Becky's Book Review #1 - Kate's Wedding by Chrissie Manby

This is the first in a series of book reviews I hope to do on the blog - possibly alternating them with the weekly interviews....I'll be covering a range of genres, so even if you don't like tonight's genre, be sure to check back regularly for something more to your taste. And who knows - you might be persuaded to try something new.....so here we go, hope you like it..

Book: Kate's Wedding
Author: Chrissie Manby
Genre: Hmmmmm chick lit/women's fiction
Star Rating: 4/5


General Description
Kate Middleton isn't the only bride getting married on April 29th 2011, there's Diana, born in July 1981, running amok with Daddy's credit card, aiming to have the biggest and bestest wedding ever. And then there's 39 year old Kate, who never expected to get married and now finds herself planning for a wedding that seems to be spiralling out of control during one of the most stressful times in her life...

Perfectly timed to coincide with the Royal Wedding mania, this book shows all sides to wedding planning and the stress leading up to taking your vows. It's both funny and sad in equal measure - and introduces some characters that I'd love to have heard more from. Tapping into the wedding zeitgeist perfectly, this is one to read for those of us who are sick of the royal wedding, but love to hear about REAL (if fictional) weddings. Definitely one for the plane, train, car, bed or bath this easter holiday!



If you like.......
Marian Keyes Jill Mansell Adele Parks Maggie Alderson Cathy Alliott Lisa Jewell Jane Green Wendy Holden or if you watched Don't Tell The Bride Four Weddings Bridezillas BrideWars 27 Dresses
....then you'll like this


Why You Might Like This Book
It's a bit of a special, girly treat. I'd had a really hectic few weeks at work when I read this and it was so nice to sink into a hot bath and drift away into another girl's life.
I loved the detail of the dress shopping, the planning, the family rows (god invite lists are hard) and the general descriptions of other people's lives (I'm a nosey bugger)
Also it made me think a lot about the stress of getting married (never have husbando and I rowed so much) and just how important those vows really are - I think of mine every day and say them over again in my head.
The characters were so vivid and endearing, even in their loopy bride-zillaness (Diana) but particularly during the stressful times (Kate). I felt sad at certain points (you'll see why) and laughed at some foolishness - and I guess empathised with the way weddings take over your life!
My most favourite bit of the book is right at the end, but I'll not reveal anymore, except to say that you'll need tissues......


Why You Might Not
If you're really not that into weddings....or chick lit...
If you're an intellectual snob
Er that's about it!


So that's it for this week's review. I'm inclined to keep them short and sweet - I don't like huge book reviews - I want to know what it's about, why I might like it - and if it's simillar to anything else I've read. Certainly that's what gets me picking up a book in a bookstore or reading the blurb on the back.....once a bookseller, always a bookseller huh!

Next week I think I'll review this for something totally different!
I'll be back tomorrow with the photo essay of my trip to Leeds that broke me - the doctors tell me I have a viral infection requiring bed rest and fluids.....yay an excuse to stay in bed with my laptop woohoo!

Thank you and good night

Stupidgirl has left the building


PS Wow, the response to yesterday's post - Didn't You Get The Memo? - Top 10 Newbie Blogger tips was phenomenal - thanks guys. If you've not read it, check it out here!