"Tapestry of Fortunes" by NYT Best Selling Author Elizabeth Berg is Motivational Malarky

Elizabeth Berg (b. Amer 1948) is a best selling author, whose book "Open House" ('00) was an Oprah pick catapulting sales to astronomical figures.  This is because there are so many numskulls who consider Oprah as the end all to wisdom.  Elizabeth Berg spouts Oprah's language.  This is a thinly disguised novel written more in the motivational, self-help genre.  Cecile "Cece" (see how clever) is the central character and her vocation just happens to be as a motivational speaker/writer. (She also volunteers at a hospice facility where she seems to be some kind of saint.)   Cecile's best friend Penny has just died but that doesn't interfere with the two friends communicating continuously.  Hold on - there's more in store: Cece refers to "fortune teller" paraphernalia to guide her.  Berg's veiled attempts to contemplate the road not taken hits the reader relentlessly and annoyingly, "…life is always changing, right?  And I think it's human nature to be fearful of change.  Even if the changes you dread most end up being the ones that are best.  That's what happened to me" Cece tells us.  Cece sells her home, moves into a home with 3 other women who become best fast & furious friends.  They all decide to go on a road trip with their own agendas to reconnect with past loves, lost family & start afresh.  How charming…NOT!  I found this touchy/feely book by Berg tedious & preachy.  It was one large bumper sticker of smiley faces.  Oprah would applaud Berg's ah hah moments: "Once you start making decision in which your heart, mind, and soul are congruent, you'll feel it as a kind of life, if not liftoff."  This book made me want to throw-up from saccharin, cringe worthy sayings. "Tapestry of Fortunes" fooled me to take the time to read it.  But, I will never again bother with Berg's books.