Learn how to survive as a modern woman with 'Everything but the Kitchen Sink'

By Jen Pontzer, Staff Writer

April 16, 2008 | 6 a.m.

"Everything but the Kitchen Sink: What Every Modern Woman Needs to Know" by Francesca Beauman may sound like a pro-feminist book, but one look at the shocking range of topics makes it clear that this is not the case.

It is no surprise that Beauman was recently named one of the top 50 "Brit Young Things" judging by her guidebook for women living in the 21st century. Additionally, Beauman is a TV personality and historian.

Whether or not one needs to know all the facts provided, they all are written in such a witty and sometimes self-effacing manner that proves enjoyable to peruse. It might be the fact that she is British, but Beauman has a knack for sounding uppity and friendly all at the same time.

Beauman's previous book, "The Pineapple: King of Fruits," was literally a whole book on the topic of pineapples. None of the topics in this book are given quite that much devotion, but there are enough details that one would be able to navigate any social situation with ease, as well as possess knowledge that is less practical but still nice to know.

This guidebook includes translations of the phrase "No, thank you. Please leave me alone" in languages ranging from Dutch to Russian to Icelandic. While many people think it is common for women to undergo plastic surgery, "Everything but the Kitchen Sink," says that only 6 percent actually have it performed.

Some example facts provided in the book include popular girls' names, winners of the "Best Actress" Oscar, the appropriate times to write a thank-you letter (always, of course!) and Nobel Peace Prize winners. Some of the more fascinating topics are how to navigate group sex, how to place a bet at a horse race and how to get rid of guests at the end of a dinner party.

The section on group sex has pictures depicting the most popular combinations. It also has advice on how to handle a spontaneous situation and a planned situation. If a friend suggests group sex, then he or she should not be made uncomfortable, Beauman said. "To be brave and open enough to suggest group sex in the first place is worthy of applause, period. (She may be drunk, however, or even high. Still.)"

The section on how to get rid of guests at the end of a night is probably one of the more useful sections. Some of the tips are to not supply guests with stimulants, to start clearing the table or to linger by the door.

This is, thankfully, one guidebook that does not have many of the expected topics in books for modern women. There is no section about how to walk in high heels, how to apply makeup, how to keep your man happy or how to charm other people with grace. The closest thing to these examples is the section on how to clean pearls. However, that still might come in handy someday.

This book is perfect for those who want to learn how to navigate certain social situations or just enjoy trivia. "Everything but the Kitchen Sink" has a little something for everyone, and it is a quick and fun read, especially because each of the chapters is suitably short. It is nice to be able to just read a small chapter before bed with everything else going on in college, and "Everything but the Kitchen Sink" makes this possible yet again.