On Lily’s Bookshelf: The Goddess Guide by Gisele Scanlon

It came from a pile of presents that my sister-in-law gave to me. It was heavy, but compact. As I unwrapped it, I started to feel the flocked black designs of animal and floral silhouettes. The pattern was striking against the hot pink hardcover. It was as if the book was screaming: Baby, if you don’t read me, you’re truly missing SOMETHING. I’m the new hotness and you don’t even know it!

And who says you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover?

Gisele Scanlon’s The Goddess Guide (Harper Collins, 2006) is a field guide for women from their early 20s and beyond about building their own personal style from clothing to cooking to travel. I like to think of it as a primer on finding and refining who you want to be as a modern woman. Its mission statement is to “Sprinkle a little Goddess Magic into your life.” In short: Tips on how to be a fierce, modern woman in the world on your own terms.

While not paradigm shifting, it seems more self-help than a literal rule book to becoming fabulous.

If you are thinking that The Goddess Guide is simply a way to mint more Sex-in-the-City-esque copycats, (Not to say SITC is bad…I LOVE YOU SJP!) I would say in the wrong hands, you’d be right. It would seem the book might be a bible to materialism. There are bits and bobs on how to select a good purse, how to find the right suit or shoes, how to throw an intimate gathering at your place. There are tidbits of advice from fashion giants in the likes of Christian Louboutin and Narciso Rodriguez. The book even gives you hints on how to get in the hippest night spots in major cities around the world. On the surface, The Goddess Guide is possibly a how to for beginner celebutants. Like we need more of those, right?

However, in between all that there is practicality and common girly sense that some of us have never been – or probably would never have been – discussed. There are more than a few pages designated to discuss the fit of foundation/under garments. Women battle with bras for years, never knowing they’re wearing the wrong size. How many of you know a girl at the office or school who just doesn’t seem to have a clue as to what looks good on her? In your wildest dreams you perhaps dreamt of traveling around the world – but you have no idea where to start!

These subjects and more are touched upon in the book and really give someone a starting point. The great thing about the book is that nowhere does it say YOU HAVE to be a certain person. In fact, from the first pages, Scanlon points out that there isn’t a universal blueprint for earthbound goddesses. By distinguishing her six goddess types (Home, Office, Urban, Luxurious, Sex, and Earth), Scanlon admits we’re all different and we can be any woman at anytime of our lives.

But my favorite parts are Scanlon’s personal essays and interviews that dot the book. It’s a personal touch and helps you relate or connect to the roadmap that she sets out. My favorite is her interview with a French artist who paints personal portraits of women’s purses and their contents. I also really enjoyed the author’s stories about her early food memories, particularly regarding her grandmother’s cooking. Being both a purse lover and the recipient of my maternal grandmother’s culinary teaching, it was nice to know other women felt the same way as I did.

The Goddess Guide is the Girl Guide book that I wish I had growing up when trying to climb out of my tomboy stage. It can be a fun read and helpful, if you take it for what it’s worth: A STARTING POINT. Life isn’t about hard and fast rules about finding yourself and your personal lifestyle. Everyone needs a jump off and Gisele Scanlon & friends understand that a little knowledge can go a long way. Even as accomplished as I think I am – I picked up a few tricks from the book I can’t wait to try. I for one am glad to have the help.

Because every strong, smart goddess knows that fabulous can’t be done alone.