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Between the Covers: The Book Babes' Guide to a Woman's Reading Pleasures
With wit and wisdom, the bibliophile’s Ebert & Roeper recommend more than 600 books based on what women care about most. Between the Covers is organized around their wide-ranging curiosity—about themselves, friends and family, the larger world—and their concerns, from health to sex to managing their finances. With such sections as “Babes We Love” (Role Models Real and Imagined), “The Babe Inside” (Focusing on Body and Soul), and “Love, Sex & Second Chances,” this unique collection of fiction and nonfiction reflects how women really read.
296 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2008
2 people are currently reading
234 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
August 13, 2009
I can never get enough book recommendations, and the one thing I love even more than reading books is reading a book about books I should read. The authors of this one are book critics, book bloggers, and good friends who have come together to suggest over 600 titles for women and our complicated lives. They have suggestions for women of every age group, and for all aspects of life - from childhood, to working years, to retirement - and for all the phases in between - books about having children and careers, books about being caretakers for elderly parents, books about all the phases of love, books about dreaming big and moving on, books about friendships and mother-daughter relationships, books about struggling with our inner demons, books about cooking, books about inspirational women - both non-fiction and fiction the lists are endless. There are some obvious favorites in here like Maya Angelou and Amy Tan, but also lots of hidden gems. The books are grouped by category, with the authors' 10 suggestions in each genre. Each book has a short description. I kept a pad of paper with me as I read through the entries, and by the end had a list of 50+ new books to add to my to-read list! The more of these kind of books I read, the more convinced I am that I just need to retire and become a volunteer book reader. And it makes me happy to know that my excitement for reading and all the books out there will probably never end.
May 11, 2009
Two female writers review books with reference to "life" topics and recommend the top 10 books in each category. I had read many, had some on my TR list, been familiar with some, and never heard of others. It was interesting to read their qualifications for each topic and their justification for the title included within.
"For book lover, Paradise means curling up with a good book, or finding just the right one on a bookstore or library shelf, or sharing a favorite with a friend."
"There are now more books in print in circulation that ever before. This embarrassment of riches creates a quandry for the passionate reader: How do you wrap your mind around all the options?"
"The Babes can't guarantee that reading makes you a better person. But it can make you a deeper one: a smarter one, more interesting,more imaginative woman who carries that knowledge and understanding into the world."
"For book lover, Paradise means curling up with a good book, or finding just the right one on a bookstore or library shelf, or sharing a favorite with a friend."
"There are now more books in print in circulation that ever before. This embarrassment of riches creates a quandry for the passionate reader: How do you wrap your mind around all the options?"
"The Babes can't guarantee that reading makes you a better person. But it can make you a deeper one: a smarter one, more interesting,more imaginative woman who carries that knowledge and understanding into the world."
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 28, 2011
What's not to like about a book that's about books!
Between the Covers delivered just what I thought it would. 55 lists of books, each with 10 books relating to a specific theme, all with annotations to lure you in. Starting with Babes We Love to the ending Babes Without Borders, I can't imagine anyone not finding something or several somethings to read here.
Margo Hammond & Ellen Heltzel, the babes in question, also write a neat blog
A nice edition to support my addictive habit of buying, giving and reading books that appeal to women
Between the Covers delivered just what I thought it would. 55 lists of books, each with 10 books relating to a specific theme, all with annotations to lure you in. Starting with Babes We Love to the ending Babes Without Borders, I can't imagine anyone not finding something or several somethings to read here.
Margo Hammond & Ellen Heltzel, the babes in question, also write a neat blog
A nice edition to support my addictive habit of buying, giving and reading books that appeal to women
July 9, 2009
Fifty-five lists of ten books categorized according to what the editors believe to be the themes and stages of a woman's life, e.g., 10 About Enduring Bonds; 10 That Face Illness Straight On; 10 That Celebrate Your Brilliant Career. The lists contain mostly contemporary books with short descriptions of each. I love book lists. This one is satisfactory. Ones I prefer include 1001 Books to Read Before You Die; The Top Ten: Writers Pick Their Favorite Books--J. Peder Zane, ed.; The Book Group Book--Ellen Slezak, ed.
November 2, 2009
I love books about books. Mostly I love realizing that other people have the same obsession as me. This was a book written by two women who love reading and love books. It is a list broken into categories that matter to women specifically. It was breezily written and I enjoyed learning about new books. I read it through and now plan on going back through and adding a lot of the books to my TBR pile/library list.
March 12, 2010
A book of booklists, grouped by topic / genre / theme. Like, "Babes without Borders," which includes travel books and pilgrimages, and "dealing with dad," which includes A Thousand Acres. Clever groups and I got some new ideas, but there are also some duds on their lists, so I don't trust them completely.
November 11, 2008
This is an excellent bibliography of books which may be of interest to women. The lists of ten cover topics like Ages & Stages; The Babe Inside; Family & Friends; Love, Sex & Second Chances; Home, Work & Taking Care; Babes in the World; and Babes Without Borders.
I found I had read a number of the books, but so many more that were of interest.
I found I had read a number of the books, but so many more that were of interest.
June 1, 2009
My to-read list has grown exponentially! I really like that more obscure books are listed - those that may not have made the best-seller list or heralded as a classic, but still are a great read. Some familiar authors are listed, but their best-known work is typically not featured. Liked the reviews and categories and can't wait to get started reading some of them!
August 20, 2009
A book consisting of book recommendations. It's ok. There are some books in here that I loved, and I've made a list of books to check out. However, I really don't like the authors' cutesy use of the word "babes." I don't think it's sexist, just annoying. For instance, the chapter on books on women in politics is called "Babes in the World." Please, give me a break.
August 11, 2010
Anne H.
Terrific book re subject "Woman's reading pleasure." Co-authors summarize and recommend approximately 70 books, dividing them into categoies such as: ages and stages; family and friends; love,work and taking care.
This could be a bucket list of books you might want to read. It would also make a terrific gift for a book-lover in your life.
Terrific book re subject "Woman's reading pleasure." Co-authors summarize and recommend approximately 70 books, dividing them into categoies such as: ages and stages; family and friends; love,work and taking care.
This could be a bucket list of books you might want to read. It would also make a terrific gift for a book-lover in your life.
February 13, 2009
Lots of reading ideas here. One thing to keep in mind, though, is that many of these would be difficult or poor book group choices so I hope that book groups don't embrace the themed lists as sources for a year's worth of reading.
September 29, 2009
This is a book of lists recommending books to others who love to read, mostly girls as the title says,but I guess guys could get some suggestions from it too! Not all books listed are "Chick-Lit". I got some great suggestions!!! Easy to read and breeze through!!
November 6, 2009
It was ok, for some book suggestions. They are given by topic---some of the topics I was not interested in. I like that there is a brief description of each book, so I can decide upfront. I am always looking to add to my TBR list.
December 12, 2009
This is not my favorite book of book lists that I have read, but I managed to add about 100 books to my TBR shelf because of it so it receives four stars. I like that the books in this guide are tailored to women and the division of themes is nice.
December 13, 2008
Great book for any book lover! Over 50 different top 10 lists of books to read in a variety of topics. Just in case you didn't already have enough to read, here are more!
Want to read
February 7, 2009This was another book that was on the must read list from AM Northwest.
March 19, 2009
I'm always looking for new books to read and I think I picked up a few from this book. Interesting categories and descriptions.
April 2, 2009
A very decent book list for women...loved that it was spilt into categories and themes. Found some reading suggestions in here!
March 16, 2016
An eminently browsable book. About half of the books mentioned I loved; the other half I hated. I nevertheless added a dozen or so books to my wishlist from this book.
October 21, 2009
Book recommendations.
May 19, 2010
1/3 fiction, 1/3 nonfiction/ 1/3 memoirs. A little poetry. Focus on women's lives today. Organized around themes of life issues.
December 7, 2010
1/3 fiction, 1/3 nonfiction/ 1/3 memoirs. A little poetry. Focus on women's lives today. Organized around themes of life issues.
April 26, 2011
I didn't really like their annotations, but I did get some good ideas.
December 2, 2012
Now I have even more books to put on my to-read list!!
Want to read
May 25, 2012Books Suggested by the Participants of Readers' Advisory Services
April 6, 2014
A book of lists of books! Don't look at it often enough but have written down dozens of titles....
June 3, 2009
Nice reference for books to read. Gives synopsis of each and groups books by various categories.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews