"The Naked Roommate"

I just bought a great book for my college student, even though he's been there awhile already. It's called, "The Naked Roommate" by Harlan Cohen (Sourcebooks Inc., $14.95). It's loaded with legitimate tips for soon-to-be and already-are college kids. Cohen pretty much tells it like it is, and he backs up his tips with outrageous, hilarious stories. He addresses issues faced by kids these days, ie: "The Freshman 15 . . .or, umm, 45" and "The Credit Card and the $600 Candy Bar" and "Don't Be So Stupid That You Accidentally Kill Yourself" and "Pimps, Hos, and Reputations" and "I Got Dumped and No Longer Have a Relationship" and "Wine Tasting, Bowling, and Other Important Electives" and "Meet People Without Even Trying." You get the idea. It's an entertaining and informative book for kids and parents alike.

Here's what his website says about Cohen:

Harlan Cohen was born naked. He grew up clothed in the suburbs in Chicago until growing up and heading off to college. The youngest of three brothers, Harlan was the last to go to college. Harlan landed at the University of Wisconsin in Madison, Wisconsin. He expected it to be an easy transition -- he was wrong. He got dumped by his high school long distance girlfriend, he didn't get into the fraternity he had been rushing, and he didn't find his place in college. In high school he was a big man on campus -- in college he was lost.

(www.thenakedroommate.com/ "The naked author exposed")

Cohen's irreverant way of writing will appeal to the college-age crowd. He offers tips and comments on coping with college life, based on his own experience (he was a college freshman twice) and other student interviews and stories. A few more of the topics include:

• Roommates: My Lying, Stealing, Klepto Roommate; Noisy, Naughty, and Nasty Roommates; and The Ulitmate Roommate Rule
• Life inside the Classroom: To Go or Not to Go; Most Professors Don't Hate You; and How to Be More Than Just a Number
• Money/Laundry/Cheap Eats: Paying for College; Cheaper Books, and Bad Checks, Bad Credit, and Other Bad Ideas

Check out Harlan's websites: www.thenakedroommate.com and www.helpmeharlan.com He has also recorded a CD that includes songs about college life, such as "My Roommate Stu."

Interesting links from the WallStreet Journal college site include articles written by Harlan Cohen and others:

http://www.wsjclassroom.com/archive/02oct/COLG_OCT.htm

http://www.wsjclassroomedition.com/oncampus/index.html

http://www.wjsclassroomedition.com/college/index.html

As many kids head off to college, these links and Cohen's book should provide entertaining as well as helpful information to them and their parents. In fact I think I'll include a copy of the book along with the customary check for future graduation gifts.