THE FRIENDSHIP FIX

A clinical psychologist cleanly dissects friendships in a surprisingly entertaining manner.

In her debut, Bonior (Psychology/Georgetown Univ.) dispenses smart advice, flush with wit and sarcasm, aimed at women grappling with their relationships. Not only does she embrace and trumpet the importance of friendship, the author also offers relevant ideas and non-silly steps to put yourself out there and start creating new friendships. Bonior covers every type of friendship from childhood to college to adult, and from casual acquaintance to Facebook friend to co-worker. Her book will help readers patiently wade through their BFFs getting married, moving away and/or having children while they're still sitting home alone eating ice cream out of the carton. Girlfriends are reminded when to receive, when to give, when to support and when to shut up. Much of the content, to be sure, is what readers will already have been taught or learned and maybe even tried before, but there's nothing like a gentle dose of common sense from time to time. Bonior also tackles often overlooked and weighty topics, such as how to help friends struggling with depression and mental illness. In one section, the author addresses the murky waters of friendships that evolve into something more when one friend develops feelings for the other. An overdone topic taken from clinical to fabulous.