Female Books

This book is one I will recommend to my friends and put on my "read again" shelf. I felt the love, loss and longing of each of these women--so much so, that a few of the letters could have been written by me. So many of us are at the stage in our life where we want to know and understand our parents, if for no other reason than to know and understand ourselves.
In reading Deborah Berger's book, questions are answered and more questions are raised. DEAR MOM --Women's Letters of Love, Loss and Longing is thought-provoking, well-written, and very much worth the time it takes to read it.

These letters speak to the beauty, misunderstandings, longings and love that dwell within most mother-daughter relationships. Not only will it inspire women to pick up a pen, it will help women find the words and courage to say what often remains unsaid. An inspiring and poignant collection of essays.

As a man, I've always had a hard time "getting" the relationship between women and their mothers. My wife read this book and recommended it to me. It really opened up a "terra incognita". First of all, instead of the usual boring academic analysis on this kind of topic you get first hand accounts from women from all kinds of angles. Some express gratitude, some are filled with regret over missed opportunities to repair a broken relationship, and some mourn the loss and celebrate the memories of a dead parent. Considering that the contributors are not professional writers, it is somewhat amazing that this book is so well written-- by any standard,professional or otherwise. The stories dig deep and are quite personal compared to the usual chatter you hear when people talk about their parents. If you have an interest in this subject, DEAR MOM will definitely enlighten you.

Reading this wonderful collection of letters was like being in a room with a group of wise, thoughtful women, all sharing their stories about their mothers. Whether the letters described love, loss, or longing, they revealed the rich complication at the heart of most mother-daughter relationships. I enjoyed lingering over the letters and insightful profiles--one or two at a time--and ended up feeling less alone in my feelings about my mother. I'm going to send a copy to my sister.

I was in Finland , doing research when my mother died unexpectedly. I still have the letter I wrote before learning of her death but never posted. I did not re-open the letter until I returned to Washington DC and re-settled myself. I was her only child, I had to take care of her , even after her death. I took care of her ashes, watched them disappear into the Atlantic foam. I inherited her incredible art collection. I was told I was lucky, I was weaIthy. I had so much. I felt empty and didn't know what to do with myself. My mother was a successful career woman, and I often wished she could have bent a little, that willowy woman, to nurture me. I read my last letter to her and wept. I thank God every day that we did write each other often and with great affection , however that affection was on paper, and not fully formed. I know she loves me still, but so much is changed. Everyone should write their own Dear Mom letter, I found two of the letters in the book to be inspirational. It's all about you when a parent dies, no matter how much it seems otherwise.

While I agree that female distance runners need to eat enough healthy calories to fuel their training, I do not agree with the constant ingestion of protein powders and the elimination of such a large sum of carbohydrates. I would be an extremely unhappy runner if I had to eat a hamburger patty without the bun. Rice cakes, give me a break! That's like eating paper. I wouldn't last one day on this diet. I work almost full-time and run under 3 hours for the marathon (female). I like a little comfort food in the form of carbohydrates in order to keep me sane. I also prefer to get my nutrients from food and not supplements.

This book was so informative on every aspect for a female runner. Suzy made the nutrition aspect so easy to understand. Really takes the guesswork out of what to eat and when.

I randomly picked this book up in a book store and was pleasantly surprised as I thumbed through it. It was exactly what I was looking for - something that could advise me thoroughly on necessary changes to my training, nutrition and much more in order to start getting in real shape for running competitively. I was amazed at the level of detail in this book - and it's the kind of detail you need. In no other book about running would you expect a thorough description of the exact differences in protein powders and what time of day you should take each kind, etc...and then a chart of the brands and their ingredients. It's perfect and practical. Not at all repetitive or boring. A very easy, useful read. I started taking notes as I read and had a comprehensive shopping list for the grocery store the next day. Don't miss this one!

