The Girl's Guide to Absolutely Everything

Starred review from October 30, 2006
As a former senior producer at Oxygen Media and author of their "Ask Princess" advice column, Kirsch specializes in helping young women face the challenges of life in the real world. Here she's compiled information and advice in a common-sensible, funny and easy-to-read primer on all aspects of life for women in their 20s and 30s, deftly organized into 10 chapters covering health, work, money, manners, friends, love, family, spirit, home and fashion. Nothing is off limits, from "Home Ec for Modern Times" (including the rationale behind nude tub-scrubbing) to romance and its subsidiaries (such as "Non-Goal-Oriented sex"). Kirsch is fond of using lists and charts to compliment the text, such as her handy stain remover chart and her Woman's Sexual Bill of Rights, and she includes a liberal sprinkling of funny and insightful quotes from regular gals. Especially helpful are her chapter on "The Company You Keep," with advice on rooming, traveling and growing with friends, and her thorough look at money and finances. While some of this information is old hat, it's delivered in a welcoming and comprehensive package, making it a standout in a crowded field as well as an ideal gift.

Starred review from January 1, 2007
One would be hard-pressed to come up with a more accurate title for this comprehensive guide. Kirsch, a former producer at Oxygen Media, provides a wealth of advice for women in their twenties and thirties on everything from body image and friendship to first jobs and money. For each subject, she includes pertinent articles and diagrams as well as relevant web sites and phone numbers. She shares handy tips on how to choose a credit card, whom and how much to tip, and how to get criticized without bursting into tears. Her well-designed book is pleasurable to read and encourages healthy, responsible behavior. Highly recommended for academic and public libraries.

Copyright 2007 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.