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The Diva Doctrine: 16 Universal Principles Every Woman Needs to Know
Patricia V. Davis may be the first to tell you she's an 'Expert in Failed Relationships'. But ask any of the readers who helped a post on her advice blog go viral, and they'll tell you that whether you're a wide-eyed twenty-something dreamer or someone a bit older, there's no one better able to help you on your way to becoming a True a walk-with-confidence, savvy woman who is both passionate and compassionate!
- GenresNonfictionSelf Help
160 pages, Paperback
First published May 8, 2011
7 people are currently reading
103 people want to read
About the author
Patricia V. Davis
5 books313 followersPATRICIA V. DAVIS's SECRET SPICE CAFE TRILOGY is a magical realism/paranormal mystery series set aboard the historic RMS Queen Mary. Research for these novels took her far and wide, from meeting with a genuine voodoo priestess to chatting with the world's greatest magician, David Copperfield. The trilogy is available in paperback, eBook, audiobook, and library hardback. Her first feature film, LYVIA'S HOUSE, a 'Twin-Peaks-meets-Get-Out' psychological thriller was released in 2024. Patricia lives with her poker player/rice farmer husband. They divide their time between southern Nevada and northern California. Represented by Gordon Warnock at FUSE LITERARY.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
May 3, 2011
Some quotes from the book:
"If you can't be a good example, then you'll just have to be a horrible warning." Catherine Airde.
"Happiness is an inside job!" Dove chocolate wrapper
My thoughts:
I wasn't sure what I would think of this book when asked to participate in the blog tour. I am not one to read self-help type books, but I thought I would give it a shot -
I knew I would love this book the minute I started reading it!
Every woman should read this book, young and old alike. Even women who are blessed with an innate sense of self-worth (the lucky few) should give it a read.
I love that Patricia lays it bare, keeps it real, and is honest with herself and her readers! The book is serious and funny, well-written yet a little bit disturbing as you see yourself in stories on the pages. I try to stay away from the "deep thinker" books, as I call them, but I am thrilled that I took the time to check this one out. Sometimes a little thinking is good for your soul.
I tend to give books to my students for graduation - some book that I know was meaningful to them while they were in school...now I plan to be giving this one!
"If you can't be a good example, then you'll just have to be a horrible warning." Catherine Airde.
"Happiness is an inside job!" Dove chocolate wrapper
My thoughts:
I wasn't sure what I would think of this book when asked to participate in the blog tour. I am not one to read self-help type books, but I thought I would give it a shot -
I knew I would love this book the minute I started reading it!
Every woman should read this book, young and old alike. Even women who are blessed with an innate sense of self-worth (the lucky few) should give it a read.
I love that Patricia lays it bare, keeps it real, and is honest with herself and her readers! The book is serious and funny, well-written yet a little bit disturbing as you see yourself in stories on the pages. I try to stay away from the "deep thinker" books, as I call them, but I am thrilled that I took the time to check this one out. Sometimes a little thinking is good for your soul.
I tend to give books to my students for graduation - some book that I know was meaningful to them while they were in school...now I plan to be giving this one!
May 10, 2011
Ever once in a while a non-fiction books jumps up and just grabs my attention. This book was one of them. I actually had seen it posted on NetGalley.com before the publisher contacted me about the virtual blog tour.
So what grabbed my attention? The quirky, non-nonsense, down to earth, tell it like it is style of writing that Patricia V. Davis has. Her light and humorous writing style enhances the storytelling of this book and makes the often burdensome topic of self improvement actually fun to read about. I liked that she wasn’t claiming to be the “know it all” that some self help authors claim to be and I liked that she used her life events to demonstrate her point. She is more like that real friend that tells you when your haircut is wrong or when your outfit really does make you look fat in the manner she writes.
So just what are the 16 universal principals? The principals boil down to practical insights that living and experiencing a full life can give a woman. Not that we don’t have some of these principals when we are young, but one tends to learn them by truly living. There are many pearls of diva wisdom, but a couple of my favorites are the following:
The last quote I think was my favorite and essentially the major point of the book in my opinion. The Diva Doctrine is a wonderful read suitable for all ages and would make a wonderful gift to someone you care about.
So what grabbed my attention? The quirky, non-nonsense, down to earth, tell it like it is style of writing that Patricia V. Davis has. Her light and humorous writing style enhances the storytelling of this book and makes the often burdensome topic of self improvement actually fun to read about. I liked that she wasn’t claiming to be the “know it all” that some self help authors claim to be and I liked that she used her life events to demonstrate her point. She is more like that real friend that tells you when your haircut is wrong or when your outfit really does make you look fat in the manner she writes.
