Customer Reviews

Bibliotherapy: The Girl's Guide to Books for Every Phase of Our Lives

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I like this book. It does not promise to be a complete reference, nor does it purport to be a literature course of any kind. It offers to be a friendly and casual guide, and that is exactly what it is. There are 13 chapters, distinguished by topic: bad girl books, exploring our sexuality, hearing your inner voice, coming of age, mother issues, existential crises, taking care of business, midlife crisis, political, bad hair babe, martyr queen and embracing your inner light books. The approach is breezy and mildly informative, though one does wonder why it is "our" sexuality but "your" inner voice. Each chapter begins with a one or two page humorous essay followed by reading suggestions, each with a paragraph or two of description and comments, a couple of humorous discussion questions, and a miscellany of quotes, facts and reminiscences. The first chapter, for example, "When You're Ready to Embrace Your Inner B!tch: Bad Girl Books" features Moll Flanders (1722), The Scarlet Letter (1850), Gone With the Wind (1936), The Portable Dorothy Parker (1944), Auntie Mame (1955), Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (1962) and Too Good for Her Own Good: Searching for Self and Intimacy in Important Relationships (1990). Also included are a list of bad girls to invite to a girls' night, Notes from Nancy's and Bev's Reading Journals, and quotes from a number of bad girls, including Cher and Carrie Nation.

One's unsurprising complaint with a book like this: I want more. There are only 6 or 7 recommendations in each chapter. It's clear these authors are well read, so I would have liked more actual book and author recommendations, particularly ones I'd never heard of. The books that were recommended were interesting and appropriate choices I thought -- there was one I'd never heard of, a couple I'd never got round to reading, a couple I'd read many years ago, and a couple where I thought 'Oh yeah, I should read that'. I enjoyed reading about books I'd already read and appreciated being reminded of the ones where I'd let myself be satisfied with the film, but would have liked at least another five I'd never heard of. There is a lot of humorous filler, which works because the authors are good writers and funny, but the next edition needs more reviews. Also, putting the selections in chronological order would lend some historical context. Complemented by a good index, this is not a book to read straight through, but rather to be perused as the mood hits.

As for previous critics' claim that the book falsely purports to be for young women -- that would have been "Grrrl's Guide to Books", wouldn't it? The unnecessary meanness suggests some unresolved issues with mom. You know what? You'll like her again some day. Reread Chapter 5 and give her a call.

I enjoy this book. But I also take it in a slightly different way than some of the other reviewers. I have never "read" it as a total book. I have taken it a section at a time by how my moods are or where I am in my life. These books have made a difference to the authors during different periods of their lives. Hopefully they can for someone else, too. I really wish a book like this had been around when I was a teenager to give me a good head's up start. I keep it with my reference books and turn to it time and again. Sure, I have read a number of the books already, but it is great to know I have good company. Besides, there were a few I had forgotten and returned to them for a good read. Or I even used "The Diary of Anne Frank" as a starting place to continue learning more about Anne and her writings, as example. Some authors I checked for more of their work. For the previous reviewer who complained about the "girls" aspect and the authors being middle-aged or as old as her mother ......... women can be "girls" at any age ... it is all in the attitude, girlfriend. ;-)

I fortunately checked out this book from the library so I can't complain too much about the price. I read constantly so I thought this book might give me some ideas on some new books to read. I couldn't have been more disappointed. Most of the books suggested are predictable choices - books that most voracious readers read long ago, like "Gone with the Wind" or "Diary of Anne Frank" to use two examples. I got the impression they were getting kickbacks from bookstores to sell some of these books. Their "cutesy" writing gets old after a few chapters and I didn't agree with a lot of their observations. If you can, check this out at the library and wait for someone to write better book selections.

After looking over the reviews and excerpts of this book, I was really looking forward to reading it over my vacation. For the first 20 pages or so, this pleasure was realized. Unfortunately, I found the flippant and "girlfriendy" tone to be a little grating after a while. While some of the advice was excellent (I now have several additions to my "must read" list), I disagreed heartily with some of their reviews and was dismayed to find inaccuracies (like putting "The Thorn Birds" in the Mother/Daughter relationship chapter while stating that Meggie and her mother both loved Father Ralph - it was her Aunt who was hot for him!!!).

I think this book might be better in small doses so as not to overload on the "attitude". I really enjoyed the trashing of several of those awful marketed-to-women self-help books about codependency and how-to-get-a-man-and-keep-him, etc. Carefully recommended.

I liked this book alot, it was very different and it gave me alot of ideas of books to read based on what "mood" I am in. It also gave me some insite to some of the books that I have already read, and how they perceived the books.

From the title ("Girl's Guide"), the killer cover art, and the super concept, I had high hopes for this book. I expected something written with the sassy girls'-level insight of someone like Cameron Tuttle (_Bad Girl's Guide to Getting What You Want_). I hoped for something relevant to a literate woman making her way through early adulthood in today's world. Well if these are your expectations to, I got news for you: this book does NOT deliver.

_Bibliotherapy_ is obviously written by women *much* older than I am (I'm 24), and is pretty much a list of the books which have influenced their lives, with personal reflections after each one. The emphasis being on the long reflections and the lack of a great number of individual books. Don't get me wrong, it's great that these ladies want to share--it just needs to be done in a book like "Reflections on our Favorite Books From Two Women your Mother's Age."

I also hoped this book would reflect the fresh, funky tastes of someone who had gone into previously unmapped literary territory. Many of the books I love are titles noone's heard of. Boy, was I... WRONG! How about "_The Celestine Prophesy_," "_How to Win Friends and Influence People_," and "_Ten Stupid things Women do to Mess up Their Lives_." Boooooorrrrrrrrrriiiiiinnnnnnnng. Also included are *5* books about menopause and hormone replacement therapy (I am NOT making this up!). Let's learn about estrogen supplements, girls! Tomorrow, it's natural fiber laxatives and shuffleboard!

To be fair, these are intelligent ladies who do include some "classic" books and descriptions. Many of the descriptions even include "Points to Ponder" after them, in case you were feeling nostalgic for your HIGH SCHOOL ENGLISH TEXTBOOK!! ...

In summary, however good their intentions, the authors of _Bibliotherapy_ talk down to their audience. This is the unforgivable sin to my generation. The last straw for me was reading the words "Anne of Green Gables is, let's face it, a weirdo." Anyone who could even think that Just. Does. Not. Get. It. I rest my case.

The Generation Gap has never looked so impassable. Sorry to report that you'll have to look elsewhere to get your "bibliotherapy."

I was quite disapointed in this book, though it does have a terrific premise. The problem is that this book does not deliver on its promise. Readers would do better to talk to friends who share a love and knowledge of literature.

The authors know their literature. They are witty and opinionated, but kind and amazingly well informed. The book is equal to quite a few visits to a good therapist. I bought copies for my friends and my daughters. I'm passing my copy on to my granddaughter. It's definitely a book for any woman regardless of age. A great companion to their Cinematherapy

As an above-avid reader, I was excited to find a book that is divided into sections with headings like, "Bad Girl Books," "Hearing-Your-Inner-Voice Books," "Bad-Hair-Babe Books," and "Existential Crisis Books." How refreshing to be able to locate a great book to read based on how I'm feeling or how it might relate to my life rather than just the blurb on the dust-jacket!

Many of these books I have read or are on my reading list. Quite a few, I have never even heard of, and they are now also on my required reading list. Along with each title recommended (or not, as may be the case in "Books To Be Thrown With Great Force") the authors give an overview and then expand on it by briefly describing what the book means to them.

This is an honest, informative look at books, both fiction and nonfiction, that will guide and comfort you through every stage in your life.

The title says it all! Peske and West "literally" cover all phases of our lives from coming of age to business to bad hair, etc. I laughed alot and also reminisced with some of the titles they recommend like "Born Free" (located in the mid-life crisis section). Although I am an avid reader, I was not even familiar with many of the titles which was refreshing.

Filled with nuggets of wisdom and funny quotes, there are reviews and quirky tales to go along with the selected titles. Definitely a good reference book when you are looking for something different.