UO Book Club: November
Welcome back to UO Book Club! Check out the titles we have been reading this month.
In Their Shoes - Navigating Non-Binary Life by Jamie Windust
Maisey Brown
Creative Marketing Copywriter
What's it about?
Jamie Windust is a writer, public speaker and model from London who has shared their story and journey navigating life as a non-binary person. In Their Shoes is a witty, emotional and honest book covering topics such as mental health, dating, fashion and family.
What’s right with it?
EVERYTHING! It will make you both laugh and cry.
Any critical comments?
Absolutely none.
Would you recommend it?
Yes! For everyone, it’s a must-read. Add it to your Christmas wish list!
Rating out of 5?
5
Maisey Brown
Creative Marketing Copywriter
What's it about?
Jamie Windust is a writer, public speaker and model from London who has shared their story and journey navigating life as a non-binary person. In Their Shoes is a witty, emotional and honest book covering topics such as mental health, dating, fashion and family.
What’s right with it?
EVERYTHING! It will make you both laugh and cry.
Any critical comments?
Absolutely none.
Would you recommend it?
Yes! For everyone, it’s a must-read. Add it to your Christmas wish list!
Rating out of 5?
5
Home Body by Rupi Kaur
Georgie Gough
Creative Marketing Editor
What's it about?
Home Body is a beautiful collection of poems and illustrations by ‘insta poet’ Rupi Kaur. The universal themes of self-reflection, growth, love, acceptance, community, family and change are accessible, relatable and beautiful.
What’s right with it?
Whether you’re a fan of poetry or not, the way Rupi eloquently explores the human experience means there’s something for everyone.
Any critical comments?
None!
Would you recommend it?
Absolutely, would make a really lovely gift too!
Rating out of 5?
5
Georgie Gough
Creative Marketing Editor
What's it about?
Home Body is a beautiful collection of poems and illustrations by ‘insta poet’ Rupi Kaur. The universal themes of self-reflection, growth, love, acceptance, community, family and change are accessible, relatable and beautiful.
What’s right with it?
Whether you’re a fan of poetry or not, the way Rupi eloquently explores the human experience means there’s something for everyone.
Any critical comments?
None!
Would you recommend it?
Absolutely, would make a really lovely gift too!
Rating out of 5?
5
GHOSTS by Dolly Alderton
Christie Phedon
Casting & Creative Producer
What's it about?
Ghosts is the debut novel of Dolly Alderton, notable for her memoir, Everything I Know About Love. Ghosts is a story about a successful 32-year-old food writer living in London, coping with the various struggles of life while trying out online dating for the first time. It’s a very contemporary and relevant book that so many people will be able to relate to, featuring the dreaded notion of ghosting.
What’s right with it?
Dolly is an extremely talented writer and really taps in to the millennial experience like no other, the story is so relatable for many different reasons and is incredibly clever and funny, while also being tender and painful. It is a highly engaging read and I couldn’t put it down!
Any critical comments?
My only criticism would purely be that, as a follow on from her memoir, as a reader it’s hard not to imagine Dolly herself as the protagonist. Her memoir was one of the best books I have ever read so something about this being fiction makes it slightly less satisfying. That said, it is a charming and wonderful book.
Would you recommend it?
I recommend this massively to anyone and everyone, as this is a very accessible read, but especially to millennial women, who I am sure this will resonate with on a deeper level.
Rating out of 5?
5 stars all the way!
Christie Phedon
Casting & Creative Producer
What's it about?
Ghosts is the debut novel of Dolly Alderton, notable for her memoir, Everything I Know About Love. Ghosts is a story about a successful 32-year-old food writer living in London, coping with the various struggles of life while trying out online dating for the first time. It’s a very contemporary and relevant book that so many people will be able to relate to, featuring the dreaded notion of ghosting.
What’s right with it?
Dolly is an extremely talented writer and really taps in to the millennial experience like no other, the story is so relatable for many different reasons and is incredibly clever and funny, while also being tender and painful. It is a highly engaging read and I couldn’t put it down!
Any critical comments?
My only criticism would purely be that, as a follow on from her memoir, as a reader it’s hard not to imagine Dolly herself as the protagonist. Her memoir was one of the best books I have ever read so something about this being fiction makes it slightly less satisfying. That said, it is a charming and wonderful book.
Would you recommend it?
