Ask your mother - Ruth Carpenter

When you're fumbling in the dark, who better to enlighten you than your dear old mum? She knows a thing or two about life, like how to buy a bra or what men really want.

But when she's not around (and let's face it, that's not often) check out this handy collection of how-tos. It's like having your mum in book form (sort of).

With indispensable advice on a wide range of familiar - and not quite so familiar - conundrums, from packing a handbag, faking it, stopping him buying you THAT underwear, unblocking a sink and handling one-night stands, you'll wonder how you ever managed without this book.