Celebrities Books

You do not need to be from Jersey to love this book. Anyone who spent their adolescence cultivating a thin, fragile veneer of coolness to cover an inner dork will relate to Jancee. I did not want this book to end. I can't wait for the follow-up on the rest of Jancee's life. Funny, touching, and entirely real. (Just like a true Jersey girl!)

I loved this book! I loved the throwbacks to old fashion, Jersey-Hair, and general 90's quips. I laughed a lot. The pieces on celebrities were like a bonus of reading a trashy tabloid inside a novel. It was unlike what I normally read, it was refreshing and very enjoyable!!

I picked this book up because of the cover. I loved seeing 80's hair do and I read the back to find it amusing enough to buy. I never really knew who Jancee Dunn was before I read her book.

I enjoyed the quick read and liked how it bounced between her family and her work, it is a story of someone my age(36) and it mirrored experiences of coming of age during the 80's and early 90's. I loved it.

Heartwarming and honest

Jancee Dunn tells us a little bit about her childhood and how she ended up at Rolling Stone and MTV. The chapters alternate between her memoirs and amusing anecdotes about interviewing celebrities. While the celebrity encounters are interesting, it is her own life story that will completely mesmerize you. She is a gifted story teller and brings all her characters to life in a way that makes you remember them long after you have finished the book.

I highly recommend this book for a light, fun read that will capture your heart when you least expect it.

I would read anything else by this author eagerly!

Dear Reader

This book is an absolute "gem." That's the word that REALLY fits. There are so many paragraphs, chapters, jokes - that are poignant, hysterical, remarkable, meaningful - that there are not enough adjectives to describe the compilation of stories from her life.

Beginning in New Jersey in the 1980's, Jancee Dunn was happy. She was one of those girls that didn't care for the "Jersey" jokes. She loved her location and place in life: trips down to the shore, Bruce Springsteen concerts, and fun journeys to the mall with close friends. She was a music lover who submitted her resume to Rolling Stone magazine and, before she knew it, she was rubbing shoulders with Brad Pitt, Dolly Parton, Loretta Lynn and more.

The parts of this book where she relays the "fish out of water" syndrome - being a Jersey girl shoved into the New York City limelight - are tremendously and unequivocally tender and lovely.

And, by the way, this is a memoir. This really happened. Jancee Dunn, the author, has worked for Rolling Stone since 1989, was a correspondent for Good Morning America, an MTV veejay and a writer for countless magazines. I want to share every word with you because it is so difficult to pick from the "gems" that are woven throughout these chapters but, alas, there is not enough room.

Let's just say that from her doting mother to her tremendously witty father - from the love and fantastic relationship she has with her sisters to her best friends who share in her dreams and failures - every page of this memoir is a "must read." The chapters that recount her interviews with the rich and famous are hysterical. After reading them you will want so much to meet Dolly and cook fudge in Loretta Lynn's kitchen - whereas other famous stars that you may have loved - you'll want to never see one of their concerts again.

There are stories of being spotted as Ben Affleck's girlfriend and hiking with Brad Pitt. Helpful hints on how to interview an A-list subject without making them so upset that they send their handler in to, well, handle you. These stories are not only charming but would be a real help for anyone who wants to break into the celebrity interviewing circle. She knows her stuff. She took a lot of hits to get there - but she took them with spice, sarcasm, friendship and fun.

Read this. Enjoy this. Love this. I've always said there are too many boring people in this world. I am extremely happy that Jancee Dunn is an original and I hope someday to run into her on the street and thank her personally for the enjoyable experience of this book.

Can't wait for a sequel. I read this book in 2 days, I just couldn't put it down. I am an entertainment junkie and this book met all needs!

If you are into celeb gossip and like a good read, this book is for you! A guilty pleasure, this book is a fictionalized account of a Hollywood "overnight" success. The edition I have has a couple of typos, which is irritating and would usually turn me off, but I've actually read it twice and am having a hard time not reading it a third time! In fact, I had planned on giving my copy to a friend, but will buy her one of her own so that I can read it again later. If you are looking for a fabulous chick lit read that will give you some insight into what goes on behind the scenes in Hollywood, read this book.

