The Optimist’s Guide to Divorce: How to Get Through Your Breakup and Create a New Life You Love

Riss and Sockwell founded the Maplewood Divorce Club (named for their New Jersey town) with the aim of helping other women cope during an emotionally tough time, the same sentiment behind this book. Digging deep into the stories of their own breakups—as well as those of composite characters intended to represent situations such as “I’m bored with my marriage,” “My husband came out of the closet,” and “He’s abusing me”—the authors tell readers how to deal, heal, and reveal. “Deal” addresses the practicalities: how to tell the kids, the machinations of divorce court, and finding a new place to live. “Heal” offers advice on accepting that the marriage and old way of life are over and treating oneself with kindness. “Reveal” explores how to date again with practical advice for regaining confidence in social settings as well as the benefits of staying single. The warm and empowering tone of this book will convince readers that there’s life on the other side of a painful divorce. (Jan.)