Frances Frommer’s Surviving & Thriving Solo: Options When You Live Alone is essentially a guide to leading successful lives despite being alone. At the same time, this is also an excellent and purposeful read for those that care about people living on their own. While the text has been written partly to entertain, it also possesses a certain element of power based on the personal experiences shared.
Whether the individual chooses to live on his own, or is thrust into such a situation because of life’s challenges, it is crucial to have a game plan prior to adapting to this style of life. More than anything, Surviving & Thriving Solo provides an optimistic point of view of the solo lifestyle, and is an aid toward establishing a positive attitude despite the challenges.
In life, there sometimes arrives a point when living alone becomes a necessity, albeit temporary. For example, moving away from family for work or college can require living alone, and the premise of this text is that living alone has its own perks, and that solitude does not necessarily have to be associated with pain, depression, and loneliness. In other words, solitude has its own pleasant rewards, such as the freedom to do what one wants, and those who live alone should strive to experience this.
This book also encourages the reader to understand that there is plenty of room for growth while living alone. Frommer effectively incorporates imagery and detail to bring personal experiences to life. Her use of illustrations also creates an informal atmosphere that puts the reader at ease, allowing for complete immersion into the text. There are checklists of choices with humorous drawings, both practical and whimsical, that engage the reader to explore options.
Surviving & Thriving Solo is grouped into several sections: On Being at Home Alone, On Tackling the Chores and Other Basics, On Relating to Other People, On Finding Comfort from Machines, and On Searching for Mr. or Ms. Right. This is an excellent guide for those who find themselves, for whatever reason, living alone, as the reader will find information, entertainment, and inspiration. The book can be ordered at Amazon.com, BN.com, and almost everywhere books are sold.
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