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Stuff Every Woman Should Know
This pocket-sized handbook features all the skills a modern lady needs!
This little gift book is packed with tips, tricks, and life hacks for women who need to know everything. With advice on etiquette and social situations, entertaining and cooking tips, do-it-yourself instructions, health information, self-defense techniques, and much, much more, this is the ultimate—but petite!—reference guide for go-getters, self-starters, and independent women everywhere.
· How to Ask for a Raise
· Ten Stylish Pieces Every Woman Should Own
· How to Throw a Football
· Good Responses to Bad Pick-Up Lines
· How to Host a Cocktail Party
· How to Parallel Park
This little gift book is packed with tips, tricks, and life hacks for women who need to know everything. With advice on etiquette and social situations, entertaining and cooking tips, do-it-yourself instructions, health information, self-defense techniques, and much, much more, this is the ultimate—but petite!—reference guide for go-getters, self-starters, and independent women everywhere.
· How to Ask for a Raise
· Ten Stylish Pieces Every Woman Should Own
· How to Throw a Football
· Good Responses to Bad Pick-Up Lines
· How to Host a Cocktail Party
· How to Parallel Park
144 pages, Hardcover
First published February 1, 2010
29 people are currently reading
279 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
March 31, 2019
A very cute little book I got as a birthday gift :)) loved the style of this and the topics handled, especially the overall girl-boss-chest-out-head-up vibe, HOWEVER quite heteronormative at times. Stay woke Alanna Kalb xx
Read
June 8, 2023Fascinating. I lie. Got it for my birthday. It was perfectly fine I will get rid of it in my next shelf clear out.
November 24, 2024
My initial reaction, at the 50% mark was, "if my neurodivergent 'gender-nonconforming' ace worked half of this out already by near midlife, then either young people are the target audience (possible), I'm a genius (doubtful), she's also autismo (funny conceptually but clearly not true), or it's mostly obvious stuff (most likely)." But really, like the "Stuff Every Husband Should Know" book, there was a lot of great advice about halfway in, through the end of the book, which bumped it from 3 stars to 4.
The good:
1) The kissing guide. That's actually a pretty solid technique.
2) The handling of annoying pickup lines. The comebacks are clever, though I can't think of the last time anyone actually used a classic pick up line without total irony.
3) The breakup guide. Very civilized & yet realistic.
4) How to Cure a Broken Heart. Legit.
5) All her style/aesthetic advice is practical, actionable, specific & on point. All without any sort of bogus affiliate links or the usual spendthrift frivolity. That's pretty remarkable. The only exception is on a few occasions she mentions a consultation - that's a bit ritzy, and moreover, if you live in Podunk, Missouri and get a "consultation" from the local beauty salon, she's probably going to assure you that double braids, blue eyeshadow & daisy dukes are all the rage. I'm not saying she's wrong...just saying it's, ahem, very regional sometimes more than tailored to any objective professional standard, if you don't have access to a high level cosmetologist or stylist. At this point (because my library copy is an old version), you'd likely just get a free trial of a quality app that analyzes the math of your face/body, assesses ratios & provides objective specific feedback. Then go on Youtube & look for relevant tips to maximize/minimized accordingly.
6) Aging Gracefully. Is she old? Or is this aspirational? I assumed the writer was young, but she's writing like she knows and this also seems solid.
7) Thank you notes.
8) Hosting a cocktail party. This take is so charmingly 1960s, yet still relevant and classy. Next level social skills here.
9) How to Talk to Anyone, Anywhere. Her advice here is true, and I know it's true, because I've broken most of the rules on a semi-regular basis and that was wrong.
10) Cooking tips. Basic but really potent & succinct. Many people older than me don't know this stuff, and I think this should have actually gone in the Stuff Men Should Know book, because surely most chicks work it out sooner.
The meh:
1) Classic Go-To Drinks. The "Stuff You Should Know" series recognizes only 6 alcoholic beverages between all 3 of the books I've read. Kind of a hilarious Easter egg, but not the most imaginative or well-informed, so why bother at all?
2) Self-defense techniques aren't bad, but it's a very incomplete section. Also, forget slapping. Yelling "fire" may just confuse the matter. A few of the techniques are good, and the diagrams are useful, but it could do with a bit of refinement. That said, I do appreciate the real politik of pointing out you're not going to bust out some complicated kung-fu if you're startled, and also the slight allusion to the fact that most of that kung-fu wouldn't be especially useful if the guy is way bigger/stronger than you, better trained and/or has less pain sensitivity in general (contrary to what Marvel & Disney have been telling us with their recent "female empowerment" portrayals... :-\). I'm glad this section is included; it's meant to be rudimentary, and it's not the worst or necessarily bad advice, I just think it could be significantly better without adding much length. (But this is a lady with great a style advice & cocktail parties, so she likely comes from a different kind of background…)
3) Health Tips for Women - this is very magazine grade health advice, including "eight glasses of water daily". For much of the advice to be possible, you'd need access to health care in the first place, which is pretty dubious unless your job provides it & pays enough to cover it. She's also mistaken about accessibility of vitamins through our diet. Much of this section is just kind of dated or badly researched in general, though some aspects of it are timeless.
The bad:
1) "How to Buy a Car" assumes you will go to a dealership.
2) It's outdated at this point. It talks about phone books among other bygone relics of daily life. If there's a newer edition, I overlooked it.
The good:
1) The kissing guide. That's actually a pretty solid technique.
2) The handling of annoying pickup lines. The comebacks are clever, though I can't think of the last time anyone actually used a classic pick up line without total irony.
3) The breakup guide. Very civilized & yet realistic.
4) How to Cure a Broken Heart. Legit.
5) All her style/aesthetic advice is practical, actionable, specific & on point. All without any sort of bogus affiliate links or the usual spendthrift frivolity. That's pretty remarkable. The only exception is on a few occasions she mentions a consultation - that's a bit ritzy, and moreover, if you live in Podunk, Missouri and get a "consultation" from the local beauty salon, she's probably going to assure you that double braids, blue eyeshadow & daisy dukes are all the rage. I'm not saying she's wrong...just saying it's, ahem, very regional sometimes more than tailored to any objective professional standard, if you don't have access to a high level cosmetologist or stylist. At this point (because my library copy is an old version), you'd likely just get a free trial of a quality app that analyzes the math of your face/body, assesses ratios & provides objective specific feedback. Then go on Youtube & look for relevant tips to maximize/minimized accordingly.
6) Aging Gracefully. Is she old? Or is this aspirational? I assumed the writer was young, but she's writing like she knows and this also seems solid.
7) Thank you notes.
8) Hosting a cocktail party. This take is so charmingly 1960s, yet still relevant and classy. Next level social skills here.
9) How to Talk to Anyone, Anywhere. Her advice here is true, and I know it's true, because I've broken most of the rules on a semi-regular basis and that was wrong.
10) Cooking tips. Basic but really potent & succinct. Many people older than me don't know this stuff, and I think this should have actually gone in the Stuff Men Should Know book, because surely most chicks work it out sooner.
The meh:
1) Classic Go-To Drinks. The "Stuff You Should Know" series recognizes only 6 alcoholic beverages between all 3 of the books I've read. Kind of a hilarious Easter egg, but not the most imaginative or well-informed, so why bother at all?
2) Self-defense techniques aren't bad, but it's a very incomplete section. Also, forget slapping. Yelling "fire" may just confuse the matter. A few of the techniques are good, and the diagrams are useful, but it could do with a bit of refinement. That said, I do appreciate the real politik of pointing out you're not going to bust out some complicated kung-fu if you're startled, and also the slight allusion to the fact that most of that kung-fu wouldn't be especially useful if the guy is way bigger/stronger than you, better trained and/or has less pain sensitivity in general (contrary to what Marvel & Disney have been telling us with their recent "female empowerment" portrayals... :-\). I'm glad this section is included; it's meant to be rudimentary, and it's not the worst or necessarily bad advice, I just think it could be significantly better without adding much length. (But this is a lady with great a style advice & cocktail parties, so she likely comes from a different kind of background…)
3) Health Tips for Women - this is very magazine grade health advice, including "eight glasses of water daily". For much of the advice to be possible, you'd need access to health care in the first place, which is pretty dubious unless your job provides it & pays enough to cover it. She's also mistaken about accessibility of vitamins through our diet. Much of this section is just kind of dated or badly researched in general, though some aspects of it are timeless.
The bad:
1) "How to Buy a Car" assumes you will go to a dealership.
2) It's outdated at this point. It talks about phone books among other bygone relics of daily life. If there's a newer edition, I overlooked it.
September 30, 2018
This book is very cute, and a great handy book to have on every woman. I’d likely pass this down to a friend’s daughter, or buy them their own to keep this for myself. There is handy tips for everything from makeup to survival techniques. I’d highly encourage reading this and learning or tweaking what you already know.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 27, 2017
Can't resist the cover, I really can't. It's so cute and the blue looks really pretty. Not too surprisingly, I found this book quite useful. I think it's a good idea then to bring it when you're in a middle of a trip. Who knows you gonna need that?
December 29, 2017
The book is a good pocket size and has some nice quick tidbits from changing a tire to cooking. I just feel like it lacks more pictures and descriptions but it still is a pretty good stocking stuffer or small gift.
December 12, 2018
I feel like I knew most of this stuff, it's common sense. But that parallel parking section may come in handy. :)
May 21, 2019
I'm a guy and this taught me a ton of stuff I wish I knew before. Includes a good mix of info.
June 6, 2020
Contains random contents that can help you in the future
June 9, 2021
Just your average little manual with some good and useful tips that you could implement in your day to day life. It's a perfect mind break if you need a break from your usual genre or taste.
December 28, 2021
The book does have some genuinely good tips while other sections are a little vague.
August 12, 2022
buying this book for all of the women in my life
May 16, 2024
Honestly one of the best books you can have! If you're a mother I would totally recommend giving this to your teenager to fight the battles of womanhood. Ten out of ten.
July 23, 2025
aha started this book while dogsitting mr. yeti and he stays roasting me because why did he open it up to thee chapter on "how to be confident (even when you're not)"? all jokes aside. lighthearted read for sure. advice i think is on the common sense side but still worth noting. i thought it was a charming little book.
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finished reading this book by the pool and hehe what a cute little read. favorite chapters were "classic go-to drinks," "how to choose a bottle of wine," and "health tips for women." would just keep in me little purse as a reminder for things because i think i read this book but it went in and i did not process AHA
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finished reading this book by the pool and hehe what a cute little read. favorite chapters were "classic go-to drinks," "how to choose a bottle of wine," and "health tips for women." would just keep in me little purse as a reminder for things because i think i read this book but it went in and i did not process AHA
July 16, 2019
As a gift for young lady who is moving out to her own apartment or going off to college, this book is very useful and I give it 4 stars.
If you are an adult who has lived on your own for a year or more, this book isn't going to tell you anything that you don't already know or can't find via google or wikihow so it's only 2 stars.
I'm splitting the difference and giving it an overall rating of 3 stars.
The advantage to this book is bringing all the "how to's" together in one convenient book.
There's some really useful info in there, and it can be helpful as a refresher to those who have been ironing for years.
Also, as another reviewer mentioned - one of the best parts of the book is the last page where it lists things the book can't tell you but that you should know. That was a very nice touch.
If you are an adult who has lived on your own for a year or more, this book isn't going to tell you anything that you don't already know or can't find via google or wikihow so it's only 2 stars.
I'm splitting the difference and giving it an overall rating of 3 stars.
The advantage to this book is bringing all the "how to's" together in one convenient book.
There's some really useful info in there, and it can be helpful as a refresher to those who have been ironing for years.
Also, as another reviewer mentioned - one of the best parts of the book is the last page where it lists things the book can't tell you but that you should know. That was a very nice touch.
December 23, 2025
It’s a cute hardcover pocket book…
But the contents are eh.
[4.5/10]
But the contents are eh.
[4.5/10]
August 17, 2010
Cute gift for a sister or a daughter, perhaps if they are going off to college. Like all advice, it should be taken with a grain of salt. It is humorous at times but far and away the best part of the book is the last page which lists all the things you should know that the book can't tell you.
February 13, 2015
insightful
January 18, 2016
I flip through this from time to time as a nice little refresher.
Read
January 30, 2025useful
April 5, 2017
This book does have a lot of useful information in it, but it's also incredibly heteronormative and not at all inclusive.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews