#29: Happy Wives Club by Fawn Weaver

OK.  So I feel as though this choice of book, without explanation, could cause speculation and conversation among those of you who actually read my blog.  As a result, you are getting a brief explanation of this choice of reading material.  

I ran across The Happy Wives Club (yes...this is an actual club that you can join online) in an article about marriage that I was reading on Pinterest.  (Please note:  I am happily married and I feel that the key to staying this way is to keep marriage a priority, so I read a lot about ways to keep things "good.")  The idea of a world-wide "club" of women, all dedicated to their marriages and to giving marriage a good reputation was exciting for me.  So I joined the club and made my commitment to "changing the tone about marriage" and I ordered Fawn's book from Amazon, ready to learn the great secrets of happy marriages around the world.  

Fawn's book is a summary of her travels around the world as she interviews long-time married women and uncovers the secrets of a happy marriage.  Sounds great!  But, what the book really is is Fawn's travel journal.  I got more details about the places she visited and foods she ate than the secrets of happily married women.  The reason for that is that there is really only one secret: mutual respect among partners.  I heard this chapter after chapter, country after country, and while it was great that there IS a key to a long lasting and happy marriage, I didn't need an entire book to learn that.  She could've written a concise paragraph on her Happy Wives Club website.  But, that wouldn't have covered the cost of her traveling, of course.  Sales from her book, I am certain, did.  

The idea for the book is a good one, and even though I was expecting something more profound, it was a cute book to read in terms of learning about different countries (because I did--this was a very detailed travel journal) and it was reassuring that I had stayed married for 22 years because I believe Rob and I need to be respectful of one another, our dreams, and our interests.  

I still believe in the premise of The Happy Wives Club and am proud to be a member. 

Happy reading, everyone!
:) Dodie