Rating: 
Summary: A female Salinger?
Review: This is a bunch of short stories sold as a novel. I useually hate short stories. If it is a great story, I would like to have more, if it lousy, why should I even read it? This is a lot of great stories, with a tender, witty, even funny tone sometimes. They are full of emotional insight, as J.D.Salingers books were and with the same kind of interesting and lovable character (s) in it. This book has nothing to do with Bridget Jones books, and is probably not a good book for the person who only takes time to reads on vacations twice a year.This is a book about real people, with fragments of Jane Rosenals life, glimpses of what is and what could have been and of a very charmy, very beautiful person who I would have loved to meet (and who I have realise now, I have already meet a few times!). If you are a reader and like writers like Salinger, Barbara Trapido, Gontsjarev, Tagaki, Murakami etc, then this may be the book for you also. Its more a four and half star than a four.
Rating:
Summary: Likable
Review: I liked this book. I have to admit I didn't realize it was a series of short stories. (While reading, I thought it was a novel.) So, I was left somewhat baffled and a little dissatisfied when finished. However, that feeling didn't diminish my overall enjoyment of the book. It's a well-written and witty collection (instead of a novel--much to my relief) and an easy afternoon read. Enjoy.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful summer reading
Review: I will be brief and to the point--its a wonderful, easy summer read that women will understand. Anyone who has read, and been hurt by, "The Rules" will laugh at the last story. You will not find any life-altering truths in the book, but it will make you smile. And in the middle of August at the beach, that is what I wanted.
Rating: 
Summary: a good read
Review: This book kept me interested the whole time by being one thing: real. The main character's problems although not neccesarily always typical were easy to relate to. Jane was a lovable young woman and throughout the book I found myself constantly hoping she would find the success and happiness she was looking for. I commend Melissa Bank on this excellent novel.
Rating: 
Summary: not what I expected
Review: I read this book having seen it metioned along with Bridget Jones's Diary. I guess I was expecting a funny book, and I found this one not funny and rather depressing. The heroine goes through early adulthood attempting to establish relationships and really not faring to well. (the depressing part) The last chapter has her following a "method" to manipulate men and almost ruining her chance at what sounds like a good relationship. Now, it was funny. Maybe because I am 35 and married 11 years it did not appeal to me. Just my 2 cents worth.
Rating:
Summary: A Fresh View of Modern Suburbia
Review: The Girl's Guide to Hunting and Fishing is an impressive debut by Melissa Banks, who received a stunning $275,000 advance for this short story collection after having the stories published separately in such renowned publications as The New Yorker and The Harvard Review. Although short story collections are generally considered risky, Banks' is successful primarily because it reads very much like a novel, since all the stories are linked around the central character-Jane Rosenthal- and a central setting- modern New York suburbia. In fact, the most memorable title of any of the short stories is "The Worst Thing a Suburban Girl Could Imagine", because it basically sums up the theme of the whole book. WIth the exception of the powerful and touching story of Jane's father's death due to Leukemia, most of the stories deal with common, everyday issues, such as Jane's distress over her editing job and her on again- off again affair with a much older literary mentor. However, Banks treats such trite issues with surprising clarity and deepness, so that every reader can draw a parallel between Jane's life and her or his own. The Girl's Guide to Hunting and Fishing is a quick read, and it is guaranteed to make you want more stories about this character's clash with surburbia. I, for one, am waiting in anticipation for Banks' next short story or novel, for her first book shows the promise of an author who will be putting a fresh twist and great writing skill into everyday events familiar to us all for a very long time.
Rating:
Summary: Loved the audiobook version!
Review: Read by the author, this is one of the most compelling books I've ever listened to. I was truly sorry it was over when I reached the end of the final tape. I've shared this with all my friends and we all agree it's terrific. Melissa Banks. I'll be first in line for your next book!
Rating:
Summary: A Funny, Light Read
Review: I enjoyed this book as one of my beach summer readings. I found the autor to be intelligent and extremely wtty. It is a book all young professional single woman can relate to. I was disappointed at the way Jane's family was unheard from after her fathers death. I loved her pun of the rules!!!! I would love to hear more from Jane and see how her life and lovelife turn out!!!
Rating:
Summary: Stick to the print version!
Review: This book sounds like a fun, light read, but the narration in the abridged Audio version kills it! The author recites the book herself, but her voice is very flat and frankly, boring. She makes little differentiations between characters in her voice, and her attempts at acting make listening to the book confusing, since you are never sure who is the current first person in the narrative. The book itself is not bad though, this is just not a great recording.
Rating: 
Summary: What would Mimi think
Review: All I could think of is what would Jane's boss, Mimi, think of the editor of this book. I think she would say, as do I, what were you doing when you were supposed to be reading the chapter about Nina and her son Barney? I kept trying to figure out what they were even doing in this book and who they were. This book is perfect without this chapter, what a waste of time this chapter was. I think if she was going to write about these people she should have tied them in better. Maybe a chapter was edited out....! This book could easily have been 5 stars. Possibly the hard cover edition is different. Was it a misprint?
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