most self-help/advice books. She relates to each situation by telling us about situations she has faced through out her life, how she dealt with them and how she SHOULD have dealt with them. She mentions how she has made plenty of mistakes in her life and she's trying to help us from making those same mistakes.
She includes quite a few letters she has received from listeners asking for advice and I must say some of them are pretty crazy! She even calls one of the letters a "ghetto hot mess!". It's crazy to hear some of the hardships others are going through but it is also encouraging when I hear that others have gone through my similar situation. It's good to know I'm not that only one who's been there dont that.
I didn't get any kind of amazing life-changing advice out of this book but it sure was helpful and inspiring. I would totally recommend anybody to read this, whether they are going through a hard time right now or not because sooner or later we'll all need some advice to hold on to.
April 10, 2011
Congrats to Shirley Strawberry. I was a little sceptical about how this book was going to turn out; thinking that the book would be a response to Steve Harvey's best-selling duo of self-help books focused at women. I am glad to find that this book is quite different from Mr. Harvey's brand of advise.
I have been listening to Ms. Strawberry since hers days and 92.3 The Beat in Los Angeles and have been hearing her opinions on listerner letters from the beginning. But not much was knownn about Shirley's life: she got married, had a child (who wasn't there) and has been single for more than a decade. This book allows readers a chance to know a little bit more about the woman who gets to comment on our craziest moments. The Strawberry Letter: Real Talk, Real Advice, Because Bitterness Isn't Sexy uses real letters from the Strawberry Letter segment of The Steve Harvey Morning Show to draw parallels to her life and the lessons that she has had to learn.
This book is a wonderful effort and I can see another book in the future from Ms. Strawberry. (And the bonus at the end of the book are a HOT MESS!)
I have been listening to Ms. Strawberry since hers days and 92.3 The Beat in Los Angeles and have been hearing her opinions on listerner letters from the beginning. But not much was knownn about Shirley's life: she got married, had a child (who wasn't there) and has been single for more than a decade. This book allows readers a chance to know a little bit more about the woman who gets to comment on our craziest moments. The Strawberry Letter: Real Talk, Real Advice, Because Bitterness Isn't Sexy uses real letters from the Strawberry Letter segment of The Steve Harvey Morning Show to draw parallels to her life and the lessons that she has had to learn.
This book is a wonderful effort and I can see another book in the future from Ms. Strawberry. (And the bonus at the end of the book are a HOT MESS!)
April 27, 2016
Shirley Strawberry seems like a very sensible, very thoughtful woman. There were quite a few times in the book when I didn't agree with her advice at all but it is always good to hear another viewpoint that differs from your own.
I definitely thought this book would include many more letters than it actually did. Chapter 2 was a short little chapter but it was a good one. I was surprised when I read that she hates dating and wishes a relationship could just skip it entirely and go straight to marriage. I couldn't relate. I love dating. I'm divorced now but when I was married I loved dating so much that I asked my husband to continue to court me. And he did.
Shirley Strawberry is an interesting woman. In this book she wrote that Morgan Freeman is her celebrity crush. What?!? He's like 200 years old. Anyways...
The letter that opened Chapter 20 blew me away. I was like...wow. If you read this book, you'll see.
Quite a few letters are tucked into the back of the book. You just have to read for a while to get there.
I definitely thought this book would include many more letters than it actually did. Chapter 2 was a short little chapter but it was a good one. I was surprised when I read that she hates dating and wishes a relationship could just skip it entirely and go straight to marriage. I couldn't relate. I love dating. I'm divorced now but when I was married I loved dating so much that I asked my husband to continue to court me. And he did.
Shirley Strawberry is an interesting woman. In this book she wrote that Morgan Freeman is her celebrity crush. What?!? He's like 200 years old. Anyways...
The letter that opened Chapter 20 blew me away. I was like...wow. If you read this book, you'll see.
Quite a few letters are tucked into the back of the book. You just have to read for a while to get there.
April 14, 2016
More like 3.5 stars...I hadn't ever heard of The Strawberry Letter before, but this grabbed my attention at the library. It's a fun read, kind of like listening to a wise girlfriend tell it to you straight. You may not agree with everything they say, but you know they say it from the heart and with plenty of life experience. I finished this book wanting to appreciate myself and others better...and get on my sexy and no more drama! ;)
March 9, 2015
Shirley Strawberry doesn't cut any corners in this book. Somewhat of a biography, the book briefly spans Shirley's childhood, teen years, and adulthood. She makes the painful decision to allow her 3 month old baby to live with Grandma while Shirley pursues a career. That decision paid off quite well. Shirley also responds to Strawberry Letters sent to the show. However, I feel that the book is complete without such letters. Good Read!
April 13, 2020
The Letters
This book is both a self help and a sistergirl advice that gives you clean and straight with no chaser advice without judgement. The author wrote this with the power to help and share her own personal experience that will help support the needs for improvement and to empower women and people in general.
This book is both a self help and a sistergirl advice that gives you clean and straight with no chaser advice without judgement. The author wrote this with the power to help and share her own personal experience that will help support the needs for improvement and to empower women and people in general.
April 18, 2011
This book was so wonderful and raw at the same time. Strawberry gives much-needed advice that most of us are afraid to give our friends and family. It was so comforting to hear about her own stories because it made me realize that I'm not the only one who went through some of these awful relationship issues. Strawberry is such a strong woman and I would recommend this book to any lady I know..it's just such an eye opener. I've already passed this book on to my mother, who in turn is supposed to pass it on to her sisters. I hope many women will read this amazing book and get the courage to do things that they have always wanted to do, but have been afraid to. Thank you for the stories, advice and courage!!
