An Idiot Abroad: The Travel Diaries of Karl Pilkington - Karl Pilkington

Genre - Travel, Comedy
My Rating - 3 stars
Published - January 19th 2011 by Canongate Book

Synopsis
Karl is not big on traveling. Given the choice, he'll go on vacation to Devon or Wales or, if pushed, eat English food on a package tour of the Mediterranean. So what happened when he was convinced by Gervais and Merchant to go on an epic adventure to see the Seven Wonders of the World? Does travel truly broaden the mind? Find out in Karl Pilkington's hilarious travel diaries.

My Review
I don't normally read travel books, but this isn't your normal travel book.

First, a bit about the author. Karl Pilkington is a born and bred Mancunian with a frank sense of humour that will leave you in stitches. It's not that what he says is in itself hilarious, he just comes out with the most bizarre things, and when you think about them, they make sense! For instance here is Karl talking about Easter - " I don't know why we celebrate with an egg. Bit odd that it's all about Jesus being crucified and giving up his life, and then years later we give him respect for what he did by eating a chocolate egg..with a small bag of Smarties inside". See what I mean? 

In an attempt to broaden Karl's mind professional funny-man Ricky Gervais (that guy in the office you want to punch) decides to send him off to see the 7 modern wonders of the world. For those of you like me, who don't know your wonders, these are : The Pyramids, Great wall of China, Chichen Itza (the only one i've been to yet still can't spell!), Machu Pichu, Taj Mahal, Christ the Redeemer and Petra. 

Despite being a travel diary I'll give you a bit of a warning , there is as much here about toilets, bugs and Monster Munch crisps as there is about the wonders. At first it's funny, but after a while it does start to drag. I even started to resent Karl a bit, having the opportunity to visit all these wonderful places and then doing nothing but moan about them! I know it's hot, the food is different and you can't sit down on the toilet, but come on, you're being PAID to visit the 7 wonders of the world, at least show a little enthusiasm? Hmm, maybe i'm missing the point of this book. It is funny, and a light entertaining (for the most part) read, but I would have loved a bit more travel and a lot less complaining! It was only 20p on kindle though, so well worth a look at!

Bridget Jones's Diary - Helen Fielding

Genre - Chick Lit
My Rating - 4 Stars
Published - 1st June 1999 by Penguin Books

Synopsis
Bridget Jones's Diary is the devastatingly self-aware, laugh-out-loud daily chronicle of Bridget's permanent, doomed quest for self-improvement--a year in which she resolves to: reduce the circumference of each thigh by 1.5 inches, visit the gym three times a week not just to buy a sandwich, form a functional relationship with a responsible adult--and learn to program the VCR.

Over the course of the year, Bridget loses a total of 72 pounds but gains a total of 74. She remains, however, optimistic...

My Review
I got an email through from Amazon saying this book was deal of the day, and so picked it up for just a pound on my kindle. I must admit I wasn't expecting it to be as good as it was. Of course, i've seen the movie, but after reading the book there didn't seem to be much similarity between the two. 

I rarely find myself laughing out loud at a book, but whilst reading this I must have been giggling away conspiratorially to myself as my boyfriend even asked me what was so funny. There's something about the quirky things Bridget does that every woman can relate to on some level. She's a walking contradiction, a woman who wants to be strong and independent yet at the same time is desperate to be loved. 

I must admit I was annoyed by her at first because it seemed almost like she was one of those awful women whose life is defined by the man she's dating. I guess in some ways she is, but she doesn't want to be. She's a unique spirit, and it was quite lovely to see a man fall for her because of all her imperfections rather than in spite of them. 

I'd wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone who wants a bit of light relief. You can easily chomp through the pages in a day or two and it leaves you with a real feel-good vibe. Looking forward to reading the next one!