Helen Gurley Brown (1922–2012)

Tips on Life - good
Every day takes courage + effort

She's one of the most successful women in America, and now you can sit down and listen to her best advice, in her own voice - as if she were you best friend sharing a cup of coffee and telling all her secrets. Best-selling author and editor of Cosmopolitan magazine, Helen Gurley Brown has become model for women who won't settle for less than the best in their lives. In this intimate, revealing book, she invites you to follow her personal, passionate program.… (more)

I first discovered Sex and the Single Girl in my college library, more than ten years after it was first published. Later, when I found a used paperback copy, I snapped it up. Still later, I found a hardback copy in pristine condition, and bought that, too. Now I'm in my fifties, I haven’t been single for many a year, and I still re-read it every so often. When the ebook version became available on NetGalley, well, I had to have that, too. As dated and silly as it can be in some parts, there are still life lessons in it worth reviewing from time to time. Yes, it's a feminist work, and it opened my eyes to a world beyond the suburb where I grew up. But it's also full of plain old practical advice about getting the most out of life. If I'm feeling stuck or sorry for myself, reading a chapter or two will inevitably get me moving again.

I really appreciate the fact that the Kindle version I read was proofread and formatted well. Too many sloppy ebook versions of older books are being thrown out into the market, and I was apprehensive about what I might find in this one. Happily, Open Road has treated the book with the respect it deserves and has produced a high quality ebook.

I received a free electronic advanced reading copy of this book from Netgalley, but received no other compensation.… (more)

It's certainly dated, but still a fun read - and some of the things she advocates are still shockingly modern! Her joie de vivre is infectious, and she's such a fun narrator that you can't help but go along for the ride. Having never read it before, the content really surprised me coming from the period it was written in - I see why it was so popular and vilified, and as a liberated woman of 2012 I have to say - hats off to Helen! This book is essential to any modern feminist; I mean, it's always good to go back to your roots so you can track your progress.… (more)