Life is a Buffet Reviews
Read What Others Are Saying About Polly’s first book, “Life is a Buffet So Save Room for Dessert.”
Sharon Kelly, Pastor of Wave Church wrote: “This book is very uplifting, lighthearted and fun, yet impacting. I highly recommend “Life is a Buffet So Save Room for Dessert” as a light and easy read with great insights.”
Wally Odum, Pastor, OBX Nation, NC wrote: “I can confidently say “Life is a Buffet is laugh-out-loud funny. I am thinking of prescribing it for some Christians I know. It will do them good. This book is good wholesome fun that will brighten anyone’s day.”
Charlotte Markva, Commonwealth Christian Counseling, Richmond, VA wrote: “I found myself laughing out loud through this book. “Life is a Buffet” is a good diet of short stories for your health.”
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Christian Book Previews.com "Christian Book P...
Polly D. Boyette lives in Virginia where she was born and raised, but her mother came from North Carolina, and you can hear Polly's inherited southern accent in her writing. In Life is a Buffet So Save Room For Dessert Boyette tells some thigh-slapping funny stories about her life with her mother and sister and their three dogs. Oddly enough, all the stories seem to center around food, mainly that southern mainstay-fried chicken.
There is a whole buffet filled with clever stories in this book about life's embarrassing moments, family chaos turned hilarious, general faux pas, and crazy incidents turned into cherished memories. Boyette is a storyteller that can really stretch a tale and get everyone laughing at their household antics.
The author has added, like spice to a good meatloaf, a short devotional to go along with each of the twenty stories. The Scriptures she chooses for each story have an uncanny tendency to match in strange ways with whatever bizarre episode the story relates, but the spiritual lessons are good nonetheless. For example, Boyette tells of her mother frying potatoes for supper and accidentally cooking and eating the plastic lid of the deep fryer. The verse the author uses with that story is Romans 14:3 "The man who eats everything must not look down on him who does not...." Yes, out of context, but funny!
I think this small book would be enjoyed by most anyone with a good sense of humor. Its stories will give the reader a good laugh and maybe help him learn to laugh at his own foibles. - Elece Hollis, Christian Book Previews.com
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BookReview.com (Madison, WI United States)
Polly Boyette lives with her sister, Robbie Lee and recently had her mother, AC, move in with her too. Yes, AC is her mother's full name; AC are not initials, and Robbie Lee's name is actually Robin Lynn. But where they come from, folks might have names that seem like nicknames and nicknames that sound pretty normal. And this sets the stage for the stories you will read about in "Life is a Buffet, So Save Room For Dessert."
This short book of short stories is sure to bring a smile to reader's faces. Here are three women living together, each with her own ideas and idiosyncrasies. Robbie Lee absolutely loves fried chicken, AC adores shopping for flowers to plant in the too small townhouse yard, and Polly has learned to laugh at it all. Each story is a glimpse into life in Virginia and some crazy times that involve Polly falling down the front steps in a foot cast in the pouring rain, Robbie Lee driving blind and getting a ticket, and AC's obsession with "daffneydils" (Daffodils). With each story Polly has chosen a quote from the Bible and includes her own interpretation of it, relating it to the tale. It is all so lightheartedly done that you'll find yourself laughing through the entire collection.
This is a Christian geared book. However, if one chooses to ignore the Bible verses and lessons, readers can easily enjoy the stories alone. This likely isn't the author's intention but I feel that non-Christians will still be able to find value here.
I enjoyed the read and found the writing to be enchanting. After all, if we can't laugh at ourselves, whom can we laugh at? Since Polly Boyette has put her experiences out there to be shared, we can all laugh along with her and have something to think about as well.
Review by Heather Froeschl.
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Life is a Buffet is presented in a humorous way, but real situations that we all find ourselves in sometimes. I believe that too many times we take those situations too seriously, and it puts too much stress on our lives. I laughed my way through this book, while thoroughly enjoying it, as I can identify with some of them. I recommend this book to anyone who needs to relax some and just enjoy life, and I think that can be all of us at any given point in our lives. I wish Polly the very best in all of her endeavors. I had the opportunity to meet her at a book signing, along with her sister - both are warm-spirited people.
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light and comical this book was a joy to read. With great references to the bible after each short story teaching us the art of learning from our own humiliations, inbarisments and fumbles in life along with how to sometimes just laugh at yourself and the situation your in. Also showing there is a reason for everything that happens to us or in things that we do. How to see there is a positive side somewhere in it. I learned and laughed out loud while reading this book. Thanks and best wishes to the Author.
Read What Others Are Saying About Polly’s latest book in the “Life is a Buffet” series, “So What’s On Your Plate?”
Check out this link to see a video review of “Life is a Buffet So What’s On Your Plate?” by Nicole Leon on Amazon.com.
By Rseifert -As Dean Martin once said in song, "Memories Are Made of This." That is exactly what we get from Polly in this book of short stories. Each of these tales ends with a short synopsis on how the memory pertains to life in general and our relationship with God.
If you should ever wonder what you could possibly give to God that God does not already have, then reading this book may well give you the answer. Even though Polly may not realize it, these wonderful, heart warming memories of her, her sister Robbie Lee, and the rest of her family and friends are a gift that keeps on giving. When reading these short stories I found myself thinking back to some of the good memories in my life and that made this a good read.
By Louise Kennedy "Internet shopper" (Lake Worth, Fl United States)
‘Life is a Buffet - So What's on Your Plate?' by Polly D Boyette is a humorous book that links life situations with versus from the Bible. The way that Polly explains healthy portions (love, compassion, encouragement) and unhealthy portions (negativity, unforgiveness, disappointment)and connects them with religion and inspiration is very different from any book you have read before. She tells you true life stories in a humorous way followed by a verse in the Bible and then explains the verse in terms anyone can understand. She tells how to deal with everyday obstacles and turn them into pleasant outcomes. Look at the big picture and keep a grip on promises.
You will laugh and learn when you read this book. It is a book that you can read a story a day to laugh and hopefully be inspired. You may want to read the whole book at once. But read the book. It is worth it.
By www.bookshipper.blogspot.com/ "www.bookshippe... (Montreal, Quebec)
Life is a Buffet is exactly my type of book - by the way, I love this title!
Author Polly Boyette details in humorous anecdotes life experiences that show us that well - life is life with its good and its bad and that while you may not always decide what goes on your plate, you can decide how to deal with it.
I loved these little stories - as the author kindly reminds us that we need to remember to look at the big picture and that the little stuff - like money problems, job problems are NOT what the life buffet is about, but rather, you are richly rewarded in your life with the important things like good friends and a loving, supporting family.
I laughed reading this book and, at times, I was also highly touched. This is definitely a "feel good" read and it helps put a lot of my "minor" stuff in perspective. This is a great little read.
By G. Reba (Panama City, FL)
Filled with humorous stories to warm the heart, "So What's On Your Plate" is a gentle reminder to keep your life in focus and concentrate on the important things. Our jobs, volunteer work, financial problems...these are just a few of the obstacles that can crop up at any time. What matters most at the end of the day are the relationships we have with our friends, our family, and all that we hold close. Chalk up the messier days to experience...without them we wouldn't have a chance to grow. These growing pains allow us to make better choices when faced with similar situations in the future, as well as aid in providing a closer connection to our faith and beliefs.
Read as a whole or savored in daily bites, Polly D. Boyette generously shares from her own recipes a smorgasbord of delightful tales sure to bring a smile to your face. The author's site lifeisabuffet.com has further information about the "Life is a Buffet" book series. For both the faith driven reader as well as those simply looking for a new perspective on their own stories, I'd recommend this to one and all.
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Reading 'Life is a Buffet - So What's on Your Plate?' by Polly D Boyette was a very enjoyable experience. The book is full of heart warming short stories that make you stop and think about life. Each short story is connected to a Bible verse that is explained in laymen terms by Ms. Boyette. The overall concept of the book reinforces the old saying "Don't sweat the small stuff" and reminds us to keep the overall big picture of life's perspective in mind as we go through our journey through this world.
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I really enjoyed this book's wit and wisdom intertwined with God's word. The stories were funny while always able to teach a lesson with some down home humor. I felt like a trusted older aunt was sharing her wisdom with me and reminding me of God's word. It really made sense to me and kept me wanting to go onto the next story.
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I loved this book! Let me say that again....I LOVED this book. So witty and touching. Polly Boyette had me hooked from the first section to the last. Each one told a funny story and morphed into a great Christian life lesson. She amazed me how she could so effortlessly compare and relate everyday happenings to great Spiritual messages. I will be reading this one again and again. I highly recommend this book!
July’s Buzz On Books By Lori Kasbeer with Christianwomenonline
Life Is A Buffet: So What’s on Your Plate?
By Polly D. Boyette
iUniverse (2009)
204 pages
I see this book playing out like a comedy series between Polly, her sister and their mother.; the funny antics and powerful reminders, that we may not decide what goes on our plate but we can decide how we will deal with it. Each chapter reads like a funny short devotional sharing their Christian faith in the midst of relationships. Boyette helps readers place bible verses into every day concepts.
Life Is A Buffet: So What’s On Your Plate? remind readers to look at the big picture of life. This book can be read as a whole or as a devotional book. Life Is A Buffet: So What’s On Your Plate? will make you smile and feel good all over. Polly Boyette reminds me of a lady you would sit next to in church that has you laughing continually with funny stories. This is a perfect feel good book with a great message.
Spirituality - Christian Non-Fiction - Humor
Title: Life is a Buffet So What's On Your Plate?
Author: Polly D. Boyette
Publisher: iUniverse Publishers
Web Page: www.iUniverse.com
Reviewed by: Eric Jones
Think of episodes of “The Golden Girls” condensed into short, page and a half, tales and supplemented with an ending Biblical message and you’ll get the idea behind Polly D. Boyette’s second platter of humorous tales in her “Life is a Buffet” series. Most of the stories deal with day to day matters in the lives of her, her sister, and her mother, who are all endearing in their companionship and in their faith.
If you’re a fan of the “Humor for the Heart” book series, then you’ll probably like Boyette’s slapstick brand of humor. It works to great effect in stories like “A Gripping Tale”, “Going Up”, and “It’s Alive!” It’s only when Boyette diverts from the hilarity of her mother and sister’s antics that the stories falter a bit. This is rare, but worth mentioning. Stories that read more like advice columns crop up intermittently in the book, and they’re good, but they don’t shine quite as well. “How to Lose A 100 lbs. In Five Days” and “Gone Fishing” rely more heavily on Boyette’s Christian background. They can be interesting, but are not nearly as entertaining.
Boyette’s witty charm is geared toward the female side of Christianity, and revolves largely around shopping, cooking, dieting, and travel. The author makes her demographic clear on the cover, and even the title makes no bones about who the book is for. Mature Christian women will get a kick out her taut tales of daily life.
More skeptical readers will note that the moral connections and teachings are often flimsy in their connection with the story. *For instance, what does going fishing have to do with converting people over to Christ? Oh, because we’re “fishing” everyday for new believers! Which would imply that we intend to behead and eat those new believers. It also implies that we should bait and hook those believers with the promise of Christian rewards. The equations never seem to add up correctly, and that makes the moral of many of the stories feel like a jump.
But to fret about the stretch of Boyette’s Christian morals as they relate to her short stories would be to miss her overall point. And I doubt that she’ll get a lot of flak for it from her readers. If she were writing dramatic parables then this would be a major problem because a lack of clear connection between the story and the moral destroys the effect of the parable. She makes it clear that this is comedy, not parable. So the stories don’t lose an ounce of charm in the transition.
Essentially, these are fun short skits that Christians can read on the fly, get a laugh, and the ending biblical notes serve as a healthy reminder on how to live the Christian lifestyle. These wonderful, snack-sized hors d'oeuvres are easily digestible, and won’t ruin your appetite for the full meal that Bible study or church will bring. And like any good buffet, there’s always room for a little more on the plate.
*(Word from Author, Polly Boyette regarding comments is review above: Jesus is the one who coined the phrase “I will make you fishers of men,” in Matthew 4:19, not me. What can I say? In the Message it even says, “Come with me. I’ll make a new kind of fisherman out of you. I’ll show you how to catch men and women instead of perch and bass.” I don’t think Jesus intended to behead and eat them however????? So I guess this remark is more of a review of what Jesus said than it is about what I wrote. Sorry Jesus.)
