The Life of Riley

Rachel Riley #2

by Joanna Nadin

My quest to find 'the one' starts right now! This year I will utterly not snog random posh boys with congenital acne but will save myself for long-haired creative type with interest in tragicness and with musical potential i.e. Justin Statham. Though am not sure Justin has realised yet that I am 'the one' for him.

Genres: Young Adult, Contemporary, Humor, Childrens, Comedy, Fiction, Romance

224 pages, Paperback

First published April 6, 2008

About the author

Joanna Nadin is an English author of juvenile fiction best known for the Rachel Riley series of teenage novels Based on Nadin's own childhood, the series follows the comedic narration of a 13-year-old girl.

Nadin has also written several books of juvenile fiction. These include two books for the Oxford University Press "Project X" series designed to encourage boys to read.

Nadin previously worked as a policy writer for the Labour Party (UK).In 2001, she became a special adviser to Tony Blair.

As a child I buried myself in books both at home in Essex and at my grandparents’ houses in Cornwall, where I spent a large part of my time, and where many of my stories are now set. Books and later films were an escape not just from where I was but who I was, which, as I saw it, was pretty much a geek. They gave me the freedom to become someone else, from George in the Famous Five to Velvet Brown winning the Grand National to Baby dancing the Chachacha with Johnny Castle.

Reviews

[17mapleyn072]

it was a really good book that had a great story line, this book always had something exciting going on! I have read the first and the second book, and one leads on to the other. i like how Joanna Nadin left the book on a cliffhanger making me want to read the next one. "The Meaning Of Life" is very tragic and is a good representation of what it is like to be a teenager.

[Vidz · Rating 5 out of 5]

one of the funniest books you wll ever read . this is entire series is real , dramatic and totes hilare

[Kofi Anumel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing

Whether your old or young this book will persuade you to make changes to your normal life , I couldn't stop laughing

[mols ❀ · Rating 4 out of 5]

not as funny as my so-called life but honestly i still adored it. joanna nadin has such a witty way with words. did not care one bit about tuesday or any other new characters but all of the established characters are brilliant. controversially imo rachel riley > georgia nicholson but i love love love both book series

[Anna Toivonen · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

[Lehane Masebo]

Great! Look forward to the next one!

[Grace Sargeant · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book and thought it was a really cool book.

[Daisy Mercer · Rating 5 out of 5]

What Did I Think Of This Book?:

This was an absolutely hilarious book with an absolutely hilarious main character. This book is easy going, and I've read it more than once as it's one of my favourites, yet I'm always surprised when I read it again, because there's always little funny and cringey bits I forgot were in the book. This book made you instantly attatched, because it's layed out in small paragraphs of writing, instead of long pages. This also helped make it more of a light read, and gave it a humorous effect. The Rachel Riley books deal with realistic, real life situations, but still manage to put a funny spin to them. Full marks to Joanna Nadin.

What Happens In This Book?:

Rachel Riley has a crazy little brother, a baby uncle called Jesus, a Mum with a cillit bang obsession and a dog who eats furniture. As you can see, life isn't going very well for her.
But still, Rachel hasn't given up hope, ( at least not just yet, ) and nothing can stop her on-going search for love. Rachel has her heart set on hot, popular, band member Justin Statham, but further on in the book she becomes drawn to an ex, an ex who she could never be with again.....Or could she?

This is a brilliant book explaining the totally, ' un tragic ' life of Rachel Riley.

Would I Recommend This Book To Someone Else?:

I would definitely, 100 per cent recommend this book to someone else. The only problem you'll have with this book is the major cliff hanger at the end, as it will make you want to buy the whole series! Unfortunately, I've been hanging on that cliff hanger for over a year now, I HAVE TO GET THE NEXT BOOK!!

[Matti Karjalainen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ma 7.8. Ääretön kesäloma levittäytyy edessäni kuin jokin loputtomiin venyvä juttu. Täällä ei ole mitään tekemistä. Minun on pakko saada kotiaresti loppumaan. Olen viisitoista, ja minun pitäisi olla ulkona mukiloitavana Camdenin torilla eikä aakkostaa kotona Viisikkojani [...] Sanon äidille, että jos en pääse kirjastoon tai kirjakauppaan, kuolen kirjallisten ärsykkeiden puutteeseen. Hän ojensi minulle kolme Maeve Binchyn kirjaa. Harkitsen soittavani lasten ja nuorten auttavaan puhelimeen. Jopa Nelson Mandela sai lukea talouslehteä vankilassa. (s. 197)

"Haku päällä, Rachel Riley" (Gummerus, 2010) on toinen osa humoristisesta nuortenkirjasarjasta, joka kertoo englantilaisen teinitytön elämästä Saffron Waldenin pikkukaupungissa Englannissa. Lopputulos on edelleen kohtalaisen onnistunut lievästä toistosta huolimatta, ja aikuinenkin lukija saa monet naurut Rachelin epäonnisesta sekoilusta omalaatuisen perheen, ystävien ja mahdollisten poikaystäväkandidaattien pyörityksessä. Sarjan heikkoudeksi on sanottava, että osa viittauksista englantilaiseen elämänmenoon saattaa tuntua suomalaisesta lukijasta vieraalta.

