I’ve been an avid reader of Marian Keyes’ books over the years, both fiction and non-fiction, I enjoyed reading Under the Duvet years ago, and her cookbook, Saved by Cake (reviewed here) remains one of my go-to baking books, I just love it. So when I was given the opportunity to review her latest work of non-fiction, Making It Up As I Go Along, I didn’t hesitate to say yes.
‘Welcome to the magnificent Making It Up as I Go Along - aka the World According to Marian Keyes™ - A bold, brilliant book bursting with Marian's hilarious and heartfelt observations on modern life, love and much, much else besides.
Such as? you are determined to ask.
Well, how about her guide to breaking up with your hairdresser? Or the warning she has for us all after a particularly traumatic fling with fake tan. There's the pure and bounteous joy of the nail varnish museum. Not to mention the very best lies to tell if you find yourself on an Arctic cruise. She has words of advice for those fast approaching fifty. And she's here to tell you the secret secret truth about writers - well, this one anyway.
You'll be wincing in recognition and scratching your head in incredulity, but like Marian herself you won't be able to stop laughing at the sheer delightful absurdity that is modern life - because each and every one of us is clearly making it up as we go along.’ (Synopsis courtesy of Amazon UK.)
This is a fabulous book filled with articles written by Marian over the years including published and unpublished pieces, all of which I found relevant, relatable and witty. If you’ve ever seen or heard Marian on TV/radio or follow her through social media, you’ll know how warm and funny she is and this book allows the reader to spend more time in her company and I guarantee you’ll feel better for it, I found it to be a complete pick-me-up that had me smiling after reading just a few lines of every piece. Some of my favourite articles were about beauty products, regimes, hairdressers, and her encounters with celebrities, they definitely had me chuckling to myself and I loved the honesty that just exudes through her writing. In every piece you feel like she’s talking just to you.
It’s also a very practical book if you haven’t got much time to read. If you want something to carry around with you that you can delve in and out of easily, this is a fantastic book to choose. I’ve been reading it here and there, a few articles at a time, when I’ve had moments of peace but not had the concentration to read a novel! With it being a collection of articles you can also just read it in any order you wish, reading whatever section appeals to you at that moment in time.
A joy to read!
Thanks to Michael Joseph for the book in exchange for an honest review.
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Great review.
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