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Narrow Minds - Adventures on a narrow boat
‘Funny, honest and thoroughly readable ... Great for anyone dreaming of doing something a little different from the norm.’ Alice Griffin, author of Tales from a Travelling Mum
In her debut memoir Narrow Margins Marie Browne saved her family from financial ruin by moving her long-suffering husband three children and a dog on to a houseboat called Happy Go Lucky in search of a less stressful, alternative way of life.
Now in Narrow Minds the family find themselves sucked back into normality, they’re pretty much back where they started, horrible house, no boat and the kids are beginning to threaten mutiny.
Facing perky postmen, ice skating cows, psychotic villagers and outraged rodents, they’re running out of time, their financial situation is getting desperate and there’s every chance life has conspired against them to make sure they never get back afloat. Until they find the answer to their dreams lies with Minerva, a narrow boat even more run-down than the first. This hilarious follow-up shows the lengths to which a desperate woman will go just to restore her preferred lifestyle.
In her debut memoir Narrow Margins Marie Browne saved her family from financial ruin by moving her long-suffering husband three children and a dog on to a houseboat called Happy Go Lucky in search of a less stressful, alternative way of life.
Now in Narrow Minds the family find themselves sucked back into normality, they’re pretty much back where they started, horrible house, no boat and the kids are beginning to threaten mutiny.
Facing perky postmen, ice skating cows, psychotic villagers and outraged rodents, they’re running out of time, their financial situation is getting desperate and there’s every chance life has conspired against them to make sure they never get back afloat. Until they find the answer to their dreams lies with Minerva, a narrow boat even more run-down than the first. This hilarious follow-up shows the lengths to which a desperate woman will go just to restore her preferred lifestyle.
299 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 3, 2011
29 people are currently reading
73 people want to read
About the author
Marie Browne
9 books47 followersMarie Browne is a gently harrassed mother of three who, for the past fifteen years, has been desperately trying to escape the Customer Service Industry. Apart from her husband and kids, the best things in her life are real ale; barbecues; ugly mad dogs that nobody else wants and cream-covered designer coffees. She also has an obsession with shoes but her husband is threatening to get her help for that.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
January 12, 2013
Not as good as her first book, Felt it had been written to generate some extra cash for the doing up the narrowboat but a let down after her first book. Not as humourous.
June 9, 2023
I love buying and reading these types of books.
Boats, yachts, historical events and books about the sea are generally excellent. If there are sequels in your series, I would love to read them.
The beauties of owning the books of important authors cannot be discussed. I'm looking forward to your new books.
For friends who want to read this book, I leave the importance of reading a book here. I wish good luck to the sellers and customers...
Top 10 benefits of reading for all ages:
1. Reading Exercises the Brain
As we read, we need to remember the different characters and settings of a particular story. Even if you enjoy reading a book in one sitting, you need to remember the details during the time you devote to reading the book. Therefore, reading is an exercise for your brain that improves memory function.
2. Reading Is a (free) Form of Entertainment
Did you know that most of the popular TV series and movies are based on books? So why not indulge in the original form of entertainment by immersing yourself in reading? Most importantly, it's free with your Markham Public Library card.
3. Reading Improves Concentration and Focus
We all agree that there can be no reading without focus, and we need to concentrate on every page we read to fully understand the story. In a world where gadgets only speed up and shorten our attention span, we must constantly practice concentration and focus. Reading is one of the few activities that requires your undivided attention, so it improves your ability to concentrate.
4. Reading Improves Literacy
Have you ever read a book where you come across a word you don't know? Books have the power to improve your vocabulary by introducing you to new words. The more you read, the more your vocabulary will improve as well as your ability to communicate effectively. Also, reading improves writing skills by helping the reader understand and learn different writing styles.
5. Reading Improves Sleep
By creating a bedtime routine that includes reading, you can signal to your body that it's time to sleep. Now more than ever, we rely on increased screen time to get through the day. That's why you put your phone away and pick up a book and tell your brain it's time to calm down. Also, since reading helps you relieve stress, reading right before bed helps calm your mind and anxiety and improve your sleep quality.
6. Reading Increases General Knowledge
Books are always full of fun and interesting facts. Whether we read fiction or non-fiction, books have the ability to provide us with information we might not otherwise know. Reading various topics can make you a more knowledgeable person and therefore improve your speaking skills.
7. Reading Is Motivating
By reading books about heroes overcoming adversity, we are often encouraged to do the same. Whether it's a romance novel or a self-help book, the right book can motivate you to never give up and stay positive.
https://numberoneboats.com/
https://theboatyacht.com/
https://theboatyacht.com/everglades-2...
https://numberoneboats.com/everglades...
https://theboatyacht.com/everglades-2...
https://numberoneboats.com/everglades...
https://theboatyacht.com/everglades-2...
https://numberoneboats.com/everglades...
Boats, yachts, historical events and books about the sea are generally excellent. If there are sequels in your series, I would love to read them.
The beauties of owning the books of important authors cannot be discussed. I'm looking forward to your new books.
For friends who want to read this book, I leave the importance of reading a book here. I wish good luck to the sellers and customers...
Top 10 benefits of reading for all ages:
1. Reading Exercises the Brain
As we read, we need to remember the different characters and settings of a particular story. Even if you enjoy reading a book in one sitting, you need to remember the details during the time you devote to reading the book. Therefore, reading is an exercise for your brain that improves memory function.
