Wanna know what this upcoming Saturday is, family?

The day that the book club that I belong to will sit down at Panera Bread to discuss Terry McMillan's Getting to Happy. You see, the long-awaited, juicy sequel to the 1995 novel-turned-blockbuster-movie, Waiting to Exhale, catches up with the four "sistahs." They were described as holding their breath until the men of their dreams sweep them off their feet. Their stories resonated with America...among Black women, in particular. Now some 15 years later, folks want to see if these die-hard bosom buddies...well...finally stop suffocating, I suppose.

Now, Waiting to Exhale had its ups and downs. We met Robin (her character in the movie adaptation was played by Lela Rochon), a sassy, bodacious and-yes-promiscuous single Black woman who always fell for the wrong guys, especially Russell. Savannah (played in the movie by Whitney Houston), an established producer, falls head-over-heels in love with a married doctor, Kenny, but ultimately leaves him. Gloria (played by Loretta Devine) puts all her years of loneliness and single motherhood (and a gay ex-husband, to boot) behind her when she meets the dashing, humble Marvin. Oh, and we have good ol' Bernadine, or "Bernie," (played by Angela Bassett)who abandoned her own dreams of opening a catering business to help launch her husband's business. James, however, ended up leaving her for a Caucasian secretary. Who could forget how Bernadine-in a moment of literal burning rage-stuffed and arsoned all of James belongings in h is BMW?

(Okay, so I'm playing the Youtube video to Mary J. Blige's "Not Gon Cry" at the typing of this column)

Although many felt that both the Waiting to Exhale novel as well as the film counterpart offered honest glimpses at black women's relationship struggles, many criticized Waiting to Exhale for what they considered black male-bashing on a national scale. In other words, it "dogged the brothas out," as they say. Moreover, the book and movie were seen as glamorizing one night stands, chronic or mindless dating, and adultery, even.

So when it comes to Getting to Happy, we find that the ladies are still gasping for air. Robin's teen daughter, Sparrow, is rambunctious and, truly, a chip off the old block, so to speak. Meanwhile mom is still on a dating and shopping spree. Savannah continues to experience power struggles with her Mama while wrestling with love pangs. Gloria deals with unexpected grief while loving her son, Tarik, through his battles. Finally, Bernadine spirals into deeper depression, angst and yet more marital woes. Surprisingly, though, hope seems on the horizon for Bernie.

So, back to this Saturday's book club...I can't wait to hear what others have gathered from Getting to Happy. To get the literary juices flowing, I posed a few questions to my fellow bookies, some of whom crowd my office to "cheat" by having early discussions or text me things like 'Girl, can you believe that? Scandalous!' I've asked, "Did you find the tone to be bitter and or, conversely, optimistic and refreshing?"

I already know my answer.

While I enjoy Terry McMillan's casual, hip writing (minus the potty language, particularly for such classy ladies), I don't necessarily find inspiration from her titles. And while I adore Bernie, Savannah and Robin (with their crazy selves), they're not heroines nor do their depictions speak for all black women. Well, maybe, I'll cut Gloria some slack since she's markedly a bit more grounded than the others. Still, Terry McMillan's works often leave us rehashing heartbreaks and recalling disappointments. How else would a reader feel when they read Bernie repeatedly rationalizing her dire predicament because she "felt like an empty parking lot and James just came and parked?"

I hope that a third installment is written...one where we encounter the same ladies, just "doing life" differently. Wouldn't it be nice to see them finally whole, content? In this vein, I'm reading another bestseller, Captivating by John and Stasi Eldredge, that has roused me to remember that one's singleness is not a season to rush to get out of, nor is it a curse based on past relationship mistakes.

According to the Eldredges, yes, women are made for love-as Gloria, Savannah, Bernie and Robin might attest-because we have 3 fundamental desires: to be romanced, to play an irreplaceable role in a great adventure and, finally, to unveil our beaut

y. But there's more:

Your heart as a woman is the most important thing about you...As women, we long to be loved in a certain way, a way unique to our femininity. We long for romance. We are wired for it; it's what makes our hearts come alive. You know that. Somewhere, deep down inside, you know this. But what you might never have known is this...This doesn't need to wait for a man.

Truly alive and vibrant women are all but "pitiful," as one of my book club buddies dubbed the four Getting to Happy characters. Instead, they romance their souls and the world through a contagious love for God. They display their beauty and play an irreplaceable role in a great, heavenly adventure. Until we know who we are and Whose we are, ladies, we will always be sprinting, panting, and getting to happy...without ever truly arriving.

Ana Guthrie is a super cool chick with a heart for God and love for youth culture. She doubles as a not-so-naughty librarian and instructor at Florida Memorial University in Miami, Florida.