#1 New York Times bestselling author Johanna Lindsay presents
a powerfully romantic Regency-era tale that is breathtaking in scope
and wondrously passionate.
When Sebastian Townshend, son of the eighth Earl of Edgewood, was banished from his family due to the tragic results of a duel, he vowed never to return to England. Now living on the continent, Sebastian has forged a new identity as a deadly mercenary, The Raven. But his former neighbor, Lady Margaret Landor, has different plans for him. Back in England, Sebastian's father has had several accidents and Margaret suspects foul play and deception that reach as far back as the infamous duel. Convinced that only Sebastian can set the situation to rights, Margaret arranges a scandalous bargain with him that includes Sebastian's returning home as her husband. As the newlyweds uncover a deadly scheme, a fierce passion blossoms between them, which neither anticipated -- and neither can resist.
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Being Perfect
List Price: $12.95
Our Price: $10.36
Your Save: $ 2.59 ( 20% )
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
Manufacturer: Random House
Book written by: Anna Quindlen
Average Customer Rating:   
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Being Perfect - book description
Binding: Hardcover
Dewey Decimal Number: 170.44
EAN: 9780375505492
ISBN: 0375505490
Label: Random House
Manufacturer: Random House
Number Of Items: 1
Number Of Pages: 64
Publication Date: 2005-04-26
Publisher: Random House
Release Date: 2005-04-26
Studio: Random House
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Editorial Reviews:
A few times in your life, someone will tell you something so right, so deeply true that it changes you forever. That is what Anna Quindlen, author of the timeless bestseller A Short Guide to a Happy Life, does here.
In Being Perfect, she shares wisdom that, perhaps without knowing it, you have longed to hear: about “the perfection trap,” the price you pay when you become ensnared in it, and the key to setting yourself free. Quindlen believes that when your success looks good to the world but doesn’t feel good in your heart, it isn’t success at all.
She asks you to set aside your friends’ advice, what your family and co-workers demand, and what society expects, and look at the choices you make every day. When you ask yourself why you are making them, Quindlen encourages you to give this answer: For me. “Because they are what I want, or wish for. Because they reflect who and what I am. . . . That way lies dancing to the melodies spun out by your own heart.”
At the core of this beautiful book lies the secret of authentic success, the inspiration to embrace your own uniqueness and live the life that is undeniably your own, rich in fulfillment and meaning.
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Spotlight customer reviews:
Customer Rating:
Summary: Small, Savvy and Sage
Comment: One can finish Anna Quindlen's book in less than 2 hours. It's written in such a way where its like recounting an episode in ones life that where immersed in perfection. Although the book could be apocryphal, its points of wisdom is definitely worthy of aprobation. I think her most important message is well-imparted in Being Perfect's last few sentences. "I don't want anyone I know to take that terrible chance. And the only way to avoid it is to listen to that small voice inside you that tells you to make mischief, to have fun, to be contretarian, to go another way. George Eliot wrote, 'It is never too late to be what you might have been.' It's never to early either. Take it from someone who has left the backpack full of bricks far behind, and everyday feels light as a feather." I guess I read her book just in time for me to start dumping my own bricks.
Customer Rating:
Summary: It's hard to be perfect
Comment: The layout of this book is 'perfect.' This small hardbound volume is that of a childs pocket book but manufacturered with the refinements of a valued classic newly put into print. The fonts are serious and straight in character... a little on the large size. The pictures are realistic in form. The appearance on the shelf is superfically excellent.
Promoters hype and judging the book by its cover can only result in disappointment. Had less attention been paid this volume I would use only slightly milder metaphors. The read is less than inspiring to other than a new adolesent female reader with less than spiritually nuturing parents. The content is unsophisticated and superficial about its topic and may tend to support the confussion it is addressing. This book is heavily promoted on the Authors name recognition as can be noted by the books cover.
The read is very short and simple. I felt obliged to finish the volume in order to say that I had completed the task, but was less than inspired by the lecture to turn the page. This is a very attractive one time read: a beautiful date that would have done better to never have started a conversation.
For all the professional production and publicized hype, this book is prefereable to teen romances but less incitful and less inspiring than the venerable Dr. Sues.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Small and Powerful
Comment: This small book deals with a key subject -- self acceptance -- in a mighty, insightful way. I loved it.
Customer Rating:
Summary: A great book to pass along to a friend...
Comment: I enjoy Anna Quindlen's articles/columns and found her book Blessings to be a pleasant story. That said, I was quick to pick up this book, Being Perfect, while browsing through a bookstore at the airport. It is a short book - I was able to read the book cover-to-cover while standing alongside my carry-on bag in the bookstore (less than 15 minutes).
Still, I enjoyed the presentation. Anna's writing style speaks to me very eloquently. Her message was poignant and I'm sure would tear right at some heart strings for those individuals(particulary women) who have spent a better part of their lifetime trying to be the perfect 'parent' or 'spouse' or simply live up to society's impossible ideals. But for me, it was simply an interesting read that left me without any lingering thoughts.
While the black & white photographs were endearing, I couldn't quite see the full relevancy other than that they were from the era when Anna was a teenager perhaps. However, those photos seemed to occupy atleast 1/3 of the printed pages (which were few to begin with).
I would strongly recommend that you borrow this book from the library before investing $12.95 and having it sit idly on your shelf. I don't think its a book to be read and re-read, but perhaps a book that you would happily offer to a friend to take home and read and pass along to another friend.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Excellent Message
Comment: I love the author's eloquence. Understandable - yet chock full of meaning in her wording. The meaning of the book is very very important on a spiritual level. So many people have desires that they won't let come to fruition because of family's, friend's or society's expectations - yet those desires are precisely what will bring happiness & a sense of fullfillment to each of us.
For example in my life - I'm contemplating stopping at only one child. The usual rule of thumb is that this is a no-no if at all controllable. But maybe for myself & my spouse - this is just right for us.
Another example is that despite all the money I've spent on education - I still want to pursue more. My family's traditions are that I should be home - in the house - taking care of my little one with the expectation that more will be on the way. It's not what I want - & it's soooo hard to let myself do & be anything other than a stay-at-home Mom. I'm not going to get any encouragement to be or do otherwise from my particular environment - so I love this message.
I know - this is NOT the 1950's. But that expectation for women still exists!!!! Maybe not as strong - but it still exists! People speak very badly about women who put their kids in daycare to pursue a career "they don't need".
Enough about me - this message to listen to that voice inside can pertain to all situations. Hopefully this message will be even more prevalent in the future.
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