Mellor devotes several pages to her beloved martini. She is relaxed about several things, giving options, but not about the definition of a martini. Gin and a dash of vermouth: read the book to get the proper proportions and how to actually prepare. I’ll give you a hint, though: while freezing vodka is god, freezing gin is apparently disgusting.

The book has several pages worth of martini-talk versus lists of google-gotten hangover recipes, quick recommendations of how to iron a shirt, and other tips that she admits she hasn’t actually tried (such as filing taxes online – “Not that I’ve ever done that, but I’ve heard it’s a breeze.”) Yes, it is, and I’ve actually done it, along with itsdeductible.com. I’ll happily follow Mellor’s martini advice because it is clear she knows what she is talking about, but I’ll stick with my own path on the taxes since I’ve found the right strategy for me. (Oh, and I could write her a section on how to properly iron a shirt. Although I’ve got to admit that I’m happy that Husband does his own. In the grand scheme of things, I’ll pay a buck per shirt at the dry cleaners to have them professionally press my blouses.)

As with many things, if the person giving the advice has actually found success with his or her method, I’ll be more likely to listen. Were You Raised by Wolves has a combination of intuitive-to-adults “common sense” that I could probably create if I thought about it (but may not be obvious to a fresh graduate,) advice that Mellor collected from other sources that may or may not work but saves the reader the initial research, and then the tips in which Mellor has expertise. Of course the information in the third category was that which I enjoyed the most.

Some of the information is opinion, and Mellor admits this. I had to laugh about her dislike of baby’s breath (unless it is alone “in the bathroom”) because my friend Kathy despises baby’s breath!

On the other hand, I do like wedding registries. I had nothing, so did need the basics, while I am not Amish or from a fundamental religious sect. Creative gifts as Mellor suggests can be fun, but then I’d still have to go buy a toaster. So… I don’t agree with the book all the time, but I enjoy learning tips about things I don’t know.

For example, the recipe section was definitely welcome. Although I realize I could open a cookbook and find recipes about anything I desire, there is something “easier” about happening-upon a recipe in the midst of a humorous book where the author has already established herself as someone who cares about being a good hostess but being realistic, too. I trust that she isn’t going to give me something too complex because her assumption is that the reader is a novice at all things adult. This means that as an actual adult, I can sigh a little and relax because I’ve probably tried more complex things, so would appreciate the “quick, easy, and impressive” method of putting together basic meals.

The section on gravy was particularly intriguing for me because my cousins declared that last Thanksgiving was their final turn at hosting, so my turn may be coming up.

Were You Raised by Wolves was an easy, enjoyable read. It is upbeat and trendy enough not to be taken as some boring outdated tome on what "old people" think. Yes, there needs to be a transition from carefree slob into a respectful adult, but it needn't erase all individuality, coolness, or even the "carefree" part. Because being prepared (like the Boy Scouts!) saves a lot of trouble down the line. It is easier to act properly the first time than to hastily try to clean up your mistakes. Were You Raised by Wolves is a good start to avoid some of the pitfalls that a new adult may face. And while I am in my thirties, I still found plenty of useful tidbits to ponder.