The first, COFFEE WILL MAKE YOU BLACK by April Sinclair, describes a teenage girl's coming of age in the 60's. The girl respected her strong mother who urged her to be in control of her life. As is often the case, the boys she knew as well as many of her peers were engaging in sexual activity. None of them gave her any advice about the sexual experience and many of them readily admitted it wasn't so great, particularly the first few times. In general, the boys were not particularly sensitive, and more often were abusive and selfish.

This girl was faced with difficult decisions, and how she steered thorough these stormy adolescent waters is the substance of the story. By the 11th grade, she settled on a shy boy and a sterile safe relationship, but not before some close calls and dangerous encounters. Her mother's only advise? "Don't do it!"

The second book is PROMISCUITIES by Naomi Wolf. The subtitle is The Secret Struggle for Womanhood. Ms. Wolf describes her recollection of