I found this book to be very repetitive, and not very helpful. A few of the chapters I find interesting, like the one where she explains that for runners, the USDA food guide pyramid should really be flipped upside down. But she used her backup evidence from this chapter over and over again throughout the book. I really only need to hear "Fish is an essential food" once or twice to get it into my head. Also, towards the end, when Suzy gives sample training plans, I was very upset. Pretty much all of them are only suitable for runners who have way too much time on their hands, and are at a college level of training. I was looking for a way to spice up my training, but all I got were endless lists of two-a-days (who has time for that?) and hour long runs (the average high school girl doesn't have that much endurance). She doesn't seem to understand that we all can't be like her and perfect our diets, allowing only 5 treats per week, and running to what, for most of us, would be almost complete exhaustion. Suzy probably isn't the best person to write a book like this for female runners, because ever since she was in high school, she's been a star, and has never really experienced the long, hard transition from nothing at all to strenuous workouts.

I gave it 3 stars, because she had good intentions, but didn't pull them out the best way possible. I did however get some good nutrition tips, and learned some new strength exercises to add to my normal routine.

This is fantastic. Suzy Favor has been a woman to be emulated since she first showed up as a world class middle distance runner. She touches some of the very important parts of the physical and psychological needs of an aspiring young female through her own experiences.

In using her own life as a template, many of the young ladies who read this will make better choices when confronted with decisions that could have an adverse impact. As a coach I've seen too many who want to use these young people for their own benefit without regard to their well being or safety.

Nice going Suzy. You were a great runner and are still a great role model.

This was an excellent no nonsense book filled with candid information that is empowering to women.

Written by none other than one of the savviest sexdox around. Dr. Joy has written a truly valuable book about how to be an empowered woman, avoid the pitfalls of obsessive going-nowhere relationships and stay sexually alive and flourish. I love the idea that any woman can be a fearless and smart "babe." I can't think of a better way for women to learn how to be their esxual best...please feel free to read about it on my site at: www.yoursexcoach.com, too...all best, Dr. Patti

I loved this book and have gotten so much out of it personally. A few friends who have also read the book and I have formed a Babe Group where we conference call every few weeks to go over various chapters and work on the exercises together. It's been beneficial for my own erotic sense and for my relationship. I highly recommend it!

As a woman and a mental health professional, I believe this book is a necessary book for all women who want to explore, touch and know their full selves. It approaches the topics of women's sensuality and eroticism as a necessary part of being a woman rather than something that would be nice if only we had the time. Dr. Davidson's approach is intelligent, full of humor, holistic and expansive. I have used this book personally and refer it to all my female clients. Here we can see what a strong, intelligent, sensual woman who is not afraid of her sexuality can look like! Thank you for this book!

This book is terrific and I highly recommend it. It goes beyond its stated goal of helping you achieve the sex life you want. It's really about overcoming any number of self-esteem issues that you can undertake on your own to become a more authentic, self-actualized person -- which, naturally, will also put you in closer touch with your erotic center. It's clearly one of the wisest, most responsible and intelligent self-help books I've ever read. And, believe it or not, I think any guy with self-esteem, sexuality or authenticity issues can learn from it also.

I thought this book was a little gem. It was so wonderful to read at the end of each day. The character development was wonderful and the meaning of life and love surrounding food was fun. I would recommend it as an enjoyable book

Have you ever been so terribly upset that you did something absolutely stupid and crazy, but it turned out to be the best thing you could have done? Well, not me, either. But Teresa DiRosa does in Feeding Christine. Imagine facing Christmas without your college age son, who has chosen to spend the holidays with your ex-husband; imagine that around this time of year your beloved sister killed herself years ago; imagine that you have just discovered her daughter, your darling niece Christine, with a gun and the intent to kill herself. What would you do? If you can accept what Teresa does, you will laugh and love this book. It will give your heart wings and feed your soul. ANDDDD....you'll have a big craving for Italian food when it's done. Buon Giorno!

"Feeding Christine" was very different than my normal book picks. I found it kind of hard to follow and identify with the characters. Theresa was the hardest nut to crack. Christine wasn't all that unstable as they made her out to be. She just needed to get away from James and live her own life. This book was good..don't get me wrong...but it was hard for me to follow.

I admit I had high expectations of this novel telling the tale of four women in present-day USA. There are many, many novels out there for women, about women, by women, and unfortunately, I wasn't truly impressed with this one. The writing style was wonderful, although the conversations were hard to follow. It seemed like there were many "inside jokes" within the characters, and it made it hard for me, as the reader, to understand them. Some of the events were slightly unbelievable but gave me a laugh anyway. It's a quick read, however, and the theme behind the writing is worth your time.

Wonderful book! A beautifully written book that is a treat for all your senses. Barbara Chepaitis has created a book with the care her characters take to prepare their food. I read very many books of all kinds and this book goes on my top 10 list and I plan to recommend it to all my friends. I belong to a book group and I can hardly wait to discuss it with them because there are so many layers to this marvelous book. Truly a book to savor.

Simply the best thing written on girl groups, ever.

This is as close to a definitive book on the Girl Group genre as you are likely to find... unless John Clemente decides to write a sequel, including the groups he had to leave out due to space limitations.

He corrects many of the mistakes made in Alan Betrock's book on the same subject. This book sets the record straight. The discographies are amazing. The interviews and rare pics are terrific. Any fan would be pleased.

If I have a complaint, it's that some groups have been left out. How can you include the Go-Go's but not the Bangles? As I said, space must have been the issue. Let's hope there is a volume 2 in the works.

There have been a lot of books and videos about girl groups but all them involved large, really large, gaps of information, missing names, erroneous information and so on. John Clemente amazingly gets it all down, all correct and every little detail in. How he did it I don't know. This book is fabulous and endlessly rereadable. And you will love the rare photos.

The work that went into this book is astounding. As a girl-groups expert, I seldom find information that is new to me. However, author John Clemente painstakingly looked at the top girl groups and not only gives a narrative history, but a listing of group members over the various years and an exhaustive discography. Fun to read, fab pictures, and, if you're into collectibles, a good reference book, too.

Yes, this was a welcomed book, with the rare photos of obscure and not-so-obscure groups, the interviews with the players, the histories of the groups, and the discographies.

But. I want more. I want better. I want authoritative. And this just ain't that. Unfortunately, given the subject matter, there aren't going to be all that many chances to get what I want unless and until I write it myself. (The last, and first, book to cover this subject matter was "Girl Groups: The Story Of A Sound" back in the mid-1980s.)

Since the publication of Clemente's book, the online girl-group community has lifted him to near-godhead status, and I've heard not a peep of criticism: when you're starving, anything's better than nothing. But I think the book has obvious problems and these should be pointed out.

Despite Clemente's good intentions and obvious love for his subject matter, his writing is mundane, repetitive and often irritating. (Is there an editor in the house??) Worse is his lack of perspective/criticism: every girl group or female singer is just fa-a-abulous, so we don't get much insight into musical quality -- just a not very well-written cheerleader's surface story of when, who and how. Very little about the output --the "what", except, of course, that it's fa-a-abulous. Later I found, through a chat-list Clemente was on, that this may have been a quid pro quo for the interviews: he revealed in one post that he wasn't really much of a fan of, or that knowledgeable about, at least one of the groups' music, that of Reparata & the Delrons, but you wouldn't know it from their section in the book. For me, this cast doubt on the honesty of the whole project.

I've found several omissions in his discographies which could easily have been rectified with a quick check of other, reliable sources. Some of the histories are incomplete: While his piece on the Angels is in-depth and informative as far as it goes, their later-60's, early-70's story is truncated (and there is a story there still waiting to be told). ...And WHO designed that ugly cover?!

It's frustrating that books on this topic are so rare that an inferior book such as this one becomes a Bible.

Again I can not believe I read a romance novel, but I picked this book up for 50 cents and thought I would give it a try. The plot was very simple but kept you engaged with a story line that would reach out and grab your heart when you least expected.

Reich takes you from a sibling suicide and the dark reasons that led up to the suicide to the outer reaches of a youthful friendship that entwined in the chaos that lead up to the unfortunate suicide.

The twists and turns that hit you make one love the ending of this book, but I would never tell my male friends. I could not believe a friend could fall in love with your step-father and what is worse, he almost raped you years earlier. I may have spoiled the best part of the book, but I hope I leave you wanting to know more and will enjoy this book, especially if you can pick it up for a bargain price.

Guys, it is okay to read this because there are a few glimpses into what a young woman really enjoys in sex, yet it will leave you wanting more details into this unknown realm of the female mind.

In a nutshell I would recommend this book that is easy to read and leaves you with a good feeling about the strength of friendships and what they can endure.

My best friend gave me this book as a gift and it was amazing! I loved this book and never wanted it to end. If you're looking for a great read, you've found it with this book! Lindsay Faith Rech does an excellent job... there's never a dull moment!!

Wow! This is not the typical chick lit fare! I could not put this one down and ending up reading and finishing it late in the night. This novel has a depth and sensitivity toward the characters that was totally unexpected. I was thinking this would be a nice light Red Dress Ink read, but it totally surprised me! I really cared for and ached with the characters. I felt their struggles, their vulnerabilities. Previously I had enjoyed Rech's first novel, Losing It much more than average chick lit, but this book surpassed even her first one. I will certainly pick up any of Rech's future books! Thanks for providing chick lit that has real substance and heart!!

Although I don't mean "joyride" in that it was literally a joyous book. It definitely had darker moments - much darker. This is *not* your ordinary "chick-lit" fiction. The storyline was engrossing though. Reading about Stella and Emily's friendship and how it evolved over the years from being barely teenagers to almost 30 year olds will make most women relive days with their own "best friend" and what kept them together over the years and what might have torn them apart. These two girls/women were closer than sisters - felt almost like sisters for most of their lives. As you read about all they have weathered together you wonder what could possibly be so terrible as to rip apart an almost life-long friendship. And you wonder whether or not this "thing" that is happening (it is kept a secret til almost the end) is going to be the death of it. There is a resolution, but you will have to read the book to see.
I highly recommend this book - it was a wonderful story. The dark side of it made it all the better.

In the first chapter Rech gets you with a premise that makes you want to keep reading - why is Stella flying to see Emily in Europe. From then on the story goes back and forth from the past to the present, with lots of melodrama in between. A gang rape, suicide, mentally ill parent,this isn't for someone looking for a laugh. I usually prefer books with a little humor and wit, and characters with a little more sarcasm, but this story was worth reading. Although at times I just wished the author would stay in the present instead of dipping back into the past, and some of the melodrama (especially the father) I didn't think was necessary, I enjoyed this book. It's a little on the serious side for chick lit, but a good read none the less.

When Rowtina Washington's husband, Turtle, is killed in car accident she must learn to move on with her life without him. However, she finds it difficult to move on when her husbands spirit begins to come to her. With no one to turn, including a mother that is overly critical, she decides to join the Leave Him and Live Sisterhood club. Each of these women will play an important part of helping Rowtina to move on while helping themselves with their own personal dram.

One Foot In Love is a novel about not letting your fears get in the way of living your life. Bill Wright takes you on a journey into the lives of a group of women trying to better themselves. This novel has a good combination of humor mixed with serious topics.

I'm privileged to know Bil, so I can't claim 100% objectivity in reading his books. This being said, One Foot in Love was as wonderful as his first novel, Sunday You Learn How to Box. The characters are very real and Wright empowers them to earn the reader's respect. Wright's seductive style grabs you gently by the ear before embracing you in a full bear hug. I can't wait for his next book.

The clarity and authenticity in which Wright defines a female voice is particularly impressive. He has done so here with such command and dimension that it will appeal to a broad audience. I don't envy Bil for having to follow such fine successes as his first two novels. But I encourage him to move swiftly as I'm already anxious for his next book.

"One Foot In Love" is a gripping novel with a heartfelt story and a deep message. Bil Wright has mastered the art of ending one chapter leaving you desperate to read the next. I couldn't put it down until I finished the last page. The characters in the story are real women faced with real problems that are not glossed over. The main character Rowtina loses her husband Turtle, deals with her cold and detached mother, joins a club of supportive but wacky women, and starts a tenuous romance. Bil Wright is not afraid to present a true picture of love, loss and grief. He allows us to ride on the emotional roller coaster of Rowtina's life rather then watching her from afar. The author's sensitivity to the inner life of women is clear as the members of The Leave Him and Live Sisterhood band together, helping one another get beyond their obstacles. As a woman, I was particularly impressed by a male writer's ability to capture the feminine soul. In the end, "One Foot in Love" reminded me that true love transcends death and loss - and inspires us to let go and live.

Rowtina Washington is shocked, devastated, saddened and appears to be depressed, at the death of her husband Terrance "Turtle" Washington. Rowtina, an emergency room nurse, and Turtle, a UPS driver, had a close and happy marriage to the point that Turtle was Rowtina's world. Her only associates are her co-workers and her mother. Even with prodding from Turtle, Rowtina never did step outside the marriage to form other bonds. Fate steps in and Rowtina is introduced to two members of the Leave Him and Live Sisterhood. As the name implies, the sisterhood is not made up of a group of women who have lost spouses, but unites women who need a release, a friendly shoulder and an ear. Regardless of the problem, the Leave Him and Live Sisterhood is there to lend a hand, not by counseling but by presence.

The sisterhood consists of the motherly Osceola, the free spirited lesbian Nelda, the physically abused Lucy and the "please marry me" Egyptia. Each woman brings to the group her own eclectic brand of personality and humor challenging Rowtina to let go and live. Added to this mix is Rowtina's domineering mother, Sylvia Mention. The story sets itself apart from others with multifarious characters, the visiting ghost of Turtle and Rowtina's dreams and musings. To further complicate matters, Rowtina moves from Harlem to Greenwich Village, where she meets Picasso Alegria, a local Mexican salon owner, and her entire world is turned upside down. However, the sisterhood is there to instill faith, confidence and encouragement.

ONE FOOT IN LOVE will appeal to the masses because the theme is universal. How do you handle the death of a loved one; how do you relinquish it and move on? The writing is excellent simply because of the characters clever, witty and sarcastic remarks that will make you laugh out loud! How the author, as a man,
was able to grasp the personalities and behaviors of the female characters' and showcase it with credibility, I will never know but I certainly enjoyed it. Bil Wright has penned a very humorous, multidimensional and often times sad account of love lost and friendship found.

Reviewed by Dawn R. Reeves
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

Bil Wright very skillfully writes with the female voice in his novel, One Foot In Love. He tells the story of Rowtina Washington's transformation after the sudden death of her husband and how she bonds with the ladies in the Leave Him and Live Sisterhood. Each woman in the sisterhood has her own story and demons, which bonded and empowered this diverse group of women.

Rowtina Washington found herself alone after the sudden demise of her husband, Turtle. She had no direction and no focus other than to go to work, church and home. In her loneliness, she experiences nighttime visits from Turtle. He is trying to tell her something, but she can not figure out what it is. Soon after Turtle's death, Rowtina is invited to join a group by Nelda Battey at the hospital where she works. This support group, the Leave Him and Live club becomes an intricate part of Rowtina's life. She shares her secret about Turtle's visit with the women, but they do not know his motives either. There is something about Turtle's visit that indicates it is time for her to move on. Rowtina takes a large step and moves out of Harlem where she was born and raised to the Village, much to her mother's chagrin. In the Village, Rowtina meets Picasso Alegria, a Mexican hairdresser. He recommends she wear her hair naturally and offers to be her hairdresser. Picasso wants more from Rowtina than to be her stylist, Rowtina becomes quite smitten with him and almost consents to a relationship but there are several obstacles that stand in the way.

Wright pens a coming into ones self story. Rowtina makes great changes in her life, astonishing everyone, including herself. For this book to be written by a male author, he does an excellent job of getting into the women's psyche. The other women in the group have their own battles; Lucy in trying to get out of an abusive situation, Nelda`s sexual preference is suspect, Egyptia loves being married and is getting married again and Osceola lost her daughter to cancer. They have their ups and downs and make strides to better their lives. I have not read Wright's first book, Sunday You Learn How To Box, but I plan to pick it up one day. Meanwhile, I highly recommend this book.

(...)

This story was so great...I just couldn't put the book down. The characters just pop off the pages and you feel like you've known them forever. I've passed the book on to my mom who is loving it as much as I did.

what a great gentle read about a dysfunctional family.
usually gentle reads=BORING ... not this one, it is very sweet

Raising Hope is the ultimate depiction of four women finding the balance between loving others and staying true to themselves. Ruth Teller, a tough-talking woman, faces life head on. Sara Lynn has sacrificed everything, including her first love, in order to meet others' expectations. Aimee Hoffman has devoted her entire life to raising the child she never thought she'd have, and Sara Lynn has been perfect. Almost. Unusual family dynamics complicate Hope Teller's typical teenage concerns about puberty, friendships, and the future. Raising Hope is an exquisite garden, the beauty of which brought tears to my eyes. A long time has passed since any author has delved so lovingly into the female psyche, and Ms. Willard has made the wait worthwhile. This novel is a must read!

Read the rest of my review at (...).

Hope was orphaned as a baby when her mother died in childbirth and her father abandoned her to live with his sister Ruth and first love Sara Lynn. Ruth and Sara Lynn are complete opposites that are bonded by their love for Hope. Twelve-year-old Hope has developed into a wonderful young woman whose curiosity about her father and his abandonment has left her with self esteem issues.

Sara Lynn comes from a well-to-do family while Ruth is more of the "wrong side of the tracks" type. When they are given Hope to rise together it's a change of lifestyle that has brought them together and changed their lives.

Both women have been making sacrifices their whole lives to try and do what is best for Hope. Putting off relationships of their own, fearing the effects on their lives raising Hope.

Raising Hope shows the give and take struggle of relationships and the beautiful bonds formed between these women throughout the generations. The story shifts from woman to woman, past to present and shines a light on the struggles these woman have faced throughout the years.

Katie Willard tells a beautiful story touching on motherhood, friendship and coming of age. Each chapter is written from a different character point of view giving insight into their individual lives and how they all tie together.

First, the good. What is it about being twelve years old that makes most women remember it so vividly? The emotional turmoil, the feelings of isolation, the perception of one's self as spearate and imperfect. Willard captures that beautifully in the character Hope, who is, in my opinion, the only authentic character in the book. The author reveals her true talent here, as she gets into the mind and motivations of a young person in a way that few have managed (Virginia Woolf and Judy Blume come to mind, even though they represent different ends of the literary spectrum).

But otherwise I found myself wanting more authenticity as I read. Ruth is the heart and soul of the book, and is very likable, but I have a hard time believing that anyone who uses the expressions as my grandmother wore black concert T-shirts in high school back in the early 80's. Aimee is too superficial to be believed, and Sara Lynn is too underdeveloped. I suspect that is because she is based on the author, and while Willard knows her own quirks and motivations, she doesn't let us in on them, so I was often perplexed by Sara Lynn.

I was rather shocked by the level of class-unconsciousness displayed here. The story line is so implausable, and many of the inconvenient details are ignored. Who pays Ruth's health insurance, for example. And how exactly does Ruth contribute to the household expenses? And what, really, goes through the mind of a single-mom diner waitress who finds herself pregnant? But of course, Ruth is not really a single mom, when she lives in a mansion and has a multigenerational support network of rich ladies. Perhaps that is the Southern feel of the book that so many have referred to, the romantic idea that the "family retainer" is really part of the family, raisin' the chilluns and fryin' the chicken. In New Hampshire she's a piece of white trash with a skinny rear end and a mouth like a sewer, but the fine society ladies take care of her needs as long as she cleans the toilettes.

I'd have liked more details about the arrangement, but instead I got pages and pages of Cartier watches and Kate Spade bags and other status symbols peppered throughout, so that the affluent can recognize eachother and exclude the rest of us. That part of it reminded me of Naomi Wolf, and I do not mean that as a complement.

Willard clearly has talent, and I hope that she channels it in the right direction. She does adolescent girls extremely well, and I DO mean that as a complement. If she continues to write about characters like Hope, or she permits a little more self revelation for characters like Sara Lynn, or if she just gets a little more realistic view of the Ruths of the world, she'll produce something wonderful.

I love love love this book. For anyone who has had dreadful experiences with a roommate will truly appreciate this book. I was laughing so hard at times I had to put the book down. It's a fun easy read and I read it in a day. Whitney Lyles does a good job of intwining story lines and building the anticipation of what is going to happen next. Great book for all those who love a good chick lit novel!!

Honestly, I got this book because I thought it had a cute cover and the story on the back seemed interesting. I read the book over the course of 3 days. The characters were believable and the story was a fun read. I highly recommend it! I will be reading her other books now, as well!

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. I read this book in one day. It was a fun read. There were many parts that made me laugh out loud. I even stopped to tell some funny parts to my husband. I could relate to the roommate issues from my college days.

I have already ordered "Always the Bridesmaid" for more fun and enjoyment.

Whitney Lyles has done it again. Love how she weaves her stories with clever language that gives me vivid pictures of the action. This is a fun read.

Mystery novelist Elise is ready to relocate back to her hometown. The only problem is she will have to do what she has not done since college - get a roommate. And not many people want to make room for her dog Bella. Foolishly laying her trust with her brother, she lets him find her a roommate. What he finds for her is Justine - a neat freak with a freeloading musician boyfriend who lives in a pretty rough neighborhood. The only good thing about living with Justine is her association with guitar store owner and former musician, Max.

When the living situation gets out of control, Elise is forced to find another roommate, and is introduced to two sisters who live on the beach. First impressions should have told her something, as the two argue constantly and have never used a dish they intended to clean. While avoiding mom's set ups, helping her pal find romance, and babysitting her rambunctious nephew Jeffrey, romance finally blossoms for Elise and Max. Now if she can just learn to lock her phone before tossing it in her purse...

Lyles sophomore effort is a story that just about everyone who has had a roommate can relate to. She handles it with lots of humor and believability and an appealing cast of characters.

Joyce Carol Oates can do anything in literary terms. Her productivity is legion. Her presentation in this book is arch, knowing. The heroine, Monica, is self-conscious. This is a story about a succubus. It is claustrophobic by intention.

Monica has a cul-de-sac in her life. Sheila Trask, an artist, is a neighbor in Glenkill. To teach at a private boys school is perceived as a downward trend for Monica Jensen, a golden girl. In October Sheila Trask pays a visit. The two women commence to see each other. They have intense conversations. Sheila had been married to an older man, another high-flying artist. She has mercurial moods. Everyone at the school knows of Monica's friendship with Sheila.

Sheila feels that Monica is being exploited by the academy. When Sheila goes away, Monica's life fills up with other people. Later on Monica becomes a sort of household manager for Sheila as the artist readies her pieces for a show.

The author's exposition of the nature of friendship is focused, anguished, and satisfactory.

I stopped reading this book after 20 pages or so because I felt nothing for the characters (the two women). I returned to it after a week of bad reading (gratefully) and became hooked. I came to feel attached to Sheila and Monica, but only to a point, a very frustrating point. The author was giving me descriptions of the women's relationship instead of a direct view.

As for feeling mystified -- just a general feeling of not always knowing what in the world she was talking about. A jumble of descriptions and references on the page, and a big question mark in my head! The descriptions and references were usually psychological in nature, which is what drew me in and kept me going.

The book is weird and complex (as another reader aptly put it), in a relationship way, and will likely hold your interest if that's what you're after.

This book was about an abusive relatiosnhip. This abusive friendship did not have enough boundaries and nothing was clear. They never had sex however they become angry if the other one does with someone else. The jealousies, possessiveness and obsessions continue into a downward spiral with an incomplete ending. I think many people have met people like both of the characters and can relate. Sheila is someone I would stay far away from an emotional leach. Monica is begging to be abused and manipulated.

I first read this book in 1986 and have read it twice more since then. Joyce Carol Oates is the first contemporary American author I remember impressing me enough to linger with me long after I'd read her work. "Solstice," like other works by Joyce Carol Oates, does not paint a pretty picture. Great fiction is often about complex, sad, scary, bitter relationships. Happy relationships are better left to the Harlequins of this world. Sometimes when you're in a weird, complex mood you want weird, complex reading...catharsis and all that...

"Solstice" lingers like someone's presence after she's left the room. If you look at some reviews written about this book, there is mention of everything from stormy psyches to lesbian subtext. Whatever the motivation behind Monica and Sheila's relationship, fascination and even some kind of subtle hatred works into it. Monica is transfixed by Sheila and Sheila seems to need Monica as some kind of dumping ground. They'd probably just as soon want to walk away from each other with a clean break, but they can't. As Shelia says, "we'll be for friends for a long, long time...unless one of us dies." Probably a normal thing to say, but still sort of creepy.

They behave more like people in love than friends; what they have is not exactly chemistry, but it has drawing power. I always thought this novel was more about hatred than love, but sometimes hatred is love in confusion.

This is an intriguing look at an almost obsessive friendship between two women. It's also an interesting commentary on academia, the art world. Contemporary issues such as class and rape are also explored. However, it was the story of the chilling relationship between the two women that hooked me and wouldn't let me put the book down. I think that this book can be read on many levels. I enjoyed reading it for pleasure, but it is dense enough for all kinds of literary analysis.