SELF-HELP

Better You, Better Friends: A Whole New Approach to Friendship

by Glenda D Shaw

Rowman & Littlefield. Sept. 2021. 224p. ISBN 9781538152713. $32. SELF-HELP

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To TV talk-show producer Shaw, the role of friendship isn’t terribly appreciated although friends are a vital part of life. To that end she writes to help readers understand these bonds and become a better friend. She describes the different levels of friends (e.g., acquaintances, associates) and discusses how to navigate through issues such as jealousy, feelings of rejection, money imbalances, and conflicts in general. In the final chapter Shaw suggests techniques for finding and making new friends who help explore and celebrate different parts of one’s personality.

VERDICT Few readers will identify with Shaw’s high-powered lifestyle of international travel and boutique hotels, but her advice on handling conflicts is sound. Other books on the subject such as The Fabric of Friendship and The Art of Friendship might be more helpful to general readers.

Reviewed by Deborah Bigelow, Director Emerita, Leonia P.L., NJ , Dec 01, 2021

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