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Kaz (232 KP) rated Queen Camilia in Books
Jul 15, 2019 (Updated Jul 15, 2019)
A Royal 'What if' story
Contains spoilers, click to show
I remember reading 'The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole' when I was a teenager and really enjoying it. So when I saw this book, I was looking forward to reading this.
This novel is based on what would happen if the institution of the Royal Family was in exile and were living on a council estate. Britain is divided into many different zones, depending on your social standing and no one can cross zones without an I.D card. Also the police know your every move, thanks to cameras which are installed everywhere and they can access all information about the residents, using the Vulcan computer system.
Firstly, I liked how Sue Townsend characterized the members of the Royal family, they are all very likable characters, funny characters. I also liked that we got the perspectives of the royal pets too, on what was going on.
However, I found a few things wrong with this book. I personally like the British Royal Family, but, even though this book is funny, I could tell that the author wasn't entirely in favour of them and so I felt that at times, the jokes were a bit cutting and were laughing at the Royal Family, rather than laughing with them.
Secondly, at the beginning of the book, I felt like this was making some interesting observation on modern British life. However, as the book progressed, what could have been a humorous insight into these issues, turned into a bit of a mess.
Thirdly, the construction of the plot was very sloppy. The plot didn't seem to focus on one specific thing. What was a book about the Royal Family and the illegitimate son of Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles , randomly turned into a farce about the dogs in the area. The comedy with the dogs at the beginning was funny, as I said before,, but it escalated into farce.
Also, plot line involving a police officer having a crush on one of the lower class women in 'Slapper Valley', one of the exclusion zones, never got an resolution at all..
Finally, the ending for me, was very poor. It ended quite abruptly and was quite frankly, bizarre and unsatisfying.
I started out really enjoying this book, but in the end, it turned into a bit of a mess. This was occasionally funny, but overall, a very disappointing read.
This novel is based on what would happen if the institution of the Royal Family was in exile and were living on a council estate. Britain is divided into many different zones, depending on your social standing and no one can cross zones without an I.D card. Also the police know your every move, thanks to cameras which are installed everywhere and they can access all information about the residents, using the Vulcan computer system.
Firstly, I liked how Sue Townsend characterized the members of the Royal family, they are all very likable characters, funny characters. I also liked that we got the perspectives of the royal pets too, on what was going on.
However, I found a few things wrong with this book. I personally like the British Royal Family, but, even though this book is funny, I could tell that the author wasn't entirely in favour of them and so I felt that at times, the jokes were a bit cutting and were laughing at the Royal Family, rather than laughing with them.
Secondly, at the beginning of the book, I felt like this was making some interesting observation on modern British life. However, as the book progressed, what could have been a humorous insight into these issues, turned into a bit of a mess.
Thirdly, the construction of the plot was very sloppy. The plot didn't seem to focus on one specific thing. What was a book about the Royal Family and the illegitimate son of Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles , randomly turned into a farce about the dogs in the area. The comedy with the dogs at the beginning was funny, as I said before,, but it escalated into farce.
Also, plot line involving a police officer having a crush on one of the lower class women in 'Slapper Valley', one of the exclusion zones, never got an resolution at all..
Finally, the ending for me, was very poor. It ended quite abruptly and was quite frankly, bizarre and unsatisfying.
I started out really enjoying this book, but in the end, it turned into a bit of a mess. This was occasionally funny, but overall, a very disappointing read.
Funny and pretty realistic
I'm not really one for romantic novels, even funny, modern ones like this - mainly because they're ridiculously predictable. Mad Love does fall into this category, but it gets away with it because it's so realistic and funny to go along with it.
The two main characters Adam and Jess are endearing and flawed, they're not perfect. Reading about their impromptu marriage from both side is both humorous and very true. Anyone who's had an argument or gotten in a huff with a loved one will surely recognise a lot of this book. It's full of pop culture too and very modern, with its take on dating websites and reality stars. Of course this has already been done on a tv show, but its still an interesting read.
The one thing it's lacking is a little bit of sentimentality and heart warming emotions. It gets there towards the end, but its a long time coming and I could feel myself getting very frustrated at how situations turned out.
But still, it's a very fun, quick and entertaining read.
The two main characters Adam and Jess are endearing and flawed, they're not perfect. Reading about their impromptu marriage from both side is both humorous and very true. Anyone who's had an argument or gotten in a huff with a loved one will surely recognise a lot of this book. It's full of pop culture too and very modern, with its take on dating websites and reality stars. Of course this has already been done on a tv show, but its still an interesting read.
The one thing it's lacking is a little bit of sentimentality and heart warming emotions. It gets there towards the end, but its a long time coming and I could feel myself getting very frustrated at how situations turned out.
But still, it's a very fun, quick and entertaining read.
BookInspector (124 KP) rated The Secret Bridesmaid in Books
Jul 1, 2021
The protagonist in this book is Sophie, and the book is told from her perspective. Sophie is too good to be true 😀 , she is so well organised, likeable, patient, composed, helpful and just so cool that I want to be her. 😀 Why? Because I would have lost my patience after the first difficult bride. 😀 She agrees with all the bizarre request, allows to be treated horribly, her self respect being trampled over and over, and what she does? She smiles and carries on… Girl, how can you be so happy about everything? 😀 I really enjoyed all the characters in this novel, they are funny, enjoyable and interesting personalities.
I enjoyed the narrative thoroughly. The plot is filled with not only the weddings and crazy demands, but also with Sophie’s past life and relationships. I really liked these different parts of Sophie’s life, presented to the reader. I liked all the little twists and turns that this book had to offer as well. The topics discussed in this book were romance, breakups, friendships, the life of the rich and many more.
The writing style of this book was superb! I really enjoyed the added messages, bizarre emails and crazy stuff that Sophie has to deal with on a daily basis. The atmosphere of the book constantly changes, depending on the situations. The chapters have a medium length, but the pages just flew by for me, I was absorbed with Sophie’s life and her stories. Even though the ending of this book was quite predictable, I really liked how this book was rounded up.
So, to conclude, this book is a great mood booster, filled with characters that are full of personality and charisma, as well as the plot that shows different sides of Sophie’s life, it is laugh out loud funny and very enjoyable. I was very hooked from the first page, and I would strongly recommend it to anyone who needs something easy, fun but at the same time very well written and playful.
I enjoyed the narrative thoroughly. The plot is filled with not only the weddings and crazy demands, but also with Sophie’s past life and relationships. I really liked these different parts of Sophie’s life, presented to the reader. I liked all the little twists and turns that this book had to offer as well. The topics discussed in this book were romance, breakups, friendships, the life of the rich and many more.
The writing style of this book was superb! I really enjoyed the added messages, bizarre emails and crazy stuff that Sophie has to deal with on a daily basis. The atmosphere of the book constantly changes, depending on the situations. The chapters have a medium length, but the pages just flew by for me, I was absorbed with Sophie’s life and her stories. Even though the ending of this book was quite predictable, I really liked how this book was rounded up.
So, to conclude, this book is a great mood booster, filled with characters that are full of personality and charisma, as well as the plot that shows different sides of Sophie’s life, it is laugh out loud funny and very enjoyable. I was very hooked from the first page, and I would strongly recommend it to anyone who needs something easy, fun but at the same time very well written and playful.
Heather Cranmer (2721 KP) rated Is it Just Me? in Books
Jun 7, 2018
(This review can also be found on my blog <a href="http://themisadventuresofatwentysomething.blogspot.co.uk">The (Mis)Adventures of a Twenty-Something Year Old Girl</a>).
If you live in the UK, then you most definitely have heard of the comedienne Miranda Hart. If you live elsewhere, there's a slim chance you may have heard of her. If you've not heard of Miranda Hart, you should look her up on YouTube as she is hilarious! Her book is also super funny, and I definitely enjoyed it!
In her book, Is It Just Me?, Miranda Hart asks her readers if they've done the embarrassing things that she's done or is it just her. She speaks to her 18 year old self, and also gives us insight into some embarrassing stories. Along the way, she gives us tips in order to have fun in life and to get through life.
I think the title of this book sums it up perfectly!! Miranda is constantly asking her reader chum if it is just her that a specific thing has happened to.
The photo of Miranda Hart on the front cover made me laugh out loud! I lover her perplexed look!! I also love the photo of Miranda on the back of the book as well as she's seen to have just fallen down, and those of us who know Miranda, know she is famous for falling down! I must say I also love the colour scheme on the front cover...Perhaps, I'm just a bit biased as I love pink.
Miranda does an excellent job in giving us insight into her embarrassing moments, most of which are indeed cringe-worthy. I don't think she could have given us any more detail into her embarrassing moments!! (Don't worry, when I say that, I don't mean that it's too much detail to make it boring, but it's enough to make it work).
The pacing of this book was, for the most, part spot on. However, it does become a bit slow in some places, and I found myself zoning out and having to re-read the sentences I had missed. But, as I said earlier, the pacing is actually really good.
There is some swearing in this book although not very much. The dialogue is fantastic and sucks you in. I love the way Miranda Hart engages her readers by referring to them as MDRC (my dear reader chum) as well as asking her readers questions. The dialogue definitely feels like a conversation between the reader and author.
I found Is It Just Me? by Miranda Hart to be well funny. There were plenty of laugh out loud moments in the book, and I was constantly having to read something out of the book to my husband because I found it too funny not to share. This book will definitely keep you in a cheerful mood.
I'd recommend this book to everyone aged 25+ although I do believe those aged 35+ will get more out of it. Nonetheless, it is still a very funny book!
Is It Just Me? by Miranda Hart gets a 4 out of 5 from me.
If you live in the UK, then you most definitely have heard of the comedienne Miranda Hart. If you live elsewhere, there's a slim chance you may have heard of her. If you've not heard of Miranda Hart, you should look her up on YouTube as she is hilarious! Her book is also super funny, and I definitely enjoyed it!
In her book, Is It Just Me?, Miranda Hart asks her readers if they've done the embarrassing things that she's done or is it just her. She speaks to her 18 year old self, and also gives us insight into some embarrassing stories. Along the way, she gives us tips in order to have fun in life and to get through life.
I think the title of this book sums it up perfectly!! Miranda is constantly asking her reader chum if it is just her that a specific thing has happened to.
The photo of Miranda Hart on the front cover made me laugh out loud! I lover her perplexed look!! I also love the photo of Miranda on the back of the book as well as she's seen to have just fallen down, and those of us who know Miranda, know she is famous for falling down! I must say I also love the colour scheme on the front cover...Perhaps, I'm just a bit biased as I love pink.
Miranda does an excellent job in giving us insight into her embarrassing moments, most of which are indeed cringe-worthy. I don't think she could have given us any more detail into her embarrassing moments!! (Don't worry, when I say that, I don't mean that it's too much detail to make it boring, but it's enough to make it work).
The pacing of this book was, for the most, part spot on. However, it does become a bit slow in some places, and I found myself zoning out and having to re-read the sentences I had missed. But, as I said earlier, the pacing is actually really good.
There is some swearing in this book although not very much. The dialogue is fantastic and sucks you in. I love the way Miranda Hart engages her readers by referring to them as MDRC (my dear reader chum) as well as asking her readers questions. The dialogue definitely feels like a conversation between the reader and author.
I found Is It Just Me? by Miranda Hart to be well funny. There were plenty of laugh out loud moments in the book, and I was constantly having to read something out of the book to my husband because I found it too funny not to share. This book will definitely keep you in a cheerful mood.
I'd recommend this book to everyone aged 25+ although I do believe those aged 35+ will get more out of it. Nonetheless, it is still a very funny book!
Is It Just Me? by Miranda Hart gets a 4 out of 5 from me.
It’s not often that we’re given the chance to read a book set in the UK from a black protagonists perspective, and here is a great book to do just that. I’d also like to say though, that although this book was lauded as a cross between Bridget Jones and Americanah, I’m relieved that I’ve read a book that was wholly it’s own story. It’s not a comedy, although there are parts that were funny, and it’s not a story of immigration, because Queenie is second generation British-Jamaican. However, it does hold up to us issues surrounding race - how when a white person thinks they’re being accepting of other cultures, many of them aren’t - and mental health.
Queenie has a breakdown after she splits up with her (white) boyfriend, and suffers so badly with anxiety. Her family believe that the ‘cure’ is to pull herself together, and can’t understand the need for counselling. I’m glad she does it though, because her actions after the split had involved risky sexual behaviour, and her life (personal and work) was unravelling. This is just what happens to some people with anxiety. And Queenie’s childhood has been far from ideal.
Queenie is a great character though: she’s funny, intelligent, outspoken, sensitive and independent. She has some great friends, and her family, even though they have their faults (and whose family doesn’t?!), are there for her - and they’re all fascinating characters.
I really, really enjoyed this. It’s not some cute and fluffy read, and it can be quite raw at times.
For those who appreciate trigger warnings, there may well be some in this book, but it’s a book that reflects Queenie’s life.
Candice Carty-Williams will definitely be a name that I watch out for in future!
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my copy of this book.
Queenie has a breakdown after she splits up with her (white) boyfriend, and suffers so badly with anxiety. Her family believe that the ‘cure’ is to pull herself together, and can’t understand the need for counselling. I’m glad she does it though, because her actions after the split had involved risky sexual behaviour, and her life (personal and work) was unravelling. This is just what happens to some people with anxiety. And Queenie’s childhood has been far from ideal.
Queenie is a great character though: she’s funny, intelligent, outspoken, sensitive and independent. She has some great friends, and her family, even though they have their faults (and whose family doesn’t?!), are there for her - and they’re all fascinating characters.
I really, really enjoyed this. It’s not some cute and fluffy read, and it can be quite raw at times.
For those who appreciate trigger warnings, there may well be some in this book, but it’s a book that reflects Queenie’s life.
Candice Carty-Williams will definitely be a name that I watch out for in future!
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my copy of this book.
Sarah (7798 KP) rated Reaper Man (Discworld, #11; Death, #2) in Books
Mar 23, 2018
Not enough Death
I had high hopes for this book as Death is one of my favourite characters, but sadly it was a bit of a letdown.
Don't get me wrong, it isn't a bad book and is still quite good, it just isn't on par with a lot of the other Discworld books that I've read. Death is a fantastic character but he just isn't featured in this book enough (despite it being about life and death). The wizards and Windle Poons are featured more heavily and sadly they're not quite as loveable. They're funny in their own way, but they get a little rambling after a while. The plot too suffers from rambling as well and the whole concept is a little bit too bonkers, even for a Discworld novel.
It's still a good book and easy to read, it just isn't one of the best in the series.
Don't get me wrong, it isn't a bad book and is still quite good, it just isn't on par with a lot of the other Discworld books that I've read. Death is a fantastic character but he just isn't featured in this book enough (despite it being about life and death). The wizards and Windle Poons are featured more heavily and sadly they're not quite as loveable. They're funny in their own way, but they get a little rambling after a while. The plot too suffers from rambling as well and the whole concept is a little bit too bonkers, even for a Discworld novel.
It's still a good book and easy to read, it just isn't one of the best in the series.
BobbiesDustyPages (1259 KP) rated The Haunting of Hill House in Books
Oct 15, 2018
Such a great ghost story!
I really can't get over that I've never read this book before I'm such a huge horror fan, I absolutely love ghost stories, and I've seen the movies that are based on this book so many times it's not even funny, I really can't get over I've never read the book. I really enjoyed Shirley Jackson's writing it had a very dreamy quality to it she has a absolutely amazing talent at writing atmosphere most of the time you really felt like you were in Hill House along with the characters who were all really well written even though I do wish we would have got to know some of them a little more. All in all I really enjoyed this book and I'll definitely be reading more of Shirley Jackson's work since I can't get over I've never read anything by her before.
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Micky Barnard (542 KP) rated Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood in Books
Oct 6, 2018
Funny and poignant
BORN A CRIME was engaging from start to finish. I have to recommend the audio of this book because you get Trevor Noah as the narrator and that truly was everything. The narration, the amusement and feelings that his own narration evoked, enhanced this book ten-fold.
So many issues and topics were covered in this book but most of all, I’ve been educated. I grew up with apartheid being reported daily on the news, I remember the celebration at it’s demise but being a close spectator to life in Soweto and other places, beginning to understand Trevor’s position as not black and not white was truly eye-opening. All this could be such a heavy topic, but actually Trevor brings his naughtiness as a child, the funny side of things and the very tragic too.
Both my kids listened to chapters of this with me in the car and thoroughly enjoyed it. My eldest commented on it being relevant both to her politics and sociology classes, my youngest just loved the ride, especially the tale of Fufi the dog. Some of the book wouldn’t have been suitable for my youngest, but I will be buying it for him when he’s older.
Even if you’re not a biographical or non-fiction reader, give this a go. I think you’ll find yourself unable to look away.
So many issues and topics were covered in this book but most of all, I’ve been educated. I grew up with apartheid being reported daily on the news, I remember the celebration at it’s demise but being a close spectator to life in Soweto and other places, beginning to understand Trevor’s position as not black and not white was truly eye-opening. All this could be such a heavy topic, but actually Trevor brings his naughtiness as a child, the funny side of things and the very tragic too.
Both my kids listened to chapters of this with me in the car and thoroughly enjoyed it. My eldest commented on it being relevant both to her politics and sociology classes, my youngest just loved the ride, especially the tale of Fufi the dog. Some of the book wouldn’t have been suitable for my youngest, but I will be buying it for him when he’s older.
Even if you’re not a biographical or non-fiction reader, give this a go. I think you’ll find yourself unable to look away.