WEEK OF FEBRUARY 20 -26
Things I’ve Learned From Women Who’ve Dumped Me
Edited by Ben Karlin
Non-Fiction
Grand Central Publishing
January 2009
Are you feeling as empty as a seasonal department store aisle a few days after Valentine’s Day? Did you cheer when the sappy, love-is-forever TV ads disappeared? You’re not alone. Whether you’re newly single or just avoiding the inevitable split, breaking up is hard to do. Or is it?
What’s harder than breaking up? Convincing several men to write about getting dumped, while sharing their private and somewhat embarrassing pain with the world. But Ben Karlin, editor of “Things I’ve Learned From Women Who’ve Dumped Me,” convinces not one, not two, but several men to do just that. And we have it in print!
Before these men reminisce about their once-broken hearts, they first profess their undying love for the women in their lives, the lucky (or unlucky) wives, and remind readers how lucky they are. Nice move -just in case.
Keep in mind that this is entertaining (sometimes explicit) reading, not your usual heart-to-heart love confessions. Brave contributors recall first-time loves, love-at-first-sight and even unrequited love which leads to the question, ”Can you be dumped if you were never attached?”
Smartly written entries make you smile and even laugh aloud. But the wittiest entry is the following excerpt from the dialogue “Persistence is for Suckers” by David Wain:
Dec. 5 - 2:11 p.m.
DEBRA:
I really look forward to this, David. See you at Joe’s Pub at 7:45.Dec. 5 - 7:50 p.m.
ME: OUTSIDE JOE’S PUB FREEZING
Hi, Debra, it’s David. It’s ten to eight and I’m outside Joe’s Pub and you’re not here. I’ll try you at home, but I hope you’re on your way.Dec. 5 - 7:52 p.m.
ME:
Hey … David Wain. I left a message on your cell, thought I’d try you at home just in case. Call me, I’m at Joe’s Pub. Astor Place and LaFayette Street. Call me.Dec. 5 - 8:06 p.m.
ME:
Hey, so I’m going in. Tell the person at the door you’re with me and hopefully they’ll let you in. If you’re not coming, just let me know.
When it comes to surviving love, readers will wonder what guys and girls have in common. Not much, according to these comedic confessions. Just the bad stuff like the fear of rejection and commitment, poor self-esteem, imaginary prowess, relentless pride, memories and regret and an unshakable belief in love at first sight.
Insightful, but mostly hilarious, this book proves for once and for all that guys are totally clueless. When the actual break-up is looming, they never see it coming. So what have guys learned? Absolutely nothing.
MORE BOOKS PEOPLE ARE TALKING ABOUT
What I Did For Love
by Susan Elizabeth Phillips
Fiction
HarperColllins Publishers
January 2009
Love on the Line
by Laura Castoro
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February 2009