Cheryl's Book Nook

From the bestselling author of P.S., I Love You, a fiercely feminist story collection that illuminates--sometimes in fantastical ways--how women of all kinds navigate the world today. In this singular and imaginative story collection, Cecelia Ahern explores the endless ways in which women blaze through adversity with wit, resourcefulness, and compassion. Ahern takes the familiar aspects of women's lives--the routines, the embarrassments, the desires--and elevates these moments to the outlandish and hilarious with her astute blend of magical realism and social insight. One woman is tortured by sinister bite marks that appear on her skin; another is swallowed up by the floor during a mortifying presentation; yet another resolves to return and exchange her boring husband at the store where she originally acquired him. The women at the center of this curious universe learn that their reality is shaped not only by how others perceive them, but also how they perceive the power with...

Lucy Silchester is receiving notes from someone that she would rather avoid. It is Life. Yes, Life keeps sending Lucy notes. One of the notes says ”Dear Lucy Silchester, you have an appointment for Monday, July 27, 2011. Yours sincerely, Life.“ Lucy avoids meeting with Life until she can not avoid him any longer. Yep, Life is standing at Lucy’s front door. I never read Ms. Ahern’s popular, P.S. I Love You book that was turned into a movie. I did see the movie and liked it. So I decided to give Ms. Ahern a try with this book. Who would not want to know what “life” has to say to you. I can think of pros and cons to this question. The pros: Life could tell me where I am failing at and correct me. Life would be like my personal fortune teller. Life and me would get to be better friends. The cons: Having Life around all the time telling me things could get annoying. Sometimes it would be nice to have some mystery. Who wants Life staring at you all the time. ...

Review by Nancy When Tamara’s father commits suicide it renders her mother incapable of much. He also rendered their accounts in the red and the bank took the house in debt payment. They must break down their treasures and move from Dublin to the miniscule house owned by Arthur and Rosaleen, Jennifer’s relations in the country. Things are odd and become odder as the novel reveals that there is much to be learned in the hills of Ireland. Tamara, a spoiled brat who is NOT happy with her current situation sets out to try to find things to do and to especially annoy Rosaleen who couldn’t be nice if she was given a million dollars. Arthur seems well meaning but basically has not clue as to the depths of Rosaleen’s thoughts. Then comes a traveling library and Tamara notices a huge book, locked in fact and she must check it out. After getting it open she is amazed to see blank pages! But she doesn’t really want to write her thoughts down as it’s too depressing. She needn’t worry – i...