lectrixnoctis's reviews
57 reviews

'Why do I know a few more things? Why am I so clever altogether?'

The last iconoclastic German philosopher Nietzsche wrote self-celebrating and self-mocking autobiographical essays from "Ecco Homo" before his descent into madness.

Friedrich Nietzsche is a tasty bite-size amount of nutrition. The general perception of him and his work is wildly inaccurate. One thinks of him as being very nationalistic, but he does not adore Germany or German culture, and although he is a fan of Wagner, there is much in his work that he does not value. 

This short book consists of three sections: "Why I am So Wise," "Why I am So Clever," and "Why I Write Such Good Books." Which, by heading alone, shows off his understanding of humour.

Overall, I enjoyed this book especially reading a ride after another word of his, and I think it's pretty astonishing that this was his last work. He wanted to clarify how to proceed with his results. I would not recommend it to anyone, just those interested in Nietzsche in general.

Jay Gatsby is the man who owns everything. But one thing will still be out of his space. Everybody who is anybody visits at his parties. Day and night, his Long Island estate buzzes with bright young things drinking, dancing and debating his mysterious character. For Gatsby - young, handsome, fabulously wealthy - always seems alone in the gathering, overseeing and remaining, though no one comprehends what for. Underneath the shimmering exterior of his life, he is concealing a secret: a quiet yearning that can never be fulfilled. And soon, this deadly fixation will force his world to unravel.

"The Great Gatsby", F. Scott Fitzgerald's 1920 Jazz Age fiction regarding the impossibility of recapturing history, was initially a loss. Today, the narrative of Gatsby's doomed devotion for the unreachable Daisy is considered a descriptive novel of the 20th century. 

"The Great Gatsby" is a novel about the hindered love between a man and a woman on the surface. However, the book's central theme encompasses a much larger, less romantic scope. However, all of its action takes place over a mere few months during the summer of 1922. It is set in a circumnavigated geographical area in Long Island, New York. "The Great Gatsby" is a highly metaphoric reflection on the 1920s United States as a whole, particularly the corruption of the American dream in an age of unparalleled wealth and material luxury.

The author describes the 1920s as an era of degraded sociable and ethical values, evidenced in its overarching cynicism, desire, and pointless search for amusement. The wild jubilance that showed to decadent parties and fantastic jazz music—displayed in "The Great Gatsby" by the wealthy gatherings that Gatsby throws every Saturday night. Ultimately, the American dream's corruption resulted in the uninhibited desire for money and fun beat more noble pursuits. When World War I ended, the generation of young Americans who battled the war became extremely disillusioned, as the murderous slaughter they had just faced made the Victorian social righteousness of early-twentieth-century America appear stuffy, without hypocrisy. In the aftermath of the war, the dizzying height of the commodities demand led to a sudden, sustained increase in the federal capital and a newfound materialism, as individuals began to pay and devour at exceptional levels. An individual from any social environment could, potentially, make a fortune, but the American aristocracy—families with old wealth—scorned the newly wealthy manufacturers and speculators.

The friction between "old money" and "new money" embodies itself in the novel's vast geography: East Egg means the conventional elite, West Egg the self-made rich. Meyer Wolfsheim and Gatsby's future suggest the rise of organised corruption.

The book's primary plotline reflects this review, as Gatsby's dream of loving Daisy is destroyed by the difference in their sociable statuses, his resorting to crime to make sufficient money to ingrain her, and the rampant materialism that illustrates her lifestyle. Besides, places and objects in "The Great Gatsby" have meaning because characters instil them with purpose: the gazes of Doctor T. J. Eckleburg best present this idea. In Nick's mind, the power to create significant symbols constitutes a central part of the American dream, as early Americans supported their new country with their ideas and ideals. Nick analogises the green bulk of America rising from the ocean to the green light at the end of Daisy's dock.

One of the main topics studied in "The Great Gatsby" is the sociology of wealth, specifically, how the recently coined millionaires of the 1920s differ from and relate to the old aristocracy of the country's wealthiest households. West Egg and its locals represent the newly rich in the book, while East Egg and its residents, particularly Daisy and Tom, represent the old aristocracy. The author describes the freshly rich as vulgar, gaudy, flashy, and lacking sociable classiness and preference. Gatsby lives in a monstrously elaborate villa, wears a pink lawsuit, drives a Rolls-Royce, and accomplishes not picking up on minute social movements, such as the hypocrisy of the Sloanes' invitation to lunch. In distinction, the old aristocracy maintains grace, taste, subtlety, and elegance, embodied by the Buchanans' classy home and the harmonious white clothes of Daisy and Jordan Baker.

However, what the old elite has in taste appears to lack in spirit, as the East Eggers prove themselves irresponsible, selfish bullies who are so used to money's power to ease their reasons that they never worry about hurting others. The Buchanans present this stereotype when they move to a new house far away at the novel's end rather than condescend to attend Gatsby's funeral.

In the world of "The Great Gatsby", class affects all aspects of life, and especially love. Myrtle mentions this about her husband, George, whom she mistook for better "breeding" and hence more excellent opportunities. Also, Gatsby's dream of Daisy is bound up with the class. Only after amassing a considerable wealth does he feel capable of constructing his move. At the end of the novel, class dynamics dictate which betrothal stays (Tom and Daisy), which one is beaten (George and Myrtle), and which one will never come to exist (Gatsby and Daisy). Just the most wealthy couple pulls via the events that finish the book. It seems that the misfortune may have brought them closer. Because of their privileged class position, Tom and Daisy believe that they are immune to the consequences of their actions.

The American Dream directs to a shared collection of ideals that conduct the nature of the United States. These shared objectives include a picture of space that provides all Americans with the chance of upward colonial mobility, as long as they work for it. Gatsby spends his life accepting that if he earns enough cash and receives enough controls, he can transcend his lower-class birth and evolve equally to Daisy and Tom. Yet, even though Gatsby succeeds in achieving capital, he is never taken by the upper class. Gatsby's loss to attain the American Dream means the dream is both an impossible and unwise purpose.

The dreams of love and marriage are profoundly tested in the novel, which centres on two loveless unions: the union between Tom and Daisy Buchanan and between George and Myrtle Wilson. In both circumstances, the marriages appear to be unions of nicety or advantage than true love. Myrtle presents that she wedded George because she thought he was "a gentleman," meaning she hoped he'd raise her rank. Daisy nearly funded out of her wedding to Tom the day before her marriage, and Tom had an affair within a year of the wedding, but the team is well-suited because of their transferred class and lust for fun and material possessions. Even Gatsby's all-consuming affection for Daisy seems more of a desire to possess something unattainable than true love. Nick, meanwhile, dates Jordan Baker throughout the book, and though their relationship has its points of warmth and kindness, both parties generally seem lukewarm and emotionally far away.

Throughout the fiction, places and locations embody the various aspects of the 1920s American culture that the author depicts. East Egg symbolises the old elite, West Egg the newly rich, the gorge of ashes the moral and colonial decay of America, and New York City the vibrant, amoral investigation for cash and amusement. Additionally, the East is related to the ethical decay and social cynicism of New York. In contrast, the West (including Midwestern and northern areas such as Minnesota) is connected to more traditional social values and ideals.

As in primarily of Shakespeare's work, the temperature in "The Great Gatsby" always matches the emotional and narrative tone of the story. Gatsby and Daisy's reunion begins amid pouring rain, proving awkward and melancholy; their love reawakens just as the sun starts to reach out. Gatsby's critical fight with Tom appears on the hottest day of the summer, beneath the scorching sun. Wilson murders Gatsby on the foremost day of autumn, as Gatsby swims in his pool despite a palpable coolness in the air—a symbolic attempt to control time and restore his relationship with Daisy to how it was five years before, in 1917.

Situated at the back of Daisy's East Egg pier and scarcely observable from Gatsby's West Egg property, the innocent light represents Gatsby's longings and dreams for fortune. Gatsby associates it with Daisy, and he goes toward it in the darkness as a guiding lamp to lead him to his goal. Because Gatsby's goal for Daisy is broadly associated with the American dream, the green light indicates that more generalised ideal. 

 The Valley of Ashes between West Egg and New York City consists of a lengthy stretch of lonely land formed by the disposal of industrial ashes. It describes the ethical and colonial decay that results from the unrestrained pursuit of capital, as the rich satisfy themselves with regard for nobody but their pleasure. The Valley of Ashes embodies the dilemma of the needy, like George Wilson, who live among the muddy ashes and lose their vitality as a result.

The visions of Doctor T. J. Eckleburg are a couple of fading; bespectacled gazes painted on an old advertisement billboard over The Valley of Ashes. Though the novel explicitly makes this point, they may describe God gazing down upon and considering American society as a moral wasteland. Instead, throughout the book, Fitzgerald suggests that symbols only have meaning because characters instil them with purpose.

This work of fiction is an absolute delight to read. I may be a bit biased since I have read it in my A-levels and got a good grade for it; however, I do think it's one of the most outstanding awards that I have read, and I do think that everybody should at least have heard of it/read it I never thought that I would be such a fan of this book. Still, I cannot recommend it enough with all the little details the author has put into it, for example, the metaphors or the symbols and even the motives are just beautiful, and every time I read this book, I find something you which is fantastic. 

'We must learn to love, learn to be kind, and this from our earliest youth ... Likewise, hatred must be learned and nurtured if one wishes to become a proficient hater.'

