Girl Least Likely to

by Liz Jones

From the Amazon UK publisher's information:

Liz Jones is Fashion Editor of the Daily Mail, and a columnist for the Mail on Sunday. She is the former editor of Marie Claire, which sounds quite an achievement, but she was sacked three years in. A psychotherapist once told her, 'What you brood on will hatch', and she was right. Nothing Liz ever did in life ever worked out. Nothing. Not one single thing.

Liz grew up in Essex, the youngest of seven children. Her mother was a martyr, her dad so dashing that no other man could ever live up to his pressed and polished standards. Her siblings terrified her, with their Afghan coats, cigarettes, parties, sex and drugs. They made her father shout, and her mother cry.

Liz became an anorexic aged eleven, an illness that continues to blight her life today. She remained a virgin until her thirties, and even then found the wait wasn't really worth it; it was just one more thing to add to her to do list. She was named Columnist of the Year 2012 by the British Society of Magazine Editors, but is still too frightened to answer the phone, too filled with disgust at her own image to glance in the mirror or eat a whole avocado.

She lives alone with her four rescued collies, three horses and seventeen cats. Girl Least Likely To is the opposite of 'having it all'. It is a life lesson in how NOT to be a woman.

Genres: Nonfiction, Autobiography, Memoir

288 pages, Paperback

First published March 14, 2013

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Reviews

[Alicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

You know how when you read a Liz Jones article in the DailyMail there are moments when you want to kick her in the box? This book didn't make me want to do that at all. Not once. If her goal in writing this book was to change the public's perspective of her, then she's succeeded with me. This is not the snobby, selfish, crazy-pants Liz Jones article that we've all come to expect. This woman is a frightened little bird with an incredibly generous heart. There's a spot where she talks about showing a fox fur video to John Galliano (who is such a dick he used fur in his next collection) that will probably make me cry whenever I think about it for the rest of my life. THAT is Liz Jones. There are moments in the book when she's shallow, yes, but I would expect that coming from someone in the fashion industry. I did want to scream at points, "STOP GIVING PEOPLE MONEY!"

All said, Liz has written a thoughful, funny, and interesting book that lets us see the person behind one of the DailyMail's most ridiculous columns.

[Petra · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great book by a great writer.It's amazing how childhood and lack of love can affect a person. Liz is too hard on herself and we can learn from her mistakes. I was hoping for a happy ending, something to say Liz likes herself much more than she used to or something else positive, but I guess it didn't happen yet at the time Liz was finishing this book. A great read though!

[Lianne Cronin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I both really enjoyed and really disliked this book. At times I found what the author was writing funny, touching or meaningful. At other times she infuriated me with her stupidity, her judgments and her self depricating.
I do rate this book though. Easily read in a few days when I thought it would be a struggle. I did have a problem with the majority of the famous names she mentions as, at 33, they were definitely before my time!

[Angela Brooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Raw, honest account of Jones rise and fall in the world of publishing. Doesn't pull her punches in the description of herself, her friends and family. Very much an 'if I only knew then what I know now' memoir. Very relatable read, how women should be much kinder to themselves and how, maybe, what you think you want is probably the worst thing you could end up having.

[susan daglish · Rating 5 out of 5]

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All I can say is,I loved this book.Its funny and very sad. I love to read about her dog cats and horses. People have taken advantage of her good nature. Liz you need to think of yourself.

[Suze Mackay · Rating 1 out of 5]

Started well got very boring hard to finish

[Gumptionpm · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is tragic. I was so horrified by it that I wanted to throw it out after the first 20 pages or so. I persevered and stuck with it to the end. I understand that the author only wrote it because she was desperate and needed money so for that reason, I'm glad I bought it, I hope she continues to invest her money in a good therapist. In terms of the quality of writing...dull and repetitive. I think maybe she thought that the self deprecation would be endearing and humorous; it isn't. The whining about her childhood was self absorbed to say the least; boohoo! your pony riding uniform was the only proper outfit you were ever bought - dry your poor unfortunate eyes and that lazy mother who only blistered her hands to wash your school uniform one a month, wow what an awful childhood you had, did you consider maybe washing your own uniform? Was the book dedication to your mother a dedication or a spineless accusation (the latter I'm sure). My own life has in no way been enriched by this book.

[Louise Jones · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book as was intrigued by the title and must admit did not have any idea who Liz jones was and still not to sure although i enjoyed to an extent into her life . i liked how she described how anorexia was triggered by a careless remark and this struck a chord with me as roughly the same thing happened with me like various disorders a careless remark can cause so much damaage I got a bit bored woth the fashion talk and the name dropping but will look up who she is so must have picked a chord with me somewhere

[Freckles101 · Rating 1 out of 5]

It's truly dreadful. Boring, very narcissistic, clichéd, badly written and it's basically recycled articles from her Daily Mail articles. Numerous "contradictions" (bordering on lies) throughout the book and also many typos or just poor writing ability ("Sindy Crawford" "gunshot wedding"). The alleged "rock star boyfriend" (whom no one has seen with her or photographed them together) of the past 3 years doesn't even get a mention. Funny that... Save your money and don't bother.

[Glitter · Rating 5 out of 5]

You either love or hate Liz Jones. I happen to love her. She is confessional, straight talking, straight laced, self deprecating and very very funny. Having always wondered how the fashion industry works, as you do when you are a girl and are forever being blasted with trends and celebrities, it was a wonderful read. I would recommend it if you're interested in a girl who didn't think she'd get anywhere and did, although maybe she would have been happier if she didn't.

[Jennifer · Rating 1 out of 5]

Teeming with spelling mistakes - Sindy Crawford and factual inaccuracies - The RCA gallery on The Mall instead of the ICA gallery in addition to Jones's out and out lies and outlandish claims - to have invented terms like "Brown Is the new black" etc makes this a hilarious read. Do Simon & Schuster really not employ any proofreaders? It is so easy to verify that the REAL coat check person at the Blitz Club was Boy George - it's mentioned in most books and articles about him.

[Rosemarie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This autobiography is fluid and moving. I read it in a single sitting.
One review described the book as 'laugh out loud funny'. I disagree; it's sad, with odd moments that are funny in hindsight, but must have been embarrassing or painful at the time. A vivid example of how a strong work ethic and success can mask low self-esteem, this is a powerful story.

[Susan Ellis · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I got this book I hadn't realised it was an autobiography. If I had I wouldn't have chosen it but I would have missed out! Well written and enjoyable even though I had to Google the author as I hadn't heard of her (sorry)

[Clare Green]

I'm reluctant to criticise this book, just in case the author reads it and it contributes to her feelings that she is not good enough. But it is incredibly sad.

[Sandra Travis · Rating 1 out of 5]

Liz jones came across as enigmatic on CBB however, her book is rather odd and irratating. That's a few hours of my life it will never get back. Honestly, just don't bother with this

[Pandora · Rating 2 out of 5]

Dafuq did I just read?
I feel like I need to let it simmer a bit before I'm able to write a coherent review.

[Roz Wilson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ok if you are curious about what makes Liz Jones who she is.