This book is a great entertaining read and it makes people like me see that gossip is manufactured scripted entertainment. To sum up this book, it is Entourage Meets Mean Girls.

This book is pretty much equivalent to reading "In Touch" or "Us Weekly"...lots of interesting gossip and inuendo, but no real substance. The main character (allegedly modeled after Katie Holmes) is boring and I think she is supposed to be a cynical-would-be Indie acor, but she comes across as completely one dimensional, with no real substance (maybe because she is modeled after Katie Holmes). It's okay, somewhat entertaining, but when I finished the book I felt like I'd wasted a few hours, but it was good too, because I was on a delayed flight wasting time anyway.

This book was a good guilty pleasure read for the beach, but that is about it. It was very poorly edited and I don't believe that it was really based on Katie Holmes' life. Sure, there are parts of it that could be loosely based on her life (if you believe the whole "arranged marriage" theory), but that was about it.
I'm sure there are some horror stories about Hollywood starlets, but I hope for their sake that a lot of this story was blown out of proportion! It sounds like being a famous actress is pure hell.

Brian Freeman--just "found" him a few months ago. REALLY enjoy his writing and was afraid #2 wouldn't be as good as #1. No worries--I enjoyed this as much as his first book and have since read his 3rd which continues to not disappoint.

In this follow up to Immoral, Detective Jonathan Stride has left Minnesota for Las Vegas. He's now living with Serena Dial, a detective from Las Vegas that was introduced in Immoral. His new partner is a pre-op transexual named Amanda. Add in a murder from Reno and 2 murders in Las Vegas that merge into one case, which in turn connect to the muirder of a Vegas showgirl from the 1960's. Given all of that this is a very slow read, and I ddin't care about any of the chareters involved. Skip this one.

Can't go wrong with this author!! A quick read, as it is a book you won't want to put down!!!

I picked "Stripped" up from a super market when I was desparate for something to read. WOW! I couldn't put it down and I think he is better than the established "masters of suspense": Patterson, Sandford, Patricia Cornwell. Forget them...here is a new, wonderful writer. I was so impressed that I emailed him and he emailed me back telling me that he was very thankful and for me to spread the word to my friends. Condider this spreading the word. I am ordering his other books.

I finally got around to reading "Stripped" after having read Freeman's initial novel, "Immoral" some time earlier and all I could think was, what took me so long. I enjoy Freeman for his believable characters, his sense of place, and his ability to turn a plot in unexpected directions...all while keeping me breathlessly turning page after page. He can handle violence and sex as plot devices in such a smooth manner that you never feel outraged or imposed upon.

In "Stripped", Jonathan Stride and Serena Dial have relocated from Minnesota (his home) to Las Vegas (her home). While initially assigned to different partners, their cases eventually intertwine and pick up a head of steam. A series of seemingly unrelated murders eventually reveal possible connections to a 40 year old murder that may or may not have been solved.

Before the novel runs its course, we are treated to a hodgepodge of bigger than life mobsters, strippers, prostitutes, hit men, retirees hiding secrets, and a transsexual cop, among others, who all have a part to play in this investigation of a crime in the past to solve a crime in the present. The plot is complex, winding, and fast paced. There are more than a few unexpected twists and turns as the story unfolds. Even after the apparent climactic confrontation, there are surprises in the denouement that will add to the reader's enjoyment.

As is typical of Freeman's efforts, there are numerous psychological aspects to this novel, both in character development and plotline implementation. There are multilayered issues regarding loyalty, familial love, power, corruption, and different ways to love different people. What his characters feel and why they feel that way is always a background element of Freeman's novels. I like this complexity and feel it contributes greatly to why I am attracted to his psychological thrillers.

This book is not for serious readers, people who would hope to find an insighful and serious understanding of the subject. It merely touches the surface of a myriad of interesting questions. The language itself is shalow, repetitious and the few scatterd thoughts of the author are utterly unoriginal and mundane.

I'm a 20 year old girl that read this book to hopefully pick up some wisdom on life and thats exactly what I got. I learned that everybody goes through hard times and it is how you handle it that matters. There are a lot of qualities that I admire in Jackie. SHe is an extraordinary person that really deserves more fame than she has (I didin't know about her until I read this book).

