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Laura's Diary
When nosy little sister Mary 'stumbles' across Laura's diary in her old bedroom in York, it kick-starts a series of events that would change people's lives forever. Winding its way onto BBC Radio 1, embarrassing secrets that should have remained hidden forever in the dusty vault of a shoebox were made public (er...very public) for the first time. True tales of Laura's unrequited love, punishing home regime and tragic fashion decisions all came back to haunt, and what started as a radio prank went on to become a national obsession that captivated the hearts of millions and broke records on the airwaves. Recalling all the good, bad and downright unfashionable moments of growing up in the nineties, "Laura's Diary" evoked heart-warming nostalgia all around last Christmas, quickly becoming one of Amazon's bestselling indie titles for the year. Lavishly recreated by hand, complete with the now famous diary doodlings, "Laura's Diary" is the diary everyone wishes they'd kept.
- GenresNonfiction
Paperback
First published November 30, 2006
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
February 24, 2021
When a friend told me about this book- written by someone who went to the same Uni I did I expected to find it both familiar and engaging. Turns out it was a bit of a disappointment. I suppose it was never written to be read or published so it's unfair to expect it to have a plot or memorable episodes.
It is quite plodding in places. I kept expecting something interesting to happen, anything - but it never did.
There wasn't even much description of the setting, so familiar to me but unappreciated by her. It could have been written at any uni. There is nothing Glaswegian about this book!
The author doesn't even paint herself in a particularly flattering light. There are no other developed characters in it either to bring it to life.
It is also very tame and superficial for an 18 year old's diary. You could give it to your 12 year old sister to read without blushing. Which only makes me think surely some bits were edited out before publishing? Could any 18 year old fresher really be that boring?
It is quite plodding in places. I kept expecting something interesting to happen, anything - but it never did.
There wasn't even much description of the setting, so familiar to me but unappreciated by her. It could have been written at any uni. There is nothing Glaswegian about this book!
The author doesn't even paint herself in a particularly flattering light. There are no other developed characters in it either to bring it to life.
It is also very tame and superficial for an 18 year old's diary. You could give it to your 12 year old sister to read without blushing. Which only makes me think surely some bits were edited out before publishing? Could any 18 year old fresher really be that boring?
February 6, 2025
This was such a funny read, I listened along to the old Scott Mills Radio 1 show segments on YouTube whilst reading it and it was hilarious.
Essentially they’re reading out snippets of Laura’s diary who was a producer on the radio show from when she was in high school all the way up to university.
I just found it so relatable reading how melodramatic it was, all the drama with boys and friends, and her love of the spice girls.
It’s a very British read I would say! And could potentially be not as enjoyable if you don’t also listen to the radio show along with it! But I had so much fun with this 😄
Essentially they’re reading out snippets of Laura’s diary who was a producer on the radio show from when she was in high school all the way up to university.
I just found it so relatable reading how melodramatic it was, all the drama with boys and friends, and her love of the spice girls.
It’s a very British read I would say! And could potentially be not as enjoyable if you don’t also listen to the radio show along with it! But I had so much fun with this 😄
April 18, 2020
2.5-3 stars
Got this book on a whim, not really knowing what it was about. I think the way it unfolded was fun, the fact that was read on BBC Radio 1 was cute. Overall though, I was getting annoyed half way through the book and just bored of the story. Some parts were really nice and as someone who is currently I college I liked seeing her college years. However, this is weird to say since it’s the real diary of someone. So thank you for sharing, it was a fun quick read and the final thoughts section was a nice addition.
Got this book on a whim, not really knowing what it was about. I think the way it unfolded was fun, the fact that was read on BBC Radio 1 was cute. Overall though, I was getting annoyed half way through the book and just bored of the story. Some parts were really nice and as someone who is currently I college I liked seeing her college years. However, this is weird to say since it’s the real diary of someone. So thank you for sharing, it was a fun quick read and the final thoughts section was a nice addition.
May 16, 2022
This book is funny. I listened to it first when Laura's sister Mary read it out on radio 1 and reading it is just as fun. From the rood coding system to the gushying over Jamie and her piano teacher, this book is entertaining. I particularly like the odd reasons for her dad fining her pocket money such as leaving her hair dryer plugged in and lying down in the lounge. Really, you can't make this up. Mint.
March 4, 2018
Reminded me of Louise Rennison's writing. It's a light hearted read. A lot of it made me want to support Laura and tell her it's not all about men and help her with her perceptions of gender haha Sad that young girls probably still have thoughts such as these.
April 12, 2022
An amusing little book of diary extracts with some laugh out loud moments.
August 8, 2012
Laura's Diary has a lot of moving moments, especially towards the end.
Because this was a genuine diary, I assume that will be one of the reasons why, you put yourself in her position and can relate to how she is feeling during adolescence to a woman.
I've read this twice and I have to say that's it's a lovely little book, I also have to mention how cute the design is on the front cover and even the little doodles on some of the pages.
The only criticism that I have to say is that I found it difficult to understand the writing (only now and again, with certain words) because unfortunately, I have always seemed to struggle with reading cursive writing so that is just a personal comment.
Because this was a genuine diary, I assume that will be one of the reasons why, you put yourself in her position and can relate to how she is feeling during adolescence to a woman.
I've read this twice and I have to say that's it's a lovely little book, I also have to mention how cute the design is on the front cover and even the little doodles on some of the pages.
The only criticism that I have to say is that I found it difficult to understand the writing (only now and again, with certain words) because unfortunately, I have always seemed to struggle with reading cursive writing so that is just a personal comment.
November 3, 2015
It all started on Radio 1... the intro music followed by Laura's sister, Mary, reading an extract of Laura's Diary.
It became a regular segment covering Laura's teenage years and college years. Some entries are priceless. I laughed so much during these airings.
I bought the diary as a memento, not only to dip into to refresh my memory of those laugh out loud moments, but to see the lists, doodles and annotations Laura made as well as entries that weren't covered on the show.
Hats off to Laura for allowing exposure to such personal and embarrassing moments.
It was fun to revisit.
It became a regular segment covering Laura's teenage years and college years. Some entries are priceless. I laughed so much during these airings.
I bought the diary as a memento, not only to dip into to refresh my memory of those laugh out loud moments, but to see the lists, doodles and annotations Laura made as well as entries that weren't covered on the show.
Hats off to Laura for allowing exposure to such personal and embarrassing moments.
It was fun to revisit.
July 16, 2010
Loved re-reading this :) It so reminds me of my diary. There is a bit where she lists reasons why she and this guy should be together and she puts 'we both like oasis' I remember writeing 'we both like blink-182' in my diary when I was a teenager haha. She's got some guts letting her diary be read out (tho I didn't think she had much of a choice in the matter!) I'd die if my diary ever leaked out. I bet some of this makes her cringe. This only takes about an hour and a half to read so is good fun fluff between longer reads.
Currently reading
March 17, 2008Really enjoying this even though I've not finished reading it yet (that's what comes of having too many books on the go). It's almost like I could have written some on this myself !
January 28, 2010
If you loved laura's diary on Scott Mills off of Radio 1 you will love this utterly cringeworthy and hilarious collection of diary entries.
May 15, 2016
Glad you didn't end up with Ben!
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews