Andrea Lavinthal

There's something about outdated references that makes a book ridiculous and unwittingly funnier than it really is. Now over 10 years old, this book feels largely useless as I tried to remember the antics of Paris Hilton and Nicole Ritchie or whether I even cred back then. This book was never intended to be serious but did want to make a point, which is now distilled in forgotten fads. At this stage the only thing that makes it worthwhile is the ongoing trend of strong friendships as we rely on them more and more for house sharing, child caring and so much more.… (meer)

Remember those friends who used to show up mainly as links in your affiliate Blogger or Blogspot list, posting long-winded and/or witty comments every time you hit "Save and Publish" on a particularly assonance AND adjective filled but tangled-up, dangling participle challenged post about your drive to Walmart rivaling a close second or third to TMZ and Go Fug Yourself posts about Britney Spears and Amy Winehouse..? You know, the friends who kept posting Youtube links of snippets of South Park episodes in the main body of a fourteenth daily post with such headers as: "Why me?" or "This is How I Feel Right Now". Well, like Smashmouth says (and keeping true to the form of these writers so you get the point and I don't look even less like a bad SNL parody), it probably isn't wise writing about people who know how to hit "Share" on every big social media site...and are not afraid...and actually quite proud to...but THESE "Friend or Frenemy" authors just might be a lot like those friends. I just want to say the premise of this book is great. The content is actually quite good too. But sometimes it panders a bit too much to the masses. Hate to use words like "methinks"; however, methinks an editor knows these writers, saw the book was written by these writers and smiled to self, said aloud: "Wow.... They always get it right online/in the magazines/whatever their normal venue is.... No editing required." Coz at last count, there were eighty-six common grammatical issues, including "you" for "your", and I know "coz" is not a word, sentences should not have ten commas, and most of my reviews are error-filled as well.

The book is more entertaining than helpful, and ought to be have been used to launch lots of fashion and bumper-sticker/greeting card/viral Youtube videos/magazine articles and quizzes if it has not already been used as such. Man, will my face be red if I Google the book and discover CafePress is saturated with references to this book.

I'd happily read an updated 2012 or 2013 version complete with Facebook and Yahoo! Answers mishaps, as well as references to shows such as New Girl (for the digs) and Big Bang Theory (coz it's funny and let's face it: they like the phrase "let's face it" AND quipping about current shows about friends, and what show is more current than Big Bang Theory AND also about friends?)… (meer)

If you're a female, 20+ years old, and have friends (and pseudo-friends, as I like to call them)... you need to read this book. You'll laugh, you'll smile, you'll wince at the truth of it all... and then you'll find yourself thinking about the friendships you have and where they fit into your life. Maybe you'll realize there are some people you're just better off not acquainting yourself with anymore - maybe you'll realize there are some people you should really get to know better, and how come it took you so long?

That said, the book was written in a humorous, approachable style, making it an excellent gift for someone you're trying to give the hint to. Friend hint or frenemy hint? Take your pick. :)… (meer)