An enjoyable book - I looked forward to picking it up each day. And that is a compliment, because very rarely do I read anything other than murder mysteries!

Knowing nothing about Jackie Kennedy except what I knew about JFK from history courses, I was not as interested in her as I am after reading this book. Although not for those seeking a detailed biography of her life, it is inspiring and concise enough to prove that Jackie was truly a remarkable woman who lived a remarkable life. Perhaps the best parts of this book were the clear explanations of why Jackie might have responded to events as she did and the ending of each chapter with "What Jackie Taught Us" (which, although somewhat biased, gets the point across for those who get lost in the story rather than the lessons). After reading this, I had a basic understanding of Jackie's life and a clear understanding of who Jackie was: strong, determined, and resourceful while being a woman worried over her husband's infidelity, her mother's remarks, and the safety of her children. Flaherty is clearly a devoted fan of Jackie's - the book does come across as a bit biased; thus, if you're looking for the hardcore facts, don't read this just yet.

If you're looking for an introduction to Jackie, an inspiring tale of an American woman, or insight into the life of someone truly influential in America during the early '60s, this is the book for you.

Whatever age you might be, whatever era you are from, you absolutely do not want to miss reading this book! Most of us recall the special "charm" that was Jackie, but few of us really knew or understood the details of this remarkable woman. What made her tick? What made her do what she did? Tina Sant Flaherty answers questions...looking into Jackie's childhood, young adulthood and her life as a daughter, wife and mother.
Through this heart-felt book, we see Jackie, but can also see what we might do in her shoes. What we might like to immitate in some instances. What can we learn from her? There seems to be much.
I loved the way she kept her "private life private and was an example of strength and grace, charm and sophistication.
If you weren't a Jackie fan prior to reading this book, chances are you'll be one afterwards and probably one of the author as well.

What an engaging opening! While I know little about LA, I do know about the false security on an air-conditioned life. The author's opening paragraphs provided a connection that encouraged further reading. Some description was sensational, some plebian, but all readable as Charlotte's boring day-job life unfolded. A brief way into the story, however, things became confusing. Were the young girls referring to one another as `Dude'? Was there someone else behind Charlotte? Rereading didn't help. This piece continued in the same vein, both fabulous and jarringly not--like a tease. For example: Charlotte carefully collected the luxury items requested for the clients' snack, added cloth napkins, then `threw' them on a tray. Ouch. Still, there is incredible talent evident in this piece. While one can't tell much about the story from the excerpt, the sensitivity with which Charlotte prepares for a part in her acting class hints at character depth to come.

The author shows great potential. Although this piece didn't leave me yearning for more, I suspect greater works will follow. I'll remember the name.

Charlotte Dent's unfolding character drama would be enough to make this novel a compelling read -- Ms. Richter is clearly an astute observer of Angelenos' behaviors, foibles, and interactions. But what makes this work stand out is the author's talent for evocative imagery. Where a lesser writer would need to spend paragraphs to fully and precisely convey the sense of a situation, Ms. Richter brilliantly illuminates her text with subtle, ingenious metaphors that give the reader a perfect image of her characters' surroundings and actions. This is a smart, quick, entertaining read.

When first we are introduced to Charlotte, she is going through the motions of her unfulfilling job - doing what she can to make the best out of the bad situation that her life has become. She, on most accounts, seems to have accepted her defeat and never reveals that she's only at this meaningless day job biding her time until the life that she truly wants and is passionate about comes to pass; we only get a small tease of Charlotte's actor self.

It is really unfortunate that we only have two chapters to read and that, based on the synopsis that promises Charlotte in the role of a "leggy killer robot", the heart of Charlotte Dent and of this piece seems to be in subsequent chapters. The characters and details that are offered initially hint at potential and promise in pages to come. I look forward to reading the rest of this novel and hope for the best for Charlotte and the author.

