Coffee, Tea, and Reality

Book excerpt: Created by Canadian cartoonist Sandra Bell-Lundy, the syndicated comic strip Between Friends offers a near-telepathic view of the female psyche and illustrates the essence and angst of modern women today. Between Friends chronicles the highs and lows of three archetypal women in their early forties who have known each other since high school: Susan, who balances her full-time job with her responsibilities at home; Maeve, the divorced, sophisticated professional who's always searching for Mr. Right; and Kim, who works at home while taking care of her six-year-old stepson. Readers will recognize themselves and their friends in this contemporary slice-of-life strip. Susan, Maeve, and Kim talk to each other about things like aging, dating an ex, motherhood, guilt, personal time, and the pros and cons of Botox. Bell-Lundy obviously has struck a chord with countless enthusiastic fans, such as reader Valerie Hastings: "My husband teases me that you must be related or a good friend because you seem to have an inside track on my mind!" Reader Kim Turner agrees: "As a working mother with a supportive spouse and two 'daycared'-for children, I continually look forward to seeing glimpses of my own life in your work." Coffee, Tea, and Reality is sure to delight the millions of women whose lives parallel the angst-driven, stress-filled glory of the Between Friends gang.