30 Things Everyone Should Know How to Do Before Turning 30

Adcock, a freelance writer and former editor at Anchor Books, offers her take on popular how-to-fix-anything guide books. In a generous tone that captures the mindset of her 20-something audience (""The secret to making friends and influencing people... is knowing how to do stuff""), she offers readers advice and hints on wrapping presents (""If you are going to put a bow or ribbon on, make sure it coordinates somehow with the paper""); ordering wine at a restaurant (""the least expensive wines are usually marked up the most""); and holding a baby (""chances are good that unless you have hooks for hands you will someday be asked to do it""). While the selections themselves do seem arbitrary (they are arranged in such categories as""Skills that Save Time or Money,"" and""Skills that Save Face""), there's no harm in mastering each one.