2. Reading Is a (free) Form of Entertainment
Did you know that most of the popular TV series and movies are based on books? So why not indulge in the original form of entertainment by immersing yourself in reading? Most importantly, it's free with your Markham Public Library card.
3. Reading Improves Concentration and Focus
We all agree that there can be no reading without focus, and we need to concentrate on every page we read to fully understand the story. In a world where gadgets only speed up and shorten our attention span, we must constantly practice concentration and focus. Reading is one of the few activities that requires your undivided attention, so it improves your ability to concentrate.
4. Reading Improves Literacy
Have you ever read a book where you come across a word you don't know? Books have the power to improve your vocabulary by introducing you to new words. The more you read, the more your vocabulary will improve as well as your ability to communicate effectively. Also, reading improves writing skills by helping the reader understand and learn different writing styles.
5. Reading Improves Sleep
By creating a bedtime routine that includes reading, you can signal to your body that it's time to sleep. Now more than ever, we rely on increased screen time to get through the day. That's why you put your phone away and pick up a book and tell your brain it's time to calm down. Also, since reading helps you relieve stress, reading right before bed helps calm your mind and anxiety and improve your sleep quality.
6. Reading Increases General Knowledge
Books are always full of fun and interesting facts. Whether we read fiction or non-fiction, books have the ability to provide us with information we might not otherwise know. Reading various topics can make you a more knowledgeable person and therefore improve your speaking skills.
7. Reading Is Motivating
By reading books about heroes overcoming adversity, we are often encouraged to do the same. Whether it's a romance novel or a self-help book, the right book can motivate you to never give up and stay positive.
https://numberoneboats.com/
https://theboatyacht.com/
https://theboatyacht.com/everglades-2...
https://numberoneboats.com/everglades...
https://theboatyacht.com/everglades-2...
https://numberoneboats.com/everglades...
https://theboatyacht.com/everglades-2...
https://numberoneboats.com/everglades...
April 19, 2022
I love these books! Narrow Minds picks up where Narrow Margins left off. Another great story of a brave family following their dreams. A totally relatable story for anyone who has ever been on a narrow boat. I really admire them for just 'going for it' and making their idea of a perfect, alternative life a reality. I only wish I had the money to do the same. This book left me wanting to know more about their story and how their lives panned out. Hoping there's another one ...
December 17, 2017
Another great read about the trials and tribulations of life on the water. This time they have a new (old) boat to restore and live on.
I love Marie's sense of humour, even when things are going completely wrong.
As I am reading of the family's adventures, I can see why they opted for this lifestyle, despite all the pitfalls.
I love Marie's sense of humour, even when things are going completely wrong.
As I am reading of the family's adventures, I can see why they opted for this lifestyle, despite all the pitfalls.
August 12, 2018
An hilarious account of how a family sold their home, bought a houseboat and lived on it. There were tears and tantrums, and calamitous moments. I laughed with them, I cried with them and all the while I cheered them on.
May 4, 2019
Interesting, realistic, humorous and down-to-earth account of a family choosing to return to living on a narrow boat after the frustrations of trying to live in a village. Story a bit ambling but great characters and scenes. Have to find Book 1 now.
April 15, 2018
A good read
Very enjoyable book. Don't think it makes me want to live like that but it does seem interesting. Kids a dog and a barge, what more do you want?
😀
Very enjoyable book. Don't think it makes me want to live like that but it does seem interesting. Kids a dog and a barge, what more do you want?
😀
November 15, 2022
Funny read on a wet and blustery day onboard!
June 22, 2024
A lovely cosy introduction to canal boat life
November 10, 2014
Very entertaining (though in need of a good editor in a few places who understands both punctuation and the geography of the canal network). The use of 'river' to mean 'canal' is a bit irritating, and I found her use of 'pound' to mean 'lock' unconventional, but the tale is well told and had me laughing aloud on multiple occasions, a rare occurrence.
February 23, 2016
Loved it! Since my dream is to live on a narrowboat I immediately warmed to Marie and her family in the first book (which is hilarious!). This book continues their story, I hope there will be more books!
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December 26, 2015Loved it. Marie Browne brings you the flavor of her life on the canals. I never knew about narrow boats until I found her first book and became totally enthralled with reading about her experiences. She is very funny and finds ways of telling her families stories with great humor.
May 10, 2014
Whilst not as funny as the first book, Narrow Margins, I found this book so entertaining and easy to read that I could hardly put it down.
May 21, 2014
Really enjoying this series.
May 21, 2014
An enjoyable read, good sequel will probably get the third in the series
June 16, 2014
Definitely a fun read. She has a way with a story.
July 2, 2016
Very quick read...interesting...
Could have used a professional editor, however.
Frustrating to have commas constantly used when the 'sentence' calls for a period.
Could have used a professional editor, however.
Frustrating to have commas constantly used when the 'sentence' calls for a period.
September 18, 2016
It's so interesting to get a glimpse into people's lives. I sympathized with the author's main reasons for wanting to live on a boat: wanting to be in the country and living in a friendly community.
January 13, 2015
Another entertaining tale of life on the waterways.
June 17, 2014
Very good follow up to Narrow Margins, better written, still a collection of witty anecdotes.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews