Hi guys. I'm really sleepy after stuffing myself full with a Sunday lunch, but I will try not to fall asleep as I type.
In exciting news, I ran into Steve and Heather on the tube. THIS IS CRAZY. They don't even live in London and yet we just happened to get on the same tube line, on the same train, in the same carriage, at the same time. The chances are slim, but there you go. I spent the whole journey with a face like this :O
Hooray for nice surprises!
In other news, I read a book. Let me review it.
How to be a Woman by Caitlin Moran
I didn't know much about Caitlin Moran before I read this book. My knowledge of her amounted to this:
- She is a Sherlock fan.
- She wrote that fascinating Lady Gaga interview.
- Ergo, she must be some kind of journalist.
So, when Susan recommended that I read How to be a Woman, I wasn't super-duper enthused. I thought, 'Oh, that Sherlock fan has written a book. I wonder if she mentions Sherlock in it?' (She doesn't, for the record.) But, I have to say, the title put me off. How to be a Woman sounds a little didactic. 'Oh God,' I thought. 'Is this going to be some kind of book about shoes and romcoms and Strictly Bloody all the Dancing that girls are supposed to like but I don't? Apart from the bit about Sherlock, which will be good, obviously.' (For the record, there really really isn't a mention of Sherlock in the book.)
So, I was wary, but Susan was all 'READ IT READ IT READ IT OMG READ IT IT'S SO FUNNY.'
To be a good friend, I decided to give it a go.
Guys, having read it, let me say: this book is brilliant!
Susan wasn't wrong, the book is hilarious.
I was the one who was wrong. It just goes to show: don't judge a book by its cover (or its title).
This book is not the flippant, preachy trash that I thought it was going to be. What it is is part-autobiography and part-feminist manifesto. And Caitlin Moran is a very funny writer. The number of times I burst out laughing at inappropriate moments. I would give you a quote, but the book has already gone back to Susan and been loaned out to another of her friends.
But the book is not just funny, it's also got some very sensible feminist ideas in it. The stuff you don't realise until it's told to you, even though it's obvious. Like: it's ok to never have kids. It's ok to get wrinkles and grow old. And this. Some of the stuff is ruddy empowering.
Now, I'm not saying I agree with everything she says, but most of it is tip-top good stuff.
So yes, if you haven't, I highly recommend you read this book. It is fun and clever and fun.
READ IT READ IT GO ON READ IT
Meanwhile, I'll just be over here, watching her tweet about Downton Abbey and the cast of Sherlock making a muff chart.