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The Go-Girl Guide : Surviving Your 20s with Savvy, Soul, and Style
A woman's 20s are a roller coaster of highs and lows, unseen twists, and frustrating turns. Irreverent yet helpful and information, The Go-Girl Guide covers everything from dating to climbing the career ladder to dealing with a body that has packed on some pounds, exactly what girls just entering or already swimming in this brave new world need to know. Julia Bourland's straight-talking survival guide puts the entire decade in perspective, giving you a sense that the uncensored insider's scoop from an older, more worldly sister.
340 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2000
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
November 7, 2015
Perhaps I would have enjoyed this book when I was in my early 20s (and this book was only a few years old). Now, I found it to be not very relevant to me, as well as rather outdated.
To start, I have spend most of my 20s in Americorps and graduate school, the first of which doesn't quite follow the same "entry-level job" rules she discusses in this book, and the second of which is barely mentioned. But both are different life paths than the one the author focuses on in this book, and I consequently had some difficulties relating to the situations she described.
Some of my other difficulties with the book:
* The book is very heteronormative and assumes that every "girl" is looking for a "guy", and that is a major and specific goal in her life.
* There are also several assumptions about shopping (girls like to do it, and shoes and clothes are super important) and lifestyles (of course every girl wants to go out dancing and lose weight and hates her body shape or size!).
* There are also several things that were pretty true in 2000, but have changed 15 years later (i.e.: credit card debt was a bigger burden to 20-somethings than student loan debt, IUDs were not recommended for individuals who were nonparous, and not everything was on the internet quite yet).
* The tone is upbeat to the point that it can be annoying. The language used to support this tone sometimes ends up being jokey-insulting, which is then followed up with apologetic language. This kind of passive-aggressive language pattern is not unusual among American women, but it undermines the "go-girl, speak up for yourself" attitude she is trying to promote.
Annoyed though I am with this book, the advice isn't necessarily bad. An updated edition could certainly make it more relevant to young (and not so young) 20-something women of today.
To start, I have spend most of my 20s in Americorps and graduate school, the first of which doesn't quite follow the same "entry-level job" rules she discusses in this book, and the second of which is barely mentioned. But both are different life paths than the one the author focuses on in this book, and I consequently had some difficulties relating to the situations she described.
Some of my other difficulties with the book:
* The book is very heteronormative and assumes that every "girl" is looking for a "guy", and that is a major and specific goal in her life.
* There are also several assumptions about shopping (girls like to do it, and shoes and clothes are super important) and lifestyles (of course every girl wants to go out dancing and lose weight and hates her body shape or size!).
* There are also several things that were pretty true in 2000, but have changed 15 years later (i.e.: credit card debt was a bigger burden to 20-somethings than student loan debt, IUDs were not recommended for individuals who were nonparous, and not everything was on the internet quite yet).
* The tone is upbeat to the point that it can be annoying. The language used to support this tone sometimes ends up being jokey-insulting, which is then followed up with apologetic language. This kind of passive-aggressive language pattern is not unusual among American women, but it undermines the "go-girl, speak up for yourself" attitude she is trying to promote.
Annoyed though I am with this book, the advice isn't necessarily bad. An updated edition could certainly make it more relevant to young (and not so young) 20-something women of today.
February 4, 2008
If I was trying to get rich, have as much (safe) sex as possible and diet like crazy, this would have been the perfect book for me. However, I am not. It gave a bit of good advice (consolidate Student loans) and some fishy advice (travel the world on your credit card). Cute idea, bad book.
September 3, 2007
This book is a little silly, but I absolutely love it. And it makes a great gift, too.
February 6, 2020
Maybe I would have been able to be more generous when this book came out, but an advice book for twenty-something women written in 2000, gifted in 2010, and read in 2020 has not aged well.
March 12, 2020
There’s some really good advice in this book; then there’s the many parts that made me cringe. For instance the author talks about how it’s important to take time for yourself and that it’s okay (& important) to try a different career path if you feel you need to. She then interviews one woman who got her graduate degree but took some time off and decided to work in retail. How empowering and comforting. Kudos to her, right? Well, in another section about identity crisis the author continues to write, “And [you know] you’re definitely not your best friend from high school who dropped out of college and delivers pizzas for a living.” That’s so incredibly degrading and elitist, not to mention goes against everything else the book is saying. I only read a few sections of the book that I felt applied to me, but in those sections my mouth literally dropped at some of things that were written.
I understand this book is pretty out of date, but come on. How hypocritical can it be?
I understand this book is pretty out of date, but come on. How hypocritical can it be?
July 10, 2020
Not for me.
November 3, 2025
Felt like the big girl version of that body book
June 22, 2012
Although I thoroughly enjoyed this book, I think it's more for women who are just graduating college, or are in their mid-20s. I'm new to this decade in life and couldn't exactly relate to all that Bourland was talking about. However, I did enjoy the vast array of topics she discussed including: our careers, our love lives, our body and soul, our support group, as well as our finances and other loose ends. Bourland gives honest advice and doesn't sugar coat anything. She uses comparisons in order for readers to better understand what she's saying; for example: she compares getting a job, to getting a date & having your first job to being in a tribe. She also uses humor when discussing the more sensitive subjects, like dating. Bourland even includes quotes from movies such as Jerry Maguire! Not only is this book filled with advice from cover to cover, but the author also throws in "Go Girl Resources" in the back of the book, that has suggestions on other things, whether it be books or websites, to read.
My favorite part about this book was the Top Ten List of Things to Do in Your 20s:
"10. Learn to guffaw
9. Have a wild and passionate fling
8. Travel far and wide
7. Fulfill those lifelong fantasies
6. Run a marathon, do a triathlon, or bike a century ride
5. Take a women's self-defense class
4. Reform dietary inadequacies
3. Keep in touch with at least one high school friend
2. Don't work too hard
1. Dig on these times"
Overall this book was very informative, and I even took several pages of notes on the book, but I won't bore you with those! If you want help in this turbulent decade of mood swings, body demons, careers, and relationships, I definitely suggest this book for your.
My favorite part about this book was the Top Ten List of Things to Do in Your 20s:
"10. Learn to guffaw
9. Have a wild and passionate fling
8. Travel far and wide
7. Fulfill those lifelong fantasies
6. Run a marathon, do a triathlon, or bike a century ride
5. Take a women's self-defense class
4. Reform dietary inadequacies
3. Keep in touch with at least one high school friend
2. Don't work too hard
1. Dig on these times"
Overall this book was very informative, and I even took several pages of notes on the book, but I won't bore you with those! If you want help in this turbulent decade of mood swings, body demons, careers, and relationships, I definitely suggest this book for your.
November 21, 2011
I'm not the target demographic, but picked this up at a book swap and enjoyed it. Breezy, upbeat tone throughout as she gives advice ("dishes") to her fellow 20-somethings ("girlfriend" is the addressee for most points) about basically everything -- dating, finances, career, separation from parents, living on your own, date rape prevention, sexual functioning, hair care.......
There's a fair amount of projection (I had a good time and learned a lot when traveling abroad -- everybody should travel abroad in their 20's), and many of her friends who contributed quotes and advice seem to have similar circumstances -- white heterosexual women in grad school or professional jobs, with boyfriends but not husbands or children, with good relations with their parents, living in big cities. But she does try to acknowledge diversity from time to time.
Other than people like me who will read more or less any nonfiction, one thing I couldn't decipher was who would buy such a book. I can imagine being flummoxed about the job search, OR about how to meet the right boyfriend, OR about money management, but it's a little hard to picture someone's thinking "I'm struggling with everything about being a woman in my 20's and could use some advice" unless she were depressed, in which case most of this advice is neither here nor there until she gets treatment.
There's a fair amount of projection (I had a good time and learned a lot when traveling abroad -- everybody should travel abroad in their 20's), and many of her friends who contributed quotes and advice seem to have similar circumstances -- white heterosexual women in grad school or professional jobs, with boyfriends but not husbands or children, with good relations with their parents, living in big cities. But she does try to acknowledge diversity from time to time.
Other than people like me who will read more or less any nonfiction, one thing I couldn't decipher was who would buy such a book. I can imagine being flummoxed about the job search, OR about how to meet the right boyfriend, OR about money management, but it's a little hard to picture someone's thinking "I'm struggling with everything about being a woman in my 20's and could use some advice" unless she were depressed, in which case most of this advice is neither here nor there until she gets treatment.
January 17, 2018
I found this book at a used bookstore when I was 21 years old. I was about halfway through college, I had a boyfriend I'd been breaking up with for two years, I was still fighting with my parents like I was a teenager, and I had a lot of questions I didn't feel like I could ask anyone. I don't have an older sister, or anyone who really fills that position in my life. I *am* the older sister - who do I turn to?
Along came this book.
I LOVED this book. I read it over and over again. I cried at some parts. I've memorized others. When it came to fights with roommates or how to decorate the tiny apartment I once had to myself, or whether to hang on to a relationship that didn't seem worth it anymore, or a more practical health-related question (grey hairs at 26? are you kidding me?!) I could almost always find the answer within the pages of The Go-Girl Guide.
I haven't found myself consulting this book lately. I'm in the last weeks of my twenties, and I'm looking forward to my thirties. I honestly credit some of the success of the last decade to my repeated re-readings of The Go-Girl Guide. And I have found myself wishing, more than once, that Julia would write a guide for the next ten years!
Along came this book.
I LOVED this book. I read it over and over again. I cried at some parts. I've memorized others. When it came to fights with roommates or how to decorate the tiny apartment I once had to myself, or whether to hang on to a relationship that didn't seem worth it anymore, or a more practical health-related question (grey hairs at 26? are you kidding me?!) I could almost always find the answer within the pages of The Go-Girl Guide.
I haven't found myself consulting this book lately. I'm in the last weeks of my twenties, and I'm looking forward to my thirties. I honestly credit some of the success of the last decade to my repeated re-readings of The Go-Girl Guide. And I have found myself wishing, more than once, that Julia would write a guide for the next ten years!
July 21, 2015
I enjoyed this book for what it's worth - additional perspectives on matters that people face post-college age. It was published 15 years ago, so the content, at times, was irrelevant now (actual phone calls - ha!). I've been reading bits and pieces of this book for months now, and I did take bunches of information away as good reference points and snippets of advice that may serve me well one day. I like that it was written to be a pretty comprehensive guide for a gal just graduating college and facing the rest of her 20s. While, for me personally, I knew/was aware of/figured out much of the information prior to reading this book, I know there's many a gal who may be pretty clueless (maybe 1 thing in this book was talked about in high school or college - especially finance and personal health info) about these topics, and would find a book like this pretty helpful. I'm all for getting advice where you can get it, and this author had some perspectives on things I hadn't thought about. It's also one of those books, especially with her contributing authors, that makes you feel like you're not in it alone. Would be better served if she wrote an updated version!
June 1, 2007
Julia Rutland wrote this book when she was 25 and captures the essence of a 20-something's concerns, fears, struggles, interests, social concerns and more to a "t". While I'm 28 now I think I'm beyond the need for this book, this isn't your typical "I just graduated from college how do I write a resume" book that tells you to open a 401k, go to bed before 12am and to learn how to balance your checkbook. Each chapter deals with a specific area such as boyfriends, being single, coupling, money issues, career, physical and mental issues, dating, friendship, etc. I must warn you, this book really only applies to females, but it was a great source of inspiration and a sort of friend who had "been there before". I bought a whole slew of copies for my friends at the time. Great gift or book to lend any gal you know who is just finishing college, just graduated, or in that awkward "life is starting what the hell do I do now?" phase of their life.
