Chicken Soup for the Single's Soul (Paperback)

~ (Author), Mark Victor Hansen (Author), Jennifer Read Hawthorne (Author), (Author) "Have you ever noticed that dining room tables seat six, eight or twelve-not seven, nine or thirteen?..." (more)
Key Phrases: wish seed, Aunt Dree, New York, Christmas Eve (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Singles are coming into their own: Each year more and more people are single either by choice or by circumstance. This book celebrates the joys and challenges of living life single, and like its Chicken Soup predecessors, will be a source of inspiration, laughter and wisdom. With chapters on Love, Single Parenting, Dating, Family and Friends, Finding Your Mate, Overcoming Obstacles and Single and Happy, readers will relate to each of these stories no matter what their situation or stage of life. Chicken Soup for the Single's Soul will show readers that they're never alone as long as they believe in themselves. Whenever they find themselves in need of some reinforcement, this book will be a source of strength and comfort.

About the Author

Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen, the #1 New York Times and USA Today bestselling coauthors, are professional speakers who have dedicated their lives to enhancing the personal and professional development of others. Canfield and Hansen are based out of Santa Barbara, California and Newport Beach, California. Jennifer Read Hawthorne and Marci Shimoff are the coauthors of A Second Chicken Soup for the Woman's Soul, as well as the #1 New York Times bestsellers, Chicken Soup for the Mother's Soul and Chicken Soup for the Woman's Soul. Hawthorne and Shimoff are professional speakers who are based out of Fairfield, Iowa.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 350 pages
• Publisher: HCI (September 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1558747060
• ISBN-13: 978-1558747067
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #655,197 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Finally! A Chicken Soup for us Singles!, December 1, 1999

By	Jill Lassaline (Canada) - See all my reviews

Having been a long time fan of the "Chicken Soup" series I naturally jumped at the chance when asked to review this book. Finally, a "Chicken Soup" aimed just for me. Yes, I read the one for the Mother's Soul, but the stories of family life were sometimes hard to relate to or to deal with. I had contemplated reading "Chicken Soup for the Surviving Soul" because isn't that what we're really doing as single parents, surviving? But I knew that it just really wouldn't be what I was looking for. Well, no need to settle. "Chicken Soup for the Single's Soul" is a huge helping of what every single, in any situation, needs.

I found myself diving into the book at every chance possible...In line at the bank, standing over the kitchen stove, waiting for a Monday morning sales meeting at work, and even fishing in a boat in the middle of the lake one sunny Sunday afternoon. This book of absolute inspiration is impossible to put down, and even more impossible to walk away from untouched.

As with the other books in the series, you will read stories of unbelievable courage and strength through all types of adversity. As a single parent you will read many of the stories and be able to identify with the writer and relate something that you and your family have experienced. It's a good book to read when you're feeling down and defeated -- when you feel that you just simply can not go on anymore and the whole world is against you. Between these two magical covers are tale after tale of overcoming the odds, carrying on through the worst that life can give you, and simply finding yourself and being happy with who you are. Somewhere on this great earth, a complete strange has shared their thoughts and fears, shared their ups and downs, and made you take a second look at your life. Someone you can never thank, someone who's hand you can never shake and say "ya, I've been there too", someone somewhere will touch your soul when you lift this book to turn its pages.

Whether you are Divorced, never married, Widowed, or a Single Parent this is a book well worth buying and leaving in a spot where you can read it daily. It will help you through the hard times and give you extra inspiration for the good times.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Finally!, August 22, 2000

By A Customer

Just when I wondered if I was the only person being made to feel like a freak of nature for being single I found this book! Many people seem to think there's something wrong with anyone who isn't married. Meanwhile some of those around us are choosing to rush into marriage, stay in loveless marriages, or tolerate cheating or abusive spouses just to avoid the dreaded title of "single". This book made me feel (finally) like there are many, many other people who understand singlehood, and that being single doesn't make anybody less of a happy or fulfilled person, or good parent. In a "couple's world" I'm so relieved to know that I'm not the only one waiting for Prince Charming, and realizing that if I keep getting the frogs instead I'll still be okay! This is a very uplifting book and I highly recommend it!

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Disappointing, October 12, 1999

By A Customer

Well, as with the other "Chicken Soup" books, of course some of these stories made me cry. However, I was very disappointed that there were so few "single and happy" stories. The vast majority of stories seemed to be saying "don't give up...there's someone out there to make your life complete; don't despair". Well, what a sorry message! It will be fine if I find someone at some time, but it will also be fine if I don't. Life can be very fulfilling and complete if you're happy with yourself. I am giving this a 3-star rating, because it's got good stories, and will be a reassurance for those that need one.