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

Beverly West (Author), Nancy Peske (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 6, 2001

Because women read books differently than guys do...

Every woman knows ... books are more than a way to kill time on the bus — they're therapy that fits in our bag. Whether we're wallowing in a sullen perennial adolescence or our biological clock is ringing and we can't find the snooze button, books are the dog-eared friends that help us deal with our baggage as we navigate life's journey.

Now Bibliotherapy prescribes the best of classic and contemporary Chick Lit that women turn to again and again — for inspiration (A Tree Grows in Brooklyn) ... for escape (Ladder of Years) ... for revenge against the patriarchy (Our Blood) ... and for bonding with our girlfriends (Waiting to Exhale).

Upper-thigh spread sparking a midlife crisis? Read A Lady's Life in the Rocky Mountains and remember that it's not over until the fat lady yodels. Did your pot of gold turn out to be fourteen-karat tin? Open your eyes with Awakening to the Sacred and learn to savor your rainbow. Wondering what all the fuss is about? Climb into bed with Lady Chatterley's Lover and explore your pleasure potential.

With provocative points to ponder as you read ("What is the metaphorical significance of a codpiece?"), fun quotes, and a list of books that must not be read but, in Dorothy Parker's words, "thrown with great force," Bibliotherapy ensures you'll always find the right literary prescription — no matter what phase of life you're teetering on the brink of!

Plus: Doomed but Inspired Heroes ... Books to Read When You're Sick of Your Career and Are Seriously Considering Taking Up Alpaca Ranching in Peru ... Bad Girls We'd Like to Have Over for Girls' Night ... Books That Are the Equivalent of Citronella for Men ... and much more!

Editorial Reviews

Review

Also by Nancy Peske and Beverly West:

The Girl's Guide to Movies for Every Mood

Available from Dell

From the Inside Flap

Because women read books differently than guys do...

Every woman knows ... books are more than a way to kill time on the bus — they're therapy that fits in our bag. Whether we're wallowing in a sullen perennial adolescence or our biological clock is ringing and we can't find the snooze button, books are the dog-eared friends that help us deal with our baggage as we navigate life's journey.

Now Bibliotherapy prescribes the best of classic and contemporary Chick Lit that women turn to again and again — for inspiration (A Tree Grows in Brooklyn) ... for escape (Ladder of Years) ... for revenge against the patriarchy (Our Blood) ... and for bonding with our girlfriends (Waiting to Exhale).

Upper-thigh spread sparking a midlife crisis? Read A Lady's Life in the Rocky Mountains and remember that it's not over until the fat lady yodels. Did your pot of gold turn out to be fourteen-karat tin? Open your eyes with Awakening to the Sacred and learn to savor your rainbow. Wondering what all the fuss is about? Climb into bed with Lady Chatterley's Lover and explore your pleasure potential.

With provocative points to ponder as you read ("What is the metaphorical significance of a codpiece?"), fun quotes, and a list of books that must not be read but, in Dorothy Parker's words, "thrown with great force," Bibliotherapy ensures you'll always find the right literary prescription — no matter what phase of life you're teetering on the brink of!

Plus: Doomed but Inspired Heroes ... Books to Read When You're Sick of Your Career and Are Seriously Considering Taking Up Alpaca Ranching in Peru ... Bad Girls We'd Like to Have Over for Girls' Night ... Books That Are the Equivalent of Citronella for Men ... and much more!

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Dell (March 6, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0440508975
• ISBN-13: 978-0440508977
• Product Dimensions: 7.3 x 0.7 x 9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #734,021 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

44 of 45 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Terrific Book About Books, June 14, 2001

By 

Sunhi (East Norriton, PA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bibliotherapy: The Girl's Guide to Books for Every Phase of Our Lives (Paperback)

I got this book today, on a whim, while I was bored at the airport. I proceeded to rip through it in a few hours, fascinated by the opinions of the authors. I can honestly say that this book will probably increase the number of books on my wishlist by at least twenty or so. This is one of the best books a literate female can read, just because it will suggest some of the best literature.

I quickly ripped through the different lists of books (divided by themes such as bad girl books and books about sex) and discovered that the few I've read, I agree are pretty fantastic. In fact, now I want to go back and reread a few of them. Quite a few of the books listed I already have on my wishlist because I keep hearing about how terrific they are. Some I've never heard about and those will be the recommendations I treasure the most, I think.

Another great little feature were the few books the authors mentioned to avoid. I hate reading a book only to find its message is sexist or boring or both, so I'm glad to hear someone voice a negative opinion once in awhile when I read these sorts of lists.

I particularly enjoyed reading about the authors' past experiences with certain books and their histories and feelings towards those books. I love to know *why* a person enjoys a book or why they hate it, not merely how they felt about it.

What I wasn't thrilled by were the quotes. They seemed included just to take up space when I would have preferred another book suggestion in each chapter instead.

Overall, this was a terrific book and if you're a female who loves books and who looks good book recommendations, then please pick up this book. It really was a great find. I plan to go home tonight and reread a few of the books they mentioned that I own and to order a few of the books that I don't own.

28 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fabulous! Every Book Lover's Best Friend!!!!!!!, March 30, 2001

By 

Suzanne E. Anderson "Author of Mrs. Tuesday's... (United States) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Bibliotherapy: The Girl's Guide to Books for Every Phase of Our Lives (Paperback)

I read voraciously. Classics, new fiction, mysteries, biographies. I love good books. So I'm always looking for new sources of recommendation. I bought this book along with a bunch of classics (Tess of the d'Urbervilles, To the Lighthouse, Complete Jane Austen, and Little Women) with an Amazon gift certificate I received for my birthday. This book is my new best friend. It's a book lover's dream come true. The authors write like girlfriends discussing their favorite books. The books are grouped by theme and each recommendation is followed by a brief synopsis. Book lovers and book groups will find this reference book invaluable and full of inspiration for the next great read. Absolutely one of the best books I've ever bought!

35 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Must Have For Any Book Collection!, April 24, 2001

By 

Kelly Budd (Alberta, Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bibliotherapy: The Girl's Guide to Books for Every Phase of Our Lives (Paperback)

Nancy Peske and Beverly West have created the must have reference book for any collection. Bibliotherapy is both witty and intelligent. This book will put the fun back into reading! Combined with a synopsis of selected novels, Peske and West describe their reactions to the book and why it would be a good read.

Peske and West believe that reading is more than 'killing time on the bus.' They view reading as a means of informing and healing. This is an awesome book for both, the women who are just starting their reading journeys, and for the seasoned reader.

Bibliotherapy, has provided much enjoyment and information about books that must be read! Through their suggestions the reader will be able to take their reading to a higher level.