Thursday, March 4, 2010

Book Review & Giveaway: "Toxic Friends" - Closed



I was recently sent the book: "Toxic Friends: The Antidote for Women Stuck in Complicated Friendships," by Susan Shapiro Barash to review and to offer one lucky reader a copy in a giveaway.

Information on the book:

From childhood through high school, careers and motherhood, and on through the golden years, friendship is one of the most important components in a woman's life. So why are female friendships so complicated and so often fraught with pain?

Author Susan Shapiro Barash, a nationally recognized gender expert, explores the 10 types of female friends in "Toxic Friends." The 10 types are The Leader, The Doormat, The Sacrificer, The Misery Lover, The User, The Frenemy, The Trophy Friend, The Mirroring Friend, The Sharer, The Authentic Friend.

My take on the book:

Reading this book, I learned women feel that losing a friend is more upsetting sometimes then losing a boyfriend or husband. Women can always count on their friends, right? Well what if those friendships are harmful or even toxic?

Susan Shapairo Barash explains the various types of female friends and what to do to get "unstuck" from the worst kind of friend. Also how to recognize a true friend.

I've had a few very close female friends over the years. One in particular I'm thinking of - she was my best friend for about 15 years. But some things happened and we are no longer friends. "Toxic Friends" really called to me because I saw myself in some of these catagories. For example "The Doormat," (I was the Doormat) and "The User" (she was the User).

I would recommend this book to anyone who would like to discover how to recognize "toxic friends." And how to make and keep the friends that are worth it!


"Toxic Friends: The Antidote For Women Stuck in Complicated Friendships" by Susan Shapiro Barash is available at Amazon.com.
St. Martin's Press
ISBN13: 9780312386399
ISBN: 0312386397

Win It: One lucky reader will win a copy of "Toxic Friends" by Susan Shapiro Barash (a $24.99 value)

Mandatory Entry: Please visit the official website for the book Toxic Friends. Tell me something interesting you found or simply why you want to win this book.

EXTRA ENTRIES: (leave separate comment for each entry you do. For example if you blog about this giveaway - worth 5 entries - please leave 5 separate comments)

1. Follow my blog on Goggle Friend Connect (publicly)
2. Follow me on Twitter & tweet this giveaway (use retweet button above if you like)
3. Daily entries: tweet giveaway
4. "Grab my Button" and post it on your blog (worth 3 entries)
5. Become a fan of STAY AT HOME MOM on Facebook (worth 3 entries)
6. Follow STAY AT Home Mom on Networked Blogs - see sidebar (worth 3 entries)
7. For 5 extra entries blog about this giveaway, linking back to this post.


RULES: Giveaway is open to US Residents only. Giveaway ends March 18, 2010 11:59 PM EST. Winner will be chosen via Random.org. Must have valid email in blog profile or leave email in comments otherwise you will be disqualified. Winner will have 48 hrs. to confirm by email, If no confirmation in that time frame a new winner will be chosen.

Disclaimer: I received a complementary copy of, "Toxic Friends" for the sole purpose of reviewing the book and offering one for a giveaway. Receiving a complementary copy of the book in no way affected my review. The review and or products were provided free of charge and I received no monetary compensation for this post.

41 comments:

  1. I need to read this book! I seam to get stuck in friendships that aren't healthy!
    Carla
    cpullum(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  2. I would love to read this book. It sounds interesting and I bet I am in the doormat category.


    fmd518(at)gmail(dot)com

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  3. I am impressed by all the media coverage she has had!

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  4. Following on Google Friends.

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  5. "There is the emotional component to these friendships, a dependence on the relationship, and a developmental process that differ from the male perspective." I have often thought this and would love to read more about it. This is a great giveaway and sounds like something I need to read :/

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  6. What an interesting looking book! I think it an interesting thought that we do have different kinds of friends that we call upon in different situations.

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  7. The Leader of the Pack—it’s all on her terms wow I would really love to read about this

    ReplyDelete
  8. follow STAY AT Home Mom on Networked Blogs (1)

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  9. follow STAY AT Home Mom on Networked Blogs (2)

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  10. follow STAY AT Home Mom on Networked Blogs (3)

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  11. I have a Sister who has problems with some of her friends. I would love for her to read this.

    sarahcoulsey03 at gmail dot com

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  12. I am a follower

    sarahcoulsey03 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  13. I am a facebook fan 3

    sarah mansfield coulsey

    sarahcoulsey03 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  14. I am a facebook fan 1

    sarah mansfield coulsey

    sarahcoulsey03 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  15. I have your button 2

    sarahsblogoffun.blogspot.com

    sarahcoulsey03 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  16. I have your button 1

    sarahsblogoffun.blogspot.com

    sarahcoulsey03 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  17. follow through twitter and tweeted
    http://twitter.com/jjak2003/statuses/10360811930
    jjak2003 at gmail dot com

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  18. I follow through google friend connect
    jjak2003 at gmail dot com

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  19. This book sounds so interesting! I have been the "doormat" a few times and would love to learn how to avoid it!
    jjak2003 at gmail dot com

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  20. i follow you on google
    itsmecristin@yahoo.com

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  21. i want to win this book because i think it would be great to read..
    women can be harsh and i am interested about reading all the types of toxic friends
    itsmecristin@yahoo.com

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  22. i am a fan on facebook - cristin michelle b
    itsmecristin@yahoo.com
    entry 1

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  23. i am a fan on facebook - cristin michelle b
    itsmecristin@yahoo.com
    entry 2

    ReplyDelete
  24. following you on networked blogs
    itsmecristin@yahoo.com
    entry 3

    ReplyDelete
  25. following you on networked blogs
    itsmecristin@yahoo.com
    entry 2

    ReplyDelete
  26. following you on networked blogs
    itsmecristin@yahoo.com
    entry 1

    ReplyDelete
  27. i am a fan on facebook - cristin michelle b
    itsmecristin@yahoo.com
    entry 3

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  28. I'd love to read this and find out how you can spot the "user" ahead of time.
    rsgrandinetti@yahoo(DOT)com

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  29. ive had a few "toxic" friends in the past, so I can relate- it sounds very well written- I think it would be a great read.

    steph.rutledge@gmail.com

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  30. I would love to read this book and find out why some of us choose relationships that can be toxic.

    kathrynbaby2004@yahoo.com

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  31. I really need this book! It seems to be a very relevant theme in my life right now!

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  32. I would give this book to my wife. She has some questionable friends right now.

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