This book contains a selection of Nietzsche's philosophical and challenging aphorisms, exploring the satisfaction of revenge, the falsehood of pity, and the incompatibility of marriage with the intellectual life.

This piece tree stands me it's more like a dictionary of words and how Nietzsche has explained them, and I think that especially for a man of his time, those are pretty modern ideas and were interesting to read. I don't believe that this focus for anyone; nevertheless, I do think that if you enjoy Nietzsche's work, I am sure you will like it.

'No true Democracy has ever existed, nor ever will exist.'

Rousseau argues that a state's only moral, political authority comes from its people in "The Social Contract" selection.

This piece of literature, in no doubt, is essential for our history essay on human society, especially when we are talking about monarchy and democracy. I enjoy reading about historical text and reading about history; in general. I thought that this piece of wood was quite inspiring; Sometimes internally contradictory with superior regimes and the will of the people but a good and highly applicable read for the most part. The piece about how outlandish evil and immoral leaders will be elected is. While it is a slight pain right now, there is much to say about his logic around the common good versus personal interest. The best sign of a well-functioning government is involved and knowledgeable citizenship. However, I had to read a few passages from it at the end of the school. Sadly, they did not stick with me since I could remember them before reading this book. Nevertheless, I do think that if you are interested in history and politics, you should definitely if this book a try.

"Black Beauty" is an 1877 children's book by English author Anna Sewell. Narrated in the first person singular is the fictional biography of a young horse; it is notable for its enduring popularity and the first famous work of children's literature about animals. The protagonist and narrator of the novel are Black Beauty, a horse whose inborn intelligence, virtue and Beauty recall a central human character. Black Beauty's kindness sets the stage for a horrific narrative of decline as he moves from one evil master to the next. Sewell wrote Black Beauty with the explicit intention of making people more sympathetic to the plight of horses. In this respect, some say she was successful, turning popular opinion against the abusiveness against horses. Sewell was immensely disabled, a state that may have informed her plea for a more caring society. She died in 1878, a year after the publication of Black Beauty. It was her only book but a landmark of children's fiction.

From the meadow of his youth to London's crowded, frosty streets, Black Beauty tells the story of his life under many masters in Victorian England, among them the kind Squire Gordon, the principled Jeremiah Barker, and the exploitive Nicholas Skinner. Beauty bears joy and hardship with grace no matter the circumstance, heeding his mother's advice to be good, gentle, and hardworking—always.

I think this was quite a cute children's story to open our eyes that horses are also creatures with feelings, and we should recognise them and be not be cruel to them. I have to say I am not a horse person. That is why this maybe wasn't for me, but I think it is a cute read.

"Matilda" is a book by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley that examines the life of Matilda, a woman separated from society due to her strange upbringing. Matilda's mother dies directly after childbirth, leaving her father destroyed. He hands on the parental responsibility to Matilda's aunt and leaves. Sixteen years later, the father returns exclusively to confess his eternal incestuous love for her daughter and then commits suicide by drowning.

After the demise of her aunt and father, Matilda drops into a cycle of loneliness, unhappiness, and suicidal tendencies. Drowning in a severe depression, she simulates her death and completely removes herself from society, choosing to live in utter sequestration with just her one maid as a business. Tormented with the same fate as her father, she plans to commit suicide. Matilda enrols the help of her close friend, a poet, and asks him to make her demise as romantic as likely by drinking poison together.

Involuntary to kill himself, the poet tries to detract Matilda from killing herself to no avail. He attempts to help her find meaning in life, but she dies after consumption. There is a longing that Matilda reunited with her father in the hereafter and returned his incestuous passion.

"Matilda" is a novella packed with melodrama and controversial issues buried for a century because of its unfettered probe of incestuous affection and suicidal endeavour. After Matilda's father acknowledges his sexual emotions to her, it is implied that Matilda began to grow those same feelings for his father too. His premature death thoroughly devastates her as she feels like everyone who adored her has left her. All she can do is find harmony in dying, where she wishes to reunite with her father and lover.

Okay, this short novella is literary gold. I enjoyed every second of it, and I would highly recommend it; however, I do think you should check out the trigger warnings before grabbing it since there are some complex topics to deal with. If you are really into Gothic and Victorian literature, this will be one of your favourites. It filled my heart with warmth.

Joseph Rudyard Kipling was a British journalist, short-story writer, poet, and author. He was born in India, which enlightened many of his works.

Kipling's works of fiction contain "The Jungle Book" (1894), "Kim" (1901), and many short tales, including "The Man Who Would Be King" (1888). His poems include "Mandalay" (1890), "Gunga Din" (1890), "The Gods of the Copybook Headings" (1919), "The White Man's Burden: The United States and the Philippine Islands" (1899), and "If—" (1910). He is seen as an innovator in the art of the short story. His children's books are classics; one critic noted "a versatile and luminous narrative gift.

