In her book Toxic Friends, Susan Shapiro Barash seeks to answer that question. She starts by identifying ten different types of female friends. In addition, she provides some detail on her website as to how she did research, why she decided to write the book, and even offers a quiz that will help women determine what kind of friend they are.

Barash has also written ten other books and teaches gender studies at Marymount Manhattan College. In other words, she knows the subject area very well.
I read this book with interest. I definitely saw myself in some of the descriptions, as well as the types of friendships she describes. I think women may be able to benefit from reading these descriptions as it will help you identify which of your friends are the strongest and which may actually be negative for you.

If I had one criticism for the book, it’s that I didn’t feel that it gave me the go-ahead to change my friendships. Sure, it helped me identify them easier, but that’s also because I have taken the time to get to know my women friends. I had already identified what type of friends I have by spending the time to get to know them. I wouldn’t simply want to label people without doing this important step. For those women who are clueless as to why her friends act the way they do, this book may well be of help.

I also think this is an issue that happens more in younger women than in those (like myself) who are a bit older and have been through the ups and downs of friendship. I know I have some women in my life in which I give more to our friendship than they do. I know not every friendship is created equal. I am always searching for mature friendships, and spend the most time on those when I find them.

But for other women who feel they need some guidance in this area, Toxic Friends may be your answer. And guess what? I’m giving a copy away to one lucky Blisstree reader. If you’d like to enter to win, just leave a comment on this post about friendship. The comment can be anything. It can be a statement, a quote, a few words… whatever. There are no right or wrong answers.

Leave your comment by Sunday, November 22nd. I’ll choose a winner at random and announce the lucky person the next day. Good luck!

Disclosure: A copy of Toxic Friends was provided to the blogger by Meryl L. Moss Media Relations, Inc. The same copy is being given away in this contest.

Image: Susan Shapiro Barash

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Giveaway and Review: Toxic Friends

For those that have read “self help” books before, you’ll find more of the same motivating speech in this book. Where the book differs, however, is in a 4-step approach to conquering doubt. They take you through a series of steps (Label It, Question It, Rethink It, and Take Action.) While we sometimes know what it is we need to improve on, sometimes we cannot pinpoint it enough to change our actions. This is where Think Confident, Be Confident will help. Even people that have an idea about areas of their life they need to work on will benefit from thinking about it in a rational, calm manner and putting it down on paper.

There is nothing entirely new in these words. However, I think the way the authors have gone about presenting this information is a positive thing and I do believe this book can help improve self-esteem and doubt. I got a lot out of it and I think anyone that wants to improve their self-esteem will benefit from this book.

Here’s the best part, folks. I’ve got a brand spanking new copy of Think Confident, Be Confident to give away to one lucky reader. To enter to win, please leave a comment on this post by Wednesday, November 18th. I’ll choose a winner at random and announce the lucky guy or gal the next day. U.S. and Canada entries only please.

Image: Amazon

Disclosure: An uncorrected galley proof of Think Confident, Be Confident was provided by Meryl L. Moss Media Relations for the purpose of review.

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Giveaway: Think Confident, Be Confident

Think about how many times in a day we need to get someone’s attention. We often start off talking about the wrong things, instead of the things that matter to this person. This would be a great book for salespeople, but I also found it of help when it came to promoting myself as an author or even talking to my husband. Communication lessons can be found just about anywhere, and So What? does a good job of showing you “how to cut to the chase.”

I’m giving away a copy of this book, so if you’d like to win, please leave a comment on this post by Tuesday, September 29th. I’ll choose a winner at random and announce them the next day.

Image: FT press

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Review & Giveaway: So What?

For any woman that has felt a little empty (regardless if its dating related or simply in everyday life), I encourage you to read this wonderful book by Lauren Mackler called Solemate. I was riveted because it is not only beautifully written but gives excellent advice as well. The subtitle of this book “Master the Art of Aloneness & Transform Your Life” may make you believe that the book encourages women to be alone all the time. But what the book really does is makes women become so comfortable in their own skin that they attractive the very best types of relationships to them.

I’m giving away a copy of this awesome book to one lucky reader. If you’d like to win, leave a comment on this post by Tuesday, September 29th. I’ll choose one lucky lady at random and announce her the next day!

Image: Lauren Mackler

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Review & Giveaway: Solemate

Dr. Levinson, author of Smart But Feeling Dumb, describes dyslexia in terms anyone can understand. He’s been studying dyslexia since the 1990s and brings every bit of his knowledge to this book. It’s a wonderful resource for any family touched by dyslexia.

Want to win? Leave a comment on this post by Tuesday, September 29th. I’ll choose a winner at random and announce the lucky guy or girl the next day.

Image: Dr. Levinson

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Review & Giveaway: Smart But Feeling Dumb

Made from only 100% USDA NOP certified organic Fuji apples, free from added preservatives, harmful pesticides and chemicals, Yogavive™ Apple Chips are popped after baking, giving them a light, airy yet crunchy texture, while still maintaining the nutrients and flavors of fresh fruit.

Yogavive™ Apple Chips are peanut/nut-free and certified organic by EcoCert, certified Vegan, Gluten-Free, Kosher and Halal, making them perfect for anyone with dietary restrictions. They are available in five natural flavors – Original, Caramel, Apple Cinnamon, Peach and Strawberry. Proving that snacking can be good for both your body and the environment, Yogavive™ globally sources their fruit from farms that use as little mechanization as possible, ensuring a year-round supply of fruit, while providing employment and reducing the required energy inputs to make each fruit snack. This is fruit – done better.

We are giving away a year’s supply (6 Boxes a Month, Will be shipped out the first week of every month from 10/09-09/10) of Yogavive™ Apple Chips to one lucky winner.

To end the contest, simply leave a comment on this post by Tuesday, September 29th. I’ll choose a winner at random and announce the lucky guy or girl the next day.

Image: Yogavive™ Apple Chips

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Giveaway: Yogavive Apple Chips

Jes Gordon is a designer and party planner who has wowed everyone from Madonna, Jennifer Lopez, Liv Tyler and Sarah Jessica Parker to Martha Stewart, Vera Wang and Barbara Streisand, with her fabulous fêtes and stunning soirees.

Party Like a Rock Star: A Celebrity Party Planner’s Tips and Tricks for Throwing an Unforgettable Bash is a fun, user-friendly step-by-step guide for throwing a memorable soiree It provides a timeline of basic party planning elements from start (concept and budget) to finish (clean-up and post-party depression). With Party Like A Rock Star, everyone, regardless of their budget, will be able to throw the party of their dreams.

If you’d like to win, leave a comment on this post by Tuesday, September 29th. I’ll choose a winner at random and announce the lucky guy or gal the next day.

Image: Jes Gordon

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Giveaway: Party Like a Rock Star

Bachrach’s account of her childhood with a bipolar mother has a freshness and loopy humor as she describes Lola, her red-haired mom who believed that proper connection with the Fibonacci numerical sequence would lead to God. Equally palpable are Bachrach’s memories of her and her siblings’ confusion during torrential emotional scenes, which were sometimes followed by openly, wildly sexual reconciliations between her parents. Hypersexual Lola’s medical history includes the usual 1950s shock treatments, so that “whole chunks of Lola were scorched earth.”

Returning to Providence when a boating accident kills Dad and renders Mom comatose, the three adult siblings gather at Mort’s surreally funny funeral, and at Lola’s bedside, where the patient’s “serenity makes her unrecognizable, as though someone pressed the mute button on her personality.” What follows Lola’s “rising from metaphorical ashes” as Bachrach cares for her recovering mom are funny-sad revelations of family secrets and identities, well-placed flashbacks, and a scary chronicle of Lola’s subsequent breakdown. All is infused with humanizing pathos, and readers may well tear through this compelling read in a single sitting. –Whitney Scott

To win, leave a comment on this post by Monday, August 24th. I’ll choose a winner at random and announce the guy or gal the following day.

Image: Amazon

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Giveaway: Center of the Universe

Here’s a description from Amazon:

You know who they are. They’re the people who, regardless of money, education, looks, or personality, make an impression wherever they go. They are master communicators, and everyone enjoys talking to them. How to Develop Great People Skills shows you how to be one of those lucky few.

Communication guru Leil Lowndes arms you with ninety-six all-new, cutting edge, research-based communications techniques for success in life, love, and business. You will smash the invisible glass ceiling that keeps many people down both personally and professionally. Your new weapon is a neurologically and psychologically sound concept called “Emotional Prediction,” or E.P. Leil Lowndes explains the power of EP and shows you how to harness it through deceptively simple methods to reach greater success in all of your relationships.

Interested in winning? Leave a comment on this post by Sunday, August 23rd. I’ll choose a winner at random and announce the lucky guy or gal the next day.

Image: Amazon

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Giveaway: Connect With Anyone

I’m giving away a copy of The Panic Years, so if you’d like to win, please leave a comment on this post by Wednesday, July 22nd. I’ll choose a winner at random and announce the lucky girl the next day. (Not that guys aren’t welcome to enter this contest, but I have a sneaking suspicion that women will want this book more!)

Image: Amazon.com

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Giveaway: The Panic Years