Customer Reviews

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

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

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.

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!

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.

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. ;-)

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.

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.

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.

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

I bought this book and read it while walking to and waiting for the bus. A nosy little fellow started reading over my shoulder, laughing. Ha! My girlfriends have gotten a kick out of the book as well. I'd read most of the mentioned books already, but enjoyed seeing which chapters the authors placed them in.