I felt as if I was watching a movie as I read the excerpt of Morgan Richter's book, Charlotte Dent. She has a clear and precise way of wording her story, which kept my interest throughout.
I especially like the way that she begins the story by giving the context of Charlotte's Los Angeles world. She uses the image of "bubbles" and how the lives of people go from one air conditioned bubble world to another. Then we get to "zooms in" to Charlotte, a seemingly ordinary struggling actress. We get to see her quietly assert her dignity within the corporate entertainment world (by using her actor's training). And then conversely, giving up a bit (when she trades parts with her younger scene partner) within her own theatrical world.
Ms. Richter's style left me wanting to read more. Charlotte is an interesting character and I want her to win, and break out of her own restrictive bubble.

Every woman who's had a dream is pulling for Charlotte and she's on the cusp of that dream falling away. 30 is old in Hollywood, near as dead as it was in the Middle Ages.

The hope's what rings through in the story. Charlotte's drudge job--which was not 'her' just how she got her money to be in a place where she hopefully could get her dream. Her employer doesn't know about her, just a 'sensible employee'. Another fascinating aspect was how Charlotte worked her way into empathy for Addie, the woman she was going to portray in the drama class.

The writing's good and solid for the most part. There's always a quibble about where to start a piece, but I got interested in the 'bubble' aspect rather than the first sentence about the weather. I think this excerpt's going to pay off later on from the synopsis. Best of luck to the author.

I read it and thought about so many of the memoirs. Some really told a story and some left you wondering, but it is well worth the reading time.

I read a review of this book in The New Yorker; it convinced me to buy the book. I am NOT disappointed. You can read it straight through, but it is also one of those books you can just pick up and read a few pages --great for guest room or bathroom! I have also showed it to many friends, and we have made a game of creating our own 6-word memoirs, and those of others we know--a lot of fun and conversation as a result of this book. I bought copies to send to faraway friends, too.

This book really made me think about putting my life into a six word memoir. There are so many cute ones - one of my favorites was (seventy years, few tears, hairy ears)

I've read the book through twice now, and I still find fresh bits of wisdom and newly amusing memoirs. My only wish is that Smith Magazine gave a teeny bit of insight into the authors themselves (even as an Appendix). Because of the glimpse into two writers' lives during the Prologue, their memoirs have had the most impact for me...and it makes you realize how much complexity and meaning six simple words can carry.

Since 6-word memoir submissions are still being accepted at www.smithmag.net, I wait with anticipation for the next volume. Thank you for a read that will never collect dust on my book shelf.

This is a great project. Sum up a life in six words. Some are funny, some poignant, some clever, all concise.

I teach a writing class and plan to give this assignment to my students. There is much to be said for a simple, well-worded story.

Fans of Callas, Onassis, & Kennedy(s) should embrace this book a.s.a.p. Peter Evans does a wonderful job. What an extraordinary story that is told. I couldn't put this book down for several weeks. Even after I've finished it, it inspires re-reading. Highly recommended!!

I thought that this book would be interesting to me because I like the Kennedy family and am interested in conspiracy theories, but I was wrong. This book is pretty good, but it is really confusing with so many people involved that sometimes it is hard to keep straight who this person is and what they did.

Except for the garish cover jacket, this is a devilishly well-written and well-presented book. True enough it is "conspiracy fare," but with a flair: a la British style, where the conspiratorial plot is insinuated rather than unceremoniously stuffed down the reader's throat as uncontestable media-driven and "state sanctioned" fact.

The strength of the book however is not the conspiratorial plot, which in my view is mostly a sideshow to the main event. Its power lies in the excellent writing that exposes the utter shallowness of the pseudo-royal and nuevo-monied jet-setters, as they go about their desperately empty lives, trying to pump meaning into them by way of extra-marital sex, alcohol and drugs, gaudiness, world-class treachery, lavish globe-trotting cruises and parties, and mindless spending for spending sake, in short, the worse sort of debauchery. There was a time when such decadent hubris, and money-based royalty was to be envied as the "good life," but Peter Evan brings them and their phoniness back down to earth and it is not a pretty picture. When he finishes with them, using mostly their own words (as he very carefully mines most of his material from a host of their own memoirs), there is certainly very little left to envy about them.

At the epicenter of the story are the two "uber-egos" of RFK and Ari Onassis, locked into battle for over a generation, and who, despite all their power and wealth retained the social minds of a couple of juvenile delinquents. Their respective struggles and feuds bordered on the psychopathic, more befitting a couple of teenage gang leaders than respected world-class "prime movers." But this seemed not to have bothered either of them one iota, as they both continued obsessively committed to the utter destruction of the other.

