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

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

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

I’ve got a copy of her Kid’s Walk DVD to giveaway today. Here’s a clip:

If you’d like to win, leave a comment on this post by Wednesday, July 15th. I’ll choose a winner at random and announce the lucky person the next day.

Image: Leslie Sansone

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Giveaway: Kid’s Walk

That’s why I know you’re going to love this giveaway. It’s a copy of Momisms: What She Says and What She Really Means. Here’s a description from Amazon:

“Is that what you’re going to wear?” Used indiscriminately for sons, daughters, and husbands, this one is a not-so-subtle attempt to make family members rethink their wardrobe choice.” Deciphering the clandestine conspiratorial language that all moms know and use to full effect, Cathy Hamilton translates more than 100 enigmatic maternal utterances to convey the difference between what Mom says and what she means.

If you’d like to win a copy of this book (which in my opinion makes a fun little gift) leave a comment on this post by Tuesday, July 7th. I’ll choose a winner at random and announce them the next day.

Image: Amazon

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Giveaway: Momisms

To enter, leave a message on this post. I’ll choose a winner at random by Monday, July 6th. I’ll choose a winner at random and announce the lucky guy or gal the next day.

Image: Amazon.com

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Win the Elements of Style

Teen Walk features a diverse young cast of teens just like you! The up-beat and popular music will have you Getting Your Walk On in no time! The uncomplicated moves make it possible for anyone to participate in this highly effective routine.

Teen Walk will help you lose weight and tone your muscles while having tons of fun! Teen Walk consists of an energizing 1 mile or 2 mile walk PLUS a “muscle boosting” firming segment that uses the Firm Band.

If you’d like to win, leave a comment on this post by Thursday, May 28th. I’ll choose a winner at random and announce them the next day.

Image: Leslie Sansone

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Win a Teen Walk Video