June 17, 2019
Like most self-help books, parts were really inspireing, while others were pretty boring. But I did like it. It made me understand that all these weird feelings that I have going through me right now, is normal and that others my age are going through the same thing. It made me feel less alone. The book talks about work, health, finances, friends, and family. All the important things that you need to know and have questions about at this age. So for all you 20-somethings out there, I'd say check this book out.
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August 16, 2018
Similar to the Quarterlife Crisis, this was a guide that covered everything from jobs to relationships in your twenties. There were some interesting points and many anecdotes that I could relate to so that I know I'm not the only 27 year old going through these things - feeling really old compared to those 25 and younger, finding singular gray hairs, my body feeling less than agile and virile. The author did say that everyone in this age group should travel and discover the woman that you are. Travel, travel, travel! It also stressed the importance of a surrogate family, i.e. friends. She also recommends therpay and/or Prozac.
January 25, 2008
Oh my goodness! I wished I had this book sooner! I can't believe how fabulous it was :) I hadn't heard anything about it, I was just drawn to the cover and title; but it was WORTH IT! This is definitely a book I will re-read multiple times and the information Ms. Bourland provides is priceless. I don't care that it's not the most current book in the world, the experiences she writes about and the advice she gives is timeless. This is a MUST read for all women in their 20s.
May 10, 2008
This book really empowered me to understand and deal with my twenties. As some of the other readers mentioned, I did not agree with it all...but I thought it a useful and entertaining tool in managing my twenties. In addtion, it makes you feel a bit less alone in navigating life as a twenty-something.
December 23, 2009
I love this book! It was a great read when I was going through all the changes (boyfriend/no boyfriend, career choice, starting a business, new/old friends) when I was out of the college environment. I will be gifting this read to women leaving college and heading out the door into reality. I doable to even skim or skip the unrelated stuff at the time and return to read them when appropriate.
January 30, 2008
FABULOUS! FABULOUS! FABULOUS! I purchased this book prior to turning 20 and while I was in college. This book has a great deal of information to literally SURVIVE your 20's with SAVY SOUL & STYLE! Check it out!
February 14, 2008
Was browsing a bookstore when I came across it, and me miss know it all doesn't need advice but I love this book, it did help me through 20 - 23 ...I still have my copy, I couldn't agree with it all but it still a great book for a woman in her early 20s...
April 30, 2010
This book got me through my 20s! Great perspective with some really honest answers. Especially loved the parts about how a woman's body changes in her 20s. Without that I would definitely have crash dieted my way through my 20s but, instead, I learned to love my curves!
August 1, 2011
Wonderful book! My favorite of all the self-help books I've read so far. It has very detailed information about a variety of things that plague the females in their 20s. I will be referring back to it!
September 27, 2011
I probably shouldn't admit I read this...but I did. I found it for a dollar at a used book store on capitol hill.
Easy read, good ego boost(or at least made me feel like I have my life somewhat in order). Ha ha.
Easy read, good ego boost(or at least made me feel like I have my life somewhat in order). Ha ha.
July 2, 2013
Read it as a 20 something in 2000&something. Great b.day gift for my friends. Ms. Bourland does a nice job of giving tips for every aspect of your 20s. As I told a friend-she needs a chapter on texting. This, now 30 something, is the LEAST savvy when it comes to that!
December 2, 2013
This book is a must read for graduating seniors in high school and collegiate women. A fun book filled with great insight of the world as a young adult (female perspective). Honest and truthful testimonies.
August 29, 2007
Again, bad title.
I bought this on my 20th birthday while coming across it by mistake and I don't think I could have survived the first half of my twenties without it.
I bought this on my 20th birthday while coming across it by mistake and I don't think I could have survived the first half of my twenties without it.
November 25, 2007
This was really funny!
November 17, 2008
Leah bought this for me and its interesting, to say the least. Sure I only have 2 years left of my 20s but its nice to reminisce about all the dumb stuff I could've done that I didn't do. *lol*
February 14, 2008
A pretty good buy for $1.50 from the basement library bookstore.
March 8, 2008
Helped to answer quite a few questions and give food-for-thought.
May 22, 2008
So cute! Great gift for a new college graduate!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews