cover image "Why Does He Do That?" "Why Does She Do That?": Two Relationship Experts Reveal the Naked Truth About Dating in the 21st Century

"Why Does He Do That?" "Why Does She Do That?": Two Relationship Experts Reveal the Naked Truth About Dating in the 21st Century

Paula Bloom and Reef Karim. Sellers (www.rsvp.com), $15.95 trade paper (224p) ISBN 978-1-4162-0659-0

With an aim to guide the uninitiated into the world of dating, and help those already involved weather the storm, clinical psychologist Bloom and relationship therapist Karim dialogue about the ins-and-outs of finding and keeping love. Alternating between the authors' takes on various topics%E2%80%94from how to ask someone on a date, who should pay, how to navigate arguments, and when the going gets rough, how to apologize%E2%80%94the guide contrapuntally provides male and female perspectives, though the titular "Naked Truth" they claim to reveal is little more than common sense bound and barcoded. Some of their advice is outright preposterous, as when they list among potential deal breakers "Unfaithfulness," "Dishonesty," racism, and homophobia%E2%80%94as if readers ignorant of these red flags might somehow be convinced of their perniciousness by a pop psychology guide. Bloom and Karim pay most of their attention to sexual topics, and do address some delicate issues, such as the role of pornography in a relationship as problematic or helpful, and the impetus behind 50-70% of woman having admitted to faking an orgasm. In the end, however, readers who finish this book will likely ask themselves, "Why did I do that?"(Apr.)