Reddit mentions: The best women friendship books

This is a fantastic and really compelling topic—thanks for posting!

> Do you think people associate being well-dressed/fashionable with being thin?

I really think a lot of people do, and it's something that we feel guilty about but can't help having internalized, after years of seeing associations of "fashionable people" as having specific kinds of "fashionable bodies". A lot of traditional "dressing for your body type" advice focuses on slenderizing and making someone appear thinner. I think that, for a lot of people (although less so on FFA—I think we're really good about this) the go-to compliment when someone is dressed in a super flattering way is, "Wow, you look so thin in that!"

I think also that people tend to be very critical of their own bodies and much kinder to others…I've personally had the experience of thinking, "I'm probably a much bigger size than this friend!" and then realizing when we swap clothes that we're about the same size. It's easy to get a distorted sense of what you look like.

Another thought—specifically on FFA, I sometimes see people complain that we don't have a great diversity of bodies posting in WAYWT (sorry for the awkward wording with that), and I really think that part of it is that we tend to have this illusion that well-dressed people are probably thinner and have more traditionally beautiful bodies. Particularly online, it's super hard to tell what size someone is, and I think when someone is very well-dressed, you'll notice how suited the outfit is to the person and how that person is expressing herself in a confident way. And you compare that to how you view yourself, which is hyperaware of your own body weirdness and perceived flaws…

I think I—and probably other FFAers—kind of recognize that we need to deprogram ourselves from what we understand as "fashionable bodies" (for our own self-confidence and also when viewing others), but it's hard to break years of internalized stereotypes.

> Do you identify with a size or try to think more about the range of sizes you wear?

Your wording of this is really interesting, because I think it gets at how I feel about size discussions—we've been socialized into identifying strongly with size as a marker for beauty/health/acceptance into the fashion world. Even body-positive messages tend to fixate on 'reclaiming' a certain size and re-pitching it as beautiful—e.g. Size 12 Is Not Fat. I really think the best way to talk about size is to realize that it's an arbitrary industry convenience, and you are not intrinsically a size 4, say, and being a size 4 instead of a 6 isn't better, and identifying as size is futile when there are so many different ways of measuring clothing size.

I largely think that it's not malicious when retailers have incredibly varying sizes, or their size range changes over time, or that things like 00s exist. It's a manufacturing convenience. They need to label their clothing. They need to make assumptions about what women are shaped as—and sometimes those assumptions feel unfair, yes, but I think the best way to go about it is to realize that those sizes aren't meant to say anything about beauty or health or women's bodies. They're just labels. (Things like having a limited size range—e.g. designer labels not going up to what's traditionally considered plus sizing—is another thing entirely, though.)

I’m a self-publishing author and I’m offering my latest eBook, Will-O'-the-Wisp Point, for FREE in the hopes of getting reviews in return. Will-O'-the-Wisp Point is my fourth novel and this time I’m focused on reviews. If a free book interests you, then please download my eBook within the next 5 days, Oct. 1st - Oct 5th.

https://www.amazon.com/Will-Wisp-Point-Xann-shapella-Smith-ebook/dp/B07WJ7KC1N/ref=sr_1_1?crid=14WDDBH2HOVRM&keywords=xann-shapella+smith&qid=1569943860&sprefix=xann-shap%2Caps%2C214&sr=8-1

If you would be so kind to write a review and give a girl a helping hand, I would be very grateful. When I graduated from college many years ago, my goal was to be a screenwriter and director. Family obligations took my life in a different direction. I’m still trying to accomplish my life-long dream, beginning with Will-O'-the-Wisp Point as my first film. This is why reviews are so important. Over the years, I have continued to write and have amassed an impressive amount of screenplays, including the story behind Will-O’-the-Wisp Point. Two years ago, I entered the world of self-publishing as an author. Adding novelist to my resume has been an exciting journey. I hope you enjoy my latest book and would truly appreciate a review on Amazon. I’m also featured on Goodreads, so sharing your review there would be amazing as well. Thank you so much, Xann

>What would be different in this case is that they are very similar to each other, and that they do not only imagine what might be going on in the other person’s head at the time, as we do when we talk with someone, but they are actually are in the other person’s head. So what difference does this make?

