I have a confession to make. I read Mommy blogs. Lots of them. I do. My brother Pat will have a field day with me on that but I enjoy them.
I read Jen, Simcha, Hallie, and Danielle just about as often as they post. I check in on lots of others like Karen Edminsten, Elizabeth Duffy, Rebecca Teti, and Rachel Balducci a few times a week among others.
I often think that if Pat and I ever actually attended some kind of Catholic conference I’d probably freak these women out by how much I know about them. I’d be asking them freakishly specific questions about their dog and their second grader’s teacher’s herniated disc. They’d likely pepper spray me.
CMR buddy Hallie Lord edited a book collection of many of my favorite Catholic writers called Sex, Style & Substance. And I read it. I’ll admit my wife and kids looked at me a little weirdly while I was walking around with a pink book. And the book practically smelled of estrogen. I was a bit afraid to get some on me but I read it and would like to say it’s really enjoyable.
It’s funny as heck at times but it’s also really smart and faith-filled. I enjoyed it and I’m a dude. The parts about dresses and style and things I’ll admit were kinda’ lost on me but I’d imagine folks with two X chromosomes would like it. But other parts had me literally holding my side with laughter like when Jen describes crawling out of her car window like Bo Duke. And many of the chapters left me really thinking about how I life out my faith on a daily basis, especially when it comes to dealing with the children.
But just so you don’t think I’m totally wussified I’ll give me top ten reasons not to buy “Style, Sex, and Substance.”
10) Red haired women like Jen Fulwiler scare you.
9) The last all-girls thing I bought was the Bangles CD and they broke up right after that!
8) You fear that Danielle Bean who has her own powerhouse blog, runs Faith & Family Live, as well as the new and improved Catholic Digest is just getting too powerful and will next to try to take over the world.
7) You like your Catholic writing with a lot more judgment and a little less understanding.
6) It’s got the word “Sex” in the title so it must be a dirty book.
5) Former atheists like Karen Edmisten might be spies for the other side and simply pretending to live a faith-filled life.
4) You only read girl books about sensitive but brooding vampires.
3) You believe women should be less focused on writing books and just concentrating on having more babies!!! Oh wait. You can’t really use that one on these women. Together, their families make up a population large enough to overthrow a medium sized Republic.
2) I read somewhere that Hallie’s husband is some kind of death metal freak who spent time in the hoosegow for punching out a bar owner. And you know those rock and rollers never change.
1) If I am gonna’ read a book written by several girls, its gonna involve spring break.
If any of these apply to you feel free to not read Hallie’s book. If you want a great Catholic book, click here to buy it.
March 26, 2012 at 6:32 pm
Haha, now I HAVE to buy it!! MY husband is a (very Catholic) Death Metal freak!!
March 26, 2012 at 7:04 pm
Danielle Bean has ALREADY taken over the world— you just don't realize it, because she's in league with the Freemasons and those aliens hiding in the French Mountaintop.
I'd tell you more, but her spies are everywhere… those cute pics she posts of her sons with 'snakes and lizards?' They're really robot drones sent to watch us all….argh! They're here! Signing out….
😉
March 26, 2012 at 7:47 pm
I'm reading the book as well, Matt, because I'll be interviewing Hallie so I feel your pain. Every once in a while reading the book, I'll grunt like Tim Allen on "Home Improvement" just to keep the testosterone flowing. I admit I'm not an alpha male so this is necessary to keep me somewhat balanced in my manhood.
March 26, 2012 at 8:15 pm
I think I have to get this book now. I enjoyed the review. Red haired women really can be a bit intimidating, can't we. 😉
March 26, 2012 at 8:24 pm
Thanks for this post! All I want to know is how I can get my own post tag like those other girls…
March 26, 2012 at 8:48 pm
For the remainder of Lent, thou shalt fast from Mommy blogs.
March 26, 2012 at 10:53 pm
I've always known it, but may I just state for the record that you rock, Matt? You do. You totally do. Thanks for the awesome review!
March 26, 2012 at 11:49 pm
Rachel, if you land in jail or get caught in some national controversy you'll definitely get your own post tag. Think about it.
March 26, 2012 at 11:53 pm
Matt, thanks for clarifying that. It gives me a lot to think about.
March 27, 2012 at 1:05 am
You forgot to mention that the book's promo was banned from You Tube! I think I like the idea of Danielle Bean taking over the world! These ladies rock!
March 27, 2012 at 10:48 am
BTW, if you want to get your copy signed by both Hallie and Anna Mitchell, you can order through our online store. Collect all ten signatures and I think you get a free pony. http://estores.merchantpartners.com/mp2cq/product_info.php?cPath=4&products_id=29
March 27, 2012 at 12:17 pm
It's happened again…I love your posts, but I am wondering why so many people use the word "smart" in their descriptions of women. I've noticed it on a number of blogs lately. I don't ever see a man described as "smart" unless he is someone who is conventionally thought of as "dumb" and someone is trying to set the record straight. Just wondering.
March 27, 2012 at 1:49 pm
Thank you, Matt! This is hilarious. And you can call me smart any time you want … just mum's the word about that world domination thing.
March 27, 2012 at 4:32 pm
THANK YOU Matt!
March 27, 2012 at 11:26 pm
I'm hoping like anything to make it on that list of regular check ins. Right now I'm happy to have made it onto the blogroll. 🙂
March 28, 2012 at 7:20 am
The use of the term "smart" for women combines two meanings of the word, both of them useful for this book review.
1) "Smart," meaning "of high intellectual aptitude."
2) "Smart," meaning "sharp, clever, stylish, and elegant."
The latter meaning, more common in British writing, likely accounts for the prevalence of the word "smart" when one seeks a word to describe an intelligent, attractive, "with it," woman (or women).
March 30, 2012 at 2:53 pm
The jig is UP. Thanks for blowing my cover.
Next thing I know you'll be doing an expose on my "Atheist Home Decor That Rocks" Pinterest board.