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How-To Handbook: Shortcuts and Solutions for the Problems of Everyday Life
There are certain things that everyone just has to know how to do in unjamming a jar, for instance, fixing a flat tire, and removing a particularly embarrassing stain. They may seem simple in retrospect, but you don’t have to turn all your laundry pink more than once before you learn that it’s best to just get things right the first time. The How-To Handbook packs over 50 essential life skills into one handy reference book and uses dozens of illustrations to show readers the very best ways to thread a needle, pitch a tent, tie a tie, chop an onion, and more!
128 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2013
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
May 17, 2013
There are about a million of these books out there. What bothers me is that, for the most part, it seems like the authors would have their strengths and weaknesses just like any other person.
In this one, I have to say the cooking portions are weak. The recommended method for cracking an egg is not the best in terms of keeping shell out of your egg, the method for chopping an onion is a guarantee for tears, and the pasta. Oh, the pasta! I'd like to edit the pasta portion:
Pete's Guide to Cooking Pasta:
1. Fresh pasta will always taste better than Barilla. This is fact.
2. Do not add a pinch of salt to the boiling water. Add a shitload. I'm told that if you tasted Italian pasta water you'd think you'd gotten a mouthful of sea water. Yes, this is not the healthiest option. But frankly, based on what I'm told, human life is not, overall, a healthy option.
3. People ask me, How do you know if the pasta is finished? This is hard in Colorado especially because the altitude cocks up the whole thing. Here's the thing: It's food right? So look at the estimated time, and then start TASTING THE FUCKING FOOD TO DETERMINE IF IT'S RIGHT. Don't throw it against the wall. Would you check a cookie's doneness by smashing it with a mallet? Okay, there you go.
Perfect Pasta.
These books also have a few staples. How to tie a tie, for instance. Which is ridiculous. I know many an adult who has a tie that's remained in a knot for years because he does not know how to tie a tie. Next wedding I go to, I'm untying every tie in the house to see who panics.
Pete's Guide to Tying a Tie
1. Well, you already blew it if you're old enough to be interested in a how-to book and you still don't know how to tie a tie.
2. Decide whether you would look better with a chiseled, shaved chest or with a hairy chest featuring a gold chain.
3. Based on one of the above options, do not wear a tie and unbutton your collar. Done.
This book in particular has a guide to making your own trail mix. Are people out there fucking this up? If you're fucking up trail mix, you have no business even being near enough to a hot stove to cook pasta.
Another good one that comes up all the time is a set of instructions for folding fitted sheets. This is apparently a huge problem for people. How many sets of fitted sheets do people have in storage at a time?
Pete's Guide to Folding a Fitted Sheet
1. Hold the sheet out in front of you.
2. Jam it in some sort of basket for linens.
3. Put the basket in the closet.
It's a fitted sheet, assholes. Why would you ever need or want to fold it? Just the fact that you own an extra fitted sheet means you are beating life at its own game.
Finally, Pete's Guide to Loading the Dishwasher
1. Get drunk.
2. Load the dishwasher.
3. Wake up the next morning in a fog, but proud that you managed to do something productive during the haze.
In this one, I have to say the cooking portions are weak. The recommended method for cracking an egg is not the best in terms of keeping shell out of your egg, the method for chopping an onion is a guarantee for tears, and the pasta. Oh, the pasta! I'd like to edit the pasta portion:
Pete's Guide to Cooking Pasta:
1. Fresh pasta will always taste better than Barilla. This is fact.
2. Do not add a pinch of salt to the boiling water. Add a shitload. I'm told that if you tasted Italian pasta water you'd think you'd gotten a mouthful of sea water. Yes, this is not the healthiest option. But frankly, based on what I'm told, human life is not, overall, a healthy option.
3. People ask me, How do you know if the pasta is finished? This is hard in Colorado especially because the altitude cocks up the whole thing. Here's the thing: It's food right? So look at the estimated time, and then start TASTING THE FUCKING FOOD TO DETERMINE IF IT'S RIGHT. Don't throw it against the wall. Would you check a cookie's doneness by smashing it with a mallet? Okay, there you go.
Perfect Pasta.
These books also have a few staples. How to tie a tie, for instance. Which is ridiculous. I know many an adult who has a tie that's remained in a knot for years because he does not know how to tie a tie. Next wedding I go to, I'm untying every tie in the house to see who panics.
Pete's Guide to Tying a Tie
1. Well, you already blew it if you're old enough to be interested in a how-to book and you still don't know how to tie a tie.
2. Decide whether you would look better with a chiseled, shaved chest or with a hairy chest featuring a gold chain.
3. Based on one of the above options, do not wear a tie and unbutton your collar. Done.
This book in particular has a guide to making your own trail mix. Are people out there fucking this up? If you're fucking up trail mix, you have no business even being near enough to a hot stove to cook pasta.
Another good one that comes up all the time is a set of instructions for folding fitted sheets. This is apparently a huge problem for people. How many sets of fitted sheets do people have in storage at a time?
Pete's Guide to Folding a Fitted Sheet
1. Hold the sheet out in front of you.
2. Jam it in some sort of basket for linens.
3. Put the basket in the closet.
It's a fitted sheet, assholes. Why would you ever need or want to fold it? Just the fact that you own an extra fitted sheet means you are beating life at its own game.
Finally, Pete's Guide to Loading the Dishwasher
1. Get drunk.
2. Load the dishwasher.
3. Wake up the next morning in a fog, but proud that you managed to do something productive during the haze.
November 28, 2016
This thin little tome would be a perfect gift for late middle-schoolers through young teens, with a possible age extension made for particularly hapless male teenagers about to leave for college without knowing even the fundamentals of how to do their own laundry. I hear this actually happens.
Since time immemorial, there have been tasks that parents expect their children to do automatically, without any instruction; The How-To Handbook includes practical, step-by-step instructions on how exactly to accomplish said tasks (such as cleaning one's room, loading the dishwasher, etc.) in a way that may even convince kids that these jobs are not as daunting and awful as they may have feared. Further, many skills are included that may not routinely be taught by parents but that young people might find appealing for impressing their friends (and especially members of the opposite sex), such as tying practical knots, cooking simple recipes, and perfectly wrapping a gift. There is, of course, a subset of how-tos that a too-cool tween might want to know how to do, but there is no way in hell that they're going to actually ask their parents: how to pop a pimple, treating smelly feet, and addressing one's own minor first aid concerns. And finally, hopefully many of the solutions elucidated within will serve as great icebreakers and bonding moments between parents and kids, and can lead to further discussion on developing important grown-up skills.
Most of the illustrations in The How-To Handbook perfectly complement the written instructions, which are also largely very clear and useful. The writing is light and includes the occasional pop culture reference or little jokes, but without being cloying, overly punny, or cheesy.
Since time immemorial, there have been tasks that parents expect their children to do automatically, without any instruction; The How-To Handbook includes practical, step-by-step instructions on how exactly to accomplish said tasks (such as cleaning one's room, loading the dishwasher, etc.) in a way that may even convince kids that these jobs are not as daunting and awful as they may have feared. Further, many skills are included that may not routinely be taught by parents but that young people might find appealing for impressing their friends (and especially members of the opposite sex), such as tying practical knots, cooking simple recipes, and perfectly wrapping a gift. There is, of course, a subset of how-tos that a too-cool tween might want to know how to do, but there is no way in hell that they're going to actually ask their parents: how to pop a pimple, treating smelly feet, and addressing one's own minor first aid concerns. And finally, hopefully many of the solutions elucidated within will serve as great icebreakers and bonding moments between parents and kids, and can lead to further discussion on developing important grown-up skills.
Most of the illustrations in The How-To Handbook perfectly complement the written instructions, which are also largely very clear and useful. The writing is light and includes the occasional pop culture reference or little jokes, but without being cloying, overly punny, or cheesy.
March 2, 2013
Very handy book, choc-a-bloc of essential how-to guides that I think will appeal to young teenagers.
It's well written, informative & has lots of contemporary references that keep it current and make it a fun read.
Enjoyable & useful, good combination!
It's well written, informative & has lots of contemporary references that keep it current and make it a fun read.
Enjoyable & useful, good combination!
July 24, 2019
Enjoyed the illustrations and thoughtful directions, but really now, all of these are eventually learned by children anyways. What are the chances of a kid picking up a book to learn how to crack an egg? That's right, zero. The book is pointless.
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April 21, 2016Title of Item in APA Citation: The how-to handbook : a guide to mastering everyday skills. (2013). San Francisco, CA : Zest Books.
Citation By: Lauren Rataj
Reference Type: Handbook
Call Number: Ref 001
Brief Description: This resource includes over 50 essential life skills in one handy reference book. It has dozens of illustrations to show readers the very best ways to do things such as threading a needle, pitching a tent, treat a bee sting, chop an onion and many more!
Content/Scope: This handbook is targeted for younger students. It provides information on how to do life skills that are important to function in society.
Accuracy/Authority/Bias: Zest Books is a small production company that was created in 2006. They focus on creating non-fiction resources for young adults. They publish “smart and edgy” books on topics such as history, science, entertainment, health and humor. They are a great information resource for students.
Arrangement/Presentation: This resource is organized by “parts” that are separated by titled categories. These include “Everyday Essentials”, “Looking and Smelling Good” and “Get to Know Your Kitchen”. The index makes finding topics easy.
Relation to other works: There are many types of handbooks out there for students of all ages. Many are very specific by topic. Most that I have seen are for entertainment purposes such as Pokémon, Minecraft, etc.. What makes this unique is that it has many types of categories for students that teacher them life skills they need.
Accessibility/Diversity: The categories are diverse and meet the interests and skills of many different students. This resource does include color illustrations throughout to support visual learners with understanding processes.
Cost: $10.99
Professional Review: Booklist. (2013, May 21). Booklist Review. Retrieved April 17, 2016, from http://www.booklistonline.com/The-How...
Citation By: Lauren Rataj
Reference Type: Handbook
Call Number: Ref 001
Brief Description: This resource includes over 50 essential life skills in one handy reference book. It has dozens of illustrations to show readers the very best ways to do things such as threading a needle, pitching a tent, treat a bee sting, chop an onion and many more!
Content/Scope: This handbook is targeted for younger students. It provides information on how to do life skills that are important to function in society.
Accuracy/Authority/Bias: Zest Books is a small production company that was created in 2006. They focus on creating non-fiction resources for young adults. They publish “smart and edgy” books on topics such as history, science, entertainment, health and humor. They are a great information resource for students.
Arrangement/Presentation: This resource is organized by “parts” that are separated by titled categories. These include “Everyday Essentials”, “Looking and Smelling Good” and “Get to Know Your Kitchen”. The index makes finding topics easy.
Relation to other works: There are many types of handbooks out there for students of all ages. Many are very specific by topic. Most that I have seen are for entertainment purposes such as Pokémon, Minecraft, etc.. What makes this unique is that it has many types of categories for students that teacher them life skills they need.
Accessibility/Diversity: The categories are diverse and meet the interests and skills of many different students. This resource does include color illustrations throughout to support visual learners with understanding processes.
Cost: $10.99
Professional Review: Booklist. (2013, May 21). Booklist Review. Retrieved April 17, 2016, from http://www.booklistonline.com/The-How...
December 1, 2017
This book was received for free from LibraryThing’s Early Reviewers in return for a review.
A book that provides life skills for a wide range of topics with everything from stain removal to curing hiccups. Divided into sections each topic carries do’s and don’ts as well as labeled diagrams to illustrate each step. This is helpful for those who learn better through visuals rather than by text alone.
Compact for storage, there’s a great section called “How to Read this Book” as it’s not meant to be read front to back but instead used when the situation arises. And if you think you’re already skilled enough and wouldn’t glean anything new from this book there is a great way to slice onions included inside.
There is room for improvement though. Some topics reference other skills and use section numbers when really page numbers would be more helpful. As well, like activities should be grouped together. For example, bow ties and ties are together but separate from ironing pants. Why not collect all clothing skills together in one area to make them easier to find?
Intended for audiences of all ages, this book is useable in a variety of situations.
A book that provides life skills for a wide range of topics with everything from stain removal to curing hiccups. Divided into sections each topic carries do’s and don’ts as well as labeled diagrams to illustrate each step. This is helpful for those who learn better through visuals rather than by text alone.
Compact for storage, there’s a great section called “How to Read this Book” as it’s not meant to be read front to back but instead used when the situation arises. And if you think you’re already skilled enough and wouldn’t glean anything new from this book there is a great way to slice onions included inside.
There is room for improvement though. Some topics reference other skills and use section numbers when really page numbers would be more helpful. As well, like activities should be grouped together. For example, bow ties and ties are together but separate from ironing pants. Why not collect all clothing skills together in one area to make them easier to find?
Intended for audiences of all ages, this book is useable in a variety of situations.
June 6, 2017
nonfiction; life skills for teens. Not all that useful for adults (and I suspect there are better things out there for teens), but the book is small and not intimidating (for teens that might not want to read a lot) and the cover is attractive.
September 27, 2013
While the intended audience for this book is young adults, I was too interested to let that stop me from entering the giveaway.
I do believe everyone needs a copy regardless of age. There is an abundance of helpful and useful tips in this book, from how to fold a fitted sheet (I've been practicing) to curing hiccups. (I have told people for years that peanut butter works for hiccups, only to be met with raised eyebrows and incredulous stares. I don't know why it works, I just know it does!) Now I can carry the book and show people, see! I'm not completely nuts.
The book is written in such a way that information can easily be found no matter what you could use a few pointers on. The worst thing I can say about this book is that it wasn't long enough.
**I received a free copy of this book through a GoodReads First Reads giveaway.
September 1, 2013
Being an adult is hard. I know because supposedly I am. Key word being supposedly. My immaturity isn’t what this review is about. Today I am covering what is pretty much a how to book for daily living skills that will come in useful for your adult life. Not the guidebook for the tough stuff in life but every little bit helps.
The book is divided into sections such as about cooking or cleaning. Each section has a few topics (Ironing pants, setting a table.) with the instructions with how to do it well. They also add any needed warnings or tips.
For the rest of the review and rating please check me out at Musekicker's Reading Place.
The book is divided into sections such as about cooking or cleaning. Each section has a few topics (Ironing pants, setting a table.) with the instructions with how to do it well. They also add any needed warnings or tips.
For the rest of the review and rating please check me out at Musekicker's Reading Place.
May 5, 2013
Read a long time ago and helped me a lot in many ways but as well led to wrong dimension in some aspects as the book is written under influence of entirely different cultural and social context but in some corner of my mind it urged me to read between the line as all the problems can be solved and all the solutions passed on to us can be evolved and modernized to save the time and other limited utilities available for us.
August 28, 2013
This is a supremely helpful book! Divided into six parts for emergency skills, DIY, get to know your kitchen, clean up like a pro, looking and smelling good, and everyday essentials. Each part has instructions and tips. I especially will heavily utilize Clean Up Like a Pro, especially 'How to Fold a Fitted Sheet' *argh* and Remove a Stain (mother of a pre-teen). Common sense and all in a niftily sized book. This is going in the kitchen so I know exactly where to find it when I need it.
May 6, 2013
GoodReads Giveaway!!!
This book has a lot of information in it that would be helpful to pre-teens and teenagers in their day-to-day lives. It also has a few things adults would do well to know. Overall I enjoyed reading this book. It was a quick read, but it held a good amount of information that is definitely useful.
This book has a lot of information in it that would be helpful to pre-teens and teenagers in their day-to-day lives. It also has a few things adults would do well to know. Overall I enjoyed reading this book. It was a quick read, but it held a good amount of information that is definitely useful.
July 1, 2016
Shortcuts and Solutions for the Problems of Everyday Life (Non-fiction, DIY) 3 star rating
Instructions for many basic but necessary life skills. Suitable for teens moving out for the first time.
Read this if: you’re off to college or to find your place in the world. 3 stars
Note: I won a copy of this book on Library Thing Early Reviewers. This did not affect my rating.
Instructions for many basic but necessary life skills. Suitable for teens moving out for the first time.
Read this if: you’re off to college or to find your place in the world. 3 stars
Note: I won a copy of this book on Library Thing Early Reviewers. This did not affect my rating.
February 18, 2013
Reviewed for professional publication.
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December 29, 2013Another cute little book my daughter keeps swiping off my TO READ pile. Quick little 30 minute read, full of practical tips.
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June 23, 2016Fun facts
November 12, 2016
All useful, but apparently by the time you get to be my age, you know nearly all of these already.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews