 |
 |
||||||
|
|||||||
|
|
|||||||
|
|
THE PUBLISHING INSIDER the funniest woman in America?Amy Sedaris is a scream. Ditto Samantha B on The Daily Show. Love love love Kathy Griffin. But right now, word for word on the page, my money is on Christie Mellor. Her Three Martini Playdate should be read by every overindulgent parent of our time..and you know who you are...and her new Were You Raised by Wolves is the guide to real life for all 20-somethings, but it's fun for anyone to read! From Midwestern Mom blogspot: Buy someone a clue - aka "Raised by Wolves"?I grew up in a very small farming community. As the eldest in a working class family, I was the first of my generation to go to college. At 22, I moved to St. Louis and began working for an engineering/architectural firm. I was living on my own, for the first time, in a city I barely knew. I was working mostly with well-educated men who held high positions and lived affluent lifestyles. So what does this useless information about me have to do with Christie Mellor, the author of Raised by Wolves: Clues to the Mysteries of Modern Living? Well, as a clueless 20-something who felt completely out of her element, I would have welcomed this book with open arms. Even 13 years later, (and with far more life experience) I STILL welcomed this book with open arms. Mellor is here to tell you (or anyone you feel needs a clue) how to still save money on a modest income, how to make an "E-Z Bad Boy Bar" and how to be the perfect house guest. But there's also more than how-to's. There's tips galore! Want to find a bazillion uses for baking soda? Or how about another great use for the safety pin? Or a sure-fire cure to the common hangover? Christie's got the 411. Overall, I liked the chatty, friendly tone of the book. The writer's style is breezy and humorous. She infuses energy and wit into what could be a very stuffy and staid subject. I just want to invite her to a dinner party at my house, make her "the perfect martini" (yes she covers both areas Raised by Wolves) and tell her that I now make the bed each day because of Chapter One. Overall, this book is a great read for the twenty-something set. Even people beyond their 20's will pick up a few hints. I plan on giving my copy to a certain college graduate. (I won't say who!) And I also plan to make Mellor's previous book, The Three-Martini Playdate my next read. From Reviews from the Couch: The Older Sister I Never Had?When I was younger, my mom taught me the "circle sweep" method of cleaning a room. From her older sister, she provided me a list of "how to be a good guest." It would seem then that I wouldn't need Were You Raised by Wolves by Christie Mellor, but when the Parent Bloggers Network asked if I'd be interested in perusing Ms. Mellor's advice, I was eager. After all, while I understood the need to keep things clean and to be respectful, I didn't necessarily know the best methods to do so. Time spent perfecting a little whorl on an appetizer may not be the best spent. Also, advice that comes via parental lips isn't as revered as that which comes from your best friend, so I may not have listened to all of the wisdom my mom tried to impart. Thankfully, Mellor can be simultaneously a best friend and a mentor. She may be older than her target audience, but she is still hip enough to not create a stodgy new adult. Her tone is friendly and casual, but she is also direct. She can give advice, but she can also shrug and say, "more martini for me" which is something I would never expect to hear from my mother. And about those martinis: 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. From Pundit Mom Reviews - May 14, 2008 Hey, Were You Raised by Wolves or Something??I can always count on the ladies at Parent Bloggers Network to send a book my way that will make me chuckle. But as I was reading Were You Raised By Wolves?: Clues to the Mysteries of Adulthood, I was laughing out loud. I'm not really the target demographic for this book -- it's really intended for the college and early 20-something set. So, as I sit here teetering on the edge of the number whose name I will not speak, I didn't really need a lot of the advice. But I know a couple of nieces just finishing their sophomore year in college who may find Raised by Wolves slipped under their pillow next time I see them! ;) Why? Because in a caustically humorous way, author Christie Mellor, who also wrote The Thee-Martini Playdate, pulls no punches on "encouraging" the reader to take responsibility for some little and big things in life that just make it the world a nicer place -- like learning how to make your bed the right way, complete with illustrations (I found this one particularly helpful!) and cleaning the bathroom. UGH! I shudder at the thought of what the bathroom generally looked like when I shared a place with some other girls in college. ICK! Mellor tells it like it is in a way that even the most spoiled and pampered almost-adults will understand, like just sucking it up when you start that new job and not acting on day one like you're already everyone's closest friend: Seriously, Mellor strikes the perfect pitch in her ability to encourage the young whipper-snappers of today to take responsibility for learning how to do some nice grown-up things that actually might get them ahead in the worlds of work, friends and love. Most of us had to muddle our way through and figure this stuff out by trial-and-error. But Were You Raised By Wolves? is a great refresher on all the social niceties that can make our existence so much more pleasant -- plus, I'm getting started soon on her recommended grown-up reading list (except, Christie, I think I'm going to have to pass on Camus!) Mama Maven Storing up useless information since 1969.Thursday, May 