My Not So Perfect Life

I cannot tell you how glad I am to finally finish this book! Firstly I’ll begin by apologising, not so nice things will be said but this is a book review so it’s somewhat expected. I heard about this author from the blogger Louise Pentland and thought I would give one of Sophie Kinsella’s books a go. This one seemed the most appealing, even then it wasn’t much to go on.

Since branching out my reading list, this book has been the bane of my life. Maybe a little dramatic... this book, this genre really, isn’t in my comfort zone. This book alone made me realise that I don’t want to venture into this chick flick genre anymore. I had to finish it though, even though I wasn’t enjoying it I can’t leave a book partially read. In order to give you guys an honest review, I plowed through it. 

This book just wasn’t for me at all, it was slow going and I didn’t enjoy it very much. It is quite a cliche book, the characters the storyline etc.  It’s not all doom and gloom though, the main part of the book I found enjoyment in is when the main character Katie goes back home and creates the glamping business with her father and Biddy. I loved the whole wilderness of that and even enjoyed Katie’s saving Demeter (dementor comes to mind). I think it was those parts that kept me reading, I was intrigued with the glamping site and the imagery was pretty decent too. 

I feel like if you don’t want to do any complex reading and something easy then you might enjoy this book. However, I personally prefer something more thought-provoking.  I don’t want to say the author is overrated because I haven’t read any of her other books and probably won’t, but the book is written well. I didn’t enjoy the first person thought track, it was annoying reading the main character trying to distract herself from thinking about certain things.

Katie is a likable character, the whole social media aspect is relatable on a level. It was one of the few things I liked about the book, the side focus on Instagram and how sometimes you show your life differently online. That part was cool. 

The book was not my kind of book at all, which is fair enough we are all interested in different things. I personally didn’t enjoy reading it, but I am sure there are many people who did!

The Easter holidays are coming up and I think I’m going to read two of Miranda Hart’s books: Is it Just Me? And Peggy & Me. I’ve ready Is it Just Me? Before and I adored it but it was quite a few years ago! I think I’ll do a double review on those!

Thank you for reading, hoping no offense was caused! 

My Not So Perfect Life

Wednesday 21 March 2018

Wilde Like Me

Sunday evening I finished reading Louise Pentland’s Wilde Like Me. I’ve been a fan of Louise for years now and the anticipation for this book has been real! I’m not usually a fan of ‘chick flics’ if that’s what this genre is called but I’m broadening my horizons and putting my faith in Louise! I bought the book just after Christmas but due to University deadlines I hadn’t for the chance to read it until the weekend just gone. 

First of all, I am living for the cover. It’s minimalistic but also very aesthetically pleasing.  I just love love love it, definitely Instagram worthy!

This book was such a pleasurable read, I laughed and sometimes wanted to cry but mostly I could relate. I’m not a single mother, so I cannot relate to Robin in that sense but I can relate to her characteristics . Being a mess and the way she deals with things. I have this weird feeling during the opening chapters of Wilde Like Me and the parts where things went tits up for Robin that I will eventually grow into that. I’m pretty sure I’m okay with this too...

The book was heart warming and hilarious, I feel so strangely attached to the book and Robin. The book has left me in high spirits and just feeling good.  Robin shows real life, even though she is a made up character she deals with every day situations and life isn’t glossed over it is 100% realistic. I think that’s what I loved most about the book.

Having said all of the above,  I did find there was one thing that I found troublesome. It isn’t an issue as such a just a thing I had to deal with while reading. Having been a fan of Louise for many years now, and following her social media and keeping up-to-date with her every day life, video and vloggs. I’ve come to admire her and know a lot about her. When reading the book I pictured Robin as Louise. Even though the description wasn’t of Louise. The use of her idioms and phrases, it was Louise in my head. This isn’t a bad thing in fact I loved it. 

As a writer myself I know you write what you know, and Louise has done exactly that. I feel like a lot relates between Louise and Robin. Which is amazing, and is 100% okay because I too put parts of myself into my characters. I feel that maybe if I had read the book without knowing the author (like I do a lot of the time when pleasure reading) I would have come out feeling a different way, I can’t be sure of that of course. I would still have loved it but it just felt that much more special because I know Louise wrote it and put a lot of herself into the book.

I loved the messages of the book and Robin is quite the female figure to look up to. She reminds me of Bridget Jones but even more realistic and more relatable especially with ‘The Emptiness’ the feelings are so raw. I know when I’ve had to look after my niece and I’ve had similar feelings, Robin showed me that you’ve got to pick yourself up but also that it’s okay to not give a fuck and you do you boo. 

I feel so positive about life having just read Wilde Like Me. I know I’m almost twenty and have the world at my feet but it’s reassuring reading Wilde Like Me that it’s okay if you’re mess and that you won’t be a mess forever. The book is empowering, an enjoyable read and an all round mood lifter!  I highly recommend, single mother or not you will get something out of reading it. Even if it’s just a travel companion to laugh out loud with on a packed train to London (I did this and it was AWKWARD!!!). Needless to say, I am very excited for Wilde 2!

I think next on my reading list I’m revisiting the Harry Potter books for an upcoming quiz but the next book I’ll be reading and reviewing is Sophie Kinsella’s My Not So Perfect Life! 

Wilde Like Me

Monday 22 January 2018