I recommend this massively to anyone and everyone, as this is a very accessible read, but especially to millennial women, who I am sure this will resonate with on a deeper level.
Rating out of 5?
5 stars all the way!
Just Like You by Nick Hornby
Maisy Farren
Copywriter
What’s it about + what did you think?
Just Like You is the 2020 novel by Nick Hornby, the author of About a Boy. It’s a dual narrative novel which looks at the cultural differences that stand in the way when a middle-aged white woman begins dating a 23-year-old Black man.
What’s right with it?
I liked how the book covered an intersection of issues that came up in their relationship, including both the age, class and race divide between them. It’s primarily set in 2016, so the topic of Brexit causes a huge divide in the worlds of the two protagonists, with Lucy’s middle-class, well-educated bubble staunchly against it, and Joseph’s working-class father and nurse mother leaving him on the fence in his decision-making process.
Any critical comments?
Personally, I found the timeline of the couple’s relationship to be quite irritating. The whole ‘will they, won’t they’ thing seemed to last the entirety of the story and it meant that I didn’t really get time to feel invested in the couple’s Relationship.
Would you recommend it?
Yes – it’s an enjoyable read that tackles some incredibly important themes.
Rating out of 5?
3.5/5
Maisy Farren
Copywriter
What’s it about + what did you think?
Just Like You is the 2020 novel by Nick Hornby, the author of About a Boy. It’s a dual narrative novel which looks at the cultural differences that stand in the way when a middle-aged white woman begins dating a 23-year-old Black man.
What’s right with it?
I liked how the book covered an intersection of issues that came up in their relationship, including both the age, class and race divide between them. It’s primarily set in 2016, so the topic of Brexit causes a huge divide in the worlds of the two protagonists, with Lucy’s middle-class, well-educated bubble staunchly against it, and Joseph’s working-class father and nurse mother leaving him on the fence in his decision-making process.
Any critical comments?
Personally, I found the timeline of the couple’s relationship to be quite irritating. The whole ‘will they, won’t they’ thing seemed to last the entirety of the story and it meant that I didn’t really get time to feel invested in the couple’s Relationship.
Would you recommend it?
Yes – it’s an enjoyable read that tackles some incredibly important themes.
Rating out of 5?
3.5/5
Queen Bee by Jane Fallon
Julia Munden
Executive Assistant
What's it about?
Laura breaks up from her husband and moves into a private close with million-pound houses – living in the annexe, renting from one of the wealthy families within ‘The Close’. However, one of the neighbours, does not take her... especially when she believes Laura might be having an affair with her husband. Stella having got it so wrong, has not seen what is right in front of her and the secrets her husband had been hiding from her. Laura has to find a way to be-friend Stella and get her to see what is going on. Even if it does mean she won’t be the Queen Bee that she currently is!
What’s right with it?
Highlights how quickly someone can judge you without knowing anything about you, how successful you are or how hard working you are but can make a decision on what they think of you instantly!
Any critical comments?
I loved every second of reading this book I couldn’t put it down, I really cannot fault it. Its very girly and such a gossip filled book – I don’t have any critics.
Would you recommend it?
100% - it’s a real laugh out loud book, I thoroughly enjoyed giggling my way through this book! Having grown up in a close in my family home, I could really relate to the goings on and the grown adult gossip that flies round!
Rating out of 5?
5/5
Julia Munden
Executive Assistant
What's it about?
Laura breaks up from her husband and moves into a private close with million-pound houses – living in the annexe, renting from one of the wealthy families within ‘The Close’. However, one of the neighbours, does not take her... especially when she believes Laura might be having an affair with her husband. Stella having got it so wrong, has not seen what is right in front of her and the secrets her husband had been hiding from her. Laura has to find a way to be-friend Stella and get her to see what is going on. Even if it does mean she won’t be the Queen Bee that she currently is!
What’s right with it?
Highlights how quickly someone can judge you without knowing anything about you, how successful you are or how hard working you are but can make a decision on what they think of you instantly!
Any critical comments?
I loved every second of reading this book I couldn’t put it down, I really cannot fault it. Its very girly and such a gossip filled book – I don’t have any critics.
Would you recommend it?
100% - it’s a real laugh out loud book, I thoroughly enjoyed giggling my way through this book! Having grown up in a close in my family home, I could really relate to the goings on and the grown adult gossip that flies round!
Rating out of 5?
5/5