And that's the scenario that makes my head spin - LOL. Let's face it: you know they'd arrange that experiment; they would want to know what happens. Not sure if that makes them good scientists or bad ones - LOL.

> These fictional texts have shaped in their own small ways how I react to and in this world. The experiences these texts narrate are not “my” experiences, but they shape my experience. The feelings are mine, even if they are based on something I “merely” read, on something that happened in a different, fictional universe.

nods Yes, very true. In this particular fic, the Primes are observing, yes, but they're also experiencing everything firsthand. One of the reasons why the other universes linger is because for those 5 seconds in Prime!Universe, they are no longer the Primes, but their counterparts. When they return to the Prime!Universe, they once again have their own identities/emotions/memories along with the identities/emotions/memories of the others.

Guh. So many interesting ethical/moral dilemmas with this scenario - LOL!!

>I’d love to read that expanded reworking of the story. Would you mind linking me to your non-fan-fiction books?

It's gonna be awhile before I get to revising All the Roads are Winding - :( . Right now, I only have one self-published book,
and it's a light and fluffy-ish chick lit novel. My second novel is FINALLY finished (cue ugly sobbing of relief) and it's another light and fluffyish chick lit novel. I'm tentatively aiming for Dec. 1st as the release date. I don't really have an author website (I had a Wordpress blog but I haven't done anything with it for the last few years) but that will need to be changed since I'm hoping to speed up my publishing rate - LOL.

I really need to set up a web presence but trying to figure out where/how and then making the time to maintain a presence...ugh. Ah, well, I'll figure things out eventually. :)

I love books I love books I love books.

My all time favorite book is The Lacuna by Barbara Kingsolver. I first read it in high school for my AP Lit class and I've probably read it a dozen more times since then. My copy is worn and dog eared and full of little notes in the margins and underlined phrases. It's gorgeous writing and the protagonist makes my chest ache and the story-telling is magical. It is the best book I've ever read and the best book I will ever read.

Another one of Barbara Kingsolver's books is also my favorite. It's her first one--called The Bean Trees.

A recent author I've found that I'm completely infatuated with is Alice Hoffman. My favorites of hers are The Museum of Extraordinary Things, Faithful, The Marriage of Opposites, and The Story Sisters. Her story telling is luminous, exquisite. She has a profound grasp on both understanding words and understanding people, and the two gifts together make magic.

The Extraordinary Journey of the Fakir Who Got Trapped In An Ikea Wardrobe is probably the smartest, funniest, charming, insightful, and heartwarming/terribly saddening novel I've ever, ever read. It's spectacular.

I'm also a huge fan of Liane Moriarty's work. Her books are so real and they're so funny, so beautiful, so good.

Also the Harry Potter series. At the beginning of the summer, right after I graduated college, I seriously sat down and reread all seven books in a week. It was great. I did nothing but read all day for seven days and it was perfect.

edit: forgot Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel! This book combines my favorite literary genre, magical realism, with apocalyptic fiction and OH MY GOD it's fantastic.

Hey! My very first self-published e-book is a contemporary women's fiction novel with a little romance and a lot of mystery.

Blurb: A twisty novella about two best friends and the lies that bind them. Noelle has it all. A doting fiancé, good friends and a job she loves. She’s planning the wedding of her dreams and things couldn’t be better. Until her ex-boyfriend comes back into the picture. It took years for Noelle to get over their break-up and now he’s back and he’s ready to tell her the reason he ended their relationship all those years ago.

Price: FREE for now. Regular: $1.99 on Kindle and free for Kindle Unlimited Subscribers.

https://www.amazon.com/All-Liars-Book-Trilogy-ebook/dp/B07Z8TYSYL/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=rue+goodman&qid=1571677403&s=books&sr=1-2

Hi, My name is Kristen. I'd love this because sometimes, I work really double shifts at work, with a 2 or 3 hour break in between, so I don't have time to go home but have nothing to do while waiting. I rarely know when these doubles will be thrown on me, and it'd be nice if I could have a book ready to read. I like normal books, but they get damaged and torn, so I don't often carry them with me.

