Anthea Paul: Girlosophy

(Allen and Unwin $45)

Despite its chunky size, this feels more like a magazine or an advertising brochure than a book.

Each page is designed in stunning colours, wild typefaces and weird text blocks; the photos are sort of sexy but in a glowing-with-health, innocent way.

This is the youth-marketing of pure common sense, shot through with syrupy spirituality.

It's feel-good stuff, nicely potted and, yes, we do hope our daughters will learn these lessons - like saying no: you don't need an excuse: a polite smile and a firm no is enough.

Don't give in. When people refuse to hear your message, move on.

There is groovily framed advice here on everything from beauty ("Dare to be different and construct your own definition of beauty") to getting your signals straight, mental toughness, budgeting and codes for a kind of living that's healthy for the body and soul.

It may seem trite to jaded older people, but to a teenager or young adult full of personal questing this could be a good, inspiring thing.