DEAR ABBY: A good friend of mine recently wrote and self-published a book. It is comprised of anecdotes, poems and short essays. She asked if I liked it, and I (coward that I am) told her I liked a couple of the stories and thought the book was quite good. I lied. The book is horrible. I thought it was just me -- but when I shared it with a few others, they felt the same way.
Much of what she wrote reflects strong negativity about her job as a social worker, the people she's there to help, and the children she taught as a substitute teacher.
I want to tell her my true feelings, but everybody tells me to keep quiet. That may not be fair to her. She's starting another book, and I think she should know the truth. How can I tell her without hurting her feelings or insulting her? Her friendship means a lot to me. -- 'LIL WHITE LIE
DEAR 'LIL: Writing her thoughts and feelings may be your friend's mechanism for venting her frustrations, and it's a healthy one. I see nothing to be gained by discouraging her. Because you and your friends didn't care for her book doesn't mean no one will. Since her friendship means a lot to you, mum's the word.