Stacey Ritz Books
  • Home
  • About
  • Books
  • Poetry
  • Reviews
  • Book Blog
Picture

Book Review: Big & Fabulous- The Life & Times of Brenda Cankles, by Randi Sherman

2/17/2017

 
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture


Buy the book: Amazon | B&N

Book Type: Fiction -Humor
Summary: Funny. Captivating. Get to know the likeable Brenda Cankles and join her on a journey through life. A journey of struggles, and a journey of learning to embrace her unique individuality.
Read my exclusive author interview with Randi (click here)


Big & Fabulous- The Life & Times of Brenda Cankles is the first book I've read by author Randi Sherman and now I am ready for her next book! In case you can't tell already, let me tel you, I LOVED the book. It was funny, witty and captivating. I always looked forward to spending time with the book. I rated the book 5-stars and highly recommend it if you enjoy humorous stories and stories about embracing who you are. 

The book is about the life of Brenda Cankles. Each chapter shares a separate story from her life, starting from childhood. We quickly become friends with the protagonist, Brenda (I loved her from the very start). She is wonderful and honest and hilarious. She tells it like it is. She shares the real events of her life and is fully of witty candor. Near the start of the book, Brenda shares the story of attending a play. After the play (Cinderella), the Fairy Godmother and Prince Charming walk up to young Brenda and speak with her. They tell her that she can be anything she wants to be in life. They tell her that she is not like the other kids and that they can't tell yet if it's because she is a princess or a superhero. They tell her the decision will be up to her (she can choose whichever one she wants to be). The Fairy Godmother adds: "I have just one more thing to tell you. You must never apologize for who you are. Never give up your uniqueness. Please promise me that you'll keep being special." Brenda shares that their words spoken to her that day impacted her life in a big way.

Brenda is such a relateable character. Life can be tough. Situations can be awkward. We've all been there. Reading Brenda's story, we understand her struggles and we are rooting for her to stand up for herself and to succeed in every aspect of life.

Once, Brenda's own mother asks her: "How are you going to find a man to marry you if you can bench press a Buick?"  My heart broke when her mother asked her this question. I still remember when my grandmother said to me: "Oh! You've really filled out. I didn't think you ever would. You used to be so skinny!" I'm still carrying the burn from her words to this day- and it's been years.

There are so many delightful parts of Randi Sherman's book, Big & Fabulous- The Life & Times of Brenda Cankles. I smiled A LOT while reading it. I love that Brenda is strong. She is honest. She is learning to embrace herself, despite the struggles life throws her way. She is trying to figure out how to own her individuality. Here's one of my favorite lines from Brenda: "Frankly, if the trust is to be told, I am made of far too much fabulousness to care about what other people think of me..."

I highly recommend that you pick up a copy of Big & Fabulous- The Life & Times of Brenda Cankles right away- it's a wonderful, enjoyable read!

BOOK DESCRIPTION:
The time for BIG & Fabulous, The Life and Times of Brenda Cankles is now! The emphasis is on positive body image,Big & Fabulous is a truly entertaining story that's strongly written,funny, insightful and bitingly smart. Inside it's covers, readers will find no shortage of acidly hilarious accounts of the highs and lows of living life inside a big and fabulous body.


Picture
Stacey Ritz is a bestselling author and award winning writer. An empathetic and compassionate storyteller, Ritz wrote for a plethora of local and national news outlets, magazines, blogs, and websites (copywriter), prior to becoming a novelist. Her book, Covered in Pet Fur  has gained attention from RIVA Media and Animal Planet. She is the Executive Director and co-founder of Advocates 4 Animals, Inc. – a 501(c)3 non-profit animal welfare organization that has saved more than 11,000 lives (and counting). She currently resides in Ohio. Ritz is published through Rockville Publishing. You can interact with Stacey online via Stacey's Book Blog, on Pinterest, andInstagram.
Ritz writes the following genres:
Non-Fiction:
Motivation/Inspiration
Writing/Publishing
Animal Welfare

Fiction:
Love Stories


Click here to view Stacey's fiction books.

Click here to view Stacey's non-fiction books

Picture

    Join the Book Lover's Club for giveaways, sneak peaks, exclusive behind-the-scenes stories & more (only available here)- And, it's free!

Join Now!
Picture
Picture

Comments are closed.

    Stacey's Book Blog

    Welcome! Stacey's Book Blog shares book reviews on a wide array of non-fiction and fiction books, along with tips for both readers and writers. Find your next great read here! Also enjoy author interviews, and more.

    RSS Feed

    Picture

    Categories

    All
    Attention Writers
    Author Interviews
    Book Club
    Childrens Books
    Fiction Books
    Giveaways
    Non Fiction Books
    Top Lists

    Picture
    The Lost Years: A Novel, explores the question - Why do some relationships fall apart while others endure?
    ​ 
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Find motivation, inspiration & helpful advice from bestselling author Stacey Ritz! Click the cover to purchase now.
    Picture
    Learn how to become a writer. Click cover.
    Picture
    90 Treadmill Workouts to get you in shape.
    Click cover for more.

    Picture
    Do you find Stacey's Book Blog helpful? Donate a cup of cocoa here!

    Picture
    A quiet life, an idyllic marriage. Until tragedy strikes. How far would you go for love? 
    Picture
    Picture
    Who rescued who? Meet the little senior rescue dog who helped transform her rescuers life.
    Picture
    Picture
    Raise significant funds for your non-profit, school or cause!
    Picture
    Picture

    This blog contains affiliate links, meaning I’ll receive a small commission should you purchase using those links. All opinions expressed are my own. I receive no compensation for reviews.

Books by Stacey Ritz...


Fiction

The Lost Years   

Intriguing Illusions       
Sixty Seconds of Love

The Perfect Divorce

Inconceivable Lives

The Obsession

Keeping Up Appearances
​
All the Little Choices

Goodbye, Hello

The First & Last Everything

Motivational

Be Awesome: How to Live your Best Life!
Pursuing Greatness: Strategies to Gain a Mental Edge in Sports and Life

Writing

Write Your Story: How to Jump Start Your Writing Career

Must Love Writing: The Magic of Living a Creative Life
Animal Welfare 
Covered in Pet Fur: How to Start an Animal Rescue the Right Way

Pawsitive Connection: Heartwarming Stories

Cat Connection: Heartwarming Rescue Tales

Letters From Cats: Hilarious & Heartfelt Notes

Not Your Average Grandma: The Story of a Little Senior Rescue Dog with Big Life Lessons

​Fun(D)Raising: 150 Money Making Ideas

Poetry

 Love & Courage
Picture
Picture
Picture
Copyright © 2020 Stacey Ritz Books / Stacey's Book Blog  | Website design by ASEL Designs
  • Home
  • About
  • Books
  • Poetry
  • Reviews
  • Book Blog