And One More Thing Before You Go...

by Maria Shriver

Award-winning journalist, First Lady of California, and bestselling author Maria Shriver offers young women a powerful book on how to put your greatest gifts and even your shortcomings to work for you as you begin the rest of your life.

Graduating from high school is a big step for any girl. She is leaving her childhood behind and beginning the rest of her life. She is also leaving her mother’s protective circle of love and guidance. One of the greatest gifts a mother can give her daughter at this pivotal moment in her life is good counsel. In And One More Thing Before You Go...Maria Shriver, bestselling author, acclaimed journalist, First Lady of California, and mother of two daughters, provides a loving and heartfelt guide for girls as they go off to college.

Expanded from a speech given to her young friend Ally’s graduating class, Maria writes as a wiser, more experienced girlfriend, but also as both the daughter of a mother whose advice she still seeks and as the mother of daughters for whom she wishes a fulfilling and happy life. In this stirring and inspiring guide, Maria talks to young women about how to find abundance and emotional richness, and how not to overlook life’s most special gifts. Her ten rules—told in a witty and poignant anecdotal style—offer a firm grasp on what’s really important in life.

And One More Thing Before You Go... is a book that transcends age groups, a book that will make you laugh, cry, and open your eyes to a new way of looking at life. Thoughtful, compassionate, and above all, filled with love, And One More Thing Before You Go... is a book that will make every mother cry and every daughter stop and think about her mother’s words.

Genres: Nonfiction, Self Help, Memoir, Inspirational, Essays, Audiobook

64 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2005

About the author

Maria Owings Shriver is an American journalist, activist, author of six best-selling books, and former First Lady of California.
-Wikipedia

Reviews

[Rayni · Rating 4 out of 5]

A loving and heartfelt guide for girls as they go off to college, expanded from a speech given at a high school seniors luncheon for mothers & daughters.

This is a transcript of a speech that California's First Lady gave to a group of high school seniors & their mothers at a luncheon. She says

Quote:This is pretty much what I said that day - adding a little here and there, because after all, you've paid for it.

What You Need to Know As You Leave Your Childhood - and Begin the Rest of Your Life

She talks about courage, fear, learning from your mistakes, gratitude, curiousity, empty nest, forget mirrors & not to worry about their mothers, they'll just sit in the dark all alone.

It was an excellent read, only 60 pages, but well worth reading.

[Drew · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's only a matter of months before I graduate high school and head off to college. God, sometimes I think it's scary...having to start all over again and find new friends again.

Thankfully, I came across this book at a secondhand bookstore. I like Maria Shriver for her grace and resilience so there's no second guessing when I bought this book. And it didn't fail me. I've learned a lot of things from this book. One advice I vividly remember from this book goes something like this: "Break your mirrors...stop looking at yourself and start looking at others...". I believe that it was said by Maria's father, Sarge Shriver.

This book is charming, witty and lovely. A good short read. :)

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Since I have a daughter graduating from high school in a few short weeks, I was looking for an appropriate gift to give to her and her closest friends. I found this book, which was developed by Maria Shriver after a talk she gave a graduation luncheon. After reading through it I can recommend it as an excellent gift to give any young woman graduating high school and preparing to go on to college. Their moms might enjoy it as well, since Maria offers some lovely insights into motherhood. 4 stars- I really liked it.

[Rita Schmitz]

I bought this book as a gift for my neighbor but I read it first. She has just graduated from high school and eagerly awaiting to go off to college. The book is centered around a speech Maria Shriver gave to a graduating class. It is a heartwarming guide to daughters written from a mom's point of view as she points out what is important in life. The witty way it is written portrays the unique relationship between moms and their daughters.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is based on a speech Shriver gave to girls graduating from high school and their mothers. She has some really good general advice about life. Most things apply to everyone. I really liked the end where she shared the things the mothers wished their daughters knew as well as things the girls wished their mothers knew. Quick read. It was less than an hour on audio.

[Joy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I listended to this book on tape while I sewed. It is from
a graduation talk M. Shriver gave. It has good advice on
leaving home after high school graduation. She reminds her
readers to be kind to their mothers since this is an adjustment
time for the mothers too. I appreciated any word on being kind
to mothers.

[Robin · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice, short, little read!
Favorite quotes:

"As you dive into your own future, remember this:If you feel afraid, it means you're alive. That's good. Now use it." p.20

"Along with love, courage is what you need more than anything in this life. In tough times it tells you, 'I can go through this!" Even when it feels like you can't." p. 36

[Jennifer Mitchell-Shirley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this book when if first came out, 2005, and kept it to share with my granddaughter when she graduates high school, which will be next spring. Hard to believe it is here so quickly. I pulled the book off the shelf and read it today. I still like the advice and will give it to her in a month or two.

[Kelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I also enjoyed this second installment and also saw her interview on Oprah with her mother which made me want to read both books. They are both upstanding individuals and a good example to any mother!!!

[Momruns5 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Has some good advice for a graduating senior. But I wish she hadn't tailored it just to girls. Most of the advice could be for either boy or girl. I think I will have Connor listen to parts of it. It made me cry in places because I'm going to miss Connor so much next year.

[Adriana · Rating 3 out of 5]

It probably means more to me because a teacher gave it to me with notes for me in it. Helped me a lot. Has some good points. Not something that would make me "addicted" or "want more" by any means. Once was enough to make an impact.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick read for the graduating girl in your life. Plenty of good sentiments and things girls, and I would argue boys, need to hear before they go out on their own. It made for good treadmill reading because it is light and short.

[Bri Rinehart · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book. I pretty much cried while reading it. It has some good advice - a great gift for a daughter as she heads off to college! I definitely plan on handing this book down. :]

[Natalia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked and enjoyed this book. I finished the book in two days ,
I found this book inspiring. One of my favorite quotes from the book was
" Well behaved women rarely make history."

[Annette · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my second time reading this book! I just love Maria’s insight into family relationships especially mother-daughter ones! This book was helpful when my daughter was in college and now years later she is getting married and while she hasn’t lived home for a long while, I am feeling that empty nest again as we plan her wedding! Thank you Maria, for reminding me to be brave, have courage, and be grateful for the family love we have! “And One More Thing Before I Go,” thanks for reminding me that even as an adult daughter...she still needs her mommy!

[Bobbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really respect Maria Shriver. I never read any of her other books, and this book came into my hands accidentially; someone left it at work. Believe it or not it was left at work the day after it was announced that Maria and Arnold were separating. I like what she had to say - I've got 3 kids in college (my youngest is starting her junior year). I believe in the empty nest thing - I'm kind of living it.

[Rahmadiyanti · Rating 4 out of 5]

Buku tipis, pengembangan dari speech Maria, istrinya Arnold Suasanaseger (hehe) di wisuda kelulusan sekolah anaknya. Hari-hari belakangan saya memang lagi butuh banget buku-buku yang ringan, memotivasi, sekaligus perempuan banget! ;). So, buat saya buku ini meski nggak terlalu dalam, tapi nambah kekuatan dan inspirasi.

[Jessi Payne · Rating 4 out of 5]

As always, I find Maria Shriver to be inspirational. Although this is a sweet book, it isn't as good as her others. Although she maintains a genuine writers-voice, the book is light and fluffy and there is less meat. Regardless of this book, she continues to be someone I admire and hold in high esteem.

Jessi
www.RockStarJessi.com

[Dee Cee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maria Shriver has so much wisdom and compassion in her little body! I read this as a grandmother, but still enjoyed it. It made me reflect back to when I left the nest and when my children left the nest. I would recommend this to any mother who has a child nearing the college years. For both mother and child.

[Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks Sandy for the referral - Alesha and I just listened and we smiled at the truths that she described... Loved the challenge to "do one thing every day that scares you..." It's good to feel the emotions of trying, learning, failing, trying again... It keeps us growing that's for sure!

[Ellison · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a speech the author gave to a group of daughters and moms. It is ten points about what gals will face upon departing from home to go to college and mention that moms may be stressed about loosing their daughters. Insightful.

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very short read that I received as a gift -- great for a girl's graduation present!

[C · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have Maria Shriver's birthday so I have to confess that's the main reason I listened to this speech. It was sweet, but weak.

[Kiara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice. Inspirational wirting for life-changing moments. I realized I need to be more courageous.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great thing to think about - I know my mom is just like that - "one more thing before you go"..

[Patriciadubray · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great gift for a new graduate. Love it. I found great respect and admiration for Maria Shriver and the woman and mother she is.

[Lynette · Rating 3 out of 5]

I could sure relate to what Maria said! Would have been good to read before my childred graduated. Also, daughters from sophomore year on should read. Quite inspiring.

[Morgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book just graduating from High school

[janine · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun read for people of all ages in every stage of life.

[Kerrie Rodgerson · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a very quick read. From a mom who has sent one child out of the nest, it definitely was very poignant and full of truth. Great advice for kids leaving home.