The Girl's Guide: Getting The Hang Of Your Whole Complicated, Unpredictable, Impossibly Amazing Life

by Melissa Kirsch

Lena Dunham. Mindy Kaling. Zooey Deschanel. All girls of the moment, all proof that girl culture has reached a veritable tipping point. But as young women look to claim their "girl" territory, they need a guide more than ever. Welcome, Melissa! Hailed as "a veritable bible for post-college and premarital women" ("Newsday") and "required reading for any woman with ambition" (Susan Jane Gilman), "The Girl's Guide"--previously published as "The Girl's Guide to Absolutely Everything"--is the indispensable source of information for women striking out on their own, a colossal cheat sheet on everything from surviving a first real job to the delicate enterprise of defriending. In this fully updated and revised edition of her guidebook, now for a new group of readers, Melissa Kirsch navigates the most stressful and personal subject matter with the wit and humor of a recently been-there smart older sister. She is authoritative and compassionate, funny and approachable, lively and intelligent. In addition, she draws on the wisdom of sexperts, psychotherapists, a nutritionist, an internist, and a practitioner of Traditional Chinese Medicine. The book covers everything a reader will need to know about everything: why you shouldn't wear peep-toe heels to a job interview or spray on your favorite perfume before a plane trip; how to clean up a Facebook faux pas, find an apartment, identify the dateable few from the psychotic masses, deal with overanxious parents, make quick money (hello, TaskRabbit and Airbnb), and live a life that doesn't suck. "The Girl's Guide" is the book that shows the way forward for every young woman graduating from school and heading off to find her place in a big, exciting, uncertain world.

Genres: Self Help, Nonfiction, Personal Development, Mental Health, Personal Growth, Adult

640 pages, Library Binding

First published April 7, 2015

About the author

Melissa Kirsch is the author of The Girl's Guide , the definitive bible for navigating your 20s, now with 100,000 copies in print and just out in an updated + revised edition (2015).

Reviews

[Nicole Miles · Rating 4 out of 5]

Net Galley eARC review

OK! Sadly, I only got 50% of the way through this book. It's a shame because, even though I didn't agree with everything, it definitely was a very interesting, very thorough 'life guide'. I think it would make a good coffee table book to occasionally browse or as a reference/starting point for an "adult life" conundrum.

I actually wrote very(!!!) long notes on each chapter I read so I'll include that in a "spoiler" note here:
Health section

• A lot of it is just common sense and feels a bit trite like an extended magazine column (and the book is laid out similarly). But I don't think she's being condescending or anything. This book is meant to be a sort of "beginner's guide to life" so it wouldn't make sense to make assumptions about what the reader knows. Not to mention, I'm sure there are a lot of people at my age who aren't aware of most of this information.
page 28 was interesting and revealed more things I didn't know relating to diet.

I'm not convinced that needing to poop once or twice *daily* is healthy. Maybe two or three times a week, but surely not every day? But then maybe this is a sign that I'm the weird one? I don't know :S

• The smoking and alcohol section under health/diet feels a bit "OK, Mum! *eye roll*" I am not sure it would convince any smoker or heavy drinker to change their ways…nor am I convinced smokers and drinkers today don't have adequate convincing information about the detrimental effects of their addictions. This section may function better as a warning and/or affirmation for non-smokers and responsible drinkers.

• I've always considered the American inclination towards therapy an odd one. While I definitely think it is useful and sometimes necessary, it's always seemed strange as a (seeming) early step in the problem solving process. I wonder if that's skepticism about people trying to convince me I need them in order to take my money or the result of societal conditioning to see going to talk to a stranger who listens to you as odd when maybe it should be very ordinary. I don't know.
The more we get into this section more it smacks of self-help. This will be useful for some people. For me, it just feels a bit…"Meh. Same old." It's probably a good chapter for debunking the stigma of going to therapy though. I guess if I felt I needed therapy for anything it would be really useful finding out the different types, how long it can go on for, being told how normal/common it is now (especially in America), etc.

• On alternative medicine: Have you hear the old joke?
"What do you call alternative medicine that works?"
"Medicine."
Americans spend an obscene amount of money on alternative medicine every year. And, honestly, I find it hard to get on board with. If it's not a placebo and if it's backed up with thorough reliable measurable research and testing (regardless of country), great. If it's an alternative to that…well I can't help but think you're just after my wallet. Call me a skeptic, but I'm just not buying it. Anyway, I appreciate (I guess…) that it's listed as an option for those who are that way inclined.

