Keep It Simple, Stupid Large Print edition

by Cliff Street Books (editor) Judge Judy Sheindlin, Cliff Street Books (Editor)

Judge Judy tackles family issues and gives 10 rules for keeping your life simple.

Genres: Nonfiction, Humor

218 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2001

Reviews

[zydecope♥ · Rating 5 out of 5]

“What I’m proposing is simply this: Sit down, take a deep breath, and target the ultimate objective in every situation.”

You’re smarter than you look lays out a few different scenarios from dealing with custody issues such as should a child get to take home toys from one parents house to another to what to do when after you get married and you find yourself cleaning up or taking on more household responsibilities than your partner. It was a quick, easy read. Her over all message was to look at the big picture and keep it simple, stupid. =]

[Tommie · Rating 4 out of 5]

She says it all the time: K.I.S.S.: Keep It Simple, Stupid!

This book drips Judge Judy's tone through and through. Written as self-help, but with quips and small anecdotes about her own adventures through divorce, re-marriage, and being a parent and grandparent, this book is nearly impossible to put down. I picked it up last night to start casually reading it and finished this morning, with only sleep in between.

It isn't heavy, either. It's broken up into digestible chapters, and each chapter is divided every page-or-so by specific topic. It's written like a Dear Abby-style column, where the judge takes real-life examples from her time in family court and TV court and turns them into write-in-style advice pieces.

I wasn't looking for self-help, but I couldn't pass it up at the library, and I'm so glad I didn't. I'll definitely be searching for her other works, as her combination of sass and wisdom is unmatched.

I highly recommend this book.

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great book by the fabulous Judge Judy. This one is about how the traditional family now includes stepparents, foster parents, half-siblings, etc, and how people make things more complicated then they need to be.

Having the aforementioned parts of families is now commonplace and accepted - why overcomplicate everything when divorces come around? Man A has two children already and marries Woman A, who also has two children. When they split, does Man A still have a custody right to the children Woman A brought to the marriage, and vice versa? These are the kinds of questions Judge Judy probes.

[Catherine Flynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

These are stories from Judge Judy experiences in the courtroom with families and couples. She gave sensible and practical insights and, of course, lawfully. I love how blunt she was. I like how she operates cause some people are just literally stupid and greedy. By the way, I learned a lot of jargon words from this book. She's truly an intelligent and clever lady. Truly admirable woman.

[Cassandra Banks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick and witty read. Judge Judy is a trip! Only thing is, introduction page 10 says parents do it to themselves when there is a convoluted custody arrangement in place. I wonder if she and other judges realizes to what extend parents are bullied, threatened, and harassed into accepting such agreements even when it's obviously not in the best interests of the child. Sad, especially as later in the book she mentions how in her experience children are often used as pawns when the underlying issues are matters of money and property. Also, there are some people with whom there will be a fight negatively impacting the children if there is the slightest ambiguity. Giving the agreement to a disinterested party and seeing if it makes logical sense ought to be a step in the process! It was refreshing to read about these weighty matters in a positive and lighthearted approach. People going through these scenarios are often heartsick, and Judge Judy's acerbic take is a breath of fresh air.

[Ophelia Gold · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great little read, definitely worth buying. Judy's usual no nonsense attitude really comes through in her writing style and you can almost hear her accent when your gobbling up the pages. This is a great book for people in relationships, married, about to be married and people who are going through a divorce.

[Olivia · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5

[Marianne Brodman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very quick read. Snippets of case situations, only more brief and polite than the show.

[Vicki Marmillot · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book by Judge Judy that I’ve read and I loved it. I highly recommend it!!

[Louise · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a nice, light, quick read while I sat on my deck this afternoon enjoying the sunshine!!

Judge Judy disperses her advice and opinions on everything from relationships to family squabbles to rearing children. I find that her books are just plain old fashioned common sense solutions. Although, using common sense when in the throes of divorce, a custody battle or who inherits what is I'm sure, more difficult when emotions are involved.

Judge Judy's books I find are less razor-sharp tongued than she is on her t.v. show.

[Naomi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting book. As a woman who never misses her show, I think any viewer could get this information from her while watching it. I find the judge a fascinating woman and while this book is a might read, I think her book Beauty Fades, Dumb is Forever, is her best book and should be required reading for our young women who think that focusing on looks and boyfriends is more important than self development.

[Shae Burton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like Judge Judy. She's to the point and fair. This book is a good read and makes sense. Even though I'm not going through any problems in regards to anything she has written, its worth the read for anyone in case of future issues in their lives and a good way to deal with them so everyone wins.

[Naomi · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love Judy Sheindlin's writing. Her no nonsense way of saying things just excites me to no end...Pretty much common sense that alot of people lack. This one isn't her best though..I really wish though that she would come out with some more books because they are really good life lessons for a generation who really needs some schooling.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

no nonsense straight talk, a lot like doctor Laura, but without any homophobia or nastiness. great break from kid lit. certainly made me hope tina writes her "from the case files" book, similar tone and made it seem very doable.

[Tonya · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book that every person should read at least once, especially before getting into a serious relationship. It makes you snap back into the reality of what could happen if your not careful and blinded by love!

[Cws]

305.8

[Aud · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy, fast read. I enjoyed it.

[Shana · Rating 2 out of 5]

While I love watching Judge Judy reading her is not near as enjoyable. There is a reason that "they" say you shouldn't write the way you talk ;0)

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every young women should read this book! It should be mandatory!

[Connie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'll admit that I watch Judge Judy on a regular basis. Every time I watch, I am just amazed at how complicated some people's lives are and usually not in important ways. The term "drama queen/king" has become a verb, not just an adjective.
Judge Judy is fun to watch not only because of her age and experience but also because she really tells it like it is. There is something to be said for that and I'm glad that I'm at the age where I too can just blurt out what I think and not really care if someone likes it or not. The name of this book says it all- Keep It Simple Stupid.