Rating: 
Summary: Umm, no thanks
Review: I must admit that I am only writing a review about the first half of this novel since I could not bear to finish it. If you are looking for rehashed plot devices, flat characters, and sub-par literary style, this is the book for you. I admit that I cannot cosy up to any of the contemporary women's fiction books out there right now (ala Bridget Jones). I still harbour the hope that some day a well-written engaging novel will be written with a dynamic and interesting lead female at the helm. Until then, I think this book has signalled to me that I must ignore this genre altogether.
Rating: 
Summary: A book that let's you see the other side of the world
Review: Being a mother, wife, career-girl, PTO member, suburban person, I thought perhaps I should read this book to see how "the other half lives." Ms. Bank's stories -- told through Jane's eyes -- were wonderful, charming, laughable and sometimes, deep. I skipped working for one morning so I could finish the book. It made me cheer at the end -- what a good book full of good things to say. I'm going to make my book club of other mom/wife/minivan drivers read it to get perspective.
Rating: 
Summary: Forget those other reviewers
Review: Forget the comparisons with Bridget Jones!! This book really does stand on it's own as light but insightful entertainment. Melissa Bank provides a glimpse into the world of someone who is an introspective girl growing into womanhood. This book is clearly "American" and addresses the simple problems of growing up in a complicated world. Although the writing style isn't always crisp, the book clearly possesses the ability to develop a connection to the reader. I know that as a male, my perspective and opinions will not mimic that of a female. But I do feel that it is probably an entertaining book for anyone who chooses to read it. Take a chance, it's a quick read that will leave you smiling.
Rating:
Summary: The Title was the best part
Review: This book felt like I was reading it a fog. I'd heard it was one of the hot titles, so I wanted to try it. It was so muddled, I almost stopped reading it. But I made myself finish it as a reading exercise (it helped that it was short). It certainly wasn't clear for a while that it was a collection of loosely related short stories. The characters were not fleshed out well. What sort of clothes does Jane like to wear? What's her idea of a fun day? The only foods we know she likes are soft shelled clams. She goes to a therapist, but that's all we know about it. She seems to drift through her life letting things happen to her, being incapable of making solid decisions for herself. I thought the last chapter was excellent. When I finished TGGTHAF though, I was disappointed that this depressing scrambled book was considered thoughtful and inspiring. I read a couple of reviews where the writer said their life paralleled Jane's, how disheartening to have one's life in such a directionless haze. The same week I read one of my teenager's young adult adventure novels. While the target audience was younger, the characters were much more detailed, and descriptions were vivid, enabling the reader to form a clear image in the mind. It was a much more satisfying read. I'd rather have fun than be depressed.
Rating:
Summary: NOT A REVIEW: PLEASE READ BELOW. DO NOT POST.
Review: PLEASE NOTE THAT CHIVERS DOES NOT HAVE PERMISSION TO SELL THIS UNABRIDGED AUDIO TITLE, ISBN: 0792723317, IN THE RETAIL MARKET AND IT MUST BE REMOVED IMMEDIATELY. WE HAVE SENT SEVERAL EMAILS TO THE BOOK-DEPART ADDRESS WITH NO SUCCESS. PLEASE CONTACT ME IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR NEED FURTHER INFORMATION.
Rating:
Summary: Very cute story!
Review: I just finished The Girls Guide to Hunting and Fishing. I have to say it is a good read. I found humor and some drama. It was definitely entertaining!
Rating: 
Summary: Strange, rambling, and adrift
Review: My primary reaction to this book was confusion; it was just strange. It is similar to many other pieces of contemporary fiction, in that it gave a rather spare account of events and followed the actions and emotions of the characters without filling in much detail. I understood the point of the stories, but I just couldn't make myself care about the characters. I found myself getting annoyed with them for making bad choices and acting so detached. The only part I did enjoy was the final story, when Jane tried to follow "The Rules" to semi-disasterous results. That made me chuckle because I'm always torn between thinking that "The Rules" are ridiculous and wondering if maybe they really do work. Overall, this book just didn't work for me.
Rating:
Summary: Disappointing!
Review: I got this book for my birthday. From the title it sounded like an intresting book, but it was not my type of book. It's about this girl named Jane and her love life. She never seems to find the right guy. She gets discouraged and reads a self-help book. She tries out it ideas and finds it is better to be her self. I did not like this book because Jane sleeps around. If you liked this book then good for you, but it wasn't for me. I suggest this book to adults only!
Rating:
Summary: Girls' Guide to Anesthetized Living
Review: I often wondered as I read this collection of stories whether the author dosed herself up on Prozac or some other kind of mood stabilizing drug when writing them--the narration is so sedated, pared down to put it kindly, that it has all the brio of a conversation with someone coming to after surgery. The stories are broken up into short passages, like 5-6 line entries in an adolescent's diary. The action, whether external or internal, is not sustained and developed, but broken up into small pieces, which didn't assuage my suspicion that the author couldn't develop her character beyond the sketched outlines of a rather empty, tepid girl troubled by ....emotional anemia? Not getting to spend the summer in Nantucket anymore? Not getting to be Daddy's little girl forever? I found these stories uncompelling, unremarkable, tepid. The "problems" or "conflicts" Banks reveals central to her narrator's, (Jane's), life stand out as quotidian to anyone who has ever been exposed to even a modest range of people and events. More than just reporting them is necessary to make them interesting. The focus is on what Jane wants, but doesn't have. She has, by the way, a great deal, and thus any pathos she tries to evoke is hollow. Wake up and live girl! Banks' narrative voice could be described as minimalist, stripped of all but a voice explaining what's happening, occasionally how the narrator reacts to events, making droll comments often at her own expense. However, if you decide to strip your story down to its essence, you should be sure the essence has some life, some substance, some marrow. I found the narration flat, monotonous, stunted, and one dimensional. Jane's "struggles," except for one with a serious illness, seem to be with the fact that no one appreciates how cute, yet profound she is except herself. The men in her life are distant, self-involved--this seems to be her reason for being so muted, unfulfilled. Her boss thinks she has to prove her talents, earn respect. Makes her take work home. Treats her less like a rising star than the lights of a night-flying plane. She doesn't seem to have a sense of self strong enough to REALLY laugh about such circumstances--she feels compromised by them. This is anorexic writing: I felt like I needed a good meal, a big drink and a real conversation after reading it.
Rating:
Summary: Wow
Review: I loved this book! Being 19 years old and completely confused about love, Melissa Bank helped me learn a lot of hard lessons the easy way. I could not put this book down! It's great for a woman of any age who has ever been mystified by love.
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