It's Called a Breakup Because It's Broken

Recommended by Kristen Meinzer of the By the Book podcast, this has a lot in common with my favorite book about boundaries, Set Boundaries, Find Peace. It is conversational and relentlessly full of examples that show you different ways to navigate a breakup by (surprise!) setting boundaries. You will think the book doesn't apply to you until you hear one, two or three situations which apply to your breakup story that make you say “I get it.” The authors are also relentlessly positive, affirming the reader's worth as a human being and how much better things can be when you're not trying to fix something that's probably been broken for a long time

Downsides? This book is heteronormative to a fault; you may be able to apply the advice to your non-hetero experience, and it might work but the only kind of relationship in here is monogamous boy meets monogamous girl. Also? The book is fat phobic and a little ableist; they do backpedal a bit from the worst “wallowing on the couch will make you fat and you want to look your best for yourself so get. moving” but there's still a big assumption that you can get moving and thinner is better. Proceed with caution if that might be a problem.

Still, I am years past the two biggest breakups of my life to date, and this context was absolutely helpful. Funny, fun to read and actually interesting. Even with my caveats, 3.5 stars.

Oh god I so needed this book. It was advised to me by a very nice lady on the NerdFitness Academy forums and I couldn't have wish for a better suggestion. Going through a really though break-up recently and having searched for any help I could have to get over it, this book acted like a wake up call on so many levels. While it's marketed toward girls, I think everyone can get something from it (ok, being gay it's easier also but you get it). So if you're going through a break up and searching for help or advices, go for it, you won't regret it.

“The person you loved took a good long look at the awesomeness that is you, evaluated your relationship together, and said, “No, thanks. I'll try my luck elsewhere.””