• There is one section that talks about American health insurance systems and acronyms relating to them and the American Affordable Care Act which I cannot evaluate and which is completely inconsequential to me so I skipped it, but I imagine it would be very useful to someone living in the United States.

Career/Work section

• Your first job doesn't define you. Be careful of the digital trail you're leaving. Networking (how to see it as a more positive, non sleazy, human interaction, etc). These are things I already know about very well. They are things that I don't even remember 'learning' because they seemed like innate knowledge. But they probably aren't for everyone.

• That said, there are definitely nuggets of useful tips in this section.

• HOWEVER, her thinking about "interview attire = business suits" is a little antiquated. It may be appropriate for some interviews with certain types of businesses, but it certainly is not an across the board rule that should be followed. You need to just do research on the company and, if possible, look on the company's social media or somewhere that might reveal a photo of what people wear in the building. For my job the unofficial dress code of creatives is anywhere from casual to smart casual (people rock up in jeans and a t-shirt and that's not at all an issue). In the same company, the people in accounts tend to be more smart casual to business with an inclination towards the business dress. It's totally dependent on the company and even within that company it may change because of the role. You can advise people across the board to go to any interview in a business suit. (I mean it was more sort of "Do what you want, but trust me, you sort of have to go the extra mile and really stand out if you don't want to look unprofessional by not wearing a suit." But that is just not the whole picture.) Maybe this is a UK/US disparity…but I'm not convinced on her adamance for people to wear suits to interviews or to work in general (both of which she advocates strongly).
Luckily for women in this day and age, I think we have a wider range of fashion to choose from that can perfectly exist in that grey area between smart casual fashion and business fashion. I think it's probably harder for men to do that (though I imagine men can't go wrong with trousers, a shirt and a knitted pullover…unless it's summer where you loose the pullover?)
Anyway, the basic sentiment is obviously just don't rock up in a mustard stained holey white t-shirt, smelly sweatpants and crocs. I can think of few applications where that is appropriate dress.

• I truly appreciated the "Your Job Is Not A Sorority" section.. Though I would have liked some commentary about when you don't have your own friends to turn to when you're feeling friendless at work - say, if you relocated for work to a place where you don't know anyone. What then?
In fact, a whole section just about friends; making friends out of acquaintances (particularly after college when everyone physically, and sometimes emotionally, moves apart), keeping in touch, what happens when you realise that childhood friends aren't in the same mental 'place' as you anymore…how to deal with that? …Or maybe this is all unique to me and my friend(less) issues… hmmmm

• A lot (if not all) of the job/unemployment/etc organisations and systems discussed are USA specific. There may be similar systems in your country, but be aware that almost none of the links to different organisations and associations are probably useful.

• I appreciate and can agree with all the workplace etiquette bits.

Money & Finance

• She mentions that women aren't taught much about finances whereas boys are. I'm not sure how true this is (it's probably the opposite way in my family), but I do know I've always been really good with my finances. If, like me, you have always been a saver who equally knows how to simultaneously treat herself regularly, coupled with the fact that this information is pretty specific to America when it does get more in-depth with advice beyond the basics, this section won't be universally useful. That's not a failing of the text - it wouldn't make sense for her to advise outside of what she knows about - but it is something to be aware of if you're picking this up and you're living outside of the United States of America.

• Even though this section is very USA-centric, but still useful and some tips can definitely still be applied to those living outside of the USA.

• She keeps saying that choosing not to get a credit card is a bad idea because having no credit is not the same as having good credit which could stop you from getting loans or mortgages if you need to later in life, and the "only "way to build credit is to get a credit card. And while it's true that no credit is not the same as having good credit, I'm pretty sure there are other ways (at least in the UK!), like having a phone contract for example, to have good credit than to get a credit card (particularly if you don't trust yourself with a credit card and are worried about fine print risks). I think it's misleading the way she repeats this idea that credit cards are the only way to build credit and I can't imagine that a credit card is the only way to build credit in the US.

• The entire investing section seemed pretty useful as a very cursory introduction. It should be seen as the starting point for those wanting to get on the investment ladder because, while it doesn't give much in depth information about the (undoubtedly vast) world of investing, it gives suggestions about where to get advice, what to think about and a few basics including terminology.

