cover image It's Hard Not to Hate You

It's Hard Not to Hate You

Valerie Frankel. St. Martin's Griffin, $14.99 trade paper (256p) ISBN 978-0-312-37393-1

Since childhood, Frankel (Thin Is the New Happy) suppressed her emotions, to the detriment of her emotional and physical health. After a health scare at age 44, her doctor tells her she must reduce stress: "The hate in me just had to come out." As the author reflects on a lifetime of being determinedly upbeat, she ponders dysfunctional friendships, asserts herself with a bitchy neighbor and selfish gym-goer, even visits a nearby Zen center. Family and friends are supportive, especially when she "outs" her jealousy of fellow authors%E2%80%94turns out, they're all jealous of somebody, too. It's refreshing to read along as Frankel realizes that anger can be cathartic, even entertaining, when expressed, and "feel[ing] all your emotions, all at once" makes for a fuller, more fun life. Fans of her recent memoir, her many novels, or her collaborations with Joan Rivers (Men Are Stupid... and They Like Big Boobs) and Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi (A Shore Thing) will especially enjoy learning more about what makes the funny, warm Frankel tick. (Sept.)