IT'S MY PLEASURE: A Revolutionary Plan to Free Yourself from Guilt, Find Your True Self and Create the Life You Want

In this unconventional dual-memoir/self-help book, Maria Rodale, the vice-chairman of Rodale Inc., and her daughter Maya tell women how they focus on their own pleasure, from spending time alone to the use of a vibrator (which college-age Maya prefers to the boys she knows). Maria's and Maya's stories make for a compelling and honest pair of case studies that illuminate the different experiences of the two generations; in a discussion of following one's heart, Maria details how she reshaped Rodale, while Maya shares her decision to transfer from a small Connecticut college to bustling New York University in the wake of 9/11. How readers can translate these inspiring examples into their own lives is less clear. The advice included is simple; for example, sleeping naked, dining alone in a restaurant. The 30 short chapters also include profiles of "Pleasure Revolutionaries," women through history (from Mary Magdalene to Madonna) who the Rodales say demonstrate that pleasure-seeking "is an ancient, sacred path." Profiles based on interviews with contemporary women, such as romance writer Julia Quinn, are stronger than the minibios of historical figures. Emphasis on their strong beliefs in the power of ancient goddess worship and romance novels won't resonate with everyone, but their vivid personal stories could inspire many readers to seek their own pleasure. (May 3)