15, 2008 Maven Says: Required Reading For seven long years I was a college residence hall director. I had an apartment in a residence hall, better known as a dorm but those of us in the profession would never utter that four letter word. One year was in co-ed suites, one year in a hall full of snooty women, and the other five years were filled with the joys of sharing space with hundreds of adolescent boys. If only Christie Mellor had written Raised by Wolves: Clues to the Mysteries of Adulthood a decade earlier, I might have bought hundreds of copies to bestow on my charges. We had fires in the oven from ill-attempted cooking, were always totally grossed out when we went through rooms during breaks at the funk growing there, and cringed at the pathetic mating rituals of drunk young people. Mellor pretty much hits the high points on cooking, cleaning and behaving in the presence of alcohol. I think that a pocket sized version of the main points in each chapter would be a fabulous addition to the goody boxes handed out to everyone who moves into a residence hall at the beginning of the year (or used to, now everything is probably done by e-mail). I might also have used it as a text when I taught an orientation course at a state university. Now life is a little more tricky, unfortunately the people I know who could really use the book would never, in a million years, think that they were the target audience. How exactly do you let them know it would be a good read--put it down on the porch, ring the bell and hide in the bushes? I think the only time I could offer it as a gift would be to a recent college graduate heading off into the "real" world. Although I fear that having put four (or five, or six) years of heavy reading behind then and thinking of nothing but independence and making money they probably wouldn't read it. The simple and straightforward advice on things like buying a house, budgeting and taxes are things I wish I'd had when I was moving out of my extended stay in the residence halls into my own apartment for the first time when I had to buy furniture, food and pay the rent--it wasn't pretty! Another hot target audience might be parents who have adult children returned to the nest--leave a copy in the bathroom for light reading after reading it yourself and noting the good parts to drop in conversation with your kids. With only about 330 days left of my thirties I skimmed through the chapters on cooking and entertaining. I've spent enough time in the kitchen and hosting gatherings from potlucks to sit down dinners to birthday parties for 20 5-years olds and hosting Thanksgiving dinner for in-laws to feel pretty confident in those areas. I cringed reading about cleaning up for company, my husband and I are still guilty of hiding things more than cleaning when we have company coming and time is tight. Once he even stuffed a closet full of things and used a baby gate to keep it all from tumbling out when the door was opened--I definitely love him for his ingenuity. Thankfully I am old, smart and financially secure enough to have someone else clean the things that I never get around to, although it was a long, long time getting here! Mellor's style will win over readers who pick up her book. The quirky, entertaining prose are fun to read even when hitting a little too close to home. A Blog somewhere Were You Raised By Wolves?Do you know someone who needs to get a clue about the mysteries of adulthood? Perhaps someone who is just graduating from college? Or entering the adult life force? Or maybe someone who's been in the adult world for a while, but still just needs a clue. Or two. Or twenty. Well. This is your book. Were You Raised By Wolves? Clues to the Mysteries of Adulthood by Christie Mellor, author of the three-martini playdate. This girl is funny. And a wonderfully delightful writer. She says what we're all thinking when the hordes of interns enter our worlds around this time each year...oh people, get a clue! And stop acting like you own the joint. And it's not good to smell like joints. And the way you're bodyslamming yourself to be cool is hurting my joints. So just stop. And read this book. It covers it all with style and candid humor. Straight up guides on getting lipstick stains out off of shirts, first jobs, first bosses, easy recipes, ironing, tipping, paying taxes, throwing dinner parties, and other things to avoid when drunk. Let it be known that this is my official gift of choice to all college grads, and I'm keeping a copy or two in my desk for overachieving and underachieving interns. In the author's own words, "It's time to set down that bottle of expensive water, review some simple rules of etiquette, and take a few totally random tips that will help you get through life without irritating too many people." Where was this book when I was 22? From MummysProduct Reviews: PBN- Were You Raised by Wolves? Clues to the Mysteries of AdulthoodLike natural progression Christie Mellor’s latest book (author Three Martini Playdate. It is a must read for us retro ‘rents), Were you Raised by Wolves, starts out geared towards a younger just out of college audience and settles comfortably into tips for full-fledged adults. Tips, that even I, the annoying etiquette queen can use. The numerous baking soda tips? I was tempted to post it on my fridge. I went on for days about this section alone. I am that much of a dork. From Lawyer Mama Review blog: Were You Raised by Wolves?Shortly after having Hollis I discovered The Three Martini Playdate by Christie Mellor. It was a breath of snarky fresh air after the What to Expect books and Dr. Sears. I was in baby advice overload and overwhelmed by a major shift in personal identity. Reading Ms. Mellor's book, tongue in cheek though it was, sort