En tiedä, onko Joanna Nadin (s. 1970) lukenut lapsena Sue Townsendin kirjoittamaa Adrian Mole -sarjaa, mutta yhtäläisyydet siihen ovat helposti nähtävissä - eivätkä ne rajoitu pelkästään päiväkirjamuotoon, vaan Rachel on monessa muussakin suhteessa 2000-luvun feminiininen painos Adrianista.

[Grace · Rating 3 out of 5]

for me this is one book i would probably take on holiday as it is such a lighthearted and funny book, whoever reads this will fall in love with riley and her mysterious ways from the very beginning.
it had to be laughing until i cried, it made me feel for her when she was confused about her so called 'love life' and made me cringe when her family were being incredibly embarrassing.
this book i think i related to as half the stuff that happened is something that had happened in my life, i could relate in more ways than one to riley and i think thats why i enjoyed this book so much!
i gave it quite a low rating only for a few things...
1. i think there needs to be stronger and more interesting characters in maybe a new boyfriend for riley or something?
2. sometimes i think riley needs to have a bit more of an interesting life than sitting and home and walking the dog everyday
3. i did get bored of riley's rants every once in a while, why does she have to rant so much?!? her life isn't that interesting!
PLEASE PLEASE can riley go to a party and snog someone utterly popular! it would stir and make things more interesting, thankyou! this is the second book i've read of riley's life and i defiantly enjoy everyone, i will be reading the next one very very soon!

[emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

To be frank, I don't really think it matters what age you are to read this. I bought this when I was about fifteen - I'm now nineteen and I STILL find it absolutely hilarious. Everything from the dry, sarcastic humour to the light hearted plot - it's just simplistic and easy to read.

Of course, it's no jaw dropper, nor is it going to be the most compelling read you'll ever have, but if you're looking for something fun (utterly bonkers!) and easy then I would recommend this.

I fell in love with Rachel Riley the moment I opened the book, and Ed's pretty great, too. All the characters have their own quirks and it's refreshing as well as funny.

If I had to critique this book, I suppose I would say that there needs to be a little more depth perhaps. But then again, it IS a teenage novel and I wasn't expecting some sentimental tear jerker, so whatever.

So yeah, totally go and read this series if you want to be cheered up about your own life!

[India · Rating 4 out of 5]

what can i say, the rachel riley books are hilarious. its realistic at the same time as being utterly, hilariously bonkers. shes the image of a teenage girl, and i cant begin to imagine how funny the books will get as the story goes on. its almost like both series of books by louise rennison, but different. i cant exactly put my finger on it, but theres a slightly different vibe going on. this doesnt matter though, because books by different authors arent the same, they always bring their own style and twist to a story. the rachel riley series is still definately as funny as georgia nickleson, but both series are exellent in their own way. :)

[Markku Kesti · Rating 2 out of 5]

Tämä on niin nähty ja käyty formaatti. Ja vaikea sanoa miksi se on alunperinkään keksitty. Ehkä adhd -potilaille, tai päiväkirja-faneille? Ei minulle ainakaan sillä vielä ei ole kävellyt vastaan onnistunutta toteutusta. Ehkä jonain päivänä kuitenkin. Jutut sinänsä eivät olleet hullumpia. Olisin voinut vähemmän väsyneessä mielentilassa tai jos kyseessä ei olisi ollut lukupäivän viimeinen kirja, jopa sen kolmannen tähden.

[mrsljgibbs · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely love this series of books and this is the second one. I love Joanna Nadin's style of writing and love the characters she has created. Rachel Riley is a typical dorky teenager and this book follows her through a year of her life. All the characters are really likeable and there is not one that I dislike. A really good easy read and I can't wait to read the next one!!

[Jamie Lei · Rating 3 out of 5]

the first time i read this, i was a bit confused and didn't really liked the style of writing but then i gave it another go and the plot was quite good. Overall it would have been nice if the ending was the way i wanted it to be but it was a bit of a cliff hanger.

[Sarri · Rating 2 out of 5]

Vähän alkoi jo toistaa itseään. Vitsikkyyttä olisi voinut olla vähän enemmän, se ei oikein riitä kahden kirjan aiheeksi, että Rachel jatkuvasti luulee, ettei pojat tykkää hänestä, vaikka sussuehdokkaita olisi moneen menoon. Kepeää lukemistoa teinikansalle. Taidan itse siirtyä nyt muihin aiheisiin.

[Misto · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't enjoy this one as much as I enjoyed the first one. There are incredibly funny things, but for some reason they aren't as hilarious or embarrassing as in the first one. It's still a solid book.

[Mustafa · Rating 5 out of 5]

wesome

[Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books I've ever read. HILARIOUS! Just as good as the first one, if not better.

[Ellie Akers · Rating 5 out of 5]

So funny but would say 12+!!