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Barb Taub
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Life Begins When The Kids Leave Home And The Dog Dies Kindle Edition

by Barb Taub (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.0 4.0 out of 5 stars 74 ratings
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Chapter 1. A California girl named Barb met her prince of a guy. He was tall, dark, and handsome. (Actually, he was a Republican. But he was definitely tall.) They fell in love, and got married.

Chapter 2. He brought her to his castle in England and they lived happily ever after. THE END**

**Luckily, 35+ years of living happened between Chapters 1 and 2, giving Barb plenty of material for this collection (in no particular chronological order) from her newspaper columns, articles, blog posts, and that time she killed Mom.

And that's before Chapter 3 even starts.

"I have learned to put down the coffee and place breakable objects at a safe distance when a post from Barb Taub comes up. It is very hard to drink coffee and laugh at the same time without redecorating the desk…"—author Sue Vincent


Bio:
In halcyon days BC (before children), Barb Taub wrote a humor column for several Midwest newspapers. With the arrival of Child #4, she veered toward the dark side (an HR career). Following a daring daytime escape to England, she's lived in a medieval castle , a hobbit house, and a Scottish isle with her prince-of-a-guy and the World’s Most Spoiled AussieDog. Considering all her days are now Saturdays, Barb is amazed that this is her sixth book.
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  1. Print length
    250 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  4. Publication date
    February 1, 2018
  5. File size
    1655 KB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
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  8. Enhanced typesetting
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Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B079428DNQ
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Amazon (February 1, 2018)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ February 1, 2018
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1655 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 250 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.0 4.0 out of 5 stars 74 ratings

About the author

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Barb Taub

Barb Taub

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BARB TAUB is a humor and urban fantasy author, caffeinated AussieDog wrangler, Yankee expat, and travel junkie. Following her daring daytime escape to England, Barb has lived in a medieval castle, a Hobbit House, and a magic Scottish Isle. You can find her online at https://barbtaub.com/

Customer reviews

4 out of 5 stars
4 out of 5
74 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

CamReading
5.0 out of 5 stars Finds the Humor in Parenting
Reviewed in the United States on May 9, 2021
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I admit that I had at least a smirk on my face, when not outright laughing, at the snippets on parenting in this book. If you're the parent even one child, so much will ring true in these pages that you can't help but connect and commiserate. While I did find several incidents of repetitive sentences, they were still funny the second time around, so no worries. I truly appreciated author Barb Taub's ability to find the humor hiding in every day child rearing scenarios. I was also delighted by the added stories of her own childhood, which clearly showed where she developed her ability to find the bright side of a given situation. Five stars for this quick and amusing read on parenting and family life.
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Pete Springer
4.0 out of 5 stars Funny Stuff That Any Parent Can Relate To
Reviewed in the United States on December 22, 2021
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Barb Taub has compiled a collection of some of her favorite newspaper articles, blog posts, and hysterical takes on life and all of the challenges and humor that comes with it. She pokes fun at everyone and everything but never in a mean-spirited way. Many of her anecdotes and memories come from the challenges of parenting and raising children while trying to retain one's sanity and sense of humor. She has top ten lists about many subjects, including Top 10 Reasons Not to Get Married, Top 10 Reasons to Get Older, and Top 10 Reasons Not to Be My Father.