April 16, 2011
Having never read a self help book cover to cover, or ever heard of Shirley Strawberry, I was intrigued by how many people write about the messed up situations they get involved in. The advice given was logical and to the point. However, I wonder why people can not see it for themselves. I believe by voicing questions to others, it helps to clarify the situation, and becomes the first step to knowing how to solve the problem. I hope people took the advise Strawberry offered.
For those who are not tackling issues of abuse, infidelity, or divorce, there is still an important message to take away from reading this book. We are all involved partners in relationships. One must engage our friends and family,(and ourselves)with respect, honesty, and loving support.
For those who are not tackling issues of abuse, infidelity, or divorce, there is still an important message to take away from reading this book. We are all involved partners in relationships. One must engage our friends and family,(and ourselves)with respect, honesty, and loving support.
April 5, 2011
This book is written by Shirley Strawberry, who hosts a segment of a nationally syndicated radio show which answers letters from the public. The book is semi autobiographical, as she includes some letters from listeners as well as details her own struggles and issues.
I didn't expect to enjoy the book very much, as reading about an 'agony aunt' is not something I normally read. However, Shirley has a very outgoing and upbeat personality, and it was an entertaining read. Most of her suggestions are good old common sense - believe in yourself, do right by yourself and other people, have faith, work hard for what you want.
A quick and funny read.
I didn't expect to enjoy the book very much, as reading about an 'agony aunt' is not something I normally read. However, Shirley has a very outgoing and upbeat personality, and it was an entertaining read. Most of her suggestions are good old common sense - believe in yourself, do right by yourself and other people, have faith, work hard for what you want.
A quick and funny read.
December 23, 2011
This was an excellent book! I know Shirly Strawberry from the Steve Harvey morning show. I think she gives some good advice which is mostly drive. Towards women, however men can learn a ton from this book as well. What makes this book so good is that Shirly holds nothing back. She talks about parts of her life that she has either never talked about on the show, or barely touched the surface of. Those in a relationship or getting out of one should read this boom.
June 1, 2013
This was my introduction to Shirley Strawberry and I enjoyed meeting her. I found her book to be a quick, light read. Shirley talks about her life in broadcasting and how The Strawberry Letter came to be. Then she moves on to a discussion of relationships using letters she has received and includes a Strawberry tip at the conclusion of each chapter. Although I am not in the target demographic of Shirley's advice I still enjoyed her book.
October 26, 2013
I picked up this audiobook in the library for something with more entertainment and a lot less memoir. I have a very long daily commute and turn to books on CD as a pick-me-up. This audiobook didn't live up to my expectations--mostly life lessons and common sense advice we've heard many times, yawn. However, I enjoyed the "hot mess" letters which kept me laughing. Unfortunately, there were too few letters and they were dumped way at the end.
September 27, 2014
I really enjoy The Strawberry Letters segment on The Steve Harvey show. This book is filled with letters from the segements and advice that was given. The author also opens up about her life, past and present. I really enjoyed this book. It was informative and entertaining. Shirley Strawberry did a great job. I give this book five stars. If you need an entertaining book with some pretty good advice concerning relationships this is definitely a must read.
May 15, 2011
I thought this book would be much better than it was. I was expecting the strawberry letters used in the book to be just as juicy and intetesting like on the radio show. Instead the letter didn't have much substance. Shirley did do a good job relating her life stories and giving her advice based upon the strawberry lettets used.
November 19, 2012
Not a bad read, Shirley offers up some sound advice to a lot of confused and hurting people. It is good to hear that both Shirley and Steve Harvey are authors of books giving advice. Shirley also shares her personal relationships with the readers which help to solidify the book. This is a nice first attempt, I checked it out from my local library.
November 27, 2012
The author's experiences and letters were interesting and entertaining, but I probably should have read the book instead of listening to her read the audiobook. I'm used to hearing her voice reading letters on the radio, but I did not like the way she read the book; it was as if she was not reading her own words and unfamiliar with her writing, or like she was reading to a child.
March 17, 2014
Sameness
"there is safety in the multitude of counselors" and The Strawberry Letter: Real Talk, Real Advice offers sage counsel. If we do the same things the probability is we will end up the same way. This book with its down to earth advice may save many a heartache.
"there is safety in the multitude of counselors" and The Strawberry Letter: Real Talk, Real Advice offers sage counsel. If we do the same things the probability is we will end up the same way. This book with its down to earth advice may save many a heartache.
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May 12, 2011decent start so far. i learned more about her than I knew before.
Read
June 1, 2011Not enough time to read the current batch of 20 books from the library!
February 11, 2013
If you like her on the Steve Harvey Morning Show, you will love her reading of her first book. It's just down to earth, good, logical advice from her personal experiences.
February 24, 2013
It's a great book...if your single
August 3, 2013
Very good book. I am going to buy the hard copy, inspired me to look at my life differently.
September 19, 2013
Advice worth heeding!
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September 26, 2013if I could give it a negative star, I would
November 19, 2013
Good advice. Not exactly what I expected, but it was pretty good.
November 20, 2014
It was an easy read- I did it in a day. I had figured out all her advice for myself but I know people who haven't so I see the need for a book like this.
May 31, 2011
An interesting and thought provoking read.
December 24, 2012
bitter is not beautiful, a poison ingested. Choose beauty and faith.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews