Becoming an adult is hard work. While some young adults may have experience paying bills or living independently, many of us spend our early lives under our family's sheltering wing, only to emerge into the adult world confused and, well, completely clueless. If you or a loved one feel overwhelmed by the task of being a grown-up, don't despair! The staff of Seattle alternative newspaper the Stranger has assembled a hilarious guide through this difficult transition. The first piece of advice in How to Be a Person? "Almost nothing is as big a deal as it seems. Stop crying."
The authors illuminate touchy subjects such as which college majors to avoid like the plague, how to get along with people who are different from you and how to drink alcohol without getting yourself killed. The guide also includes Dan Savage's "Savage Love: The College Edition," a selection of topics from his popular sex and love advice column especially relevant to younger readers.
Don't be fooled by the bitingly funny humor. This guide teaches simple tasks like how to wash socks, make tacos and not commit a heinous mistake on an English paper as well as how to face complicated situations such as deciding whether to experiment with illegal drugs, choosing an area of the United States to call home or coming out of the closet. Reassuring, practical and thorough, How to Be a Person is perfect for any recent high school or college graduate. --Jaclyn Fulwood, blogger, Infinite Reads