Flying Solo: Single Women in Midlife

This book, though 10 years old, is a "must read" for all women, single or married, in any stage of adult life. It provides an in-depth understanding of how The Dream, promulgated by our culture, results in most women, despite the progress we've made, still struggling to maintain their own sense of self in the context of relationships, especially with men. I'm on my THIRD reading!

I am 42 and single. I have my own business and a very .... intense, male dominated, sport/hobby that takes up most of my free time. My married friends are always trying to point to my life as "different" meaning bad. But I disagree. My life is full. I have male and female friends and I even have a date every once in a while. I no longer let the fact that I'm not married "define me". I thank the ladies who wrote this book for validating my thoughts. I want to share this with my other single friends who are miserable and my married friends who are stifled. Always remember... When we lose our fear, we become the people we envy.

I have read this book several times and I always find it encouraging, empowering, and uplifting. The authors interview many women who have given up on, lost, or never sought the traditional route of husband-and-2.3 children. In spite of societal pressures and expectations, these women lead happy, fulfilling, satisfied lives. Some have found ways to have children and/or a significant other in their lives without the framework of a traditional marriage, and some have not -- but none of them have become the bitter, twisted "spinsters" our society would seem to expect them to be. I found this book to be an inspiration, and I think ALL women should read it; even if you're not "flying solo" now, you might find yourself doing so at some point in the future. This book can show you how to do it -- and even how to enjoy it!