In her highly-anticipated nonfiction debut, humorist and popular blogger Susannah B. Lewis (Whoa! Susannah) uses dry wit and an eye for the absurd to find laughter in even the most challenging circumstances.
Millions of online fans have flocked to Susannah B. Lewis's hysterical, take-no-prisoners videos that capture her uproarious yet deeply faithful view of the world. Now she brings to book form her keen eye for the absurd as she reveals her experiences growing up in a small Tennessee town. From the time an escaped albino panther wandered into her backyard to the Thanksgiving when an egg in the table's centerpiece hatched a baby chicken to the kind neighbors who brought casseroles in Tupperware for months—even years—after her father died when she was just eleven years old, the stories she tells delve deeply into the rich culture of the South that molded her. Clinging to the promises of God in times of grief and looking for every opportunity to laugh, Lewis is the wry yet wise girl next door who invites you to sit a spell beside her on the front porch.
Susannah B. Lewis is an author, humorist, and podcaster. She has written nine books, including Can’t Make This Stuff Up and How May I Offend You Today, both USA Today Bestsellers published by Thomas Nelson. Her work has been featured on Erma Bombeck’s Humor Writers, TODAY, and US Weekly, and her articles have appeared in Parents Magazine, Reader’s Digest, and more. She is the winner of the Southern Writers’ Magazine Short Story Contest and a recipient of the BlogHer Voices of the Year Award. Susannah also hosts the Moral of the Story Podcast, produced by AccessMore.
She lives on 90 beautiful acres in Tennessee with her husband, their three children, and a "whole bunch" of dogs and cats.
FAIR DISCLOSURE: I received an ARC (Advanced Release Copy) of this book.
"Can't Make This Stuff Up!: Finding the Upside to Life's Downs" was my introduction to Susannah B. Lewis although she is a blogger and has done podcasts. Her Southern roots and her love for her family shine through the book. Some of the book hit me hard, because she talks a lot about the death of her mother, and I lost my Mom in June of this year.
She has a sense of humor--sometimes sassy, sometimes sweet. She is brutally honest about her life and doesn't sugar-coat it. She starts most chapters with incidents from her life and then wraps up the chapter with a spiritual application from the Bible. I enjoyed this book quite a bit.
I have followed Susannah since her blogging days, and have howled with laughter at her Facebook videos (some of them still make me giggle as I recall them--those PSAs crack me up). I cried with her when she recounted losing her mom, and cried tears of joy last year as she announced her pregnancy. She is so down to earth and relatable, and because I feel like I know her, when I had the opportunity to read the first few chapters of her newest book, I jumped at the chance.
I read it in one sitting. I found it to be an easy read, and I loved how she tied Scripture into each chapter. Doing so helps her reader understand her point of view. As a Christian, she does not pretend to be perfect or have a better life than anyone else. I appreciated her honesty in sharing her struggles in her marriage and the way addiction has affected her life.
I'm looking forward to reading the rest of this book when it comes out next month!
Just read my sample copy of this book. It only took me an hour to read this short copy. I am so ready for this book to be out in April. It was such a great story of Susannah B. Lewis' childhood and life. I could relate to many of her childhood memories growing up in a small town and being from the south. Her family members were similar to some of mine when I was a child. I laughed at many parts til my sides hurt. I cried at the heartache she endured. So many different emotions. So well written Susannah! God bless you.
UPDATE: I finished the book. It was marvelous, and my review still stands. Well worth reading, go get it, and enjoy.
The publisher was kind enough to provide me with the first eight chapters of this book, and my review is based on those first eight chapters. After reading them, let me tell you, April 9 CANNOT GET HERE FAST ENOUGH so that I can get the entire book (which I have pre-ordered) in my hot little hands.
Susannah B. Lewis is a Southern girl, as am I. That makes me love her right off the bat. She's from a small town. She has lost both her parents. She's a mom. I can relate to all these things. And she throws down some serious truth in these first eight chapters, and does it in a way that will make you laugh and cry (and maybe laugh and cry at the same time) and want to reach into the book and give her a big ol' hug.
She writes about her life and the truths she's learned in the living of it. She shares glimpses into her past and present and weaves in Scriptural truth. You don't even have to be Southern, or a mom, or from a small town, to appreciate it. The truths found here are universal.
Do yourself a favor. Just go pre-order the book, because you won't want to wait one second longer than you absolutely have to to read the whole thing. And then you'll want to read it again. Trust me on this one.
Disclaimer: The publisher provided the first eight chapters of the book to me free of charge. I am under no obligation to leave a positive review. All opinions expressed here are my own, and I don't say nice things about books I don't like. I'll come back and review the full book after I've read it.
One of the draws to reading, for me, is to feel like I am right there with the author. Just them and me sitting at the kitchen table or in a coffee shop listening to their old family stories or made up tales. I want to be transported in my mind to Paris or Texas or wherever the author is taking me. I want to FEEL something; sadness, happiness, longing, nostalgic- something! Susannah Lewis has accomplished this in all of her written works, especially this one. I have pre-ordered this book on Amazon, but was fortunate to have been able to review the first 8 chapters sent to me from the publisher. She has most certainly left me wanting more and I am greatly anticipating the April release!
This is just what my southern soul needed. I love when I can relate to an author. Susannah is funny, honest, southern, and almost the same age I am. She keeps things light hearted and is a great story teller. I love to hear about her time growing up as a kid in Tennessee because there are so many similarities to my childhood in the 80's.
Funny side note, she has a chapter named "Sit a spell" and it references her time sitting on a front porch as a kid listening to her grandmother. As I went on a walk around the neighborhood with my 10 year old this week, we came across a painted sign on someone's porch that said SIT A SPELL. She noticed it and had no idea what it meant, so we discussed how this is the perfect time in all our lives to "sit a spell" and just enjoy our time together as a family. I think that sign and this chapter was meant for me to see on purpose, especially this week.
This was such an encouraging book and there was so much reminiscing of family humor that made me think back on many of my own warm family memories. I enjoyed this immensely. However, as someone who has lost both parents, my father-in-law, all of the; grandparents and most of my aunts/uncles, the discussions revolving around her family deaths was difficult. Yes it made me think about all of the good times, but it also made me miss them terribly. Just putting that out there as a potential trigger warning.
++Thanks to Goodreads and Nelson Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review++
I always appreciate when an author uses anecdotal real life stories to illustrate ways of looking at problems and finding a silver lining to them or to make a point about Life. Not only does the reader learn about the author's life, but hopefully, they can take comfort or wisdom for their own lives. Such is the way in Can't Make This Stuff Up. While Lewis' thoughts through her retelling her own stories are positive and uplifting messages, she also weaves Bible scripture in as well as her religion is a big part of her life. Her southern roots are evident in her "y'alls," references to sweet tea and "blessin' hearts" and there are some eccentric characters in her stories that you might find in Miss Truvie's beauty salon from the movie Steel Magnolias. The book is an easy read and her stories run the emotional gamut-- some will make you laugh and others might have you shedding a tear or two. Lewis is very honest about her life and struggles and doesn't sugar coat anything about herself, so I find her transparency refreshing but at the same time, I find her a bit judgemental at times. Since she is a blogger and podcaster, I understand that having a following is super important to her, but I found it a bit boastful as she included the numbers of followers she has. Being a wife and mother and kind human being should be what gives you pride and self-worth, not how many 'likes' you get on your various social media platforms. For me, this diminished some of the potency of her voice as a motivational speaker.
I love Susannah Lewis' humores face book videos, and her latest book,"Can't Make This Stuff Up!" was not a disappointment. As I listened to it on audible,I laughed and cried, but mostly laughed. Even though our life stories are different, they paralleled in so many ways. Every chapter touched me and she taught me many lessons.
I believe every woman from age 13 to death should read this book. It can prepare the young, give grace to the old, and walk through the pain with the middle aged woman. Find this book or audio, read it as fast as you can, then buy more for the women in your life.
NOT Erma Bombeck by any means. I kept waiting for her to START the story then I was at the end... No flow, no story, no humor. Waste of $10. Wow, usually books like this are $.99 $10. Holy mackerel. I didn't even intend to buy it, my hand hovered too long and it went through, so I read it. WISH I HAD NOT. Don't waste your money. I LOVE Erma but this writer is NOT in the same league, not even the same state..nope.
I enjoyed how this author uses her faith to get through life. When she faces problems, she looks to the Bible for guiding words. She is very honest about her life and her stories will make you laugh.
I received this book as a Goodreads giveaway. Yay!
If you haven't seen one of "Whoa Susannah's" videos, you have been missing out. I first came across her hilariousness on Facebook and was an instant fan. So when I heard that she was writing a book, I was so excited! I had such high hopes for this book, and let me tell you, this book exceeded my expectations. It is everything I thought it would be and more! I laughed and I cried and I followed Susannah's advice and "cried until I laughed." This book is so funny, but also so meaningful. I felt like I could just hear Susannah's voice telling these stories as I read. I would love to have an audio book of her reading this! Susannah has such a way with words and such a wonderful outlook on life. She is open and real, and did I mention hilarious?? I absolutely loved hearing about Susannah's life, especially her sweet relationship with her mother. Her stories are so vivid and descriptive that it makes you feel like you are experiencing them as well. I also love that Susannah's favorite story to tell is the one about how God gave His only son to save us and there is nothing we can do to change the greatness of His love for us!
Whoa Susannah, you are a treasure and your mama was so right when she said you were a fabulous storyteller. Thank you for sharing all your stories with us!
As one of the lucky recipients of the advanced first few chapters of this book, I can honestly say that I was not surprised by how much I enjoyed it. I have followed Susannah on social media, so I knew a few details about her life going in. She is so open and honest in these pages that you want to laugh with her, cry with her, and learn from her. I literally laughed out loud several times, and thought “me too” more times than I can count. This book is REAL, because you really can’t make this stuff up! I loved it.
I received this book from Goodreads and Nelson Books for the ARC in the giveaways. I am so grateful I did. I didn’t know anything about Susannah B. Lewis prior to receiving this book. This book really lets you get to know who she is from a very honest but best best girlfriends kind of way.
This book was such an easy read, wasn’t hard to get into and stay interested. Many funny moments and just an all around feel good book. I found that I was quite entertained by her memories and what she was going through in each chapter.
It was helpful to me to read about her losing her mother and how she dealt with it. I lost my mother just a few years ago as well and it made me pause to see how God had used my everyday life to move me through my own grief.
I enjoyed the splattering of scriptures. I didn’t find the book to come across preachy and too many scriptures. I would say it was just about right.
Another favourite....such an entertaining/smile/grin type stories with her witty way but also quite powerful and profound. My heart ached many times during some situations she related but loved her open vulnerability as she shared some of her sorrows and gears she faced. I loved the encouraging aspects as she enthusiastically talks about living for the Lord and her has been her ultimate guide, comforter, Saviour as her and her family's lives have all been transformed. She speaks of episodes of incredible forgiveness that were extended that not everyone would do that's for sure! Such a wonderful, wonderful book....
I preordered a copy and was sent a chapter to read. I LOVE it! I love reading about her childhood and hearing how she is like every other mom and wonders if she is doing everything right or completely screwing up. I am so excited to read the book!
FAIR DISCLOSURE: I received an ARC (Advanced Release Copy) of this book-- the first 8 chapters anyway. Now I'm jonesing for the the rest. So much so, that even though I have pre-ordered on Amazon, I may have to get a few more copies and hand them out to friends. If you are Anti-Christian, look down your nose at Christianity, or have no heart -- you will not like this book. It's filled with life experiences, and the scriptures that got her through. If you are on the fence with Christianity, this will bring you closer to God and restore your faith a little bit, not to mention bring you some comfort if you are grieving. If you are a religious Christian, you will be shouting "Amen" from every church pew, every street corner, every rooftop you can find.
This isn't "a" story -- it's a collection of short stories, wonderfully woven, detailed stories-- some of them so much like my own, I feel Susannah and I may have been sisters in another life.
This is an easy read. So wonderfully entertaining. I laughed, I cried.. and just in the first 8 chapters.
Excellent book. Really kept me thinking and some stories brought tears to my eyes. Loved it. Thank you to Good Reads and the Author for letting it be given away.
Amazing author.. very funny and will have you wanting MORE!!!! You will cry and even laugh out loud. It will make you take a good hard look at what you have and make you cherish it.
I can relate to most of the real-life scenarios that Susannah B. Lewis cleverly describes. However, the total takeover of Biblical quotes, alienated me as someone who doesn't practice. It took away from my pleasure when reading the book.
I received an advanced copy of this book that is the first 8 chapters. I loved her fiction novels and she is one of the few authors that I will get excited over in advance and that I will keep everything she writes. I was expecting to love this book as well but anticipated it to be like a normal biography with the exception that watching her videos on Facebook I knew about her personal life, past and present, so I would probably relate more to what she chose to include. I was surprised. Reading even a few paragraphs and it was as if your dearest friend or closest cousin was sitting with you and a cup of coffee at the kitchen table chatting. You know... those you aren't just having a conversation with but sharing in a personal and trusting way that you can feel with your spirit what they are saying with their words. Not words of ink on paper but given from the heart and mind of a loved one because you have been blessed with hearing of their authentic self. You are given a glimpse into a moment in time that deeply affected Ms Susannah but the clarity you feel as if you are a part of it and it brings up memories or thoughts from your own self. Even with such few chapters it is hard not to share quotes because it would better show what I am trying to convey but I do not like to give out spoilers. Her books already have their treasured spot in my home but this is one that I not only will recommend to my family and friends but I am ordering 2 more advanced copies and I never give books but just gift cards.
I have finished reading my advanced release copy of Can’t Make This Stuff Up. This is the first non-fiction book of Susannah B Lewis’ books. I have read her other books and also recommend them. In this book Susannah uses each chapter to tell the story of a life event, some small, some major, and then she relates it to a life lesson learned. Most of these lessons are steps of faith and learning to trust her God more deeply. Her story telling style is easygoing and relatable; her lessons learned are deep and meaningful, but not “preachy.” There was not a story in the book that did not remind me of some aspect of my own life. Susannah opens the book with an intro about being from the South, being Southern, and being grateful that she is a Southerner. Yet still, in spite of my being a lifelong Mid-Western/Chicagoland girl, I am reminded of my own life and the precious people who have been a part of my life. If you are not familiar with Susannah B Lewis, please do look up her Whoa Susannah blog and social media. She’s a fun, humorous storyteller with an encouraging word.
I received a sample copy of this book that included the first 8 chapters for my honest review.
Susannah Lewis delivers you a genuine story about navigating life. You experience her joys and tragedies with her, she writes in such a compelling and heartfelt way that you can't help but feel what she is feeling. She mixes in a bit of humor which is the type of storytelling that I was used to from her. You can feel the pain and joy in her writing. Susannah is a follower of God and you go through her emotional roller coaster with her religion and coming to understand how that is woven throughout her life. The writing is heartfelt and insightful, I could not put the book down. I am not a practicing religious person, I don't attend church but I do believe in God and I can appreciate the scriptures throughout the book. Her faith is something you can feel and I don't think you have to be a practicing religious person to relate and understand what she is saying. I was very captivated with this book and I would highly recommend picking up a copy and reading it yourself
I love a good memoir! I love a good "Jesus saved me" story. I love southern voices and stories about crazy southern families. I love stories about growing up in the south with all the perks of southern vocabulary, traditions, lifestyles, and good old fashioned southern food. This book ticked all the boxes for me and I loved every moment of my time with Susannah Lewis! I have the book but I also bought the audiobook when it went on sale recently. It is so good when you hear Susannah read it to you, I promise! I cannot wait to read the next one soon and I am snagging some of her old and new fiction to enjoy, too. She is a real treat!
I thought I had hit the jackpot when I was lucky enough to get the first 8 chapters in an ARC. Well let me tell you it was not the best thing in the world. I wanted more!!! It was like getting a 'taste' of the best apple pie in the South and not getting the whole pie!!! Seriously it was that good. I love to read books about the South. I have never been there, but I sure hope to someday. This is a non-fiction book by Susannah B. Lewis and she can tell a story. Laughter, tears, hope, encouragement, faith..it has it all! I have pre-ordered the book on Amazon and look forward to starting at the beginning and reading it with a nice cup of sweet tea. Y'all shouldn't pass this one by. It's worth the price of admission!!!!
Can’t Make This Stuff Up was closer to 3.5 than 4.
Although Susannah does show where the title came from in the last chapter, I have to admit I spent the whole book thinking the title promised way too much. I expected loads of laughs from start to finish. Instead, I smiled now and then, but that was about it.
What I did get was a lot of honesty. Susannah becomes vulnerable and open regarding her life experiences. That will be an encouragement and blessing to readers.
For me, this was a good bedside book. Good to dip into now and then for a little faith lift.
I was fortunate enough to receive an advanced copy of this book. Can't Make This Stuff Up! By Susannah B. Lewis, and this book is my favorite read so far this year! I loved her as a blogger, but goodness Susannah is funny, relatable, and quite possibly my new favorite author.
As a southerner myself, I especially loved reading about her testimony and her walk with Christ, even when it was difficult. She made me laugh, cry, and reminisce about my formable years. I recommend this book for anyone who needs a laugh, struggling with the demands of motherhood and being a wife, or anyone just looking for a fun read, because, Whoa Susannah!
Disclosure: I received an Advance Reader Sampler of this book from the publisher
If you enjoy a good conversation of reminiscing with a friend, a friend from small town southern USA, then you will enjoy the smiles, the laughs and even the tears as Susannah shares her life stories. Infused with scripture and Biblical truths you will see the path she has chosen and how she stays on that path today. I anxiously await the rest of her story!