• I don't care for the tax section at all. It is about the American tax system and has no bearing on my life at all, but it looks like it would be a very useful resource for those confused about the United States tax system.

• I appreciated her little section about the awkwardness of lending/borrowing money to/from friends. It makes the book more social and personal and less just about flat hard advice in a perfect world where there are never any awkward social hiccups.

• Good tips on things to think about when buying a car including budgeting for initial costs as well as running costs, negotiating price based on research into the car in question, useful websites to consult for further information, buying new and buying used, and what to look for when inspecting and testing the car before you buy it.

• It's worth noting that the tax tips as it relates to houses is only US applicable, but it's possible that other governments have similar schemes which might be worth looking into if you live somewhere else. It gives a few other things to think about when buying a house too, but overall I felt this section was fairly light (though it didn't necessarily feel lacking either).

Etiquette

• Hmm already it smacks of archaic "rules for girls" but that may be unfair because these 'rules' apply to everyone and are just about being considerate of other people in social gatherings, HOWEVER, the context being a "girl's guide" does make it feel...a little yesteryear... I suppose if there were a companion volume for guys that included all these same things it wouldn't feel sexist.

• Interestingly, while there is a strong culture of tipping (for EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE) in the US, it's more unusual in the UK. There are definitely places where you would, but there are a lot of more casual venues where it's awkward or unusual, like pubs. You wouldn't really tip in a pub…unless maybe you're at the bar and you want to give a little extra to the bartender for some reason (even though all the drinks are on tap)? Not really for food… It just seems a little odd really.
But this book has a whole loooooong list of how much to tip every person you will ever meet ever from the Restaurant and Coffee Shops to Cloakroom and Toilet Attendants to the taxis and parking garages. It is an unusual thing that I am not used to. I would never leave my house if I knew there was a culture whereby I owe all these people money just for doing their jobs (regardless of how good a job they do because it is "customary" to tip "no less than 10%" even for bad service apparently). And, morally, I'm against tipping as a was of subsidising low wages. If tipping culture is primarily about balancing low wages and not a genuine token of gratitude for a job well done, employees need to be paid properly by their employers and not be dependent on tips to get by. But that's just my opinion and I'm sure some will disagree with me.
She also has a list of people not to tip (including doctors, teachers, postmen, plumbers*, electricians*, and more), though some of them (*) I don't understand why, in this world of tipping, you wouldn't tip if you're tipping everyone else who shows up to do a service for you so… Maybe I'm just an uncultured yutz.

• Despite it seeming old-fashioned and the likelihood that I will modify all these 'rules' in most situations to suit the atmosphere and my company, I liked finding out about the table manners section. There are a lot of rules I know about here and there (napkin on lap, no elbows on table, place knife and fork together on plate to signify being finished, etc), but it's good to have a reference to consult.

• Generally, though, it's all pretty obvious or eye-roll-worthy…or both!

• Some of these manners rules seem a little OTT. If I'm with someone and I bump into another friend, there's no way anyone is going to be handshaking anyone. If feels a little too 'old' for my age group right now (I'm in my mid-twenties). She says that in not offering a handshake "you'll be labeled rude and standoffish", but a hug (suggested for if "you're in the company of friends of friends, or it's between women work chums") is equally as ridiculous as this feels way too forward and personal to me. No. Just no. I'd find an unsolicited hug with a stranger (no, I don't care if it's the friend of my friend) way more rude, presumptuous and off-putting than not initiating a handshake. But maybe that's more revealing of my personal boundaries than a sign of the changing times…? I feel like the only way I'd be handshaking or hugging anyone is if I found myself in a vastly different cultural setting (no, America, Canada, Australia and most other anglophone countries don't count).

Actually, rather than picking apart each bullet point in this sections, I should probably just say now that my verdict on the whole "Only Connect: Making Introductions" sub-chapter is almost completely subjective and should be taken only with, not a grain, but a bowl full of salt and washed down with a refreshing glass of sodium chloride (more salt).

One thing I do fully agree with in this sub-section (re: forgetting the name of the person you've just met and are talking to and not feeling bad about just saying 'I'm sorry, I've forgotten your name') is this: "Evidently, we exchange names too early in introductions--we have no interesting details to hang the name on, no reason to remember the person. By the time we begin to give a whit about who we're talking to, it's 45 minutes later and we're racking our brains trying to remember."

• It is (very) possible that she simply has classier company and attends classier events than I tend to because I'm not that interested in pomp and stuffiness.

• I don't have many problems with her rules for mobile calls and voicemail, but I wonder if her texting rules are a little 'non-millenial' in places when one considers casual emails to friends… You probably know better than her how best to intreat with them, so obviously take some of these with a grain of salt, but otherwise, just pretty obvious, sensible information.

• On the one hand, I mostly agree with her tips about social media (quality over quantity, limit complaining, limit bragging, nothing too lengthy, no vague posts, no public fighting/political ranting/preaching/"anything you wouldn't say in real life"), on the other hand, I think it depends what you use social media for. If you're making yourself a "brand" or using your social media more professionally (or are in danger of your social media affecting your career one way or the other), the rules make sense. But I don't think it should necessarily always be so strict. Maybe your Facebook is private and it is a place where you do want to address political issues and the it's your space to rant. If other people don't like it, they can mute your feed or unfriend you. As long as you're aware who has access to your feed (or who can have access via 'friends' potentially sharing screenshots of your feed?) and you're OK with that, I'm not sure if you should constantly self-censor, never share what you really think or live by other people's rules for your social media.

• AND, while I sort of (before I think about it) agree with her opinions on selfies, I've come to the conclusion that it's not for me to judge people who take/post selfies all the time or constantly update their profile pictures or post lots of photos of them and their partner snogging. That's how they roll. They're allowed to do that. They don't have to live by my ideas of what's vain or what's not. And to judge them for it seems snobby.

• It's interesting that she says not to take things on social media personally (I agree) and that sometimes people "haven't noticed that you're following them and so they haven't had time to follow you back" and "it likely means [they're] busy living life and [aren't] as prompt about addressing their reminders and alerts as we wish they were". But it might be worth putting a note in that they are not obliged to add (or even respond!) to you. It sounds harsh, but you don't know how they are choosing to run their network. What criteria other people they follow have to fit that you might, for whatever reason, not fit into. It's (probably) not personal, but I think it would have been good to put something in that isn't implying that it's just this waiting game where eventually they will/should add you. They might not want to and they have that right.

///DISCLAIMER: Much of my notes are purely personal opinion with no real thought to being objective and I haven't read back through them to scan for potentially embarrassing 'mis-speak's, so it's just my raw, unadulterated thoughts....enjoy.///

Sadly, I only got up to the "The Company You Keep (Friends)" section before my eARC expired. I read too slowly (and get too distracted by other quicker reads)! Ugh! I had made a note to myself before even starting the whole book saying "Families are so personal and unique; can The Girl's Guide really tell you anything useful relating to family issues?" and I feel similarly about the topic friends so I was curious to see how she'd handle that. The only way I'll know now is if I buy the book...WHICH I would actually consider doing, but it would be low on my priority list of books to get like all other books I consider "luxury/coffee table books" though I could understand if some people saw this book as a necessity (albeit one you'd take with a grain of salt!).
My 'overall' notes that I'd been writing alongside my chapter notes were as follows:
"This book definitely has things that every woman (and, indeed, anyone regardless of what they do or don't identify as) will find useful. But, as she says, take it with a massive grain of salt. She's just dumping out as much information about some areas of life that commonly cause confusion and contention. How you choose to use the information she has managed to gather and how much of it you heed and how strictly you adhere to it is completely up to you! I commend her efforts to take on such a massive undertaking and to continually go back to update and add to it as times change.
...
Sometimes the charts disrupt the flow of paragraphs.
...
I REALLY hope the artwork that will be dropped in is illustration which would fit the style of the book and be really visually rich. Kali Ciesemier or Roxanna Vizcarra would be perfect lady illustrators for that purpose."

I would also add that this is a very American book. By that, I mean that it is written in the context of living in America and some things are not transferable due to different systems or cultures or whatever! So that's worth considering. Anyway, it's very accessible, everything is explained well (but should be taken only as an introduction...a 'guide') and I for the most part I didn't find the guide irritating or preachy (though there were occasional 'eye-roll moments').

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

So, I thought I'd start the new year with an advice book - as one does. (Well, I usually don't, but it was on the front page of my library's Overdrive loan website and I went for it. That is almost always a bad idea, and yet I keep doing it). I'm in my early twenties, so this seemed like a good pick. Until it wasn't. I hate giving low ratings, but I cannot in good conscience rate this any higher than maybe a two.

I will admit that a few things in this book are useful. If you're completely confused about finances or other basic aspects of living on your own, it's gives some good advice. (Like, for instance, go see a doctor once a year. Also, you need health insurance). I consider most of the decent advice in this book to be purely common-sense stuff, but that isn't true for everyone and that's okay. I know this book will be useful to a lot of people.

Which is why the bad advice worries me so much. You see, if it gave a lot of decent advice, and then rambled on about stuff that doesn't matter, I'd be fine with it. It would give the right guidelines to the people who need them, and that would be enough.

The problem is that when the advice in this book is bad, it is really, really, really bad.

For instance, the section on relationships and dating practically demands that if you're serious about dating you have to say yes EVERY SINGLE TIME you're asked out.

That is possibly the WORST advice I have ever heard. What if you know the person, and already don't like them? What if you don't know them at all, but they sort of give you the creeps? What if you're me, eight weeks ago, and you're asked out on public transit by a man who won't tell you his last name? What if you're me, six weeks ago, and you're accosted and literally blocked in a hallway outside of your advisor's office at an enormous UC by a med student you've never seen before, who is looking for a "serious relationship with an intellectual?" Should that not set off roughly seventy red flags in your head? Of course it should. And you, like any practical person who values their time (and possibly even their life), would say NO.

You are not required to agree to every date that anyone ever asked you on. Even if you're serious about dating. Even if you feel like you desperately need to find the love of your life posthaste - you don't have to say yes every time. You don't have to say yes to ANYTHING every time. And claiming that you have to is actually straight-up dangerous advice.

You're allowed to say no to anything you want, whenever you damn well want to. And no book targeted at anyone in any vulnerable position should say otherwise.

And in case you thought I was being dramatic about one piece of bad advice, it doesn't end there. There is a lot of body-shaming nonsense (despite lip-service to body positivity), the section on seeing a gynecologist is so unsympathetic to women's realistic fears (that often keep women, especially young women from even GOING to the doctor) as to approach cruelly dismissive, the health section assumes nearly every woman's goal is weight loss, and draws no distinction between advice from licensed doctors and practitioners of alternative medicine (who I know mean well, but whose recommendations should not be implied to be on-par with scientists), and probably more that I can't recall off the top of my head and didn't take notes on.

It's a problem, basically.

On the positive side, the conversational tone this is all written in is consistently entertaining, the section titles are clever, and some of the advice is actually good.

But I cannot, in good conscience, recommend this book to anyone. Because reading it requires sifting through all of the advice and working out which of it is usable and which of it will make you unhappy.

If you're willing to sift through this entire book for the 30-40% of it that is actually good advice, then feel free to do so. It might be worth it. But I feel like I probably could have found a better use of my time. (And worried less about people who feel like if they don't say yes to every date they'll never find someone, and subsequently feel pressured to say yes to dating creeps).

[Mary Clare · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is just about 3 or 4 steps away from actually being positive or empowering. There is some hypocrisy that's hard to ignore (surface body positivity in one chapter and then claims that no women look good with facial hair in the next, for example). Some of it was pretty cringe-worthy. I'm glad I read this via library digital loan instead of purchasing it. The lifestyle/beauty/relationship advice was all, in my opinion, pretty misled and in some cases pretty judgmental and damaging.

HOWEVER, I want to give Melissa Kirsch a TON of kudos for the chapter on finances. This chapter is thoughtful, thorough, and well-executed! I imagine that if I am going to refer back to anything in this book, it will be this book's section on finances. I also liked the little illustrations and the lists of topical book recommendations for each chapter!

I also want to point out that there is absolutely no reason that this book should be labeled a "girl's guide" as none of the advice is actually gender specific. I don't know if that's a marketing decision or what but it's completely not necessary for this book to be gendered. With that said, I would recommend the chapter on finances to any fellow confused new adults, regardless of gender!

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Girl's Guide? More like a life saver- you know those floating devices- it's there to help you in the sea of life.
(That might be a weird metaphor since I hate -aka am deathly afraid of- large bodies of water.)

This is everything no one else is telling you. And with some things it's not like you can go up to people and ask. They never really know themselves anyway.

Melissa Kirsch is pretty much my new best friend for sharing all this information.
Not only is she giving great advice/tips but actual links to help you further.

Short of doing it all for you, she's basically giving you the best cheat sheet for life ever.

This book is the greatest things ever. At least for the lost confused "what now?" crowd, like myself.


I received this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Anthea · Rating 5 out of 5]

definitely a must read for every young adult out there who are transitioning from being a teenager to adulthood. to be honest I feel that most of the advice in this book does not only apply to just the female population but both genders as well!

this book was really informative. it goes beyond just life tips but also acts as a guide for the lost souls (like me). it teaches you how to deal with difficult situations and how to take good care of yourself. the advice are very objective and very very helpful.

do read this. highly recommended.

[Khulood · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really think that most (if not all) women in the 20s, and probably their early 30s, could benefit from reading this book. Plenty of solid advice that I wish I was given years ago.


*This arc was kindly provided by Workman Publishing Company via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!

[Autumn Jean · Rating 4 out of 5]

I actually really enjoyed this book. I didn't know how I would feel but I think it's some of the best advice geared towards recent graduates who are women. Very good and detailed explanations on things like credit, etiquette, moving, etc. the advice was sound and practical without being preachy or all knowing.

[McKenna White · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love love love! Very useful book. I find it timeless and I adore Melissa Kirsch and her personality through her writing. The best part of this book is the back where you can look up anything you want to read up on in the Index!

[Brittney Kitzler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it. Full of practical information that no one ever tells you about or that you often have to learn the hard way.

[Mary Sweitz · Rating 5 out of 5]

life cheat sheet! loved it!

[Savannah Slife · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Girls guide is a book that is full of advice for women. The book is directed for young women in college and contains many awesome pieces of advice. The book has many different elements and tips from life hacks, social advice, or how to cope with things it covers it all. I really enjoyed this book because you don't have to read it front to back, it allows you to jump around and read what you desire. I have found that the advice in this book has been very helpful in my life and has helped me with relationships, friendships and trying to survive college life away from home. This book touches on many subjects that are hard to talk about or are maybe taboo and I like how it brings light to them and how to deal with topics that necessarily aren't always acceptable or easy to talk about. I would recommend this book to other young women who are looking for life advice or maybe want a new opinion.

[MK · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a manual for women in their 20s to achieve a healthy and beautiful lifestyle with cute illustrations.
The genre of this book is Self-Help, you will be interested in how it helps women in their 20s realize what is most important in life.

When you're in your teens or 20s, social media has a big influence, and I think many people aspire to look gorgeous, have no financial problems, and live like an Instagram influencer.

However, by reading many books since your 20s and listening to the experiences of women in their 30s and 40s, you can realize that things you cannot see can bring you happiness.

This book casually presents tips for women to live beautifully and happily.
I felt very comfortable while reading this book.

[Taylor M · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am still in college and I felt this book was still have helpful. It encompasses many different topics and is a really fun read. She doesn't push her ideas on you at all which is great, but it does make some sections a little vague. There are lots of good references used to read up more on certain subjects. I definitely feel like I have a better idea of how to be a "full functioning" adult and love how addicting it was to read. I would have liked to see more about ethical options for living, but I understand that was not the genre of this book.

[Katie Morrison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Surprisingly great book with very useful advice! I would definitely recommend to other women in their early 20s. I learned the importance of a balanced diet, why whole wheat is better for you, how to read laundry tags, and that I way underestimated the amount of chores it takes to keep a house truly clean. I also was inspired by a line that says "If you say no to a date, you say no to dating." Now I have a boyfriend because of that advice.

[Eva Vincent · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading The Girl's Guide, I was impressed with how relatable this book was. Normally books that give advice put on a persona that the author has never experienced such a thing or that it is unreasonable to feel a certain way, but this book validated the feelings, struggles and everyday life of a modern college woman. This book was refreshing as it was full of candid humor, portrayal and healthy discussion of life and all of its trials that it might throw your way during this time in a young woman's life. I myself found the layout to be especially useful because each chapter tackles a specific topic and provides comments from young women who have been in scenarios or struggles that apply to the chapter and there are also resources that are provided. Though the audience for this book is specific, it can still reach a broad amount of the people within the audience because of how relatable, honest and real the books topics are. I gave this book five stars because I believe it can be of help to all young college women out there.

[Erin Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this shortly after getting married and then put it aside for a while. I wish I had finished it years ago. So many things I've been through in the last few years that this book would've walked me through, had I stuck with it. The author is so down to earth in a friendly and nonjudgmental way, it's like hearing the things you need to hear from your favorite cool aunt.

[Valk · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a good book, though very obviously targeted at people who are AFAB. Regardless, there is some good advice/tips in there! This book taught me what personal credit is, and how to find a decent apartment. I would love to see it updated a bit for more modern times, and maybe with a broader set of advice for a wider demographic. Either way, I recommend it!

[Mary Hirt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got this book for my younger sister who graduated high school last year and I’ve been meaning to give it to her. I read it myself out of curiosity and wow—I wish I had had this book when I was her age. It has so much valuable information in it that it took me until I was almost thirty to learn on my own. It’s a perfect gift for young women transitioning from school to life.

[Talon Crist · Rating 5 out of 5]

Soooo good! All of the things I didn’t know I needed to know in easy to understand explanations without making you feel stupid either! I love the humor and how light hearted and fun it was even though some of the topics are iffy or cringe to read!

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well organized and excellent content

I really enjoy this book because it addresses key aspects for personal development and career progress. I highly recommend this guidebook.

[Leeann Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read!

[Laura]

DNF, stopped on page 70.

[Kartika Dwi Baswara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cons:
1. Some parts of this book are really technical, as in they could only be implemented in the U.S. (Or maybe some other countries which have similar rules and regulations regarding tax and public services)
2. Again, I have difficulties when it comes down to finding similar hotline services which are mentioned quite a lot in this book

Pros:
1. I really love the illustrations
2. It covers most (if not ALL) major problems 20something would face
3. I really love how empowering this book is. It tells us, women, to be able to stand on our own feet and learn how to deal with our own problems. And by reading this book, I've realized there are a lot of neutral issues out there that now have been evolved into gender-based issue.
For example, when we're talking about managing finance, often times 20something women are not interested in this topic and do not even think about investing our money for business or stock or anything. Managing and thinking financial sustainability (whether we realize it or not) have become the men's duty instead of both men's and women's. However, this book has changed my mindset about this and how keen I am now to learn to manage my own finance (among other things).

[Dee · Rating 3 out of 5]

My mum got me this book when I first moved to the city to live alone and work. However, I read it at a snail's pace. The main reason being that though I could relate to many of the things in here, at the same time I couldn't. Plus, day-to-day life got in the way. It is set and based on American soil. As a Malaysian, it is difficult to relate to the detailed explanations or tips found in the book (i.e. 401K, IRA). Having said that, it's a good book to introduce you to the many things a young adult should be aware about. So yeah, I couldn't relate to car insurance policy tips here but it made me aware of how important one is and things to look out for when I renew my own car insurance. Likewise for taxes.

There were many parts and online resources which were useful. I enjoyed the chapters on health & body image, work & career, home and fashion most of all. Essentially, you need to pick out a lot of the stuff and modify it to your own local setting.

[Tiffany · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think that this non-fiction book was a really compelling to read, because it has taught a lot about things that I didn't know before. The author, Melissa Kirsch gives all of her advice and her perspectives about the aspects of hacks for girls. This is a fun way to relate to others and have answers to our deepest questions that we would never ask anyone. Melissa Kirsch wrote this book just like you were her best friend. I recommend this book to any girls who wants to know advise for their every problem in their life and grow a connection to the author.

[S · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good comprehensive book with a great list of resources and other books. I may not agree with everything the author says and the family section was not comprehensive but the book is good overall. I would recommend it for 18-25 year olds who would find it more useful.

I personally preferred this author's voice over Adulting author - Kelly Brown who somehow seemed to have a fake nice/polite tone to me.

[Betty Jatmika · Rating 4 out of 5]

i read this here and there, it is easy to read and the tips are acceptable. i like how melissa use her words like we are talking with her. i think its not for 21 something to read but it is for a girls at their seventeen lol. since i read this books here and there, and brought it everywhere, i lost it at the bus :|

[sjams · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was okay. There seemed like there would be exciting bits somewhere, but I just can't renew a book again if I'm not super into it. And some of the "etiquette" tips do NOT work for my social sphere. Wow.

[Larissa Campos · Rating 2 out of 5]

This read was generously provided by the publishers through NetGalley.

It was an okay book, and though it's aimed at a public of which I'm part of, it didn't resonate with me at all. I just couldn't connect. Really good potential though.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wish it had something about cars and how to change a tire, etc. There was great stuff on financing, cleaning the house, relationships, etc. but questions about cars that women should know but aren't given knowledge about because they are women.