Moranthology (2012)

Not quite as bombastic as 'How to be a Woman' (I think because this book is less a call to action than it is a picture of Moran's fuller character), but no less entertaining. The pieces range from poverty to Sherlock (lots of Sherlock) to the Royal Wedding to travel (or lack of travel). If you enjoy someone presenting you with her opinions in a conversational style, you'll probably like this book. ( )

More delightful musings from Caitlin Moran. Highlights for me were her nostalgic thoughts on vacationing in the same place (which, for her, is Aberswyth, Wales) every year, some pretty amazing celebrity interviews (Paul McCartney!), and the hilarious bedtime conversations with her husband interspersed throughout the book. Good stuff. Well worth a read! ( )

This is what you WANT a book of newspaper column pieces to be, if you want your day brightened. If you want to laugh hollowly at the world, binge on Charlie Brooker. If you want to laugh joyfully towards the world, read this.
The funny bits are really funny. The sad and poignant bits are really sad and poignant (and any writer mostly known for the funny bits has to include some sad and poignant bits as a way for them to say “Look – despite the photo on the back cover, I am not JUST a gurning clown – I can see the shit in the world and care about it too”).
There's that enjoyable mixture of articles about home life that make you go, “Ah, she's just like me, really; I thought that was just me; thank goodness there's someone else like that, means it isn't weird,” and other ones that make you go, “Christ, what is she LIKE?” just to hammer home the ought-to-be-obvious-but-we-tend-to-forget point that we are all the same and we are all different and it's FINE.
I do like a writer who has a way with words (after all, what are you doing being a writer if you DON'T have a way with words?), and anyone who forces you to put the book down until you have stopped laughing at a list of made-up horrible names for fish is all right by me. ( )

This is basically a collection of the pieces Moran has written for newspapers over the years. Her interview with Keith Richards is actually what convinced me to read [b:Life|9439303|Life|Keith Richards|http://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1327960451s/9439303.jpg|14323907] in the first place, which does sound a bit odd. I do appreciate her flippant sense of humor. Plus, there is a really poignant piece in this collection that deals with all the closures of public libraries in England. That was probably my favorite. ( )

“Friends, we live in a caffeine world. We think in a caffeine way and we live caffeine lives.”
― Caitlin Moran, Moranthology

Moranthology is a caffeine memoir, a compilation of essays and newspaper columns. My biggest regret with this book is that I'm sure I missed some of the humor simply due to my American lack of comprehension with British figures and terms. My second biggest regret is that I didn't read any of Caitlin Moran's works sooner.

Moran writes with humor, dignity, and esteem for icons, her life, Sherlock, the royal wedding, and libraries. She's conversational and genuine. I was educated by Moran, and she made me feel smart, but entertained me at the same time.

Moran completely captured my love of libraries, the need for women's right to choose, and the feeling of loss and senselessness at losing Amy Winehouse.

I look forward to reading more of Caitlin Moran's books. ( )