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I Blame Eve: Freedom from Perfectionism, Control Issues, and the Tendency to Listen to Talking Snakes
When our great-to-the-nth-degree grandmother Eve ate the fruit, we lost out on the perfect life. But that doesn't stop us from trying, does it? In fact, we make trying to be perfect the focus of our entire lives! But what would happen if we stopped trying to be perfect and started trying to be his ?
In this fantastically witty book, Susanna Foth Aughtmon helps women find out what it means to be honest about what we crave in life and let go of our deep need to be in control. Using Scripture and amusing personal stories, she shows women the freedom of embracing the unique path God lays out for each of us. Includes study questions to facilitate group or individual use.
In this fantastically witty book, Susanna Foth Aughtmon helps women find out what it means to be honest about what we crave in life and let go of our deep need to be in control. Using Scripture and amusing personal stories, she shows women the freedom of embracing the unique path God lays out for each of us. Includes study questions to facilitate group or individual use.
- GenresChristianNonfiction
192 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 2012
6 people are currently reading
66 people want to read
About the author
Susanna Foth Aughtmon
13 books13 followers Author and speaker Susanna Foth Aughtmon is the mother of three and the wife of Scott, the lead pastor of Pathway Church, in Redwood City, California. Using humor, authenticity, and the truth of scripture, she connects with her readers through her many books including, I Blame Eve: Freedom from Perfectionism, Control Issues and the Tendency to Listen to Talking Snakes.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
April 18, 2025
As a pastor's wife, and a writer, Aughmon joins forces with many other women of the "clergy" who write mostly for women - and sometimes a bit forced in order to be as much relevant as possible. It is not a bad book, but it is one where the idea of Eve and the snake is taken to it's end in terms of what is allowable in theological interpretation - so it is not always that one would think that this is a fitting image for exactly this situation - but then other times she hits the nail on its head and gives us both interesting anaolgies together with engaging stories.
June 16, 2020
Not a fan of this writing style. However, the points that the author makes about perfectionism, control issues, etc. are valuable and helpful for those of us who have these tendencies.
April 18, 2012
Susanna Foth Aughtmon writes in such a way one feels as if she’s sitting in the audience at a women’s conference. With her conversational voice and incredible sense of humor, I Blame Eve is a book I could chew off in small bites at a time and swallow easily.
Bringing the funny to perfectionism, control issues and our tendency to listen to the lies of humankind’s biggest enemy, Susanna feeds us Scripture that will nourish our souls, fill our spirits and cause us to walk away from the unfullfilling things in our lives.
In chapter one, Susanna includes her list of forty reasons she wishes Eve hadn’t taken that infamous bite out of the fruit. Be warned: Don’t read this list if you need to use the bathroom or have a mouth full of your beverage of choice. Some of my favorite reasons are:
1. Female facial hair (mustaches, unibrows, etc.)
2. Exercise videos
3. Bad fiction
4. Body shapers (i.e. girdles – let’s just call them what they are)
5. Bloating
(If you buy the book for no other reason, this list is worth it!)
The timing of I Blame Eve couldn’t have been better. Susanna touches on several hot spots throughout the book. I’ve been talking to God a lot these past few months about my cravings for things that get in between me and Him (like round chocolates – not quite an apple, but just as tasty). She touches on our personal forbidden tree and those things we crave in chapter four, aptly titled “I Crave Apples and Other Things That Don’t Satisfy Me.”
In chapter twenty-two, “I Am Not In Control,” she writes about the choice we have to make between letting God call the shots or doing things our way. Considering I just blogged about allowing God to change us from the inside out and how we need to be patient and not try to take control again, my spirit screamed, “Yes!” as I read this chapter.
The book wasn’t all I expected it to be, but it certainly covered the issues of perfectionism and control and lying serpents very well. I think I expected a bit more “how-to” than Susanna provided, but it doesn’t detract from the value of the book at all. If you’ve struggled in any of these areas or claim them to be part of who you are, you won’t be disappointed if you take the time to read I Blame Eve.
There are study guide questions at the end of the book. These are some of the most fun questions I’ve read in a long time. And I’ve read many reflection questions recently. I think you’ll find yourself looking at them with humor, which reflects throughout the book. It’s nice to be able to take my downfalls and poke some serious fun at them for a change.
I appreciate Susanna’s transparency, her witty look at life as a perfectionist/control freak/snake entertainer. I’d highly recommend I Blame Eve, and if you read it, I’d love to know what you thought.
*Note: I received a copy of this book from Revell. I am not required to give it a good review, only to express my humble opinion of the book. I hope you found my review helpful.
** Available April 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group
Bringing the funny to perfectionism, control issues and our tendency to listen to the lies of humankind’s biggest enemy, Susanna feeds us Scripture that will nourish our souls, fill our spirits and cause us to walk away from the unfullfilling things in our lives.
In chapter one, Susanna includes her list of forty reasons she wishes Eve hadn’t taken that infamous bite out of the fruit. Be warned: Don’t read this list if you need to use the bathroom or have a mouth full of your beverage of choice. Some of my favorite reasons are:
1. Female facial hair (mustaches, unibrows, etc.)
2. Exercise videos
3. Bad fiction
4. Body shapers (i.e. girdles – let’s just call them what they are)
5. Bloating
(If you buy the book for no other reason, this list is worth it!)
The timing of I Blame Eve couldn’t have been better. Susanna touches on several hot spots throughout the book. I’ve been talking to God a lot these past few months about my cravings for things that get in between me and Him (like round chocolates – not quite an apple, but just as tasty). She touches on our personal forbidden tree and those things we crave in chapter four, aptly titled “I Crave Apples and Other Things That Don’t Satisfy Me.”
In chapter twenty-two, “I Am Not In Control,” she writes about the choice we have to make between letting God call the shots or doing things our way. Considering I just blogged about allowing God to change us from the inside out and how we need to be patient and not try to take control again, my spirit screamed, “Yes!” as I read this chapter.
The book wasn’t all I expected it to be, but it certainly covered the issues of perfectionism and control and lying serpents very well. I think I expected a bit more “how-to” than Susanna provided, but it doesn’t detract from the value of the book at all. If you’ve struggled in any of these areas or claim them to be part of who you are, you won’t be disappointed if you take the time to read I Blame Eve.
There are study guide questions at the end of the book. These are some of the most fun questions I’ve read in a long time. And I’ve read many reflection questions recently. I think you’ll find yourself looking at them with humor, which reflects throughout the book. It’s nice to be able to take my downfalls and poke some serious fun at them for a change.
I appreciate Susanna’s transparency, her witty look at life as a perfectionist/control freak/snake entertainer. I’d highly recommend I Blame Eve, and if you read it, I’d love to know what you thought.
*Note: I received a copy of this book from Revell. I am not required to give it a good review, only to express my humble opinion of the book. I hope you found my review helpful.
** Available April 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group
April 19, 2012
I’ve read Susanna’s other books and think she’s hilarious. I knew I’d like this new book since I like her and her writing, but Shhh~ I’ve been a little soft on Eve the last few years. In fact, when I get to heaven, I’m going to go hunt her down and hug her neck.
As a Christian woman, many times I have wanted to give Eve a piece of my mind. I blamed her for years and then realized I blamed Adam more. :) After all, God did tell Adam not to eat the fruit of the tree before Eve even came along. I think there’s a reason the snake went to the woman…he knew she’d be a good listener and second guess herself. And when Eve gave Adam the fruit, he didn’t exactly put up a fight. He did blame her though, when God confronted them, and she has carried the bad rap all these years.
I will squeeze Eve tight…because I think all of us would have done the same thing she did.
I might drop kick Adam…
I jest, I jest.
We would have done the same thing he did, too.
And that’s what Susanna really brings out~ in such a comical and down-to-earth way~ the ways we have all been affected by what they both did and how God loves us, forgives us and gives us every chance to live our fullest life…even when we keep failing and keep struggling with trying to be in control.
But first she lets Eve have it and it’s SO funny, because for all my Pro-Eveness, I do think Eve has had some of this coming and y’all know I LOVE a list! On page 24, there’s a list of 40 reasons why Susanna wishes Eve hadn’t eaten the apple. Hilarium! I tried to pick a few favorites, but there are so many great ones, you just need to get the book so you can read the whole thing.
OK, OK, here’s one~
30. Texting Lingo (I don’t really think this is Eve’s fault, but it is annoying, and if life were perfect, I wouldn’t be annoyed, so I am including this in the list…lol)
All right, one more…since I so wholeheartedly agree with this one…
1. Female Facial Hair (mustaches, unibrows, etc.—I’m positive these are evidence of the fall)
There’s also a study guide at the end of the book that asks great questions~ questions to help you and your study group get to the heart of the matter.
Just read it; you’ll be so glad you did.
As a Christian woman, many times I have wanted to give Eve a piece of my mind. I blamed her for years and then realized I blamed Adam more. :) After all, God did tell Adam not to eat the fruit of the tree before Eve even came along. I think there’s a reason the snake went to the woman…he knew she’d be a good listener and second guess herself. And when Eve gave Adam the fruit, he didn’t exactly put up a fight. He did blame her though, when God confronted them, and she has carried the bad rap all these years.
I will squeeze Eve tight…because I think all of us would have done the same thing she did.
I might drop kick Adam…
I jest, I jest.
We would have done the same thing he did, too.
And that’s what Susanna really brings out~ in such a comical and down-to-earth way~ the ways we have all been affected by what they both did and how God loves us, forgives us and gives us every chance to live our fullest life…even when we keep failing and keep struggling with trying to be in control.
But first she lets Eve have it and it’s SO funny, because for all my Pro-Eveness, I do think Eve has had some of this coming and y’all know I LOVE a list! On page 24, there’s a list of 40 reasons why Susanna wishes Eve hadn’t eaten the apple. Hilarium! I tried to pick a few favorites, but there are so many great ones, you just need to get the book so you can read the whole thing.
OK, OK, here’s one~
30. Texting Lingo (I don’t really think this is Eve’s fault, but it is annoying, and if life were perfect, I wouldn’t be annoyed, so I am including this in the list…lol)
All right, one more…since I so wholeheartedly agree with this one…
1. Female Facial Hair (mustaches, unibrows, etc.—I’m positive these are evidence of the fall)
There’s also a study guide at the end of the book that asks great questions~ questions to help you and your study group get to the heart of the matter.
Just read it; you’ll be so glad you did.
April 14, 2012
Title: I BLAME EVE: Freedom from Perfectionism, Control Issues, and the Tendency to Listen to Talking Snakes
Author: Susanna Foth Aughtmon
Publisher: Revell
April 2012
ISBN: 978-0800720476
Genre: Nonfiction/women’s issues
When Eve ate the fruit, we lost the out on the perfect life—but that doesn’t stop us from trying, does it?
What would happen if we stopped trying to be perfect and started trying to be His?
In I BLAME EVE, Ms. Aughtmon reminds us of the biblical story of Adam and Eve and then goes on to talk about how even her son blames Eve for all the troubles of the world. Her husband warns her that Eve will be waiting to have words with her about the slander in this book. But with humor and encouragement, Ms. Aughtmon tackles subjects such as:
God is holding out on me
I crave things that don’t satisfy me
I need to cover up my shame
I want to hide from God
I am a perfectionist
I get discouraged
I have big control isssues
I am a rule breaker
And MUCH more. There is a chapter for every issue that we, as women struggle with, including pain in childbirth, submission, discouragement, wanting what we can’t have… this is an absolute must read for women.
There is a study guide included at the end of the book—I think I would have liked it better if it were there at the end of each chapter instead of at the end, but at least it is there. This is an ideal book for women’s groups, book study, small groups, and more. $12.99. 187 pages.
Author: Susanna Foth Aughtmon
Publisher: Revell
April 2012
ISBN: 978-0800720476
Genre: Nonfiction/women’s issues
When Eve ate the fruit, we lost the out on the perfect life—but that doesn’t stop us from trying, does it?
What would happen if we stopped trying to be perfect and started trying to be His?
In I BLAME EVE, Ms. Aughtmon reminds us of the biblical story of Adam and Eve and then goes on to talk about how even her son blames Eve for all the troubles of the world. Her husband warns her that Eve will be waiting to have words with her about the slander in this book. But with humor and encouragement, Ms. Aughtmon tackles subjects such as:
God is holding out on me
I crave things that don’t satisfy me
I need to cover up my shame
I want to hide from God
I am a perfectionist
I get discouraged
I have big control isssues
I am a rule breaker
And MUCH more. There is a chapter for every issue that we, as women struggle with, including pain in childbirth, submission, discouragement, wanting what we can’t have… this is an absolute must read for women.
There is a study guide included at the end of the book—I think I would have liked it better if it were there at the end of each chapter instead of at the end, but at least it is there. This is an ideal book for women’s groups, book study, small groups, and more. $12.99. 187 pages.
April 21, 2012
I have read Susanna's other books, and I even follow her blog (Confessions of a Tired Supergirl) and I still haven't gotten tired of her witty, self deprecating style, her blunt honesty, or the poetry of the scriptures she uses. Her perspective is fresh and funny, and yet she is one author who can be funny while bringing serious issues to task.
This book is her best yet, I think. I never related to Eve in such a real way before and I think I may be a little kinder to my great, great (plus some more of those) grandma. She was a woman not far different from me and in her shoes, I can't honestly say I would have done things any different, especially after reading what motivated her in this book. It struck a little close to home!
I was relieved to find there were solutions to my control issues, and thankful that I took the time to read this charming book.
This book is her best yet, I think. I never related to Eve in such a real way before and I think I may be a little kinder to my great, great (plus some more of those) grandma. She was a woman not far different from me and in her shoes, I can't honestly say I would have done things any different, especially after reading what motivated her in this book. It struck a little close to home!
I was relieved to find there were solutions to my control issues, and thankful that I took the time to read this charming book.
April 21, 2012
Gary's wife Katy thought...
Susanna Foth Aughtmon did it even better in this, her third book. I can't believe how close to home she hit me this time! I surely never thought I had any issues with perfectionism or control, but she opened my eyes in a big way. I love her perspective on Eve and I think I can relate to my ancestor when I say that neither of us thought we were trying to do better for our life than GOD already was. But guess what? Yeah. That.
Susanna writes in such a personal style it's like talking to a friend and yet, if you can picture it, she has such lyrical paragraphs that it's almost like enjoying poetry too. A great combination of practical sense and spiritual prose. It doesn't get any better than this!
Susanna Foth Aughtmon did it even better in this, her third book. I can't believe how close to home she hit me this time! I surely never thought I had any issues with perfectionism or control, but she opened my eyes in a big way. I love her perspective on Eve and I think I can relate to my ancestor when I say that neither of us thought we were trying to do better for our life than GOD already was. But guess what? Yeah. That.
Susanna writes in such a personal style it's like talking to a friend and yet, if you can picture it, she has such lyrical paragraphs that it's almost like enjoying poetry too. A great combination of practical sense and spiritual prose. It doesn't get any better than this!
May 5, 2012
Susanna Foth Aughtmon wrote another great book in "I Blame Eve: Freedom from Perfectionism, Control Issues and the Tendency to Listen to Talking snakes." Aughtmon writes with great wit and honesty, which makes it very easy to relate to while reading.
In this book, she centers on how we need to shift our way of thinking from trying to be perfect and just focus on being the Lord's. She encourages the reader, without condemning her and reminds us to relinquish control to God for all issues they may face. Her vulnerability and openness are so nice to see in an author and I would definitely recommend the book!
Katherine
In this book, she centers on how we need to shift our way of thinking from trying to be perfect and just focus on being the Lord's. She encourages the reader, without condemning her and reminds us to relinquish control to God for all issues they may face. Her vulnerability and openness are so nice to see in an author and I would definitely recommend the book!
Katherine
May 2, 2012
I loved this book! At first I was expecting it to entirely focus on how women tend to blame others for their problems. I was surprised to find that each chapter focused on a different aspect of Eve's personality, and how it can manifest in a woman's life in the current day. I related with most of them, but I wasn't too surprised about that haha. Whether or not you think you can relate to Eve, I recommend all women to read this book. You just might be surprised what you discover!
October 7, 2015
I sort of liked this, but sort of didn't. It seemed to me that the author was trying too hard to be cool, or something. It seemed a little too simple...all sin points to Eve. And while it pretty much is that simple, something didn't seem quite right. I think I'm spoiled by the likes of Jen Hatmaker and Lisa TerKuerst who have this style of writing down pat. I did pick up a few one lines, and was happy to have a quick 175 pages to read instead of a longer novel, but still felt, ehhn.
September 6, 2012
with characteristic wit and humor, Aughtmon pricks the heart and illuminates the historical and theological source of perfectionism and control issues. Easy to read, but take it a chapter at a time to digest this highly nutritious soul food. I'm now reading through it again because it's so good, I need to get this through me.
April 25, 2012
Easy read. Susanna is very relatable and enjoyable to read. Short chapters with stories, humor, and biblical tie in.
January 7, 2013
Thank you Susanna for your amazing insight and wit. I was in tears by the end of this book. A must re-read or at the very least review from time to time. Great stuff.
March 22, 2013
Read this with my moms group. The chapters are both light and deep filled with truth and humor. An easy read and our moms group had really fantastic discussions around it that built us up as a group.
September 22, 2014
Really enjoy this author! A girl after my own heart. Her books will bring you closer to God that is for sure.
December 31, 2018
The last book I read in 2018. It was good.
March 27, 2014
Great book! Funny!
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews