The Girl's Guide to Absolutely Everything

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