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Reading Henrik Ibsen: A Doll's House
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Little Lits are short, sharp introductions to classic works of literature. Stephen Siddall's study...
Your First Hundred Million - As Read by the 50 Billion Dollar Man
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Get the 50 Billion Dollar Man's book "Your First Hundred Million" straight in your devices! Listen...
Beyond the Valley of the Dolls (1970)
5.7
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A female rock band goes to Hollywood and is seduced by the decadant lifestyle of those around them.
Sleaze exploitation camp
The Coloring Crook
8.5
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Book
Life is looking rosy for Florrie Fox, manager of the Color Me Read bookstore in Georgetown,...
Sarah (7798 KP) rated Everything I Know About Love in Books
Jul 18, 2019
Funny and heartwarming
My friend sent me this book as a housewarming gift as something she thought I'd love, and she couldn't have been more right.
Dolly Alderton is a similar age to me, and whilst some of her life experiences have been a little more extreme and over the top than mine, I could see so much of my life, thoughts and emotions in this book. Never before have I read a non-fiction book that really gets me until now. Dolly has a nice uncomplicated writing style that's fun and easy to read, and the way she recounts her stories is often hilarious and very heartwarming. I liked how the book was structured and plotted for the most part, I especially loved the chapters entitled "Everything I Know About Love age", these were the most poignant and real to read and I was virtually in tears every time I read these, and especially so after reading the last chapter about thirty. There are some chapters and extracts in this book that are a little long winter or unnecessary, but apart from these this is such a fun heartwarmingly sweet book that is definitely worth a read, especially if you're feeling a little disillusioned about love. There are some truly wonderful (albeit a tad cheesy) messages in this that are really meaningful.
Dolly Alderton is a similar age to me, and whilst some of her life experiences have been a little more extreme and over the top than mine, I could see so much of my life, thoughts and emotions in this book. Never before have I read a non-fiction book that really gets me until now. Dolly has a nice uncomplicated writing style that's fun and easy to read, and the way she recounts her stories is often hilarious and very heartwarming. I liked how the book was structured and plotted for the most part, I especially loved the chapters entitled "Everything I Know About Love age", these were the most poignant and real to read and I was virtually in tears every time I read these, and especially so after reading the last chapter about thirty. There are some chapters and extracts in this book that are a little long winter or unnecessary, but apart from these this is such a fun heartwarmingly sweet book that is definitely worth a read, especially if you're feeling a little disillusioned about love. There are some truly wonderful (albeit a tad cheesy) messages in this that are really meaningful.
♰♰♰ <b>3 'Gloomy' Stars</b>
I didn't quite know how to feel about this book...
I have read a number of books by [a:Susan Hill|18874|Susan Hill|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1337917448p2/18874.jpg] and I have found them to be very hit and miss. I seem to compare each one to [b:The Woman in Black|37034|The Woman in Black|Susan Hill|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1327869942s/37034.jpg|2127172] as this was the one that I enjoyed the most.
There's no denying that Hill's writing is beautiful and she is fantastic at 'setting the scene'. The beginning of 'Dolly' was very well written, very descriptive and creepy, unfortunately this just didn't last throughout the book.
The length of the novel was just too short to fit everything in so it just felt rushed, this meant that so many opportunities were missed where Hill could of shown off the amazing skills that I know she has.
It makes me wonder if she sets a word limit or a page limit on all of her books as all the ones I have read just seem to be 'packed in'.
'Dolly' had the makings of a masterpiece but the execution let it down immensely.
I didn't quite know how to feel about this book...
I have read a number of books by [a:Susan Hill|18874|Susan Hill|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1337917448p2/18874.jpg] and I have found them to be very hit and miss. I seem to compare each one to [b:The Woman in Black|37034|The Woman in Black|Susan Hill|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1327869942s/37034.jpg|2127172] as this was the one that I enjoyed the most.
There's no denying that Hill's writing is beautiful and she is fantastic at 'setting the scene'. The beginning of 'Dolly' was very well written, very descriptive and creepy, unfortunately this just didn't last throughout the book.
The length of the novel was just too short to fit everything in so it just felt rushed, this meant that so many opportunities were missed where Hill could of shown off the amazing skills that I know she has.
It makes me wonder if she sets a word limit or a page limit on all of her books as all the ones I have read just seem to be 'packed in'.
'Dolly' had the makings of a masterpiece but the execution let it down immensely.
Midge (525 KP) rated The Girl in the Corner in Books
Jan 13, 2019 (Updated Jan 13, 2019)
Very relatable (2 more)
Compelling, mature and thought-provoking
Great depth and plenty of humour
A Very Enjoyable Read - 4 Stars ! ⭐⭐⭐⭐
I was excited to read this latest novel by Amanda Prowse, having been lured by the attractive cover design and the very relatable premise of a woman who feels the need to re-evaluate her whole life, following her husband's guilty admission of his betrayal.