If I got this, I'd love "Size 12 Is Not Fat" by Meg Cabot I remember it being a funny mystery book, and I could use a few laughs.

Regardless of if I win, I just want to say thank you for doing this contest. It's really thoughtful of you.

I'm giving away my Halloween-themed Kindle stories all weekend in preparation for, you guessed it, Halloween. Free stuff!

The Usual Werewolves (a YA romantic comedy and a paranormal romance spoof, easily my most popular piece) "It's funny and adorable and I cannot believe how much I liked it." — MotherEffingBooks

https://www.amazon.com/Usual-Werewolves-Short-Story-ebook/dp/B009KKFW0E/

The Dark Discord of Ravensbane and Kim (this one’s more of a drama)

https://www.amazon.com/Dark-Discord-Ravensbane-Kim-Short-ebook/dp/B018RKHT2Q/

Ex Marks the Spot (another romcom, sort of a John Hughes deal, a personal favorite of mine)

https://www.amazon.com/Ex-Marks-Spot-Short-Story-ebook/dp/B07643QWT5/

I just read On Writing by Stephen King, which was awesome. Half autobiography, half writing advice. If you're more interested in fiction, I just finished the Nadia Stafford trilogy by Kelley Armstrong and loved it.

A few of my WL books just price dropped to $1.99: Partials, The Whole Enchilada, Girl Parts, and Tantalize. Any one of them would be great! Thanks for the contest.

I'll start!

For contemp - BB Hamel's One Night Seal

For PNR - My own Dragon's Heat cause I'm a shameless b*tch.

For Bad Boy - Riley Rollins Axl

For Sci Fi Romance - Delores Diamond Renegade Leo

For Sweet Romance - Krista Lakes Yours Truly: A Cinderella Love Story

This seems to be an attempt to re-invent the celebrity fluff piece. We ignore the directions of the Main Stream Media and we chose our own celebrities. So she picks an entertainment grade alt-right celebrity called Bronze Age Pervert, BAP, and produces fairly typical, "knock him off his pedestal", guff.

She eventually gets to Jordan Peterson, but by then I'd lost interest.

Whats the actual business model here? I see the subscribe button at $48 a year, and I can imagine dozens of people in the USA paying to read this stuff, perhaps enough to pay server costs, but who pays Tara Isabella Burton's wages?

She does have a novel out https://www.amazon.com/Social-Creature-Tara-Isabella-Burton/dp/0385543522 . Viewed as a writing sample, the piece in The American Interest is going to damage sales of her novel, so it would be against her interest to write it for free.

1.) Something that is grey. This might be a stretch, the cover art is grey!


2.) Something reminiscent of rain. This version of the Bell Jar has rain on the cover.


3.) Something food related that is unusual. If coffee counts as food, then this TARDIS coffee mug is unusual!


4.) Something on your list that is for someone other than yourself. Tell me who it's for and why. (Yes, pets count!) This Kindle is for my grandmother, I am actually saving for it now! I have my own.

5.) A book I should read! I am an avid reader, so take your best shot and tell me why I need to read it! EVERYONE EVER SHOULD READ THE WICKED SERIES. Seriously, Gregory Maguire is probably the most talented author I've ever read, and I've read a lot!



6.) An item that is less than a dollar, including shipping... that is not jewelry, nail polish, and or hair related! EDITED: Not on my WL This dirty and weird sounding Kindle book is free!

7.) Something related to cats. I love cats! (keep this SFW, you know who you are...) I want to get this book for my thesis mentor, she loves cats!




8.) Something that is not useful, but so beautiful you must have it. I would be the belle of the ball in these. So pretty.


9.) A movie everyone should watch at least once in their life. Why? EDITED: Not on my WL but this is a freaking powerful movie that every "rebellious" teenager should watch. Life changing.


10.) Something that would be useful when the zombies attack. Explain. I would stab them repeatedly. And also draw art for them so they regain humanity, thusly ending the zombie apocalypse.


11.) Something that would have a profound impact on your life and help you to achieve your current goals. This book was actually written by my thesis mentor, the one I want to get the cat book for haha, and it would help me finish my thesis which would make me a real grown up!


12.) One of those pesky Add-On items. Don't gots none. EDITED: Not on my WL but extra pesky add on item because they get EVERYWHERE even once you've managed to get them home!


13.) The most expensive thing on your list. Your dream item. Why? Already used the paperwhite for my grandma.


14.) Something bigger than a bread box. EDITED: Not on my WL but this is big!

15.) Something smaller than a golf ball. Pretty earrings.


16.) Something that smells wonderful. Plants usually smell nice.


17.) A (SFW) toy. LEGO RON WEASLEY


18.) Something that would be helpful for going back to school. Another book for my thesis reading list.


19.) Something related to your current obsession, whatever that may be. I am simultaneously obsessed with my iphone and Harry Potter.


20.) Something that is just so amazing and awe-inspiring that I simply must see it. Explain why it is so grand. Freaking color changing coffee cups that are Marauder's Map themed! They change patterns with temperatures! IT'S LIKE REAL MAGIC MEISHKA!


BONUS

Something made in Oregon... ME!!!! See my dad's shirt?!?! PROOF!

^^^okay ^^^that's ^^^kind ^^^of ^^^gross ^^^to ^^^think ^^^about.


Fear cuts deeper than swords.

Here are all the local Amazon links I could find:


amazon.co.uk

amazon.ca

amazon.com.au

amazon.in

amazon.com.mx

amazon.de

amazon.it

amazon.es

amazon.com.br

amazon.nl

amazon.co.jp

amazon.fr

Beep bloop. I'm a bot to convert Amazon ebook links to local Amazon sites.
I currently look here: amazon.com, amazon.co.uk, amazon.ca, amazon.com.au, amazon.in, amazon.com.mx, amazon.de, amazon.it, amazon.es, amazon.com.br, amazon.nl, amazon.co.jp, amazon.fr, if you would like your local version of Amazon adding please contact my creator.

Sleeping Beauty, by Anne Rice - formerly written under the pen-name of A. N. Roquelaure.

The Marketplace, by Laura Antoniou.

Possibly The Story of O, by Pauline Reage. It's kind of a classic, but I didn't care for it much. It's a lot more about the headspace of the slave than kinky shenanigans.

There's also the movie Secretary with a very young James Spader and Maggie Gyllenhaal. It's pretty tame but makes a good starting point to gauge the reaction of a potential partner.

The Heather Wells Mysteries by Meg Cabothttp://www.amazon.co.uk/Size-12-Not-Fat-ebook/dp/B000FCKM10/ref=sr_1_7?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1319988373&sr=1-7 . Also there are the Echo Falls Mysteries by Peter Abrahams http://www.amazon.co.uk/Behind-Curtain-Echo-Falls-Mystery/dp/140633071X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1319988339&sr=1-1 despite the fact that the protaganist is a 13 year old girl I think they can be enjoyed by adults.

Home to Woefield by Susan Juby takes place on Vancouver Island, and while it's not exactly about Vancouver Island per se, it's a fun read.

Topic on school shooting has become a hot debate in the wake of the Florida school shooting. I wrote a best seller inspiring and heart wrenching story Full Circle that covers bullying, school shootings, terrorism and a host of similar topics.
Catch the book at:

E-book ($2.99) - https://www.amazon.com/Full-Circle-Regina-Timothy-ebook/dp/B078M7KFDG/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1514292317&sr=1-1&keywords=full+circle+regina+timothy

Paperback ($14.75) - https://www.amazon.com/Full-Circle-Regina-Timothy/dp/1981839437/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1514292317&sr=1-1

Goodreads - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/37706656-full-circle

Here's the direct link to the amazon store page.