Title: The Woo-Woo Sisters’ Wee Book of Wisdom
Author: Cynthia Ann Drew Barnes, PhD
Publisher: Xlibris
ISBN: 978-1-7960-8267-8
Genre: Self-Help
Pages: 86
Reviewed by: Allison Walker

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Middle-aged, unemployed, divorced and living with her parents, Cynthia Ann Drew
Barnes never expected to be in the situation she suddenly found herself. She wakes up
from her picture-perfect life and realizes she needs to let go of the white picket fence
ideal. Barnes finally understands what her friend means when he asks her, “That’s fine,
but are you happy?” Her self-perception of success shatters and she discovers a desire
to find her purpose. A lifetime of hard-earned wisdom allows Barnes to call this stage
her “midlife opportunity.”

In her book, The Woo-Woo Sisters’ Wee Book of Wisdom, Barnes writes about her
observations recreating her life and redefining what she thinks of as success. Raised on
the assumption success is equivalent to a long marriage, clever children and a
glamorous career, Barnes is shocked to realize none of these things made her happy.
For this reason, she expresses, it’s important for every woman to know what she calls
the “Woo-Woo Sisters’ Wisdom.” The Woo-Woo Sisters’ Wisdom is that, at the end of
the day, it’s no one’s job but your own to make you happy, and it’s not your job to make
anyone else happy.

Much of the wisdom is written from Barnes’ personal experiences, which makes it an
interesting, sometimes eclectic, blend of third-party references, such as valued books,
and personal opinion. Although Barnes references the Creator, she’s specifically
nondenominational and her book is appealing for a wide audience. Barnes’ writing is
quite emotive. She’s fun to read because you know exactly how Barnes would say that
to you; exactly the words she would enunciate to impart this specific piece of wisdom.
Chapters of her book are divided by poetry. Like her writing, Barnes’ poetry is very
rhythmic; is has an energy and beat.

The Woo-Woo Sisters’ Wee Book of Wisdom is about the wisdom of self-satisfaction,
not satisfaction through the love of a man or title of a job. Finding your purpose and
creating your own happiness is what turns a midlife crisis into a midlife opportunity.
Barnes shares the story of her sister-cousin, a gemologist who works as a real estate
appraiser to pay the bills. Eventually, Barnes predicts, her sister-cousin will return to her
true calling as a gemologist. In this life, it’s no ones’ job but your own to make you
happy, and there’s no better job for you to seek.