In the opening chapter, we are introduced to sixteen-year-old Rae-Valentine Pritchard, who is quiet and shy, when she meets the very confident, loud and gregarious Dolly Latimer, at College. The two girls quickly become best friends and are inseparable teenagers, laughing and joking their way through life. Dolly arranges a double date for the two of them, her brother Howard and his friend, Vinnie. Rae and Howard, so in love, get married two years later.
From her modest life in the suburbs to a splendid Georgian house in North London, Rae is now a devoted wife and mother to daughter Hannah and her son, George. Following a surprise party in celebration of their silver wedding anniversary, Howard confesses to a shocking betrayal of their marital vows that totally shatters Rae. She is forced to take stock of her position as wife and mother and also her role as a general dogsbody to the Latimer family restaurant business. Will her relationship with her best friend Dolly be affected?
Rae starts to think about all her teenage dreams that she once had - training as a chef and island-hopping in Greece. Can Rae give up on her shattered marriage, live life for herself, and be the real Rae-Valentine?
The planned anniversary celebration trip to Antigua still goes ahead, however, Dolly travels with Rae, instead of Howard. Dolly's divided loyalties and a handsome and friendly, young barman are just the starts of matters becoming even more complicated. In Antigua, Rae contemplates the possibility of continuing with her marriage and what this might mean for her friendship with the enthusiastic Dolly. A reconciliation with Howard may be much more difficult than everyone thinks.
This is a wonderful story for anyone who has always felt that they were 'the girl in the corner' at every social occasion or even for just being the quiet and reserved middle child in their own family, with which I can personally identify. Amanda Prowse has a lovely writing style that captures Rae’s tormented soul beautifully. I also liked the way other issues were explored, in particular, Rae’s parents and sister, Debbie-Jo, who felt like the humble relations compared to the wealthy and successful Latimers. Howard’s betrayal is the catalyst for all of the years of unspoken emotions, forcing Rae to face her feelings of being second best in the Pritchard family.
"The Girl In The Corner" is a hugely compelling, mature and thought-provoking piece of women’s fiction. Well paced from the very beginning and quick to get into the heart of the story, the novel has great depth and plenty of humour, however, I thought the ending was slightly rushed.
Overall, "The Girl In The Corner" is a well written, emotive book about love, loss, friendship, family and following your dreams that I highly recommend.
Thanks to NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK for an advance copy of this book.
In the opening chapter, we are introduced to sixteen-year-old Rae-Valentine Pritchard, who is quiet and shy, when she meets the very confident, loud and gregarious Dolly Latimer, at College. The two girls quickly become best friends and are inseparable teenagers, laughing and joking their way through life. Dolly arranges a double date for the two of them, her brother Howard and his friend, Vinnie. Rae and Howard, so in love, get married two years later.
From her modest life in the suburbs to a splendid Georgian house in North London, Rae is now a devoted wife and mother to daughter Hannah and her son, George. Following a surprise party in celebration of their silver wedding anniversary, Howard confesses to a shocking betrayal of their marital vows that totally shatters Rae. She is forced to take stock of her position as wife and mother and also her role as a general dogsbody to the Latimer family restaurant business. Will her relationship with her best friend Dolly be affected?
Rae starts to think about all her teenage dreams that she once had - training as a chef and island-hopping in Greece. Can Rae give up on her shattered marriage, live life for herself, and be the real Rae-Valentine?
The planned anniversary celebration trip to Antigua still goes ahead, however, Dolly travels with Rae, instead of Howard. Dolly's divided loyalties and a handsome and friendly, young barman are just the starts of matters becoming even more complicated. In Antigua, Rae contemplates the possibility of continuing with her marriage and what this might mean for her friendship with the enthusiastic Dolly. A reconciliation with Howard may be much more difficult than everyone thinks.
This is a wonderful story for anyone who has always felt that they were 'the girl in the corner' at every social occasion or even for just being the quiet and reserved middle child in their own family, with which I can personally identify. Amanda Prowse has a lovely writing style that captures Rae’s tormented soul beautifully. I also liked the way other issues were explored, in particular, Rae’s parents and sister, Debbie-Jo, who felt like the humble relations compared to the wealthy and successful Latimers. Howard’s betrayal is the catalyst for all of the years of unspoken emotions, forcing Rae to face her feelings of being second best in the Pritchard family.
"The Girl In The Corner" is a hugely compelling, mature and thought-provoking piece of women’s fiction. Well paced from the very beginning and quick to get into the heart of the story, the novel has great depth and plenty of humour, however, I thought the ending was slightly rushed.
Overall, "The Girl In The Corner" is a well written, emotive book about love, loss, friendship, family and following your dreams that I highly recommend.
Thanks to NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK for an advance copy of this book.
The Woman in Black and Other Ghost Stories: The Collected Ghost Stories of Susan Hill
Book
'No one chills the blood like Susan Hill' Daily Telegraph From the horrifying secret of Eel Marsh...