So just what are the 16 universal principals? The principals boil down to practical insights that living and experiencing a full life can give a woman. Not that we don’t have some of these principals when we are young, but one tends to learn them by truly living. There are many pearls of diva wisdom, but a couple of my favorites are the following:
A True Diva treats other women as she would want to be treated. That’s why a True Diva can never be ugly.
Life is too short to spend time fretting over people who don’t have our best interests at heart. Divas concentrate on working to leave our piece of the planet a little bit better than it was before we got here, and on enriching the lives of those we care about and who care about us in return.
Believe that there is a worth to you alone, a an individual – not only in relation to others – and that there is a value to your beliefs, wishes and dreams.
The last quote I think was my favorite and essentially the major point of the book in my opinion. The Diva Doctrine is a wonderful read suitable for all ages and would make a wonderful gift to someone you care about.
April 27, 2011
Granted, I'm not the kind of girl to devour self-help books by the dozen. In fact I avoid them like the plague. Now you might argue that by reading The Diva Doctrine I made an exception. Wrong. This is so much more than just another self-help book.
Being asked to write a book after her blog post “From an older woman to a younger one” literally went toxic, was a bit of a shock to Patricia V. Davis. However, the thought of how profoundly her blog post had touched and encouraged readers, thankfully, made her agree.
Written with both wisdom and wit, Patricia presents the “16 Universal Principles Every Woman Needs To Know” taking the reader on a downright honest and self-deprecating journey on which you will learn a thing or two about what it means to be a true Diva. And no, not the kind of Diva that throws hissy fits just because she got the wrong brand of bottled water to her salad. A true Diva is a woman who is successful, happy and confident. Now what gal doesn't want to be that kind of Diva?
I can only recommend this book to any woman, no matter what age and/or stage of life she's in. You cannot be too young, or old for that matter, not to appreciate the many valuable tips on romance, motherhood, friendship, and family, found here.
In short: A fun and empowering read – this book is absolutely fabulous!
Being asked to write a book after her blog post “From an older woman to a younger one” literally went toxic, was a bit of a shock to Patricia V. Davis. However, the thought of how profoundly her blog post had touched and encouraged readers, thankfully, made her agree.
Written with both wisdom and wit, Patricia presents the “16 Universal Principles Every Woman Needs To Know” taking the reader on a downright honest and self-deprecating journey on which you will learn a thing or two about what it means to be a true Diva. And no, not the kind of Diva that throws hissy fits just because she got the wrong brand of bottled water to her salad. A true Diva is a woman who is successful, happy and confident. Now what gal doesn't want to be that kind of Diva?
I can only recommend this book to any woman, no matter what age and/or stage of life she's in. You cannot be too young, or old for that matter, not to appreciate the many valuable tips on romance, motherhood, friendship, and family, found here.
In short: A fun and empowering read – this book is absolutely fabulous!
May 19, 2011
Like most women, I went into this book highly skeptical. Boiling down what it takes to be a woman into 16 steps?? Seems like the mental equivalent of the lemonade diet to me. But then I started reading and began to understand the concepts the author promotes and how they relate to everyday life. While there isn’t anything new here, it’s presented in such an easy manner that it makes it accessible to just about everyone. Written similar to an article in a magazine, it makes it easy to take it a chapter at a time and savor what you are being told. And, really, that’s the part that makes this book different than others in the same genre. For each of her principles, there’s a chapter that gives real world examples. While they won’t apply to everyone, they are common enough that you are left to ponder how it does apply to your own circumstances. It’s a very short book and I do suggest you take it a chapter at a time rather than just rushing through. Take the time to consider what she’s saying and what things you have already got a handle on and which things you’ve just been “pretending” about.
Fun, easy read, would be great for a mother/daughter book club or similar women’s group.
(ARC proof)
Fun, easy read, would be great for a mother/daughter book club or similar women’s group.
(ARC proof)
April 25, 2011
This book was an absolute delight! I'm not big on self-help books, though I have read the occasional LDS one, but I was thoroughly pleased with the content of this book. It's funny and informative - my kind of non-fiction! Every woman should read this book!
Oh yeah, took the test at the end and I'm on my way to becoming a True Diva :D
Oh yeah, took the test at the end and I'm on my way to becoming a True Diva :D
April 15, 2011
LOVED. I don't typically read a lot of non-fiction, but this book was full of great pointers that I'm honestly trying to adapt into my life. This book is a must-read for any woman, no matter what stage she is in in her life.
May 3, 2011
I find it a little hard to review a book that is "self-help." I will say that I enjoyed this book a lot! It is a fun, fast read. I agreed with so many points Patricia Davis makes, and I think many others will too. The book is based on a blog post that went viral, and it's easy to see why it became so popular.
First of all, some time is spent on the true definition of "diva." We're not talking about someone who is selfish and demanding, ready for their close-ups on any number of reality shows. No, we're talking about confident, self-assured, smart, sexy, and powerful women. In this case, diva is something positive. A diva is never demeaning or rude to others, but they do know how to stand up for themselves when needed. A great deal of time in the book is spent on the issue of self esteem in women. It's a topic that comes up a lot, but then I think it's because a lot of the issues we have as women can be directly related to feelings of self-worth. Or lack there of. Other things that are touched on are being healthy, being financially secure, and being happy in your personal life.
The writing is whimsical and fun. I found myself nodding my head in agreement on many things. One of my favorite pieces of advice was to always listen to and learn about many points of view, especially in politics. I think this book has so many good things for women of all ages and in all stages of life. In fact, if you are a more mature woman, the entire last chapter is dedicated to you! I encourage every woman to read this book and find their inner diva.
Galley provided by publisher for review.
First of all, some time is spent on the true definition of "diva." We're not talking about someone who is selfish and demanding, ready for their close-ups on any number of reality shows. No, we're talking about confident, self-assured, smart, sexy, and powerful women. In this case, diva is something positive. A diva is never demeaning or rude to others, but they do know how to stand up for themselves when needed. A great deal of time in the book is spent on the issue of self esteem in women. It's a topic that comes up a lot, but then I think it's because a lot of the issues we have as women can be directly related to feelings of self-worth. Or lack there of. Other things that are touched on are being healthy, being financially secure, and being happy in your personal life.
The writing is whimsical and fun. I found myself nodding my head in agreement on many things. One of my favorite pieces of advice was to always listen to and learn about many points of view, especially in politics. I think this book has so many good things for women of all ages and in all stages of life. In fact, if you are a more mature woman, the entire last chapter is dedicated to you! I encourage every woman to read this book and find their inner diva.
Galley provided by publisher for review.
April 28, 2011
Patricia has left me blown away! What was so interesting to me was that it seems like this book was introduced to me for a reason. When I first started reading it, I was going through such a rough few days and this book really helped me lift my spirits instead of wallowing in self pity. Coincidence? Possibly!
The Diva Doctrine is most definitely one that all women should read! Patricia doesn't just stick with one topic and ramble on, she brushes on many and fills you with such great knowledge with examples that she has lived through herself. What better way than to learn from someone with experience. She's been there and done that! Now she's here to tell us her mistakes and how to learn from them. She teaches you how to be a true diva. To be a true diva, you have to be true to yourself.
Such great topics Patricia has! Have you ever had a friend who seems to not have your best interests at heart? Not so sure you trust her, or she tends to blab all your secrets to everybody, or maybe she blabs all of everybodies secrets to you. Well, she's more than likely doing the same with your secrets too. What do you do about those friends?
What about parents who judge you, or do you judge yourself too much? How do you handle yourself in public? How do you approach people you don't know?
True Diva's are built from the inside. They are not cross or make ridiculous demands. Yet, they are respected and loved for who they are
The Diva Doctrine is most definitely one that all women should read! Patricia doesn't just stick with one topic and ramble on, she brushes on many and fills you with such great knowledge with examples that she has lived through herself. What better way than to learn from someone with experience. She's been there and done that! Now she's here to tell us her mistakes and how to learn from them. She teaches you how to be a true diva. To be a true diva, you have to be true to yourself.
Such great topics Patricia has! Have you ever had a friend who seems to not have your best interests at heart? Not so sure you trust her, or she tends to blab all your secrets to everybody, or maybe she blabs all of everybodies secrets to you. Well, she's more than likely doing the same with your secrets too. What do you do about those friends?
What about parents who judge you, or do you judge yourself too much? How do you handle yourself in public? How do you approach people you don't know?
True Diva's are built from the inside. They are not cross or make ridiculous demands. Yet, they are respected and loved for who they are
January 6, 2013
When I first saw the title of Patricia V. Davis’ book, The Diva Doctrine, I wondered if I even wanted to be a diva. It seemed to have negative connotations. However, Patricia seemed really super cool, so I decided to conjure up images of divas before I started reading.
What I discovered was a diva, that would be Patricia, mentoring younger women how to become divas in their own right. Covering everything from body image, to self worth, to talking to men, to choosing men, to freeing yourself of people who do not deserve your diva awesomeness.
Whether you are a young woman starting on the path to divadom, or an older woman still trying to embrace your inner diva, The Diva Doctrine is the guide book for you.
To read the full review visit http://silverandgrace.com/products-fo...
What I discovered was a diva, that would be Patricia, mentoring younger women how to become divas in their own right. Covering everything from body image, to self worth, to talking to men, to choosing men, to freeing yourself of people who do not deserve your diva awesomeness.
Whether you are a young woman starting on the path to divadom, or an older woman still trying to embrace your inner diva, The Diva Doctrine is the guide book for you.
To read the full review visit http://silverandgrace.com/products-fo...
June 12, 2011
I'm not one to read many self-help (or any non-fiction on my free time actually!), but this book grabbed my attention with its quircky cover and title. Maybe I do need diva advice for myself.
What is found within the book aren't make-up tips or which dress suits your form better or how to find a look-a-like for those designer shoes and bag you've been oggling for ages. What you get is sound advice and good tips on how to lead your life to be a better person and live happier. As simple as it sounds. Most of it could be gathered from common sense but I know some women who need to read it to get in their heads. And for those ones, this book is just ideal.
What is found within the book aren't make-up tips or which dress suits your form better or how to find a look-a-like for those designer shoes and bag you've been oggling for ages. What you get is sound advice and good tips on how to lead your life to be a better person and live happier. As simple as it sounds. Most of it could be gathered from common sense but I know some women who need to read it to get in their heads. And for those ones, this book is just ideal.
September 23, 2012
Patricia V. Davis conveys honesty and accessibility in spades in this book, as well as a sincere desire to help others as she accepts and passes on some of the lessons life has to offer. She shares her experiences and insights in a highly readable and engaging manner, too. I think when you finish this book you'll feel like you've made a new friend, someone whose writing you'll want to return to much like you'd stop in for tea or coffee and a chat with a dear friend.
January 29, 2011
I was one of those bloggers who read the original post in awe (as everything Patricia writes, really) and believe you me, even if you have no intention of turning into a diva, each and every woman should read this.
April 27, 2011
This really is a book that women should read. I am in awe at the wisdom found in the pages of the book.
I don't read many non-fiction books because I prefer to be entertained. I learned some great principles and I was entertained. A big win for me.
I don't read many non-fiction books because I prefer to be entertained. I learned some great principles and I was entertained. A big win for me.
September 9, 2012
I love this and I love you!! After winning this, I marked it up and down in sticky notes, because good doctrines were everywhere. This cook has helped me through a very tough time in my life. Your cheery voice makes me look on the bright side of things. Thank you for writing the Diva Doctrine!
April 25, 2016
I was so pleased to give a copy of this book to my step daughter. Even though we don't have a relationship right now, it pleased me that this book full of wisdom and respect for the feminine spirit was a gift I could pass along.
September 1, 2013
646.7008 I already knew most of this great advice but I enjoyed reading this and I like her writing style. Have never read her blog or anything else by her. Another author to add to my To-Read list.
May 31, 2013
This wasn't what I expected at all. It was just meh. More life lessons to be learned for teenagers than adults I think.
May 6, 2020
I recommend this book for all women - young and old! Patricia V. Davis shares the experiences that she has been through and gives spot on advice. She talks about happiness and success, beauty tips, friends that change, what to look for in a mate, secrets about men, parents, thinking positively, having fun no matter a person's age, and so much more! I wish I could have read this as a teenager to prepare me for the future; and then reread at other stages of my life. If you want to know 16 universal principles - every woman needs to know - this is the book for you!
January 5, 2022
This book should be read by everyone specially young women but young men as well as those of us that are young at heart. Ms. Davis explains how one can gain the self confidence necessary to be our own self-assured person which allows ine to be happy regardless of what others think of us.
I hope
i can convince my granddaughters to read this book.
I hope
i can convince my granddaughters to read this book.
May 3, 2011
I love this - a highly recommended read for any lady, young or slightly less young, who wants to know how to get more self-confidence and a more assertive attitude toward her own life.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews