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Nancy Drew's Guide To Life
You couldn't have known it then, but all those hours spent reading about Nancy's adventures served you well. Nancy Drew's Guide to Life is a loving tribute to the young sleuth and the wisdom she imparted.This book is filled with practical tips, as well as seemingly whimsical (but surprisingly sound) advice. Her sage counsel is accompanied by the classic covers and artwork from her yellow-spined books.
144 pages, Hardcover
First published October 18, 2001
About the author
Jennifer Worick
42 books33 followersI write. That’s rather obvious. Mostly I write about things that blow my skirt up. Humor is a big—huge—part of everything I do. But then there’s that soft, squishy sentimental part of me that can’t help but rear its heartfelt head. And since I like to tell people what to do every chance I get, I write a lot of how-to books, blogs, and articles.
Humorous. Heartfelt. How-to. Three great tastes that taste great together, at least in my cereal bowl.
So let’s get down to it. I know you don’t have all day to ogle my bio, as much as a girl can dream. Here’s what you should know off the bat: I’m the New York Times best-selling author of more than 25 books and, per Reader’s Digest, one of the four funniest bloggers in the US. Pretty cool, eh?
I’ve written on everything under the sun for national magazines and websites like The Huffington Post, Allure, and Salon, and I currently write a books column for today.com. In addition to bookshelves, newsstands, and your favorite websites, you can also find me online at Things I Want to Punch in the Face.
Along with fellow author and publishing pro Kerry Colburn, I deliver publishing talks, workshops, and webinars to help burgeoning authors get published through The Business of Books. You can also catch me in university auditoriums, where I offer up side-splitting but informative slide-show presentations based on my popular books.
Originally from Southwestern Michigan, I currently live in Seattle, where I eschew fleece while eating more fish and chips than is good for me.
Humorous. Heartfelt. How-to. Three great tastes that taste great together, at least in my cereal bowl.
So let’s get down to it. I know you don’t have all day to ogle my bio, as much as a girl can dream. Here’s what you should know off the bat: I’m the New York Times best-selling author of more than 25 books and, per Reader’s Digest, one of the four funniest bloggers in the US. Pretty cool, eh?
I’ve written on everything under the sun for national magazines and websites like The Huffington Post, Allure, and Salon, and I currently write a books column for today.com. In addition to bookshelves, newsstands, and your favorite websites, you can also find me online at Things I Want to Punch in the Face.
Along with fellow author and publishing pro Kerry Colburn, I deliver publishing talks, workshops, and webinars to help burgeoning authors get published through The Business of Books. You can also catch me in university auditoriums, where I offer up side-splitting but informative slide-show presentations based on my popular books.
Originally from Southwestern Michigan, I currently live in Seattle, where I eschew fleece while eating more fish and chips than is good for me.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
April 18, 2016
I was at our library book sale two days ago and was pleased to find a shelf containing little gift books, which I hadn’t noticed before. I purchased four of them, this one included, and I finished it the same day.
The book was divided into 8 sections, or chapters, not including the Introduction. Each chapter contains bits of advice that were taken from the Nancy Drew books. The chapters each contained a different section of advice, such as survival tactics, dating, observation, etc.
Some of these pieces of advice could be useful, others just served to make me smile and laugh.
The book is small, approximately three inches by three inches and weighs virtually nothing; perfect to put in your purse or in your pocket for
a) amusement
b) easy reference
Some sample quotes from the book:
‘Make your date work for you – send him on B-level errands you can’t seem fit into your busy schedule.’
‘Dive into any available body of water when attacked by mosquitoes.’
‘In a pinch, a vial of perfume can sterilize scissors.’
‘Tap dancing + Morse Code = Ingenious combination.’
Did your friend leave you waiting for them to get back from the bathroom? Pull out ‘Nancy Drew’s Guide to Life’ to pass the time!
The book was divided into 8 sections, or chapters, not including the Introduction. Each chapter contains bits of advice that were taken from the Nancy Drew books. The chapters each contained a different section of advice, such as survival tactics, dating, observation, etc.
Some of these pieces of advice could be useful, others just served to make me smile and laugh.
The book is small, approximately three inches by three inches and weighs virtually nothing; perfect to put in your purse or in your pocket for
a) amusement
b) easy reference
Some sample quotes from the book:
‘Make your date work for you – send him on B-level errands you can’t seem fit into your busy schedule.’
‘Dive into any available body of water when attacked by mosquitoes.’
‘In a pinch, a vial of perfume can sterilize scissors.’
‘Tap dancing + Morse Code = Ingenious combination.’
Did your friend leave you waiting for them to get back from the bathroom? Pull out ‘Nancy Drew’s Guide to Life’ to pass the time!
December 29, 2012
A very cute little book with "tips" about dating, friendship, sleuthing, dressing, etiquette, and being a lady (among other topics) from Nancy Drew, based on ("based on") the original Nancy Drew books. Some of my favorite tips: "Make your date work for you--send him on B-level errands you can't seem to fit into your busy schedule"; "If a guy's hunch results in a dead-end, don't flaunt your better judgment and intuition in front of him. Smirk secretly to yourself"; "Don't proffer information about valuable family heirlooms to strangers"; "It's important to take time out to have fun with your friends, particularly if they spend considerable time doing your bidding"; "Lipstick is not just for looking glamorous; it can be used to signal for help on windows or other surfaces." You get the idea.
It's also a fun little game to play -- read the "tip" and see if you can guess what book it comes from :)
And FYI - this is not the size of a normal book. It's a small, pocket-sized book. It's about 3.25" x .5" and has about 3 tips on every other page, with the opposite pages having illustrations. It's a gift book-type thing, not a full-length book that's going to take you days to read. You could sit down and finish this in less than an hour. But it's still fun and funny!
It's also a fun little game to play -- read the "tip" and see if you can guess what book it comes from :)
And FYI - this is not the size of a normal book. It's a small, pocket-sized book. It's about 3.25" x .5" and has about 3 tips on every other page, with the opposite pages having illustrations. It's a gift book-type thing, not a full-length book that's going to take you days to read. You could sit down and finish this in less than an hour. But it's still fun and funny!
June 30, 2022
I got this mini book for my birthday--it's full of quotes from the series, divided into sections about sleuthing, romance, etiquette, and more. Quick read and funny. And, comes with its own mini magnifying glass attached!
April 4, 2008
I read every Nancy Drew book I could get my hands on when I was in elementary school, so I couldn't resist picking this up when I found it at the International Spy Museum's gift shop. It is full of lessons learned from the titian-haired detective herself, organized into sections such as "survival skills" ("When bound and gagged, you can still tap out HELP in Morse code to attract attention." and "dating" ("A young lady with some judo skills can take care of unwanted advances in short order."). It's a silly little volume, but for someone like me who always wanted to be Nancy Drew, it is great fun.
January 18, 2016
This is a physically very, very small book but is really cute. It takes clips from the Nancy Drew novels and puts them into sections, giving them as advice on what to do. The sections include survival strategies, dating, sleuthing 101, the delicate art of etiquette, wilderness tips, on being a lady, powers of observation and accoutrements.
Some of the quotes are incredibly funny, so much so you'll laugh out loud. Some of them reflect the types of things society expected of females at the time. Although small, it's really good.
Some of the quotes are incredibly funny, so much so you'll laugh out loud. Some of them reflect the types of things society expected of females at the time. Although small, it's really good.
October 6, 2019
Little bits of useful information are scattered through the Drew mysteries, and a lot of them, along with the sillier bits, are collected here. There is also some really nicely reproduced cover art here for such a tiny book.
March 24, 2011
Loved it! Anyone who grew up with the girl detective novels would enjoy this one....
July 11, 2014
This is a fun little book for any Nancy Drew fan.
October 28, 2019
Taken out of context many of these are silly or ridiculous. Perhaps they also are when taken in context. I read the books about 45 years ago & liked them.
January 20, 2023
A lot of fun packed into this tiny book!
June 27, 2023
An absolute must read! I never take it off my desk! Nancy never fails you!
December 20, 2023
Cute. Made me laugh.
September 17, 2008
When I first learned to read, one of my fondest memories was of following Nancy Drew's countless adventures investigating paranormal phenomena, trailing suspicious-looking and therefore clearly criminal characters, following a convoluted trail of ridiculously random clues, and humoring her sixth sense which she liked to call "a hunch," all of which inevitably lead to the triumphant vanquishing of evildoers.
She also had tons of good-looking boys falling all over her, had a fabulous car, and was always lunching on something delicious, usually at a picnic with said boys. What a fabulous role model for an eight-year old! She had style, brains, personality and some kind of shield of invincibility around her that never let her lose a case.
I don't think I ever owned the complete collection, but my mom still has a cardboard box with about 35 of the books in it. I asked her to send it to me, but she said it would be too expensive. Last time I was home though I grabbed one - one of my favorites and number 2 in the series: "The Hidden Staircase."
My roomate stumbled across what she thought at first was a miniature version of that book, because the cover art was exactly the same. What it actually is is a compilation of "tips" quoted from the original series, called, "Nancy Drew's Guide to Life," by Jennifer Worick.
Here are a couple of gems from the first chapter:
Chapter One: Survival Strategies
"In the event of a carjacking, try to steer the vehicle toward the house of an off-duty state trooper or police officer. Of course, it helps to know where the aforementioned officer of the law resides." -From "The Scarlet Slipper Mystery"
"Cover your face immediately when confronted with an explosion. Obviously, it is good to avoid explosions in general." -From "The Mystery of the Fire Dragon"
"If you hear the telltale sounds of a helicopter, step away from a blaze in the fireplace. The copter might send a downdraft into the chimney and shower sparks all over your sleek coif." From "The Mystery of the 99 Steps."
"When pinned down by a large canine, instruct friends, family, even random passersby to turn a hose on the beast." From "The Mysterious Mannequin"
"If you lack backup when you happen upon crooks caught in the act, disguise your voice and pretend to be the police. If that fails to produce the desired result, throw a stone through a window to feign a gunshot." From "The Sign of the Twisted Candles."
She also had tons of good-looking boys falling all over her, had a fabulous car, and was always lunching on something delicious, usually at a picnic with said boys. What a fabulous role model for an eight-year old! She had style, brains, personality and some kind of shield of invincibility around her that never let her lose a case.
I don't think I ever owned the complete collection, but my mom still has a cardboard box with about 35 of the books in it. I asked her to send it to me, but she said it would be too expensive. Last time I was home though I grabbed one - one of my favorites and number 2 in the series: "The Hidden Staircase."
My roomate stumbled across what she thought at first was a miniature version of that book, because the cover art was exactly the same. What it actually is is a compilation of "tips" quoted from the original series, called, "Nancy Drew's Guide to Life," by Jennifer Worick.
Here are a couple of gems from the first chapter:
Chapter One: Survival Strategies
"In the event of a carjacking, try to steer the vehicle toward the house of an off-duty state trooper or police officer. Of course, it helps to know where the aforementioned officer of the law resides." -From "The Scarlet Slipper Mystery"
"Cover your face immediately when confronted with an explosion. Obviously, it is good to avoid explosions in general." -From "The Mystery of the Fire Dragon"
"If you hear the telltale sounds of a helicopter, step away from a blaze in the fireplace. The copter might send a downdraft into the chimney and shower sparks all over your sleek coif." From "The Mystery of the 99 Steps."
"When pinned down by a large canine, instruct friends, family, even random passersby to turn a hose on the beast." From "The Mysterious Mannequin"
"If you lack backup when you happen upon crooks caught in the act, disguise your voice and pretend to be the police. If that fails to produce the desired result, throw a stone through a window to feign a gunshot." From "The Sign of the Twisted Candles."
February 16, 2009
Most people would assume this is a silly bathroom book, and that's where they'd be wrong. Maybe it helps that I was a big Nancy Drew fan in my youth, but I found this collection of passages from the original ND series to be genuinely useful.
"Don't say 'well' all the time. It's far from well."
"It is a bit gratuitous to quote passages from Shakespeare on a daily basis."
"If a guy takes you on a roller coaster repeatedly, it could be because he likes it when you cling to him."
"A young lady with some judo skills can take care of unwanted advances in short order."
"Use common sense in buying. If you have a clothing budget, make sure your pricier items are worth forfeiting a lot of sensible basics."
"Don't say 'well' all the time. It's far from well."
"It is a bit gratuitous to quote passages from Shakespeare on a daily basis."
"If a guy takes you on a roller coaster repeatedly, it could be because he likes it when you cling to him."
"A young lady with some judo skills can take care of unwanted advances in short order."
"Use common sense in buying. If you have a clothing budget, make sure your pricier items are worth forfeiting a lot of sensible basics."
March 5, 2015
This book is small-- literally small, that is only about 3 inches by 3 inches, so it goes by quickly, but it isn't small inside. Like the TARDIS, there's much more inside than out. This collected bit of advice from the Nancy Drew books was delightful, and had me laughing out loud page after page, whilst truly giving me some helpful advice. An example of the humor:
"It's a good idea to arm
yourself when in the
wilderness because you
might just have to kill
a large lynx."
Pretty handy, and if so desired, can be carried around in a purse or pocket for quick advice in survival strategies, dating, sleuthing, etiquette, exploring the wilderness, being a lady and being observant. Pretty cute, and great for all ages.
"It's a good idea to arm
yourself when in the
wilderness because you
might just have to kill
a large lynx."
Pretty handy, and if so desired, can be carried around in a purse or pocket for quick advice in survival strategies, dating, sleuthing, etiquette, exploring the wilderness, being a lady and being observant. Pretty cute, and great for all ages.
April 4, 2008
Admit it - you think Ned Nickerson is the bomb, too! And you want a "coupe" to drive around in, and a housekeeper who irons your clothes, and a father who tolerates your sleuthing and gives you a generous allowance besides. You CAN have it all, if you'll just read this Guide and follow the instructions as carefully as Nancy follows clues. Everything makes sense, especially if you pretend it's 1949. I loved every word, and consider it a true Guide for Living.
March 28, 2009
I love this book so much I have blogged about it. I have whiled away hours waiting for planes & restraining orders perusing this book. The advice is timeless, if not always germane (or even appropriate).
Even if I did not love this book (which I DO) I would love it because on the worst day of a friend's life it made her, the judge issuing a restraining order against her ex & the judge's clerk laugh out loud. The judge wrote down the title to buy it for his wife.
Even if I did not love this book (which I DO) I would love it because on the worst day of a friend's life it made her, the judge issuing a restraining order against her ex & the judge's clerk laugh out loud. The judge wrote down the title to buy it for his wife.
November 3, 2008
This book is about 2 inches by 2 inches and has great little quotes from the Nancy Drew series. I think my favorite is, "keep your ice skates sharpened. You just might be called upon to impersonate a figure skater." It makes me want to dust off my old collection and reread the series all over again!
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January 1, 2017Nancy Drew mysteries are full of important life lessons. This book shares some of the best ones. My favorite may well be, "Strange mechanical noises can only mean one thing: a printing press is being used for nefarious purposes."
May 2, 2008
This very little (literally miniature) book is just a fun, nostalgic very quick read for anyone who grew up reading Nancy Drew and remembers how very clever she was!
January 3, 2012
Very wise, Nancy, very wise.
July 10, 2012
Tips from the girl detective on how to live your life.
April 7, 2017
Cute mini-book filled with quotes, pictures, and tips from the original #1-56 Nancy Drew books! 5/5 stars!
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews