I love Jen Lancaster's books. By the time I finished this, I rearranged my bookshelves, finally got around to listing that stack of stuff on eBay, threw out a bunch of junk from my makeup drawer, and came up with at least three resolutions of how I can improve my quality of living and increase my crafty factor. The idea of following Martha Stewart is a little intimidating, but following Jen Lancaster following Martha is something I can do! ( )

3.5 stars

In this memoir of Jen’s, she looks back at 2012, when she made an effort to emulate her idol, Martha Stewart. She wanted to get organized around her house and throw great parties…

The memoir included more than Martha Stewart… it included other happenings that year, such as the loss of her beloved dog Maisie. That was the toughest part of the book, in my opinion, but it certainly hit my heart. The other memorable part, for me was her mammograms. Other bits of it were off and on funny. I’m not a Martha Stewart fan, personally, so that wasn’t a draw for me at all. I listened to the audio, narrated by Jen herself, and she did fine with the narration. ( )

Jen Lancaster's newest memoir, "The Tao of Martha: My Year of LIVING; Or, Why I'm Never Getting All That Glitter Off of the Dog is laugh out loud funny and touching in parts.

Though I loved, "Bitter is the New Black", "Bright Lights" and "Such a Pretty Fat" I was less enamored with "Pretty in Plaid" and "My Fair Lazy" and felt downright hostile after reading, Lancaster's last memoir, "Jeneration X."

I felt as if the person that I loved to read about all these years was just some cool person I made up in my own head. I remember not believing that the Jen Lancaster that wrote, "Bitter is the New Black" was the same person who seemed to half-heartily write "Jeneration X."

So with some trepidation I selected this novel and I devoured this novel in hours. The Jen Lancaster that many of us have loved all of these years is definitely back.

Lancaster lets her readers know right away that she has had some set-backs in her life that had left her unhappy which I think may have colored her writing in Jeneration X. Right away she realizes that she needs to stop and re-assess what makes her happy and decides to start following Martha Stewart Living as she tries to get organized and settled into her new home. As someone who also bought a new house I have to say I felt for her on the things that she was dealing with regarding her party planning, gardening, and attempts to be organized.

I think Lancaster definitely hits on the fact that many women today do want to be like Martha Stewart in their day to day lives and would love to be able to take some twigs and turn it into a three story centerpiece. However, most of us do not have that skill, and her describing her attempts to be more like Martha often resulted in laugh out loud moments. My favorite section of this memoir was the Easter portion I actually started to cry I was laughing that hard.

I do want to know readers know that the footnotes are gone now so any Kindle people will not have to deal with the hassle of going back and forth in the book. One welcome addition is that this novel includes pictures of Jen, her husband, the dogs, and her friends in various points in the novel.

Picking up "The Tao of Martha" was like hanging with a long-time friend and catching up with each other over margaritas.

I definitely recommend to long-time fans of Jen Lancaster!

I received this novel for free via the Amazon Vine Program. ( )

Jen Lancaster is hilarious and I loved this book. I have acquired 2 more of her books and can't wait to read them. Plus she's a pit bull lover!! ( )

She's funny, loves pit bulls and is a Republican but she makes me laugh so i tolerate that. ( )

Lancaster is one funny lady! I loved reading about her adventures. Her sense of humor makes me want to friend her on facebook and ask to come over for lunch! ( )

In Jen's latest memoir she relates her attempts to improve her life by following the advice of Martha Stewart, from organizing the junk drawer to cooking, home decorating and making homemade gifts for her loved ones. Of course, the successes are balanced by disasters, and the joys with grief. And of course, since she IS Jen Lancaster, I laughed myself silly. I, like so many others, continue to think of her as one of my BFFs. I'll get her next book as soon as it's available because she always makes me happy. Her books won't change the course of literature, but for awhile she can change the shape of my days. I recommend her to anyone looking for a laugh, and maybe a dose of inspiration. ( )

The Tao of Martha: My Year of LIVING; Or, Why I'm Never Getting All That Glitter Off of the Dog ( )

Have I read everything Jen Lancaster has written? Almost.

Where does this fall on the scale from her best to worst books? Solidly in the top third. This one is a little less funny than usual, but still plenty amusing. There's more emotion and depth here; she's not so much making fun of her struggles (cf. taking a Prada bag to the unemployment office in Bitter is the New Black) as digging deeply into her emotional reliance on a dying dog, and the aftermath of having spent a year on a failed book project.