of made me remember that I am an individual with wants and needs that I can't neglect. Even T loved the book and would annoyingly read parts to me out loud in bed. You know, the book that I had already read and laughed my way through? Yeah, a bit annoying. But when PBN gave me the opportunity to review Ms. Mellor's latest book, Were You Raised by Wolves, I jumped at the chance to get my hands on some snarky hilarity. After reading the book, I can tell you that my answer to the question "Were you raised by wolves" is, "Why yes, it seems that I was." Ms. Mellor did not disappoint me. This book is advice for the new grown up. Or, the grown up who never really grew up but is still making mom and dad pay off the credit card and bringing home laundry every weekend. (C'mon, we all know at least one of those!) Need to know how to stock a bar? Well, if you ever want me to visit you do! Ms. Mellor has it covered. How to have a real conversation that doesn't just consist of you blathering on about yourself until your listener passes out from boredom or begins to bleed from the ears? Got it covered. Boil an egg? Yup. Do laundry? Uh huh. Become fiscally responsible? It's there. The section of the book that told me I'm a slovenly juvenile destined to die in a pile of filth, newspapers and empty pizza boxes, surrounded by cats, was the section titled "Make your bed!" Ms. Mellor is a big advocate of making your bed every. single. morning. See, I never do unless company is coming over. I don't see the point when I'm just going to get in it & toss off all the throw pillows all over again at night. My husband? Couldn't be bothered either. Here's what Ms. Mellor says: This book is the perfect graduation gift. In fact, having received 2 graduation announcements already, I know I'll be buying a few copies of this book. Maybe I'll even make my bed. But I won't like it. (She says with an adolescent pout on her face.) From Builder Mama picks & pans: Tuesday, May 6, 2008 Were You Raised By Wolves? At least you don't have to act that wayRemember the first time you were truly out on your own? The giddy taste of freedom when you finally had your own place - no Mom or Dad looking over your shoulder, no siblings getting into your stuff and stealing your favorite sweater, no grandparents or aunts or uncles there to watch over you? Remember how great that felt? But then remember the first time you had to have people over for dinner that you wanted to impress. Or your first day at a job that was somewhere other than Chuck E. Cheese. Or even better, the first day you discover that yes, you have overdrawn your checking account. Remember how crappy that felt? Being on your own for the first time is extremely heady yet scary as hell. Facing the unknown before you without your family safety net is a pretty daunting time. Didn't you wish that you had a manual like "Growing Up for Dummies" to use? Enter "Were You Raised By Wolves: Clues to the Mysteries of Adulthood" by Christie Mellor. If Christie's name rings a bell, she's also the author of "The Three-Martini Playdate" and "Three-Martini Family Vacation." In this book, Mellor delivers practical advice in a tongue-in-cheek manner that is funny yet gets to the heart of the matter - just because you're on your own for the first time doesn't mean that you're excused from acting like a civilized adult. For example, the first chapter which is called "Home Sweet Home" discusses making a bed, cleaning your house (including a step-by-step list of directions of what to clean if you're, oh, having a few people over and only have a short time to prepare), and the importance of having a clean bathroom. I can honestly think of a few old boyfriends who could've used THAT advice. She then goes on to tackle topics like working in an office ("Your Wacky Boss!"), preparing food at home ("Getting Acquainted With Your Kitchen"), social graces ("You. In the World. Not Being An Embarrassment"), and generally what the responsibilities of an adult are ("If Your Mom Still Chews Your Food For You"). Is this book appropriate for anyone? Well, it's a fun read. It's probably a little too young for someone who's already faced all this stuff in their lifetime, but I think it would make a fantastic graduation gift for a friend or family member who is going out on their own for the first time. It's witty without being snarky, charming without any simpering, and lets the reader know that Yes, You Can Do It! And Keep A Sense Of Humor Too. Make sure you stop by Parent Bloggers Network to see what other bloggers have to say about this book as well as what other hot campaigns are going on right now! "Were You Raised By Wolves: Clues to the Mysteries of Adulthood" can be found at Amazon.com just in time for the perfect graduation gift! Check it out! Radioactive Reviews blogspot: Thursday, May 8, 2008 No More Carpet Cleaners For MeRaised By Wolves?was a quick read book for me. I think it would make a great gift for any young adult who is about to start their "real" life on their own. When I said I would review it, I was worried that none of it would apply to me. I have been married since I was 20, have 4 kids, I pretty much thought I had it figured out. This book would have been great to have when I first got married/moved away from my parents, but what could it possibly teach me now, right? Well, it taught me all kinds of things I didn't know how to do. My son has stomach issues, and vomits a lot. He is pretty good at making it to the toilet, but every once in a while he misses. We have no carpet in the house, but we do have one large area rug. Guess where he always throws up? Did you know how to get that out? Because I did not until I read the book. Before I read the tip, I was borrowing my neighbors big carpet cleaner each time he didn't make it to the toilet. This tip is so much easier and actually works. You probably know by now that with me it is all about the recipes and this book had some great tips. Do you know how to poach a chicken? Roast vegetables the easy way? I did not. My mom was not very domestic so I never learned by example. What a great book to fill in the gaps of what everyone should know. There are so many things that I had no idea how to do. I host Thanksgiving at my house every year. And yet I had no idea how to make gravy. Every year I would buy a bunch of jars of gravy, pour them into a pan on the stove and then hide the jars in the garbage so no one would know I did not make it (I can't believe I just admitted that!) This year, I am definitely going to make my own gravy! The Chunky Purse blogspot - Friday, May 9, 2008 Review: Were you raised by wolves?There are some young adults who leave home after high school and just get what life is all about. Perhaps their parents gave them a lot of information. Perhaps they had a better education. I was not one of those people. This book, "Were You Raised by Wolves? Clues to the Mysteries of Adulthood," by Christie Mellor, would have done wonders for me. It's just about everything I've wanted to pass along to my brother but haven't. So, he'll get this book instead. Maybe even next week for his 17th birthday. Everything from what not to put in an email to how saving money instead of spending it can lead to wealth. I love statements like these hidden in the back: "Sunscreen and cocktails: one I should have used more, the other less." "I would have liked to have known that I really didn't know anything." Check out what others are saying at The Parent Bloggers Network. MomReviews: May 12, 2008 PBN Review-Were You Raised by Wolves?The introduction to Christie Mellor’s Were You Raised By Wolves? Clues to the Mysteries of Adulthood is titled “Hello, Brand New Grown-up!”, but her advice is so practical, even not-brand-new grown-ups can benefit from it. Her goal is to demystify the brave new world of moving the heck OUT of your parents’ house already by dispensing practical wisdom on everything from basic cooking and cleaning tips to how to dress both in the workplace and just how to dress so that you don’t, you know, embarrass yourself.
From The Zen of Motherhood: Review : Were You Raised By Wolves?Remember your first cruddy apartment? Your first "real" job? Being completely on your own? Remember stepping out into the big, bad adult world and feeling absolutely clueless? Were You Raised By Wolves: Clues to the Mysteries of Adulthood (Collins, 2008), by Christie Mellor, is a helpful refresher guide to all of those things that your parents probably told you when you weren't listening. From detailed instructions on how to make a bed (diagrams included) to memos on how not to be the office jerk, Were You Raised By Wolves offers tons of handy tips and tricks. I even learned a thing or two, and I'm ancient! Plus, Mellor is funny. Very funny. Hey, you might as well laugh while you're learning to clean a toilet! (from amommystoryreviews.blogspot.com) Mommy's Must Haves Thursday, May 01, 2008 Rasied By Wolves, Or Just A Very Busy MomWhen I heard the premise of the new book, Were You Raised by Wolves?: Clues to the Mysteries of Adulthood, I knew it was something I had to read. Basically, author Christie Mellor gives practical advice on surviving young adulthood that some of us may not have received (or at least didn't pay attention to) when we were younger. What modern mysteries am I talking about? Much of it is basic advice - things like how to make your bed, wash dishes by hand, and set up a budget. Simple, everyday living tips that we probably all should be following, but most of us aren't. But a surprising portion of the book digs far deeper into topics we should have been educated about: how to act in social situations even if you're bored, how to properly throw a party, how to be a good worker at your first job, etc. In other words, basic etiquette. As Mellor writes, "By making the people around you comfortable, and therefore forgetting about yourself for a few minutes, you are actually helping society run more smoothly and in a much more enjoyable manner." I wish I could force a large chunk of society to read these sections, as I slowly see basic etiquette slipping away more and more each day. I love her rant about turning off your cell phones once in a while - do we all really need to be that connected? Her guidance on how to be a good listener is also priceless information that even I need to be reminded of now and again. OK, at this point I have to make a confession: I learned a surprising amount of information even from the basics mentioned in this book. I consider myself a domestic zero. My mom was a single mom, so she didn't have time to teach me all of her wisdom when I was younger. My house is a disaster, I'm a lousy cook, and until reading this book, I didn't know that a martini was made with gin. I could have sworn it was only made with vodka. While the intended audience are young adults on their own for the first time, I realized that at 31 I still needed this advice and knowledge. Mellor also proves to have a little bit of Martha in her (sorry, Christie, if Martha offends you!) when it comes to ingenious uses for everyday products. Who knew baking soda kills fleas, relieves itchy skin, and can unclog a kitchen sink? And I never would have guessed that mayonnaise could bring back the shine in hardwood furniture. Near the end of the book is a series of quotes under the title If only I had known: Things I wish I'd understood before I hit thirty. I enjoyed reading all of these, nodding my head with them and wishing I had understood some of them before