Rating: 
Summary: Getting over Mr. Wrong
Review: "By now you're wondering what makes me such an expert. Well, let's just say that if this book were called HOW TO MAKE YOUR RELATIONSHIPS LAST, it would have to be plagiarized; the average magazine subscription lasts twice as long as most of my relationships. Getting over guys - *that's* where I'm experienced. I've dated them all...Many of my ex-boyfriends, in fact, could star in my private version of SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARFS, with the dwarfs being Dopey, Jerky, Crappy, Sleazy, Sneaky, Woeful, and Cheap."
- from the introduction
If you're looking for a book to help you with a detailed procedure for heavyweight matters, such as negotiating child custody, dealing with ex-in-laws and mutual friends, selling a jointly-owned house when you're not speaking, or dealing with general financial tangles - this book isn't for that. (See above; the author hasn't had those kinds of relationships. She did collect lots of juicy stories from others to add to her own, though.)
*This* author addresses a lot of little things instead, such as:
- Movies, music, and books to seek out to feel better (and others to avoid like the plague)
- Tricks to keep from making a fool of yourself in front of the ex
- Self-help books (Not unless you want to waste a lot of time being convinced that you're codependent/depressive/psychotic/etc.)
- Dealing with stuff (expensive gifts, loaned items, etc.) (As the author points out, it took her a lot longer to get over the loss of her air conditioner than it did to get over the Ex who refused to give it back.)
- Dealing with stuff that reminds you of the Ex (letters, photographs, souvenirs)
- "Why can't we be friends?" (Lots of reasons, since you ask. One game you can play after reading this section: classifying Exs who tried this tactic as Egotist/Emotional Cripple/Martyr/Saint/Wimp, or combinations of same)
- rebound dates (who'll make you appreciate staying home with grandma)
- when they come crawling back into your life, just when you're finally over them
I think it's a lot easier for many people to get angry about all the little things than about the stuff that *really* hurt (I think the pop psych term for that is "displacement activity"), so a lot of time and energy can get wasted on nonsense. How many people's buttons can be pushed *instantly* to tell the tale of how the Ex walked off with their favourite DVDs (fill in the blank here) whenever they see a copy of some particular movie? (And I'm thinking of one of my *male* acquaintances here. While the book is written for a female audience coping with lousy ex-boyfriends, some ex qualities appear to transcend gender.)
If you've just gone through a breakup, you could probably use a good laugh. This is good for that. For one thing, you (I hope) can feel relieved that at least *your* ex didn't pull some of the stuff the real bozos mentioned in this book did:
- cleaning out your checking account (you'd miss your credit rating more than you'd miss him)
- standing you up on Valentine's Day without even a card
- two words: cubic zirconia
She's even got some real exorcism rituals to take your mind off things, and some fair-to-middling advice on pulling yourself together - but if that's not your thing, you can always go for her Yoo-Hoo diet plan instead.
Rating:
Summary: Very Clever If You Can Handle It
Review: I bought this book when my wound from being dumped was still very fresh and bleeding. If you've had quite a few boyfriends and this break-up hasn't put you in shock, then you will find this clever book humorous and helpful. If you've been painfully dumped or lost the man of your dreams, I'd read another book for right now. I'm so glad women write inspiring books for other women. I wish all women who are in relationship problems and break-ups plenty of sunshine.
Rating: 
Summary: A laugh on every page
Review: I can't count how many times I found myself guffawing hysterically. Really funny, and some good advice in between the jokes. I would have enjoyed reading this even if my little heart hadn't been broken recently.
Rating: 
Summary: If you're hurting, don't go near this shallow book
Review: I have just had one of the strangest most "un-closed" relationship breakups in my life. There was no closure and it was all a "Maybe in the future" thing. We all know that you can't sit and wait - that's just not healthy.So i had to sit and think instead. This book kinda jumped out at me at my local waldenbooks (I never book browse, I kinda just read stuff by the same author, so this is different for me). I read the book in a matter of 3 days and I feel like it was written with my situation (as abnormal as it is) in mind. The parts of the book describing the several emotions and outlooks and the breakdown of the stages of a breakup hit it all on the nose. Elizabeth Kuster has an AMAZING flair for writing and the fact that she takes a humorous approach to a very upsetting life inevitability shows her brave and revolutionary outlook on a woman's heart. And the part about searching through the horoscopes and tarot and all that to figure out the future during a certain stage in a breakup? She could never be more correct than that. Needless to say, this book has pretty much helped me in the fight to get over my ex (it's been a month and i'm doing better!) Four thousand cheers to Ms. Kuster - an extraordinary writer!
Rating:
Summary: The Post-Break-Up Bible for Women
Review: I read this book after about 6 months after I had been dumped. Do I wish I had had it right away. Elizabeth Kuster brings humor and sincerity to women on dealing with their exes...she is a mastermind. I suggest this book to any women who is still having post-break-up heartache.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful!!! There should be more authors like Elizabeth!!
Review: I read this book over and over..every single time I go through a breakup and I can't tell you how much it helps!! I moped around for weeks and found this book. And I learned how to laugh (once again) on my own. Time heals all wounds, but you might as well be laughing while healing right??
Rating:
Summary: surprisingly helpful
Review: i'm not the kind of girl who turns to self help books or anything of the sort when it comes to personal issues, especially breakups, but i ran across this book yesterday afternoon and thought it looked amusing. i walked my 6 blocks home and immediately picked it up to see whether or not it would end up in the alley across from my apartment but was pleasantly surprised. breakups sucks and men can often suck - but this is a great way to get through some of the initial depression and put a smile on your face. i will say, if like me, you were the breaker-upper but are still upset about losing somebody awesome who just didn't work out, a lot of it won't apply to you. nonetheless it was a great read and two hours after getting it i finished it. i do feel a lot lighter now and recommend it to anyone feeling blue about love.
Rating:
Summary: Laughter Through the Tears
Review: Ms. Kuster's "been-there, done-that, survived-that" attitude combined with her exquisite sense of humor make for a heart-healing read that is both helpful and hilarious. Highly recommended.
Rating:
Summary: Laugh your way to a healthier outlook!
Review: My new boyfriend bought me this book to help me "exorcise" my old boyfriend....it worked wonders, and I ended up reading many passages aloud to family and friends. This book is hilarious!! I will definitely read ANYTHING Ms. Kuster writes! where can I find more? She is a gem.:)
Rating:
Summary: Light-hearted look at love
Review: This book is one of the BEST resources I have come across. Elizabeth Kuster's excellent humorous writing style had me laughing out loud time and time again. To my surprize, this opened a floodgate of tears, and allowed me to release a great deal of pent-up emotion. I really felt so much better afterward...this seemed to be a turning point in my recovery from the pain of my relationship ending. I highly recommend it to anyone going through the agony of a bad breakup!
|
