The Meaning of Life

Rachel Riley #3

by Joanna Nadin

It is official. I am going out with rock god and part-time meat mincer Justin Statham. Am certain that he is THE ONE and will prove it by having excellent relationship on every level. Oh no. What if he wants me to do it? Have only just got to grips with art of snogging so will need to get help fast.

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

255 pages, Paperback

First published August 7, 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

[sacha · Rating 4 out of 5]

she's oblivious to the point of frustrating

[Misto · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rachel Riley novels are a wonderful mix of second hand embarrassment, nostalgia and relatability. Rachel's actions and naivety make me cringe, but not in a way that would make me stop reading. There's something indescribable about Rachel as a main character, because there's something about her that makes me think I was like her but also oh god please don't tell me I was like her...

Also it's so easy and fast to read even though there are long paragraphs that usually just make me groan with one look. Sure it's meant for people younger than me, but I still find it enjoyable, and it's great to know that I can read a book this fast despite my ADHD and dyslexia.

I enjoy these books a lot. I think I'm gonna swallow the fourth one as soon as I can. Also unfortunately I don't have this one in my bookshelf, and I had to borrow it from a library. Kind of weird that this one kind of slipped through the cracks for me. Or maybe I just didn't see it in the stores?

[mrsljgibbs · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really do love this series of books and I don't know why I haven't read them sooner!! As soon as I start reading I just have to keep going and going!
I love all the characters especially Rachel, James and Jack and the things they all get up to is hilarious!
These books are very easy to read and even though a few details in them are a little bit dated, it really doesn't matter.
I really can't wait to read the next book in the series - and the next one after that!!!

[17mapleyn072]

This was once again a very good book and I am delighted to of had the chance to read it. Not once did the book get boring and the way the book was created was fantastic, I am looking forward to carrying on reading the series.

[mols ❀ · Rating 4 out of 5]

these books are so samey but idc!!! needed more of the kylies and james though (icons)

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Utterly adore these books. Have completely cheered up my sick bed and can’t wait to reread the next one too. Perfect literature.

[Grace Sargeant · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book.

[Matti Karjalainen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Joanna Nadinin "Rakkaus odottaa, Rachel Riley" (Gummerus, 2011) on Saffron Waldenin pikkukaupungissa asuvan brittitytön elämästä kertovan kirjasarjan kolmas osa, jossa Rachel joutuu muun muassa pohdiskelemaan onko rokkari-Justin hänelle sittenkään se oikea poikaystävä, taistelemaan tiensä läpi yläkoulun päättökokeiden, perustamaan bändin, harkitsemaan tarkoin neitsyyden menettämistä ja tekemään lomamatkat niin Ranskan maaseudulle kuin Glastonburyn rockfestareillekin.

Nadinin päiväkirjamuotoon kirjoitetut nuortenromaanit ovat nopealukuista ja äärimmäisen hauskaa viihdekirjallisuutta, joiden ensisijaisena kohderyhmänä lienevät päähenkilön kanssa samaa ikäryhmää edustavat teinitytöt, mutta jotka ovat saaneet myös allekirjoittaneen nauraa rätkättämään melko hysteerisesti. En ole jaksanut lukea kovinkaan montaa nuortenkirjasarjaa avausosaa pidemmälle, mutta Rachel Rileylle odottelen jo innolla jatkoa!

[magda · Rating 1 out of 5]

1 ꙳
i didn't like how they made rachel so bright, into pop culture, maybe anyhow mature, but so naive. as i know it's a story about growing up so characters were making silly mistakes like kissing a rockman, while thinking about other boy, but i also couldn't stand these hypocrisies when i was around their age. i feel like none early teenagers would make similar decisions.

[Mintti · Rating 2 out of 5]

Luin suomeksi. Ihan kiva nuortenkirjasarja, sarjassa kukin kirja on vuodenmittainen päiväkirja jossa aluksi 13-vuotias Riley pähkäilee umpitavallista ja tapahtumaköyhää elämäänsä johon yrittää saada säpinää ja romantiikkaa. Hömppää nuorille.

[Jade · Rating 5 out of 5]

Made me laugh even more than the others..

[Moti · Rating 4 out of 5]

this book was good

[Jasmine]

I DIDN'T EVEN FINISH THIS BOOK! IT WAS NOT GOOOOOOOD!