I read a wide variety of books, and some of them are definitely more “literary” than others. “Outer Banks” by Anne Rivers Siddons, which I first read in college, is not the most “literary” of novels, but is definitely soul food for women. I recently re-read the book, which was originally given to me by an old roommate, so it has some significance for me.

Anne Rivers Siddons is a southern writer who explores the dynamics of relationships between women. As someone who has been depressed before at various periods in my life, I really liked this book for its description of “Walking on the Abyss”. The narrator in the story classifies people in two ways, people who walk on the abyss and those who do not. She suggests that the fabled “Abyss-walkers” can recognize each other right away and often stay away from other, although they are kindred spirits.

The novel centers on a small group of Sorority sisters who meet up together for a small reunion after not seeing each other for thirty or so years. Although I was never in a sorority, as a woman I can definitely relate to the complicated dynamics of female friendships and the idea of seeing how someone can grow and change through the years is intriguing.

The college portion takes place in the 60’s and compares the differences between the four main characters in the book and explores the envy of the “legacy” Fig who the sorority is forced to take due to her past connections to the sorority. “Fig” is often the laughing stock of her sorority sisters and her roommates in particular.

“Outer Banks” will more than likely make any best-book lists or be admitted to any literary canons for either high school or college English classes, but in my mind, remains one of the earlier chick reads that manages not to be so trite.

 Even though the story lines are so different, the movie “Terms of Endearment” comes to mind as a similar exploration of the relationships between women. I would also recommend this book to those who secretly like to read Maeve Binchy.

If you having a rough day and have some time for a bubble bath, this might be the perfect book to take your mind off of life for a while.