While most of the humor worked for me pretty well, there were times it felt forced. I liked when the author let us into her heart and shared stories about her hero (her dad). One thing that was a mild distraction was when the same anecdotes were shared more than once, often in close proximity in the book. I would recommend this book to parents and those who like to laugh at the humor of life.
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Andrew Joyce
5.0 out of 5 stars Eau d’baby puke
Reviewed in the United States on February 14, 2018
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Where to start? I actually laughed out loud while reading this enjoyable book. I bought it because the title caught my eye. As usual, I put it on my kindle and promptly forgot about it. Then, a few nights ago, I thought maybe I should check it out. Well, that was it! I’m not saying I read it in one reading because I didn’t. But over the next few days, I pulled out my kindle every spare moment that presented itself.
The top 10 lists and the wonderful stories about her family while she was growing up were among my favorites—the stories about her father in particular.
However, I have one question. Why is she allowed in the attic to watch television while her poor deprived children have to make do with books? Another question: Ms. Taub, how were you able to bring Joseph Kony in to your very, very funny narrative? I doff my hat to your genius.
I was impressed that she wrote for the Wall Street Journal (pre- Rupert Murdoch).
I’d recommend this book to anyone without hesitation.
Eau d’baby puke indeed!
3 people found this helpful
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Nancy J.
2.0 out of 5 stars Gave Up on the Book
Reviewed in the United States on July 21, 2021
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I found the humor took over the story and I was figuring out almost every sentence to find the humor in it. It took away from the story and I found I could not finish it.
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Patricia L. Sands
5.0 out of 5 stars Humour in life where you may never have noticed
Reviewed in the United States on March 10, 2018
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Barb Taub has a remarkable talent for seeing humour that is deep and rich in the most unexpected places. She is able to focus on something almost everyone experiences as a matter of routine in life, and transform it into something that either has you chuckle knowingly or laughing uproariously. Sharing details of growing up in her own large family, she offers a glimpse of how her finely honed sense of humour developed. Combined with her journalistic experience and innate storytelling ability, Taub’s writing offers an escape from the often harsh realities of the world today and reminds us of the importance of laughter. A gift!
2 people found this helpful
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Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Puts a smile on your face And laughter
Reviewed in the United States on October 30, 2021
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Wasn't sure what this book was about but so glad I read it. Go for after is good for the soul and this book provides soul worthy material.
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The Irresponsible Reader
4.0 out of 5 stars A fun humor collection looking at family and life.
Reviewed in the United States on May 5, 2018
★ ★ ★ 1/2 (rounded up)
This originally appeared at The Irresponsible Reader.
---
Barb Taub, a former Midwest newspaper columnist turned blogger, has released a collection of (I think) previously published and/or posted columns and blog posts around the family-related themes -- kids, relationships, life, travel, holidays, pets, and death.

You know how there are hard-boiled mysteries, noir mysteries and cozy mysteries? This feels like cozy humor. (I'm sure there are better designations/genre labels, but I don't know them). There's nothing offensive, nothing boundary pushing, nothing upsetting -- just amusing anecdotes, a slightly off-kilter look at life, and a way with words. Simple entertainment -- pretty much what you're looking for in a collection of humor, right?

I wouldn't recommend sitting down and reading this cover to cover. Sample from it, a little here and a little there over a few days. Taub has a couple of phrases that she really likes, anecdotes that she returns to often (for different ends sometimes) -- and I don't blame her for doing so, when it works, it works. But when you read them too close together, it takes a way from the moment. But that's a minor quibble.

This is a simple, straightforward, collection of amusing, occasionally heart-warming, pleasantly humorous pieces. I feel obligated to say something else about it, but I can't think of anything else to say. Taub's a funny woman, if you like reading funny things, you should read this book.

Disclaimer: I was given a copy of this book by the author
One person found this helpful
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Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Sister in arms
Reviewed in the United States on May 11, 2021
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I only had 1 child. But she ticked all the boxes. I have not related to any other book since Erma Bombeck.. I laughed all the way through. Thanks for putting a smile on my day
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Top reviews from other countries

Darlene Foster
5.0 out of 5 stars A laugh-out-loud collection of stories
Reviewed in Canada on May 18, 2021
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I loved this book. A laugh-out-loud collection of stories based on the author's life. Vacations with her mom, dad and nine siblings, as well as later vacations with her husband, four kids and a dog - what could possibly go wrong? The stories are written with heart, humour and truth. I found myself nodding as I recognized the frustrations of motherhood, smiling when the love of the author's family shines through and choking on my tea at the hilarious episodes in Barb's life. If you have read her blogs, you will know that Barb finds humour in most situations. This book does not disappoint but makes you want more of the same. My favourite chapters were about her dad, the WWII hero who fathered ten, was a wizard at fixing cars long after their best before date and saw that all his children got a good education. These are the heroes who have made our world so great. Thanks for the reminder, Barb, and for the giggles.
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Terry Tyler
5.0 out of 5 stars Top stuff!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 6, 2018
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This is a collection of articles, all with a family theme, from Barb's own childhood, about her parents and siblings, and about her own children and family life. Later, she touches upon death, and writing....they are all really, really funny. There are so many newspaper columns and would-be hilarious blogs about domestic life in which the humour seems a little forced and self-consciously 'wacky'; not these. I read a lot of PJ O'Rourke, and Barb Taub's style reminds me of his lighter, more domestically-orientated pieces. The off-the-wall snark's all there.

In LBWKLH&TDDs, you can do the Super Mother quiz. And read about Barb's adventures with the possibly rabies-riddled dead bat. If you dare. BT deserves widespread reknown ~ I suggest you buy this, pronto, so you can see what I mean!

I'll leave you with some quotes:

When Barb is trying to feed her kids with wholefoods but her husband gives their small one her first ice cream cone: 'Through the chocolate, I could see her thinking, "This stuff was out there and I've been eating YAMS?"'

'While I bought (my children) developmental, non-gender-specific playthings, my daughters held fashion shows for the stuffed toys and dolls, and their brother built the blocks and legos into weapons of mass-doll-destruction.'

'Barb's guide to films: if the characters kiss a lot, have sex, and then kill each other, it's American. If they smoke a lot, have sex, and then kill themselves, it's foreign.'

'Sadly, the day came when we had to choose between the cat and our son, who turned out to be allergic to her. This was a difficult choice because while our son had never coughed up a hairball, he was not a very good mouser.'
2 people found this helpful
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Georgia Rose
5.0 out of 5 stars Prepare to be entertained!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 1, 2018
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I was fortunate enough to discover Barb Taub’s blog early in my writing career and she has kept me entertained ever since. Because of this insight into her writing and humour I’ve gone on to read everything she has published so I was delighted to receive an early copy of her latest release, Life Begins When The Kids Leave Home And The Dog Dies (thank goodness Twitter has upped its character limit when it comes to sharing!)

This book is made up of some the posts that have appeared on Barb Taub’s blog over the last few years. There are eight parts covering: kids, relationships, life, holidays, travel, pets, death and writing, and as it says in the tagline it covers (mostly) funny stuff.

I have thoroughly enjoyed reading this book over the last few days and I sincerely wish my mind worked in the same way as Barb’s does and that I was even half as funny. Barb is a professional and her books are turned out accordingly – well-written, well-formatted and with a smart cover. Some of the entries I recognised, because I was already following her blog, but that didn’t matter because re-reading any of them was a thing of joy, and there were plenty in there I hadn’t read before.

With her quick-witted sparky humour I’ve learned that when one of Barb’s posts arrive in my inbox I have to put all else aside (including any liquids, I’ll say no more!) and buckle up for what I’m about to read. Get this book and prepare to be entertained, you can thank me later.
One person found this helpful
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Ritu B
5.0 out of 5 stars Hilariously realistic!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 18, 2018
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Now, I am not quite at retirement stage, not looking out for grandchildren, as my own kids are still young, thankfully, but I enjoyed reading Barb Taub's collection of essays immensely!
The articles about motherhood resonated deeply, and I have to say I snorted with laughter at many!
Barb Taub has a way with words, her humour is brilliant and these short essays keep you turning the pages.
You could dip in and out of this book, but I was so immersed, I read it continually (when my own children would allow) until the very last page!
Definitely recommended!
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