Paula Deen

It Ain't All About the Cookin': A Memoir

By: Paula Deen, Sherry Suib Cohen

Narrated by: Paula Deen

You may think you know the butter-loving, finger-licking, joke-cracking, queen of melt-in-your-mouth Southern cuisine. You may have even heard some version of her Cinderella story: she was a single mom with two teenaged sons when she started a brown-bag lunch business with $200 and wound up with a thriving restaurant business, a fairy-tale second marriage, and wildly popular television shows. But you have never heard the intimate details of her often bumpy road to fame and fortune.

Courageously honest, downright inspiring, and just a little bit saucy, Paula shares the highs and the lows of her life in her inimitable charming and irreverent style. She talks about her childhood, the difficulty of her first marriage, and how the death of her beloved parents precipitated a debilitating agoraphobia that crippled her for years. But even when the going got tough, Paula never lost the good grace and sense of humor that would eventually help carry her to success and stardom.

Whether she's telling tales of good times or bad, Paula Deen speaks as frankly and intimately in this memoir as few women in the public eye have ever dared. Her story is proof that the good, old-fashioned American dream is alive and kicking, and there is still such a thing as a real-life happy ending.

©2007 Paula Deen. All rights reserved (P)2007 Simon and Schuster Inc. All rights reserved.

Critic reviews

"Her voice is measured and her messages and philosophies are culled from a life of climbing many of life's mountains - divorces, deep-seated fear and panic attacks, financial insecurity - that many of the women who adore her also have scaled." (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

Great Sucess Story

You will laugh out loud.What a kick Paula is I really liked her. Paula showed if you want something you got to work for it. I loved it.

Paula Deen is a real person after all.

Where does Paula Deen rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I loved the open honesty she brings to her book. I also appreciate her ability to no man-bash the father of her children. So many women who later become successful do this but Paula talks about the father of her children with the best of honesty.

The book gave me appreciation to get started and take hold of your live. No matter what stage of the game you are in.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

several parts made me laugh and yes a few tears were shed.

Any additional comments?

I liked the book. If you know southern culture or would like to learn a little about it. This is a good book.

touching....

I think this was a touching and honest account of her life. It is very interesting to know more that just the side you see on TV. She is a funny and amazing woman. I thoroughly enjoyed listening, laughing and crying through the book with her.

Here's Paula!

I liked this book and am especially I got it in audio format. Paula's distinctive Southern accent is a vital part of her personality, and it just doesn't come across on the page as it does for real here.

The book flags rather badly in its last quarter, after the success of The Lady and Sons (her restaurant) and her TV shows. She just runs out of material to write/talk about. But until then the book is very entertaining--I laughed out loud many times.

You'll learn a lot about Paula Deen you didn't expect. I never thought about Paula having a sex life, for example . . . (She does!)

Anyway, I recommend it to lovers of her show.

Loved it ! Cried while in the vanpool!

This was a great book, I wish I had listened to the unabridged version!

Oh Paula!

It was great to hear the personal side of the lady who so many people love...she shares things that she is less than proud of, and I admire that. I could listen to that smooth southern voice all day y'all! Great Listen!

Paul is a sassy little lady!

Wow, not at all what I expected! She is quite a character, not the southern bell angel you might think. I loved it!!! I laughed out loud several times. Paul's story is inspiring; she has panache and an unyielding work ethic.

Amazing book

I really loved this book! It was wonderful and so was the narrative. I highly recommend this book to anyone.

Paula is downhome good

Paula tells it like it is. she cooks like everyday people. I am a big fan.

I bought this for my mother. She loved it.

Would you listen to Paula Deen again? Why?

Yes, my mother loves her.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Paula Deen?

Her honesty.

What does Paula Deen bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Her wonderful voice.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes

Any additional comments?

Keep on writing Paula.