bibliotherapy
by rantywoman
I’ve never been to a therapist but believe there is much insight and solace to be found in books.
Chick lit has, of course, exploded over the last decade, reflecting the massive confusion in women’s lives. Much of it is not very good though. During my thirties, these books (nonfiction and fiction) helped me the best in coping with being single and childless:
The Late Bloomer’s Revolution–Amy Cohen
Marrying Anita: A Quest for Love in the New India– Anita Jain
All Over the Map– Laura Fraser
Single State of the Union– Diana Mapes– particularly the essay An Open Letter to Mom, Deana, Mary, and the Folks at Work
Three Wishes: A True Story of Good Friends, Crushing Heartbreak, and Astonishing Luck on Our Way to Love and Motherhood– Goldberg, Jones, and Ferdinand
In Her Own Sweet Time: One Woman’s Unexpected Adventures in Finding Love, Commitment, and Motherhood– Rachel Lehmann- Haupt
I Loved, I Lost, I Made Spaghetti– Giulia Melucci
Lonely: A Memoir– Emily White
Can’t Think Straight: A Memoir of Mixed-Up Love– Kiri Blakely
How to Be Single: A Novel– Liz Tuccillo
Accidentally on Purpose: A One-Night Stand, My Unplanned Parenthood, and Loving the Best Mistake I Ever Made– Mary Pols
The Quality of Life Report– Meghan Daum
Girl Walks Into A Bar: A Memoir–Strawberry Saroyan
The Curse of the Singles Table: A True Story of 1001 Nights Without Sex– Suzanne Schlosberg
The Leopard Hat: A Daughter’s Story– Valerie Steiker
Making Love: A Romance–Lucretia Stewart
The Pig and I: How I Learned to Love Men Almost as Much as I Love My Pets–Rachel Toor
But Enough About Me–Jancee Dunn
Lying Together: My Russian Affair– Jennifer Beth Cohen
The Cigarette Girl: A Novel– Carol Wolper
Now You See Her: A Novel– Whitney Otto
Desperate Women Need to Talk to You– Joan Frank
Venus After Forty– Rita Ransohoff
In addition to this list of books, I recommend a DVD series called “Flying: Confessions of a Free Woman” by Jennifer Fox
thebitterbabe 
A booklist as long as your arm, written by women for women, exploring and dissecting the nature of singledom/intimate relationships/life experiences of women ad nauseum does not necessarily a happy bunny make. It might prove sufficient in informing relationships/friendships between women, but will offer virtually nothing in informing those between women and men.
Perhaps, just perhaps, finding out about men, from men, might at least provide deeper understandings on which more substantial relationships, intimate or otherwise, can develop, should that be something of interest or desire.
I certainly have some of those too… in fact a good one I would recommend is “Year of the Cock” by AlanWeider (yes, it’s actually a good read).
Thanks for writing this list. I must read “All Over The Map” because I may get insight from it – in the book’s description it says that the author’s passion for travel has jeopardized potential relationships which is exactly what I am experiencing right now. Thanks for this – it should help me!
I highly recommend that one– it’s very well-written.
I don’t know about that J. I have some dating books written by women for women (women are the biggest market for these books) and they helped me a lot. Not all dating books are helpful I give you that but some are very insightful. I also have a book written by a man about dating that was one of the most helpful. I think it was called “Men are Like Fish”.
Thanks for the recommended reading list. I’ve linked to it on my webiste. I’d love to work with you in taking your reading process to the next level in my own version of bibliotherapy. Check out my site and contact me if you’re interested.
Bitters are good for hangovers with soda, but not very satisfying as a way of life.
Loren
Thanks for commenting… I’ll check out your site–I’m intrigued.
Just started a series on nomos in books on my own blog: http://barronessbarren.blogspot.com. Caitlin Moran last week, Jonathan Franzen next.
Cool! I will check it out.