I was 30. I especially liked the first one: "Sunscreen and cocktails: one I should have used more, the other less." So true. This book is a quick read, and Mellor's sometimes chaotic writing style - jumping from one topic to the next, rapid-fire - is actually easy to follow and resembles having a conversation with a wise friend. Even if you think you've mastered adulthood, this book could prove you still have a few things to learn. I'd like to thank Parent Bloggers for giving me the chance to check out Were You Raised By Wolves? You can read more reviews by visiting the PBN campaign launch page. May 1, 2008 | Review Planet Raised by WolvesRaised by Wolves, the new book by Christie Mellor, is a rollicking romp through all the things that the well-raised 19 year old should already know but probably doesn’t. Her style is light and conversational, and her prose compelling even for those of us well outside the target demographic, both in age and experience. (Sigh.) I couldn’t put it down. Now, I’m pretty sure that you already know to pay your taxes, take the sponge out of the sink, and be on time, but this book and its advice just might be the perfect gift for a young cousin graduating from high school or college. And if you sneak a peek at the text before you wrap it in impeccable gift wrap, tie it with an unwrinkled piece of ribbon, or just drop it in that gift bag sitting over there on your desk, well, no one would blame you. This book is definitely entertaining, and an addictive read! Now, when is Christie coming out with her next book? May 05, 2008 Were You Raised by Wolves?Let me begin by saying Christie Mellor had me at Three-Martini Playdate. Her book was one that inspired me to begin working on my mommyblogging anthology. She rocks. Were You Raised by Wolves? Clues to the Mysteries of Adulthood is Mellor's first foray out of the parenting space in print form, a book for twenty-somethings who've just left the nest. It was sent to me by the always-fabulous Parent Blogger Network. It is hilarious, and a tad too familiar at times. With sections on cooking, how to clean your toilet, starting your first job, what not to do while drunk and many other helpful topics, Mellor doesn't fail us. I'll just quote a few choice areas. On your new job: Listen, you just started three days ago, and no one wants to tell you this, but somebody has to: quit sidling up to our cubicles and getting all chummy with us. We don't know you. We might have wanted to get to know you, but within an hour of your arrival you started swaggering around like you've had this job for fifteen years and you're everybody's best buddy. No, you giant ass. I've been working here for fifteen years. You are the new guy. On Old Spice deodorant: No good can come from having your deodorant stick double as your cologne. Perhaps you like the retro-kitch cachet, but do not partake of the Old Spice, as it will cause anyone within a fifteen-yard radius to immediately experience flu-like symptoms and upper-eye numbness. It actually burns the inner nostrils. It is the napalm of man-scent. These are just a few of the delightful tidbits of knowledge to be had in Mellor's latest book. Run, don't walk, to your local bookseller and order 80 copies for all of the young people you know now or will know in the future. Seriously.
Etiquette for a New Generation: ‘Raised by Wolves’ Author Q&AMeredith O'Brien You may know Christie Mellor from her Three Martini Playdate books which lampoon today’s parenting trends. Now, the humorist takes on not the grade school set, but twentysomethings (who need a little direction in their lives) in her new book Were You Raised by Wolves?: Clues to the Mysteries of Adulthood. Mellor fielded some questions from your intrepid Picket Fence Post scribe: Meredith O’Brien, Picket Fence Post: Your two previous tongue-in-cheek Three Martini Playdate books urged parents to raise their children to become civilized, well-rounded adults and to conduct that child rearing in a way in which parents actually get to enjoy being adults and not simply serve as their kids’ executive secretaries and all-purpose servants. Were You Raised by Wolves? aims to tell young adults — whose parents couldn’t benefit from your Three Martini sage advice in time for their kids — how to be civilized, well-rounded adults. Why did you decide to write this and how do you think college grads will respond to such counsel? Christie Mellor, author of Were You Raised by Wolves?: It started as a nugget of a suggestion from my publisher — but I had been taking notes for a while on the very topic, I just didn’t realize that I’d already started the book in my head. I wanted to put the fun back into being a grown-up. I remember when I was a kid, being a grown-up seemed all cool and mysterious and fabulous. So I wanted to put the fabulousness back into it, but with some gentle suggestions on behavior and etiquette, to fill in the gaps that may have been left by an overly supervised upbringing. As far as the twentysomethings responding, well, I’m hoping that since I’m not their mother and I’m not being naggy, that they’ll have fun with it. And maybe they’ll want to pass the book around to people they know. They may not recognize themselves as needing any help, but they may recognize friends or coworkers. And of course, it’s always fun to laugh at friends and co-workers. The hope is that through the humor, a seed will be planted. A very good and thoughtful friend wrote me this in an e-mail regarding my book which I really should have printed on the back cover: “It really is a common sense manifesto for injecting a better theology and philosopher into the world (to borrow Ignacious J. Reilly’s refrain from “Confederacy of Dunces”) — which modern culture so desperately needs — using essential older world values in newer world togs, all with your unique and magical style. And never mind the adorable, original illustrations.” Now isn’t that just the sweetest? I would like to think he’s right on target and that Were You Raised by Wolves? will catch on as an etiquette book, albeit a humorous, hip etiquette book, with recipes and hangover cures. O’Brien: Your chapter titles and subtitles are hilarious. ‘Make Your Bed!’ ‘What is That Horrible Moldy Smell?’ ‘You, in the World, Not Being an Embarrassment.’ ‘Budgeting Your Life: Boring, But So Satisfying.’ Have newly-minted adults always been slobs and clueless when it comes to social etiquette, or is this a new phenomenon? Mellor:I suppose it’s kind of a cliche that teenagers and young adults are generally slobs. I honestly don’t think all of them are, but I do think there are gaps in everyone’s basic knowledge, housekeeping included. And it may affect a much larger swathe of the population than you might think. Perhaps a certain number of kids have grown up with housekeepers or moms who took care of everything for them. Kids also have increasingly larger loads of homework and more and more after-school enrichment classes, organized sports, pressure to get serious about college by ninth grade. Making a bed, taking out the garbage and cleaning the toilet are all kind of mundane in the face of AP World History exams and Calculus Camp. But even with all that, there needs to be some balance. Kids still need to learn how to navigate the world. O’Brien: When I read the chapter title, ‘If Your Mom Still Chews Your Food for You,’ along with the subtitle, ‘Your Very Caring Parents: Cutting Yourself Off Life Support,’ I was beginning to suspect — very strongly mind you — that you blame indulgent Baby Boomers for failing to teach their children the basics of life and for coddling them like helicopter parents who didn’t give them the tools to operate as independent adults. So, am I correct? Mellor: Well, I have heard stories. I don’t know if I’d use the term “indulgent Baby Boomers” specifically. I mean, I’m a Baby Boomer and wouldn’t consider myself indulgent. And I know many younger parents — well out of the Baby Boomer demographic — who have no idea how to say, “No,” to their kids and coddle them like crazy. I don’t know exactly how it started, but maybe about 15 years ago, parents started becoming seriously over-solicitous. And that trend appears to have spawned a whole bunch of kids who have been sent off to college having no idea how to clean a bathroom, save money or take a bus. I blame the ubiquitous “child-proofing.” For a start. Honestly! It has turned into a bazillion dollar industry. Parents now hire child-proofing companies to come out and do their entire house. They become convinced that danger lurks around every corner for their baby, and from there it takes off and grows exponentially as baby grows. More and more parents seem to be just buying whatever hype the parenting industry is selling from the $900 stroller they must have, to the incessant enrichment classes and Baby Einstein tapes. The implication is, if you want what’s best for your child — if you’re a really good parent — you’ll do this for them. You’ll smooth every bump in the road and help them at every turn. But of course, they need to learn to solve their own problems at some point. They need to be self-sufficient, civilized and good-hearted humans. Humans who can host a nice dinner party and know how to behave in the workplace. O’Brien: There’s some great, basic info in Wolves, everything from how to make a bed (you are at your Martha Stewart best in that section) and how to boil an egg, to how to break up with someone, how to budget and how to do the laundry, including ironing. In the midst of all of this practical life advice, you included the Bill of Rights. Why? Mellor: Including the Bill of Rights seemed as natural as putting in my favorite recipe for roasted vegetables, or suggesting that people should turn off the water while they brush their teeth, or giving advice about what to do on New Year’s Eve, or throwing in tips on being a good listener. I guess I included it as a little reminder, in case the reader hasn’t read the Bill of Rights for a while. Like that First Amendment, that one is kind of important. Sometimes people forget that it’s one of the foundations of this country. And that fourth one, sort of being totally ignored lately, what with all that wiretapping going on. They’re really good, aren’t they? Actually I would have liked to include a little metal “Pocket Bill of Rights” like a friend of mine used to make — you can whip it out of your pocket when the metal detectors go off at the airport. O’Brien: In the chapter on how to not be an embarrassment in the world you’ve got a section entitled, ‘Cell Phones: Just Stop It!’ You write: “[W]hy does your phone look as if it’s been surgically attached to your head? Why, oh why are you on it every minute of the day? Are you, like, closing escrow on the Taj Mahal, or making some super-duper important, top-secret deal with the devil? Can’t the devil wait for you to get home? Must you be in constant contact with friends and associated while in transit?” Have you had bad experiences with young cell phone users? What are the cell phone rules in your house for your kids? Mellor:This could take up the entire interview. But for instance, driving. I mean, it’s not just the young people. Some of the most boneheaded moves I have ever seen on the road usually turn out to be made by someone on a cell phone. A cell phone is a wonderful invention, and I appreciate the convenience it affords. I appreciate it often. Our 16-year-old — apparently the last teenager in Los Angeles without one — just got his first cell