Rating: 
Summary: Wonderful - I got lost in this book
Review: I did not know when I bought this book, plucked clean off the top of a pile of discounted books, that it was a series of short stories, nor that it would be so absolutely mesmerising. I am actually dreading finishing the book as I have enjoyed reading it so very much. Like the protagonist, or narrator if you will, I had a relationship with a (much) older man and Jane's lover Archie so reminded me of him. Yes it's funny but also quite poignant and honest. I know some were dissapointed with the book but if you read a book with expectations, you generally will be. I had no expectations so was thrilled at how wonderous it has been. Please read this book.
Rating: 
Summary: drifty
Review: This book started a little bit slow I thought. Then it got a lot better after the first 50 pages, but there were a few times when the book would jump from one time period to 30 years later and then back to the same time again. This threw me off a bit, but the last chapter was superb.
Rating: 
Summary: try Helen Fielding or even better, Marian Keyes
Review: It was on the basis of the great reviews that this book got at Amazon.com that I decided to buy it - I will be more careful next time - was I reading a different book or something? 'Laugh out loud' 'hilarious' 'true to life' were some of the comments and descriptions that made me think this would be a book along the lines of Bridget Jones (at least, the first BJ book) and the Marian Keyes books (all of which are excellent). This book was whiny, and melodramatic and did not inspire any of those 'been there' or 'thats exactly what I felt/what I would have done' moments that are all too common when reading the other books I have mentioned. I keep wanting to shake Jane and tell her not to worry about things so much - don't sweat the small stuff, even!
Rating:
Summary: Bridget Jones American Style & In Short Story format
Review: I admit that not only did I read Bridget Jones, I enjoyed it. The same goes for this collection of short stories. It definitely falls under the category of "guilty pleasures", sort of like watching soap operas or Oprah when staying home sick.The biggest difficulty I encountered when reading this collection was my misperception that it was a NOVEL. It is not a novel - it is a collection of short stories. So, when I got to the "chapter" written from someone else's perspective it really threw me for a loop. That's when I figured it all out. By the way, I got the idea that it was a novel from one of the reviews on the first few pages of the book! I think it was bad of the publisher to put this review in the list when it called this collection a novel. Now, what did I like about this collection? For the most part, like Bridget Jones, this was pretty much "brain candy". Fast and fun read, not too challenging, but still interesting. There was only one story that stopped me in my tracks and made me think because it was about breast cancer. Very interesting perspective on that particular story. For the most part though, this was just a fun read. I can't give it 5 stars because it really wasn't that good. For something to just pass the time (for example, if you're on a plane ride), it would be a great read though. I do recommend reading this just for the fun of it.
Rating: 
Summary: beautiful writing
Review: I resisted reading this book due to the comparisons with Bridget Jones, but I recently bought the paperback and read it in its entirety in one evening. It's important to engage your reader immediately and Bank has a natural ability to do so. Girls' Guide is actually a collection of related short stories; some are told in first person, others in third, but they all surround the life of Jane, the empathetic, self-consious, witty, and sometimes suffering heroine. The writing is clean and simple, yet Bank's words resonate in a way that is reminiscent of Hemingway, Cheever, and her contemporary Loorie Moore. Like Moore, the collection of stories have a central theme and tone (read Self-Help and Birds of America) and each chapter helps us to understand Jane more clearly. Totally engaging, beautiful writing, and excellent plotting. A wonderful first book. Highly recommended.
Rating:
Summary: Single females MUST read!
Review: The first book in a long time that I have not wanted to put down. Ms. Bank writes a book that could have any 20-40 year olds name listed as the title, because it touches a place in you that you thought no one else knew about. This is also one of the first books I have ever laughed out loud while reading. An easy book to read, but ends up making you think about your complex life. Excellent Book- I can't wait for her next!
Rating:
Summary: Ow, ow, ow!
Review: Painfully honest. Funny. And written in a short story style way that allows you to jump from one issue (or person) in Jane's life to another without getting tangled up in "....and then....and then". I actually enjoyed her leaps from story to story, and the continuation of certain themes and relationships. The only story that left me scratching my head and wondering about its ranking in Janie's love life is the story of Barney, his lovers, and his family. This story is only loosely tied (and by the very slenderest of threads) to Jane's, and I got the feeling that Melissa Banks just couldn't resist including it, perhaps justifying its inclusion because of the family/sibling/relationship themes. I think it would have been better cut out--it's certainly strong enough to stand on its own somewhere else. And if you want proof that it's a page turner, consider this--I picked it up at 3AM this morning, having read only about 15 pages, and turned the last page at 6AM!
Rating:
Summary: Not very satisfying
Review: I began the book with great anticipation. I had read the first chapter exerpt on Amazon. The protagonist Jane even at the end of the novel is not fully developed. Her relationships with Jamie and Archie seem shallow. One reoccurring motif is The Great Gatsby. Bank's efforts at Gatsby-tizing Archie didn't work for me. Also, the chapter describing Jane's neighbors did nothing for the plot or character development. As editor I would have left it out. The last chapter was humorous, but again it felt incongruous with the rest of the novel. I was truly happy that Jane found her true love, but in the end found her a little empty.
Rating:
Summary: Spare but wise writing....
Review: I was not aware until I read other reviews here that this book is actually a collection of stories. Maybe that makes me sound dumb but most of the stories are about the romantic evolution of Jane Rosenal. There are maybe three or four stories about other people but I kept believing that they somehow applied to people in Jane's building or at her office and that the connection would be apparent at the end. I was disappointed that there was no connection BUT I still highly recommend this book. The writing is spare but emotionally powerful...the author does a lot with a little and I admire her for it. On the other hand, I couldn't help but compare this book to Sue Miller's "While I Was Gone," simply because I read both back to back. Miller's style of writing seems to be so much more muscular. Nothing wrong with Melissa Bank's style....except that it seems a bit skimpy when read in conjunction with a more mature writer. But I don't mean to quibble...."Girls' Guide" is a page turner for those seeking emotionals thrills.
Rating:
Summary: Best Book I've Read this Year!!!
Review: Been searching for a page-turning quick read for a long time!! None of Oprah's book club books were doing for it me. This is the answer!! One of my favorite books ever! A book that realistically looks at relationships young women have with boyfriends, friends, co-workers and parents!! Loved it!!
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