According to the author, the seminal event triggering the feud was Onassis' paranoid suspicions that it was RFK's hidden hand responsible for scuttling his carefully laid plans to corner the oil tanker shipping market, first in Saudi Arabia, then in Haiti. Likewise, Bobby was equally worried and paranoid that Onassis, would use his tight-knit social connections (within the Kennedy clan via Jackie's sister and eventually via Jackie herself) to find out and use what dirt he could uncover, against the Kennedys, thereby scuttling first JFK's chances of being re-elected, and then RFK's chances of becoming President after his brother's assassination. These mutual suspicions eventually spilled over into "all out" psychological warfare and reached a crescendo in the run up to Onassis determined efforts to marry Jackie, which he eventually did. But not before RFK first forbid it, then to avoid a scandal (since the whole world already knew Onassis was screwing Jackie), insisted on it.

If you believe the author's version of the way events unfolded, RFK got the worse of this multi-decade series of vendettas that coalesced around JFK's widow's "shotgun marriage" to Onassis. What is insinuated (if only ever so lightly) is that Onassis, after marrying Jackie, used his Palestinian connections to pay for (though not set up) the hit that ended in RFK's assassination.

A la British style, one is of course expected to read between the lines and connect the dots for himself, which is fine if you are a non-American: this version then makes perfectly good sense. But if you live within U.S. borders, you can almost feel the other anti-RFK wheels grinding as they pre-position themselves (with Ari's 1.5-3.5 million dollars) to take advantage of the RFK-Onassis feud: And here we mean, LBJ/Hoover/Mob/Texas oil/CIA machinery, for instance.

Just as Evan-Prichard's "The Secret World of Bill Clinton," exposed the corruption surrounding Bill and Hilary Clinton, this book, written by another Englishman, attempts to tie up the loose ends surrounding the primal feud between Onassis and Bobby Kennedy. One does not need to be a conspiracy nut to enjoy a well-documented, well-told story, and this is it. Five stars

Those who find a conspiracy in every world event will be satisfied with the well-researched and well-written account of the possible involvement of Aristotle Onassis in the assassination of Robert Kennedy. As to the oft-asked question as to why Jacqueline Kennedy would want to marry the Greek tycoon, it is answered with a new understanding of the greed and lust that drove these compelling personalities. The narrative fairly jumps from the pages of this very fast read. Even the footnotes are fascinating.

What a fascinating, very well written book! It seemed every page had a juicy morsel or two and really opened my eyes into what was really going on during the last months of John Kennedy's life and why Jackie married Aristotle Onassis. As a teenager, I was shocked she'd married someone who obviously wasn't a friend of the United States. But Peter Evans portrays Onassis as someone so fascinating, even desirable in his "bulldog" approach to women, maybe money wasn't the only reason. Then again, once you read this book your whole image of "Camelot" and the "Holy Widow" will never be the same.

Very well done. Quite a variety. Look delicious. Nice of the stars to contribute to this worthy cause.

I learned about Star Palate when it won an honorable mention in the 2005 Independent Publishers Awards this year, noted for it's great images and great cause. The recipes are equally impressive. The book is filled with diverse meals that are fun and favorable.

I am truly disappointed in this book. I bought it because of all the positive reviews. However, after paging through, I see no conenction to the celebrities. The food was so-so and I was wondering if the authors really tested the recipes. I am most disappointed that there are so many bad reviews of this cookbook.

This book is a joy to own. There are original and inventive menu ideas throughout this beautiful book - enough to host a great dinner party. The cause is near to my heart and I'm glad to be able to support cancer research in such a fun way. It makes a wonderful and touching gift for the survivors and/or caregivers in your life. Kudos to the organizers and editors of this great book.

I've tried many of the recipes and they have come out very well so far. My favorites are the shepherd's pie, watermelon salad with fennel and the Mandarin Star martini. The proceeds from this book benefit ovarian and breast cancer research and that alone makes this cook book one of my all time favorites. Add that to the ease and great taste of the recipes and you have a true gem.
The recipes are easy to follow and the items come out true to the photos.

Pour yourself a Mandarin Star martini and get cooking today.

Porta Lee Cohanim

I appreciated this book because it deals with the fact that God does not always answer our prayers the way we would like for Him to, BUT He always is there in the midst of our pain and hurting. Karen Kingsbury is my favorite author of all time because she confronts issues that many of us face--divorce, death, unwed pregnancy, adoption...but shows the compassion, love, and forgiveness of God and shows that it is also possible for us to lavish the same attributes on others.

Karen Kingsberry is an outstanding author. "Summer" is just one of her many books. Her characters seem so authentic due to the fact that Karen takes them through many of the trials that occur in the lives of our family members or friends. What is more amazing is how these people overcome their trials which could easily be applied to our own personal lives. Her characters are interwoven as is the case of our relationships with others. As far as I am concerned, Karen should be on the New York Best Seller's List!

I love the Baxters, but have struggled with their books. Everything always works out for them. Yes, they faced Elizabeth's death in Reunion (Redemption Series-Baxter 1, Book 5) and Haley's drowning in Remember (Redemption Series-Baxter 1, Book 2). They struggled through September 11th like the rest of us; they're lives have been peppered with emotional and relationship dramas, but the ALWAYS come out on top! Prayers are answered with miracles. Even Kari's husband's murder made a perfect way for her to get back with her one true love, Ryan. Each story has been ideal and that has frustrated me to no end. Life isn't a fairy tale. We don't all live in Bloomington were the roses always bloom. In this book, the Baxters meet real life. It's wonderful!

I loved the authenticity of their struggles in this book. It goes beyond right-to-life issues or dealing with anencephaly. This book reveals how prayer challenges us. God doesn't always answer the way we want to. Why does prayer "work" sometimes and other times it doesn't? What happens when our family members DON'T support us? What do we do when our husbands don't say the perfect things or hug us at the right moments?

This was, by far, the best book of the Baxter dramas. It was real life. That means pain, but it also means joy through the grace of God. I love the Firstborn Series. The characters are so thoroughly developed. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND every book in this series.

I have been a fan of Karen Kingsbury for a number of years and look forward to any series she writes. This one is no exception. The reflections and bible verses are well chosen and add to the reading of her stories. Showing that bad things happen to good people and how their faith could be shaken but with prayer and love one is able to continue on are important lessons for many of us struggling souls.

Karen Kingsbury's book Summer, is an exceptionally well-written book with three story lines that will keep you turning the pages to find out what is going to happen next. The most pivotal story of the three focus around Ashley Baxter Blake and finding out there is a problem in her pregnancy and how her faith as well as her extended families faith is stretched. I found myself literally crying at the resolution of the story and silently praying that it would end differently. Karen Kingsbury has a remarkable way of writing that captures the reader,draws them in, causes them to reflect on their own beliefs and trust in God and leaves them being touched spiritually.

This book embraced important issues about life-decisions very well. Marrage is business - ask an attorney or anyone in or near divorce.

Single or married, HAPPY PEOPLE DO NOT WANT YOU TO BE UNHAPPY. Most miserable people are so mixed up that they tend to follow nature's law of "like attracts like". Many insist that you join "their ranks", no matter what your personal feelings or costs will be. Truely happy and healthy people want you happy and making the best life-decisions for YOU.

I'm a medical clinician and have taken many very private personal histories over the years. Candidly, MANY married friends or aquaintences (a wife or husband - without their spouses present)have stepped up to the plate and have told me point blank in private HOW LUCKY I AM TO BE SINGLE. These stories happen over and over, year after year. I hear them from all levels - all the way up to professionally degreed ladies and gentlemen. They couldn't believe what they traded and gave up, wishing more than anything that they could get out of their marrages.

I was married once briefly and very happy then, too. Unfortunatley, she abandoned our plans of dual professioanl incomes, saving and investing. We were retiring early together to travel to follow a "lets have fun together following our instincts and interests" lifestyle. She wanted to retire THEN. I was loaded with all financial responsibilities with my new, irresponsible, yet loving (in her ways) wife. Six months after we married, a short gentleman's discussion cleared any misunderstandings that I may have had about our plans. We thoroughly discussed our marrage GOALS. I NEEDED to be sure she changed. Three days later, my divorce was on the way and I felt a tremendous sense of relief. One of my most happiest and most productive days was the day the judge signed my divorce. It felt I, MY ONE CHANCE IN LIFE, was born anew with a fresh start every morning.

As a happy single, I have to make up my own mind based on my true feelings. "Marrage pushers" grasp at holding "spouse power cards" - typically, the non-worker party (yes, they're having a party). The longer someone stays in a clear misadventure with wrong parties, the potential of great emotional and financial losses skyrocket.

Today, many younger first generation immigrants entering the U.S. refuse to get a U.S. marrage. They feelit's too risky for hard workers trying to embrace dreams of a new life. Their solution? They adopt or parent their children overseas and raise them in the U.S. independently. I've read through U.S. BLOG sites where ladies have "Divorce Showers" BEFORE saying vows. These groups plot and plan to take their husbands for everything, BEFORE the wedding day. The typical execution takes 1 to 3 years plus the pleasant divorce.

Need to valadate a potential spouse? Look at their Real World ADULT Report Cards: Family history, read their credit ratings, lifetime social security earning statements, financial records, and validate REAL Monthly Cash Flow. Are they "true" or are they taking monthly cash advances (your future debt, so get ready) to snow-job everyone concerned with your well-being and appear more attractive as a valuable mate?

Gravitating towards a variety of happy people who stay busy with socially healthy, personally challanging activities is probably the best choice. Validate their Adult Report Cards. Someone who loves you and looking out for your best interests, too, will discuss everything with you willingly and openly.

Of course, you can smile, date, go out, and just stay happily single. Spend that dough on you and protect your future!

I wish I could put a finger on it -- but this book has probably done more to convince me that there's something wrong with my single state than anything. It seems to suggest that there's no natural desire for a mate, that if it weren't for the marriage agenda we'd all be happily single, and it just seems to fly in the face of common sense and overstretch too often. I would prefer to stay single after a bad marriage but find it difficult to accept, and was hoping this book would give me more to support that choice. Instead I find myself going, "well, maybe it's not really all that natural for a married couple to invite a single to a social function in this or that circumstance...." Being single isn't about doing things alone (humans are social animals), and I think she misses that point often. That's not to say that there isn't plenty to ponder, but I don't agree with her conclusions too often. It's an interesting read.

I know some people are marriage-obsessed and I've certainly experienced one of the main questions at a family gathering being, "So, do you have a boyfriend?"; still, I've never realized the extent of discrimination against singles. (And yes, Bella DePaulo is very aware that singles do not face the discrimination many other groups must survive.) Sometimes she seems to be digging too deep into a frankly benign situation, but other times she uncovers surprising truths. The tone rarely contains bitterness - yes, there is some, but DePaulo approaches her subject matter with humor. Each chapter focuses on a different subject singlehood in a fairly self-contained manner. She concisely debunks most of the popular myths about singlism.

In one of the concluding chapters, DePaulo writes, "I think that most Americans - including most single Americans - want the marital mythology to be true. They passionately want to believe that if only they find their soulmate, they will live happily ever after." My friends and I talk all the time about this concept, and we do want it to be true. We grew up in an age of high divorce rates, but we still hold the Disney dream close - jaded, cynical teenagers who still believe one day we'll find the one. Maybe we will, maybe we won't. Who cares? We'll be just fine on our own, whether Prince Charming arrives on the scene or not.

Don't be put off by the non-fiction aspect. SINGLED OUT is a fascinating read. It may not change your paradigm, but it will open your eyes to various injustices.

Excerpted from In Bed With Books.

I highly recommend this book to everyone! DePaulo finally gives a name to the practice of stereotyping and discrimination against single people in North American culture: "Singlism". Singlism is such an ingrained part of our culture that most people don't notice it; however if you've ever been a single adult for any length of time, you've probably experienced it! This book really rang true for me and I believe it will for others too. Hopefully it will also raise awareness in a broad scope for many, both personally and politically.

A very selective review of the literature on singlehood. DePaulo has a good point--alone does not equal lonely, and our society should be aware and open to that. However, she protests too much--and misinterprets a lot of other people's meaningful words in very negative ways.