phone. There hadn’t been a real need before, but now I’m thankful that I can touch base with him as I get busier with work and he goes further afield. He’s lived with me long enough to know my feelings about using cell phones for lengthy chatting on the street and in restaurants. I think I’ve pressed the point home pretty well about the rudeness factor, and I think he’s in agreement. And I make him pay for his own texting. Cell phones are a useful bit of technology, but I think people ought not to be on them constantly. Walk down the street and have a good look around. And get that thing out of your ear, I mean, dude, it looks seriously ridiculous. from Flexible Parenting Reviews: Monday, April 28, 2008 Raised By WolvesI'm going to just start right out and say that I loved this book. It was really good. I learned a lot, and it made me laugh a lot. In fact the synopsis of the book made me laugh so much that I eagerly looked forward to receiving the book from The Parent Bloggers Network to review. What more could I possibly want in a book? Were You Raised by Wolves? by Christie Mellor offers, as the cover reads, "clues to the mysteries of adulthood." I told my friends that it explained all those little things you somehow missed growing up. Whether it's how to make a bed (something I need to bookmark for my husband,) how make a martini, how to behave at a new job, how to clean your house when you're expecting company and it looks like a tornado blew through it, or even what to do when a friend has a break up. Really it's an eclectic mix of all those little lessons. The book is hilarious. I had a picture of the author's voice in my mind. She was a cross between a mother, a grandmother and a best friend. She was kind and compassionate, but also didn't take any nonsense and is very aware of modern life. I mean my great aunt can give me advice, but she doesn't own a computer so she can't really give me advice on email etiquette or thong underwear. At least not that I know! Yes, there is advice on thongs in the book. The part of the book that I really thought was best for young people was the section on first jobs. I was amazed with how accurate it was. Sure some of tips like getting there early and making sure to do a dry run of your commute before your first day are standard pieces of advice that I remember receiving. What was different was the section on how your co-workers perceive you. Again, it was very good. It talked about not wanting to appear like you're best friends with your co-workers for example. Another excellent part of this section was decoding your boss's behavior. I think for people delving into first real jobs, this section is great. Let me also say that she really decodes as in what it means when your boss talks to you when you're both peeing. If I knew someone who was graduating from college, I would provide this as a graduation gift. I don't think this would be the best gift for someone younger than college age just because it really is meant for the young adult. The only thing I didn't like about the book was that I wished in the laundry section she had actually tried out all of her suggestions because frankly anyone who's reading that section probably isn't going to take the time to try out a method that may or may not work. Overall though, it's an excellent book and very quick read. It reminded me of an Erma Bombeck book. from Creature Bug: Tuesday, April 29, 2008 A Clean Toilet Goes a Long WaysA book review brought to you by Parent Bloggers Network... Shortly before Sydney was born, some of my former students threw a baby shower for me. They were all poor college students, and the party was where a few of them were living in a not-quite-fabulous apartment in Corvallis. Despite being college students and despite not having lots of money, I distinctly remember the yummy food, the good conversation, and A CLEAN BATHROOM. Honestly, if I had gone into labor I think I could have delivered in that bathroom, although I will say that the lighting wasn't great and the color of the tile wasn't exactly flattering. But hey, there was a pre-nursing student in the midst, so I would have been okay. Clearly, these were students not raised by wolves. Their ability to clean a bathroom and host a party notwithstanding, as young adults they would certainly enjoy reading Were You Raised By Wolves? Clues to the Mysteries of Adulthood, by Christie Mellor. I personally enjoyed reading it, and I am moderately clued in to adulthood. Kinda. At least, I'm responsible for small people, so that has to count for something. AND, AND! I save money, which was an entire chapter in the book. Humorously written in a tone more like a funny older sister than a distantly polite Emily Post, Were You Raised by Wolves captures many of the elements we sometimes assume young people should know, but don't. Even I learned quite a few nifty tricks. As a sidenote that's not completely random, but is still a little bit, I have to tell you that today I received a Thank You card from one of my students who took my class this semester. Not only is it refreshing to see a young adult writing a thank you card for a class she took (for a grade!), but I was tickled pink because I love getting cards. Makes my day. The book covers important topics--like being polite--as well as helpful cooking tips and amazing uses for baking soda (which inspired me to scrub my kitchen sink until it sparkled), good manners and good fashion, being a good-houseguest and being a polite individual, and creating your own holiday traditions as well as creating a sound budget. And for those who can't be bothered with important things like reading, Mellor fills her book with clever illustrations: Since the book was just hanging out in our living room, Rebekah the World's Best Nanny took a look-see through it and promptly declared it hilarious and clever. She is actually one of those college students who will make a remarkably responsible adult (since she's already a remarkably responsible adult), yet she still learned things from the book. We're hoping that her other place of employment (twig downtown) will carry the book for sale. In the interest of full disclosure (and knowing the world views of many of my readers), I'll mention the fact there is one element of language in the book which is written in the context of "don't say this." I'm not mentioning it because I happen to be someone who belongs to--as the book puts it--a "certain fundamentalist religious sect," but because I'd want you to be comfortable with that fact before buying the book for your soon-to-graduate niece. That's all I have to say about that. That so many of my former high school students are now finishing up college, plus I teach college students, and my brother is graduating from BSU in a few weeks with a graduate degree in kinesiology means that I should be giving this book to more than half the people I know. That's a lot of books. But since I'm following Ms. Mellor's advice on the importance of saving money so that we can build a house, I'll just buy copies for my brother and my favorite students, and give the rest of those fabulous new adults thoughtful cards and a high-five. The book concludes with the perfect word of encouragement: "Be a kind and thoughtful person. Don't forget to drink water and wear a hat in the sun, but don't always come inside when it's raining. Splash in a few puddles and enjoy the showers, so you'll appreciate the sunshine that much more." --Christie Mellor I may have to borrow that quote for those cards I'll be sending out. From Mom to the Screaming Masses: Scrutiny by the MassesApril 28, 2008 What a riot this book was. Written by Christie Mellor, author of The Three Martini Playdate, the subtitle of this book gives a more clear meaning to it's purpose. Clues to the Mysteries of Modern Living. Yes, indeedy, this is a good book. I loved this book, and won't be giving away my copy, as per my usual MO on this site. Instead, I plan to keep it and force all of my children to read it before they move out. I may even test them on the contents. With information on varied topics ranging from how to make hospital corners to the many uses of baking soda, dealing with office politics, being humble and proud, how to use mayonnaise to remove water marks, directions on how to wash dishes and manage a buffet line gracefully - this book is an exhaustive how to for the modern young adult. Many of these topics are things I struggled with and only recently mastered - and some not at all. Most interesting would be the section on topics for conversation, the explanation of the Bill of Rights, and things I wish I'd known. I really agreed with a lot of them, at the ripe old age of 38. I'd recommend that each and every person reading this buy a copy of this book for anyone in your life in the age range of 12-25. Seriously - it could be the best thing you've ever bought them. Many, may thanks to the lovely ladies over at The Parent Bloggers for hooking me up with this book. From the cheese party reviews blogspot The Cheese Says....MmmmmFor all that is good and tasty, search no further. 25 Is the New 18? Really? I can think of at least seven people in my life who would benefit greatly by reading Were You Raised By Wolves?: Clues to the Mysteries of Adulthood by Christie Mellor. My brother, for one, who is embarking on his first ever apartment alone (at age 26) after living with my parents, grandparents, and his ex-fiancee for the last 6 years. A smattering of soon-to-be college graduates who are younger siblings of some of my life long friends. And, let's face it, me. Being the ripe old age of 29 doesn't mean I can't use a few new tricks up my sleeve, and this book is chock-full of 'em! Besides giving practical advice on everything from making your bed to making a flower arrangement, this book is packed with witty humor and fantastic illustrations. Mellor, author of The Three Martini Playdate (note to self: update my GoodReads to read list) has a wealth of information and talent to go on, and the list of Unbelievable Baking Soda Tips! is worth the price of the book alone. There is also tons of info on behavior in the workplace, how to dress, hosting parties, and 'Not Being an Embarrassment.' There is an extremely useful chapter on the kitchen and cooking which instructs on how to boil and egg and make your own mayo. I particularly enjoyed the section on how to poach a chicken, because honestly, I had no idea. Also enjoyable was the chapter on starting your own holiday traditions. Since all of our family lives about 300 miles away or more, we were forced to choose between schlepping every mother loving child-related item in our house to Pittsburgh or inviting folks to our place. Now we host Thanksgiving, and I found several good ideas to throw into our celebration for next year! Also, since January I've been trying to spend less money on silly things (read: starb*cks) and tuck it into a savings account. So far I've been doing quite well, but I wanted to make some projections. Guess what? She references a 'Stop Buying Expensive Coffee and Save' calculator, and I found it very handy indeed! So overall, I'm going give Were You Raised By Wolves?: Clues to the Mysteries of Adulthood a big old recommendation, both for those newly hired twenty-somethings who are getting paid enough to buy it and us older folks who should buy it for them if they can't! Many thanks to the Parent Bloggers Network for bringing this gem to my attention! |
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
