November 15, 2003
Raines, formerly an associate beauty editor at Essence magazine, waxes ecstatic on various topics (e.g., hair, feelings, and dating) in this manifesto for African American women. Some readers may find the book overly hedonistic at first, but that sentiment should wane in the face of Raines's enthusiasm: she recommends reveling in all the beauty and sensuousness that life has to offer, be it great music, fine literature, or a "beautylicious" hairdo, and there's nothing wrong with that. Though slight, the chapter on health ("Fit and Fine") is a case in point; it advises doing something sound (e.g., drink water) with panache (e.g., use a fine glass and a crystal pitcher). Wonderfully energetic, this is a great starting point for women who are interested in living zestfully. Raines's candid, direct style is that of a girlfriend (the book's title is a play on the hit song "Bootylicious," by contemporary girl group, Destiny's Child). Public libraries should stock this one or read-a-like Debra Olliver's Entre Nous: A Woman's Guide to Finding Her Inner French Girl.
Copyright 2003 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.