Marla Paul

I saw this title reviewed in Library Journal and it piqued my interest. I'm often wondering if I don't have enough local friends and about the conflict between my needs for contact and solitude. It's an easy and comforting read, chock full of anecdotes and validation. It's a relatively short book so the scope is a little narrow, focusing on friendships between women only and it barely touched upon the difficulties of financial disparities between friends - even though a lot of her anecdotal women go shopping together... But the tone is friendly and there are useful ideas in it. The funny thing is, during the time I was reading it on my commute, I've been working on a couple new friendships and come into contact with some old friends. (June 29, 2005)… (more)

Probably very helpful if you sincerely want friends and need the guidance. I was so energized after reading it (in just one evening!) that I had trouble sleeping. Then I woke up, and realized that I truly am a loner, and though I value you, my online friends, I don't want more social interaction than I get here.

No matter what the 'experts' say about healthy networks, I don't need ppl to show up with casseroles if I'm sick, or ppl to complain about my husband to, or ppl to shop with. Never have. Right now I don't even have anything to sort out in a journal. I'm content on my own, tyvm.

(I am a homemaker for husband and two nearly grown sons. They, too, are self-sufficient... but I do make sure we have at least 5 family dinners/ week to make sure we don't become too isolated. Just saying, so you don't get concerned. ;)… (more)