It would make this book sound too depressing to say that it's Jen Lancaster's [b:The Year of Magical Thinking|7815|The Year of Magical Thinking|Joan Didion|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1327878638s/7815.jpg|1659905], but in some way it's a bit apt. It's a departure in that it is darker than the other books Lancaster has written, but it must be said that there's an awful lot of lightness in here too. The description of her attempts to host an Easter party, Martha-Stewart-style, are alone worth the price of admission. ( )

Not bad, but given how long it takes me to finish audiobooks (my commute is just not that long), I wondered several times why I was sticking with it. I'm just not the kind of person to appreciate a Martha Stewart-based lifestyle, honestly. I got the impression from the publisher's blurb that it was going to be kind of a joke—because who really needs to spend time on "artfully displayed charcuterie platters," right?

But Lancaster is totally sincere in her adherence to Martha's "Tao." And the thing is, considering how many times she described being physically affected by the stress of whatever project she was undertaking, all I could think was, "So why are you doing it??" The way I see it, if hollowing out 72 eggs to decorate them for Easter is causing you to sweat and cry, the solution is this: screw the eggs.

I can get on board with organizing your Drawer of Shame, cleaning out closets, becoming more organized. If implementing a specific filing or labeling system works for you, that's awesome, and I absolutely believe that those kinds of changes can make a person genuinely more happy.

Lancaster does have a few of those projects, but really, almost everything in this book is completely non-essential. I get that that's a personality difference, and that's fine. I'm not a crafty person, I don't like glitter-covered pumpkins, I don't want ceramic rabbits in every corner for Easter. But when you're telling me that your friend Angie yelled at you for not having enough class to send paper invitations to your Fourth of July party, serve a signature cocktail, or cook all the food yourself ("You're buying food? Caps-lock double-yew-tee-eff?"), and that you thank her for performing this "service," excuse me if my eyes are disappearing into the back of my skull.
( )

Jennifer Lancaster always makes me laugh out loud. I connected with this book in so many ways. If only she could see the drawers and closets in my house, she'd know we must be related! ( )

After another disastrous Christmas party, Jen has a realization: she needs to work on getting organized. Things have slowly slid off the rails after a number of frustrating and stressful months. Now she has decided to get herself back on track by emulating one of her personal idols - Martha Stewart.

Devoting the year to taking Martha's advice on everything from gardening to disaster preparedness, Jen hopes to uncover the Tao of Martha. Perhaps through prolonged study, she'll be able to discern some of the underling principles that lead to a better and happier life. ( )

I'm a huge fan of Jen Lancaster and was thrilled to get her latest book that follows her exploits as she tries to do as Martha Stewart would do. And if you have read her earlier books, you know this is easier said than done. I like Jen because she isn't perfect, she's human and her outcomes are similar to what you would expect from one of her readers. I enjoy reading the glimpses into her life with her husband and her menagerie of pets. I read her first book where she adopted her beloved dog, Maisie, from a shelter and followed along with medical issues Maisie had and was heartbroken when she had to be put out down. I wasn't sure I was going to like Jen in her first book but the love and care she and her husband give their fur kids even when they couldn't afford it, just won me over.
And that is the best quality of her books, the true reality. I doubt that anyone could live up to what Martha Stewart does. But we could probably live up to what Jen tries to do to be Martha. ( )

Very amusing -- it's like reading about life on another planet where consumerism is disguised as aesthetics and crafting. Before I read this book, I couldn't imagine a life where there is absolute zero concern for eating healthy (at least in the suburban North). Yes, she has concerns about organics, humane treatment of animals, and high quality ingredients but all in service to eating very unhealthy food. I'd love to eat the things that Jen makes if only I could do it without dying much sooner than I'd care to. If reading is a window to another world, this book qualifies for me. Strangely enough, I'd like to read some of her other stuff. She writes well. ( )

Delightful and insightful. Love Jen! ( )

Besides reading, my other interests (obsessions?) are music and organizing. I even had a part-time job at The Container Store last fall, which only deepened my love for all things organizing.

"Everything I pass suddenly seems useful to living a more orderly life, and my cart quickly fills. I keep saying to myself, Do people know about this place?" -The Tao of Martha

I identified with the author's quest to improve her home because I'm always on the lookout for tips on home decor, organization, and cleaning (clearly, I'm a Pinterest addict).

"There is nothing more soul satisfying and therapeutic than rearranging a room." - The Tao of Martha

Every time I read one of her books it's like sitting down with a close friend to catch up. I'm a big fan of Lancaster's memoirs, and once again she delivered a funny and relatable story. She's not afraid to make fun of herself and to admit when her attempts at living the Martha Stewart lifestyle go awry.

"Underneath all the junk, I unearth 3 boxes of my favorite kinds of pens, 2 bags of the mechanical pencils I really like, a pair of Gucci sunglasses, and $17.32 in loose change. I also find rock bottom because clearly this is what I've hit." - The Tao of Martha

I'm glad that I decided to listen to this book because Lancaster narrates it herself. I think it really enhanced my enjoyment because she has great comedic timing and also conveys her emotions very well through the narration. I hope that she narrates more of her own books in the future! ( )

Funny and fun, a wonderful, quick read. ( )

I read this for a book club. It was my first time reading a Jen Lancaster book. Like other LT reviewers, I had a hard time with it. It was funny occasionally but I couldn't relate to Jen's affluent lifestyle. I even wondered at one point if she was being paid to name-drop brands, because she mentioned them *so much* throughout the book. Pottery Barn, One Kings Lane, etc. It was like she couldn't mention a product without also mentioning who made it.

Like other reviewers, I also had a hard time discerning the point of the book. Yes, she was emulating Martha Stewart for a year - but why? The "reasons" she gave for this weren't very thorough. Honestly, you could tell she did this experiment simply so she'd have some material for a book. The minimal effort she put into doing various tasks rang totally hollow. You could tell her heart wasn't really into the journey.

After reading this, I had pretty much entirely written her off as an author. I don't really have any interest in reading about someone I can't relate to who is doing something just to write a book about it. But after reading what the other reviewers have said, I might give some of her earlier books a chance. ( )

Jen Lancaster has made a name for herself documenting her story using self-deprecating humor and honesty. Her penchant for self-improvement and the often hilarious mistakes made along the way highlight not only the lessons she learns but also her ability to make fun of herself. The Tao of Martha follows in that same vein, as Jen explores the fundamental tenets of Martha’s personal philosophy surrounding gardening, housekeeping, party planning, etc. and just how much happiness a little organization can bring.

Martha Stewart is one of those polarizing celebrities. Either you love her or hate her, and the feelings on both sides run hot. Those readers who love Martha will view Jen’s insights and experiences as confirmation of Martha’s awesomeness. However, those readers who feel Martha is the devil incarnate can also appreciate Jen’s learned lessons. Nothing she sets out to accomplish is totally earth-shattering or difficult to accomplish. One does not have to have weeks of free time to organize or plan. Instead, Jen shows the world how adaptable the queen of housekeeping’s tenets are and, when not taken to the extreme, how helpful they can be. Yes, organization can lead to happiness after all.

As fun as Jen’s lessons from Martha are, it is the tao of Maisy that steals the show. Jen’s love of her dogs is hilarious, especially for fellow dog owners, and all of the dogs have larger-than-life personalities that compliment Jen’s own. However, it is in the pain and sorrow of Maisy’s illness where the story shines and Jen shows her true colors. She may make fun of herself, but when it comes to her dogs – especially her beloved Maisy – she has a heart of gold that knows no bounds. Maisy’s/Jen’s “Be awesome, give awesome, get awesome” philosophy is simple but profoundly wise in its uncomplicatedness, and the entire section surrounding Maisy is as heartfelt as any story can get.

For every moment Jen lets down her sarcastic front and shows a reader her compassionate side, there are at least two moments where a reader can only snort with laughter. Her honesty and openness about certain topics, including her choice of undergarments, is hilarious specifically because the situations are so uniquely told. While she uses humor to deflect, she cannot hide the self-reflective honesty that such scenes highlight, making these vignettes compelling and even addicting.

It is difficult to imagine anyone other than Jen narrating her stories. Not only does she tell her own stories best, her stories are so personal that to put them in the hands of someone else would minimize their impact. Her performance is exactly what one would envision after reading her words – bold, unapologetic, open, and very honest. She is not afraid to make fun of herself in both print and vocally, and her inflections are truly only something she can effectively add. To listen to her is to get to know her beyond what she says on the page and only serves to confirm the girl crush established by her extremely funny and very open glimpse into her life.

The fundamental discoveries Jen makes throughout her year of Martha are worthwhile and adaptable. Jen’s garden stories are particularly fun, and a reader will finish the book unable to view tick bites in the same light ever again. Yet, it is in the not-so-hilarious moments where Martha’s tao becomes truly important, as it helps Jen maneuver through life’s tougher moments without having to worry about the little things. While The Tao of Martha may not have ended up to be exactly what she thought it was when she started the year, Jen draws some profound conclusions that anyone can use. In the end, happiness, or at least the foundation for happiness, really is in a little organization and pre-planning. Go Queen Martha.

First published on We Should Make T-Shirts.

Jen Lancaster is right up there with Laurie Notaro on my Favorite Authors list. This woman is constantly cracking me up and making me jealous of her lifestyle. She is unapologetically herself; fortunately, her self is pretty amazing.

In her latest book, Jen becomes a disciple of Martha Stewart, and attempts to apply all of Martha's techniques to her everyday life. I mean, imagine Martha Stewart's everyday life. Her house is so organized that she can start any project she wants immediately, without having to hunt around for supplies or clear off a space. She already has all the baking ingredients in existence, so if she wants to bake a cake, she just has to turn to the correct page in her cookbook. In other words, Martha has her life so nailed down, that she can actually LIVE. She can do ALL THE CRAFTS. And bake ALL THE PIES. And redecorate ALL THE ROOMS. Haven't we all wanted to get ourselves in so brilliant an order that we can live the same way? Well, Jen actually DOES this. And not only does she manage to make it seem fun and hilarious, she does it all while caring for a beloved family dog, whose health declines over the course of the year this book takes place.

Basically, I'm trying to say that I don't want to be just like Martha Stewart. I want to be just like Jen Lancaster trying to be like Martha Stewart. I'm pretty sure if Jen met me, she would agree that we should be BFFs. (And I'm not just saying that because she has a completely stocked basement in case of Zombie Apocalypse.)

Awesome Quotes

With all the exertion from slam-dancing in the Easter mosh pit, one of the kids has an asthma attack, and the others, sensing his weakness, throw off their gloves so they can really fight.

I curse each and every cornflower and butterfly bush as I huff and yank and hurl masses of dirty tendrils into the woods. Thanks for being a dick, lavender hyssop! I thought you were cool, bergamot! How about I give YOU a black eye, Susan?

I open the door and shout, "I HAVE FULL-SIZE CANDY BARS, YOU LITTLE ASSHOLES! COME AND GET THEM RIGHT NOW SO YOU CAN HAVE YOUR MAGICAL MARTHA FUCKING MEMORIES AS AN ADULT!"

Christmas is not going to sneak up on me like that asshole Thanksgiving did. I plan to be ready. ( )

Jen Lancaster is fantastic. I discovered her long after the Bitter Is The New Black days, but eagerly devoured her entire catalog faster than you can say "beloved pit pulls." I find her wit hilarious and refreshing, and she's an author I love so fiercely that I'll pick up her latest without even reading the book's summary.

So it was with The Tao of Martha, though the subject of Jen's stunt memoir is clear from the title. In an effort to clean up her rough edges, Jen embarks on a quest to channel Martha by organizing her home, revamping her recipes, starting new hobbies and much more. If Martha is so Zen and nonplussed, surely following her instructions for living and crafting will help her get there, too?

Though I went into Tao ready to chuckle along with Jen's latest antics, I just . . . found the book to be lacking. Her battles in the garden, attempts to sculpt a magnificent trick-or-treating experience for neighborhood kids and poignant stories of losing a beloved dog were well-told and worth the price of admission -- but on the whole, the humor and sparkle I expect from Jen was missing.

The story felt forced. I don't know how else to explain my feelings. Jen is obviously not Martha Stewart because, you know, none of us are -- a fact popularized by magazines and bloggers everywhere. Being "Not Martha" is its own thing, in fact (and a website). We all know Martha is the shining beacon of all mere mortals can never accomplish, and many embrace -- and even celebrate -- their imperfections and not-Martha-ness. So I guess I was waiting for . . . something more? Jen does experience growth and actually finds she enjoys some of new hobbies, but it wasn't enough.

Sadly, I just never felt attached to her journey -- plain and simple. But I still love you, Jen! And I'll still be eager to get my paws on whatever she whips up next. If you're new to Lancaster's works, Bitter Is The New Black is still my favorite read. ( )