AisleDash

Laura Wolf's 2001 novel, Diary of a Mad Bride, is one of those books every bride should read. The book isn't full of good advice on wedding planning; rather, it's full of what-not-to-do's.

We all know girls who've gone completely loco as soon as they get engaged, but none of us thinks we'll be the next bridezilla. Wolf's engaging novel takes us along one bride's road to bridezillaville, showing readers how even level-headed girls can go a little crazy when it comes to planning a wedding.

As readers watch protagonist Amy Thomas slip from cool, witty, and collected into a maniacal mess, the very real and honest tone of the book works as a mirror for brides to note the ways they may be prone to losing control -- and the respect of all their friends and loved ones -- in the course of their own wedding planning.

The message of the book is a good one for all potential brides and bridezillas: even when nothing goes according to plan, the end goal is not a beautiful wedding, but a beautiful marriage.