Satellite Sisters' Uncommon Senses

by Satellite Sisters, Sheila Dolan, Julie Dolan

The Satellite Sisters are the fastest rising stars on public radio - five real sisters who grew up in a big family, grew apart, and then grew closer again, connecting as adults in a positive, supportive way. They have five personalities, five points of view, and five very different lives joined by a common bond. They are sisters in blood and in spirit-a connection that's uncomplicated and complex at the same time.

But you don't have to have a sister to be a Satellite Sister. A Satellite Sister can be your best friend from high school, your walking partner, your great neighbor, your college roommate, or your friend from Mommy and Me. Your Satellite Sisters make you laugh, tell you when you're wrong, cheer you on, offer advice whether you want it or not, and help you make it through the day.

In Satellite Sisters' UnCommon Senses, the Dolan sisters share their approach to life-an approach that's rooted in big-family wisdom. Their theory: There are the five senses you're born with, and then there are the five UnCommon Senses you acquire when you grow up in a family of ten (5 sisters + 3 brothers + 2 parents), which prepare you for life in the real world.

Author Biography: Julie Dolan: The big sister both chronologically and spiritually. Married for more than twenty years, the mother of two college-age sons, Julie and her family have moved eleven times, most recently to Bangkok, where she is an official "trailing spouse." She counts guilt and the desire to please as her biggest motivators.

Liz Dolan: The second oldest but the one with the most common sense. Liz climbed to the top of the corporate ladder, then chucked it all at age forty to get a life, only to discover that she's a workaholic. Liz's early retirement has yielded a radio show and commitments to several nonprofit organizations.

Sheila Dolan: She may be the middle sister, but Sheila's always been a little off-center, even by her own admission. She has worked as a principal in the New York City public school system and holds a BA and two master's degrees, all of which she charged on a now-defunct Visa. She one day hopes to own a cleaning service to satisfy her Irish washerwoman fantasy.

Monica Dolan: The second youngest, Monica, is a nurse and medical researcher who's worked in hospitals across the country. This career choice came as a surprise to her sisters, who relied on her more for a quick joke than a caring look.

Lian Dolan: The youngest sister, but also the sassiest-payback for putting up with years of teasing at the hands of older siblings. Lian is married and the mother of two young boys. She is currently juggling a nationally syndicated radio show and the delusion that she is a stay-at-home mom. She hopes to ride a Rose Parade float one day.

Genres: Nonfiction, Biography, Biography Memoir, Memoir, Humor

304 pages, Hardcover

First published October 29, 2001

Reviews

[Debra Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so great. A good read just before retiring for the night. The Dolan sisters take you through different places in their lives with some real funny ones (my favorite was Halloween as kids, we can all relate). Coming from a large family of 5 girls and 3 brothers and even larger extended family, the chuckles never stopped for me. Some serious parts and just an overall look at life told through their own experiences. Some chapters really make you think about your own life and see that really, we are not going through this life alone and have many similar experiences. Just an enjoyable read.

[Karen]

I love the Satellite Sisters. It is one podcast that I always down-load to my ipod. They are five sisters that like each other, and they all make different comments about what is going on in each other's lives. If you have sisters, you'll not only enjoy it, you'll learn something about life.

[Staci · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another gift-ready book for women who really live their lives. 5 sisters. All contribute chapters. They all contribute wonderful tales and spin them into meaningful points.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Satellite Sisters and their podcast have brought many laughs, stories, a sense of community, reminders to not take life so seriously and countless other things to my days. I discovered the podcast in 2019 and my only regret is not knowing about them sooner. They have provided comfort, advice, humor, adventure and direction long before I knew about this book and the 5 uncommon senses. I learned of their book listening to the live podcast this year and decided I wanted to read it before I could listen to the episodes on the uncommon senses. So glad I did. The book is wonderful, each sister sharing their perspective. I “Carry Your Own Skis” in life and can always use the reminder “You’ll Be Fine, Dear.” Reminds me of my own mom who I lost this past year, she and I always listened to the podcast on long drives; sharing stories along the way. Thanks for sharing your stories sisters. Remember, call your Satellite Sister… and read this book!

[Lori · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you’re a fan of the satellite sisters podcast you will love getting to know the Dolan sisters better. I have chosen their UN-common senses to set goals for myself this year. A sense of Connection, self, humor, adventure and direction have all helped guide me this year. I plan to look for opportunities in each sense moving forward. Now, back to the book. These sisters grew up in large family and this memoir/advice book shows how love can be multiplied and sadness divided when you have a lot of support and faith in one another. Bravo to the parents and other adults for their smart and loving guidance that steered these ladies into adulthood with strong ties to one another. And their brothers. Took me two months to read as it is not a page-turner, but more of a read-and-digest kin’s of book.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the right book at the time for me. I have listened to the Satellite Sisters podcast for awhile now and decided to read their first book published in the early 2000’s. They come from a family of eight and being from a large family myself, it was very relatable. Each of the sisters writes different chapters and each chapter reads like a short story as they write about being in a large family and what it meant to their development and adulthood. It was a great sense of comfort to read about the Dolan sisters each night before bed. As my own family is struggling with dealing with an aging parent, this book was a balm. Thank you.

[Barb · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love The Satellite Sisters podcast and this book is the background story of the 5 sisters who started a radio program that transitioned into the podcast. The book is a series of essays written by the sisters about their childhood and about their relationships as adults. They are funny and witty women!

[Ellen Little · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's always good to try to expand my reading preferences. In this vein, I've been reading more non-fiction, so I gave this a try. It didn't really capture me. Maybe if I'd listened to their radio show I would have enjoyed it more, but I have to admit that this didn't inspire me to listen.

[Suzanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good insight looking back on the lifestyle of a family with 8 sisters & 3 brothers!! Reminded me of my Best Friend & her family (same # & combo of kids!).
Will look to see if the radio show is still in existence!

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Satellite sisters are great to listen to, and to read! They all have a great way of saying things and are very relateable.

[Tracy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book - full of great insights and heartwarming stories!! This is one I’ll read again and again!! 💜💜💜

[Pattie Kennedy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I laughed, I cried, I absolutely loved this book!!!

[Heidi Beaman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a fun book full of insight to the Dolan sisters.

[Pam Erickson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this one, and I'm sure those who grew up in large families would really enjoy it. I think my friend, Barb, and her sisters could write it, and also host a pod cast like these sisters. Sensible advice and discussion mixed in with funny stories of growing up in a family of eight kids in the 1960's and 70's.

[Joan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great book to have when you are likely to have only little bits of time to read. A book of short stories or a book of poetry would work similarly, this is a book of short compositions by 5 sisters. The topics include family life, work life, relationships between siblings and making one's way in the world. The sisters grew up in a large family of 8 children and dozens of cousins. Each story includes a little vignette from family life and then builds a life lesson. Some of the lessons are a bit arbitrary, but all are written in good humor.

[Pauleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book years ago...I vividly remember that I was sitting in the sun at Wynnum laughing and laughing. Perhaps it's not having sisters, or perhaps not coming from a large family but I lived this insight into how their family functioned. I've read it again since and while there wasn't the same sense of wonder, I still enjoyed it a great deal. If you've not had siblings you just don't "get" these dynamics.

[Cindy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bunch of vignettes from 5 sisters (who also have 3 brothers) and what they learned from growing up together. I really enjoyed the ones that directly talked about life as kids. Made me wonder what kinds of stories my kids will write when they "grow up" (and they'd better be writing when they grow up) and if I will ever convince my husband that 8 kids is a better number than 6.

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book because I like the Satellite Sisters. They are 5 sisters who host a pod cast wheich I listen to on an almost daily basis. I was curious the learn about their childhood growing up in a family of 8 children. It was humorous and at times poignant, just like they are in real life.
,

[D.]

The theme is Family, and the tone is humor, bordering on sarcasm. If, like me you are fascinated by large families, you probably would love Satellite Sisters. These five adult sisters reflect on growing up with three brothers (as well as the 9 "Morningstar Cousins"- so their family makes the Brady Bunch look small!).

[Kissa · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is really a book full of life happenings and advice. I thought it was a fiction, women's read when I bought it so I was a bit disappointed. If you like life from different points of view you may like this one.

[Dorothy · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you loveed the Satellitte Sisters radio show from NPR years ago or their podcasts now, you will love this book about the Dolan family growing up in CT in a huge family and all the fun that goes along with that.

[Jazz · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read the first page and skipped directly to the back where the book gives simple "to-do" lists from different perspectives. The book is interactive because it engages the reader to think about what is important to them. It appears to be a self-help book but its a fun read.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great stories and good writing!

[Kathy]

Bought this because I came from a family of all sisters. I have enjoyed the book, but put it on the shelf for now. I personally met Julie, the oldest, while living in Moscow.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun celebration of "girlhood" and friendship.

[Sandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

birth order books always interest me --here's another one that I have read

[Margaret · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as great as listening to their radio show, but still a good read.

[Jan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Birth order books are very interesting to read and I enjoyed looking at their lives from different perspectives. An enjoyable, entertaining read.

[Sue]

friends and family, "My People" keep us together and sane!

[Tammy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this... it was something I think my sisters and I could have written. A handbook for the younger generation.