She Writes Press and NetGalley provided me with an electronic copy of Finding My Badass Self: A Year of Truths and Dares. I was under no obligation to review this book and my opinion is freely given.

Sherry Stanfa-Stanley, a 52 year old divorced empty nester, felt that she was in a rut in her everyday life. Thus was born the 52/52 project, Sherry's year of 52 weekly adventures designed to push boundaries and change her outlook on life.

From belly dancing, to wedding crashing; from a pizza eating contest, to a police ride along, the author dared herself to try new experiences, despite any fear for trepidation on her part. Readers will be inspired to try their own version of the 52/52 project, as Finding My Badass Self gives plenty of possible challenges to face. This project took courage, especially when it came to challenges that were out of Sherry's comfort zone. The author came away from this project feeling great about the changes she saw in herself, so readers can be encouraged to change their lives as well. I would recommend Finding My Badass Self to other readers and hope to read more by author Sherry Stanfa-Stanley in the future.

Thank you to She Writes Press for providing me with an advance copy of Sherry Stanfa-Stanley's Finding My Badass Self: A Year of Truths and Dares, in exchange for an honest review.

PLOT- When Sherry Stanfa-Stanley turned fifty-two, she decided to challenge herself by facing fifty-two activities that would take her outside of her comfort zone. Finding My Badass Self: A Year of Truth and Dares documents Stanfa-Stanley's quest to seek adventure and push her boundaries. 

LIKE- Stanfa-Stanley is funny and relatable. It's easy to root for her as she overcomes personal obstacles, like conquering her fear of heights by going zip lining and riding in a hot air balloon. I think it helps that Stanfa-Stanley is a rather normal person chasing her dreams. She's middle-aged and not in peak shape, yet she attempts adventures. She doesn't have a large budget for her ideas and no one is financially backing her, another element that will make readers feel empowered: If Stanfa-Stanley can achieve her goals, so can you. Get off that couch!

My favorite challenge was when Stanfa-Stanley threw a party for strangers. She asked her friends to invite someone that they knew, but someone that she had not previously met to a party that Stanfa-Stanley was hosting. The friends were not invited, only the strangers. This meant that Stanfa-Stanley was hosting a party and didn't know who was going to knock at her door and none of the other people, knew each other. It was a grand experiment that was a huge success. I absolutely love the idea of a strangers party, especially how it lent itself to diversity in the participants. Although it happened that only women showed up ( men were invited), the women were different ages and from a variety of backgrounds. I think this is a marvelous idea for expanding your social circle. It was heart warming to learn that many of the women stayed in touch,

DISLIKE- Previous to Finding My Badass Self, I had not heard of Stanfa-Stanley. I now know that she has a blog in which readers can follow her adventures. Finding My Badass Self reads like a compilation of blog entries, which I think it might have been. I question the necessity of turning the blog entries into a book. If I was following her blog, it would be delightful to read a few entries at a time and catch up with her life, but as a book, it was tedious. I think a fix would have been to change the format and provide more introspection before moving to the next challenge. There needed to be a bridge between the entries. Not all of the challenges were equally interesting or inspiring, which also contributed to the uneven pacing.

RECOMMEND- Maybe. I'd definitely recommend checking out Stanfa-Stanley's blog. She's humorous and you might find the inspiration to chase one of your own dreams. I'm just not sure that Finding My Badass Self is a better recommendation than just checking out her blog.

Thank you to NetGalley and She Writes Press for the e-ARC in exchange for my honest opinion. I usually pick up on new groups/trends early on, but I hadn't heard of the 52/52 project. In a way I'm glad I went in NOT knowing about it. Sherry made me laugh out loud (in the night) and made me think about the things I don't do, and how I get caught in my own bubble. I need to start moving out of that, and this book helped me see that. Honestly....loved this. It's not preachy, it's funny and it might just inspire you. There are many more funny stories to be had in this book. Every time that I thought I was done laughing, I would find myself laughing some more. You could tell that the author really enjoyed every moment of her experiences. Sherry inspires you to find your inner badass self!

I was unfamiliar with the author or her 52/52 Project prior to reading this book, but I think I'll be checking it out now. Stanfa-Stanley writes of her year of doing things outside her comfort zone with humor and a conversational tone that makes her story accessible.

I often wonder what my life would look like if I did more things that scared me. This book is a reminder that sometimes, our biggest obstacle is ourselves. While I don't think I'll ever be badass enough to do half the things discussed in this book, it has me thinking again about the stories we tell ourselves, and how nothing is impossible.

Thanks to NetGalley for a review copy.

Love it!!! What an inspiring read.Congrats to the author for doing what she wanted to do. So many of us want to do things outside our comfort zone but for personal reasons we do not. This book made me want to make my own project. I laughed out loud, (the Brazilian Wax, the police ride-a-long which sounded like fun)!!!! Great book and I give the author kudos for letting us live vicariously through her. First time reading this author but I hope not my last. Thanks to NetGalley the author and the publisher for the ARC of this book in return for my honest review

This book is about 52 weeks, 52 new experiences at the age of 52 - otherwise known as The 52/52 project. All of the adventures are outside of Sherry Stanfa-Stanley's comfort zone. Some of them more so than others, but all providing a somewhat different experience and perspective on life. All designed to get her out of the rut or "crater" as she puts it, that she found herself in in her 50s as a divorced empty-nester. And she wondered, would this be "opening the door to an exciting new life or opening Pandora's Box. Turns out the two are not mutually exclusive."

She begins with belly dancing which leads to more adventures such as an audition for "Survivor", eating chocolate covered bugs, going to a nude beach with her mother in tow, getting a drastic haircut, going without electronics for a week, singing with a band, and so much more.

I admire her courage as she faces the challenges she has chosen for herself. And the smarts she shows when she backs down from one challenge. It's a wiser decision than going through with it.

The book is designed with each experience making up a short chapter. She shares her mistakes and her successes humbly and with humor. The one thing that remains consistent is that she is a winner for trying all of these things whether she is successful at them or not.

I give the book overall a 4 out of 5 stars. It's well-written. The challenges are interesting as are her take on them. And there is humor to the tales she tells.

You can find out more about The 52/52 project on her Facebook page for it here. And she also blogs at her website.

Finding My Badass Self by Sherry Stanfa-Stanley was published August 15, 2017 by She Writes Press.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book through NetGalley from the publisher. All opinions are my own and freely given.

Sherry is divorced mother of two 20-somethings sons and in her mid-50s. According to her web page, she's a "writer, humorist and squeamish adventurer". A couple years ago when she was 52, she decided to push herself outside of her comfort zone and start the 52/52 Project ... for a year she would do something she'd never done before every week (so for a total of 52 new adventures). This book is the compilation of those experiences.


The things she did included spending time at a nude beach (with her mom nearby), online dating, hot air ballooning, heading to the airport and jumping on the first flight flying domestically, babysitting quadruplets, unplugging from electronics, going to the grocery store in her pajamas, auditioning for Survivor and more. Some adventures were successful and she enjoyed them ... others she was glad she did but would never do again ... and there were just a couple where she said no way.

I gave her props for doing the 5km marathon. I've always wanted to be a runner but I've never been one. Runners make it look so easy! I've been trying to do a 5km program (I have an app on my phone) since the spring and it's HARD ... I don't know if I'll ever be able to run (walking briskly is no problem, though). I've already done some of the things which was a new adventure for me. It was interesting to read her experiences doing a float and high ropes course ... I love floats and I'm with her re the high ropes course.

I enjoyed this book and found it a fun read. Sherry is my age and I could relate to her, though I think anyone any age could. I liked the writing style. It was amusing and conversational. I bet Sherry would be a fun and friendly person to hang out with. As a heads up, there is some swearing. My one suggestion is that it would have been nice to have included some pictures of her adventures.

This book was given to me as an ARC by NetGalley in exchange for my honest review and opinions. I loved everything about this book! I was laughing from the very beginning when the author apologized to her sons for the embarrassment she caused. The book is based on a project the author calls The 52/52 project. She woke up one day and realized that her life was pretty "vanilla" and she wanted to shake it u a bit. She then decides that each week for a whole year she will try one new thing outside her comfort zone. This kind of project requires a good sense of humor which the author fortunately has. Each chapter is a new experience and the names are just as funny as the actual story. I particularly loved the chapters titled " Bunnies and Batteries" and "Much a Doo-Doo About Nothing". I probably annoyed my boyfriend because I kept laughing out loud in bed while he was trying to sleep. This book is so worth buying. I actually plan to buy a copy or two myself for some family members.

I really enjoyed this book. It made me chuckle out loud a few times. It is written in a heartfelt and honest way and I enjoyed the way the author wrote. A very easy light read.

(3.5 stars out of 5 stars) This book turned out to be pretty entertaining and funny, especially when the author took her elderly mother to the Haulover nude beach in Florida. She tries to be more outgoing and adventurous so she makes up a list at age 52, of 52 new things to try weekly for a year and then posts online about how she does. I was glad I read it, now I'm inspired to try a few of the things she did. Ziplining here I come. Maybe haha. My thanks to NetGalley, She Writes Press, and Sherry Stanfa-Stanley for providing me with an eARC for review.

Sherry Stanfa-Stanley is a blog writer with a 52/52 Facebook page who finds herself in her fifties and a divorced empty nester. In an attempt to kick start her life again she starts the 52/52 project/bucket list hoping for enlightenment, excitement and frequent I am going to die experiences over a year. Those experiences leave her a more confident and appreciative of life woman.
You will be treated to a range of stories eg first time Brazilian, giving a rhinoceros an erection, online dating and a whole lot more. Told with insight, wisdom and in a down to earth humorous style this book will give you some food for thought in your own life.
I was almost motivated to try a mini version of the 52/52 but my time was taken up with other things. It really impressed me how her elderly mother accompanied Sherry on some of her adventures. This will be an easy read and/or a thought provoking one. It’s your choice!
The only reason I didnt give this book four stars was it felt like short stories made into a book and I kept looking for some sort of connection. This isnt meant as a criticism its indicative of my personal taste never having been a fan of short stories.

Sherry Stanfa-Stanley seems like she would be a lot of fun, and in this book she takes on some adventures I probably wouldn't and after reading about them, I can say I definitely will not. The stories were amusing, and I had never seen the blog that the majority of this book seems to be pulled from. I can see where this would make a really great blog, but I am not sure if it translates to an equally good book. After reading the book I looked up her blog, and some of the chapters seem to be directly pulled from her blog - but one thing the blog has that the e-book I read didn't have was pictures...and the pictures added something to the stories that I was missing from the e-book.

The other thing about these blog posts being combined into a book is that each chapter is a distinctly different experience, and there is nothing really tying any of them together. I guess I was looking for the author to explain a little more about her journey on the way, or maybe how things changed her outlook, or even some continuity from one chapter to the next.

I feel pretty lukewarm about this as a book, but I think I may check out the author's blog from time to time.

Motivating and FUN! This book will inspire anyone to get out there and take control of their courage and live a better life.