"The Jungle Book" offers Kipling's writing for children at its best. It is a compilation of short stories and poems revolving around the boy Mowgli, raised by a pack of wolves in India. We meet the tiger Shere Khan who attacked and drove off Mowgli's parent, Bagheera, the black panther, Baloo, 'the sleepy brown bear', and the evil python, Kaa. Other tales include Rikki-Tikki-Tavi, The White Seal and Toomai of the Elephants

Family and loyalty to family are motifs throughout the stories. From the point Mowgli walks into Mother and Father Wolf's cave, they adopt him as their own, with Mother Wolf favouring his brothers on many occasions. The importance of the pack is always emphasised, and there is an order that ensures decisions are created as a family. Per of the animals lives in their own family, and whatever the animal, when they get matched and raise cubs of their own, they are allowed to leave their pack or group. Loyalty to home is also paramount; at Mowgli's looking over, Raksha prepares herself to battle until the demise for him. Mowgli reveals his commitment to Akela, his pack's leader and Lone Wolf, by departing the jungle to save him and later by supporting him and the entire collection from the red dogs. The author continues the theme of family devotion when Mowgli yields to Man and discovers his pseudo-mother, whom he values profoundly and desires to guard above all else.

Jungle Law is essential, and every animal has to learn it because it is life-saving. Laws of the jungle keep personal safety and maintain the future of the jungle and each species within it. Law is practised democratically with a committee and vote system. When a rule is broken, measures must be taken to make the violator liable and dole out a vital penalty. Some regulations and laws related to self-protection, and the greater good, see everyone working together to ensure a future for the jungle. This is evident during the Water Truce when many species work together to drive Man out of the village.

Most of the personalities in "The Jungle Book" are fearless and display their bravery through their readiness to defend, fight, or embark on an arduous quest. Mowgli often shows courage in battle, slaying Shere Khan, battling the red dogs, and standing up to the villagers. Kaa is too brave when saving Mowgli from the monkeys; Baloo and Bagheera are courageous here. In the different stories, Rikki-Tikki-Tavi maintains immense bravery by protecting his human family from the ferocious cobras, attacking one with excellent skill in the restroom, and evaporating into a hole with the moment. Little Toomai shores up his boldness to watch the elephants dance. Kotuku ventures out into the foreboding outdoors to save his people from famine. Kotick journeys for miles and miles from finding a safe island.

 

Kipling's evocation of English imperial and colonial endeavours in India is more implicit than explicit, but it is undoubtedly there. Samples of how vital this historical context was for the story of his tales can be seen in:

These are solely a few specific examples, but overall, Kipling depicts a world that the coloniser makes organised.

Kipling is a big believer in the hierarchy, as were most Englishmen at the turn of the century. Britain was putatively the most affluent country globally regarding political influence, reach of empire, economy, and culture. Her colonisation of India and African countries solidified this but had to be justified by various theories. The English and other Western countries saw themselves as racially, culturally, and evolutionarily superior to the "savages" they colonised. They were neat to enforce this hierarchy with rules and were forced to maintain their power in the occupied territories.

 I have finally managed to read this classic children's book. I enjoyed it much better than all the movie adaptations, but sadly, this story did not catch me as I hoped it would. However, I think you should have read it at least once in your life.

With "A Christmas Carol", Charles Dickens made a modern fairy tale and shaped our views of Christmas. The story of the solitary Ebenezer Scrooge, who is introduced to the true essence of the season by a series of ghostly guests and given a second chance, was summoned up by Dickens during one of his London night walks "wept and laughed" as he composed it. Taken to readers' hearts for its wit, compassion and notice of redemption, it remains its best-loved book.

The narrator portrays Ebenezer Scrooge using imagery of a grindstone sharpening a device. In his single-minded priority on gaining wealth, Scrooge means the contrary of generosity in every way possible. In his company dealings, he always tries to squeeze cash out of people, grasps and scrapes for more help for himself, and hungers what he does not yet have. In his personal life, he has an entirely self-centred and solitary lifestyle—he neither needs nor wants friendship or any other type of relationship with other people. After the Ghost of Christmas Past, Scrooge describes his former boss, Mr Fezziwig, taking him around to a lovely Christmas party the Fezziwigs threw for their employees. The event reminds Scrooge how much he adored working for Mr Fezziwig. He explains what made Mr Fezziwig an excellent senior and insists that money wasn't the source of his employees' fulfilment. Mr Fezziwig showed his generosity in exerting his power over his employees with compassion. Scrooge begins to realise that he has not followed Fezziwig's example now that he takes the role of boss. Scrooge's nephew Fred urges that his observance of the Christmas holiday always include trying to help his uncle develop some Christmas spirit. Fred aspires to transform his uncle for the better. Fred would trust it a success if Scrooge gave away some of his money—not to Fred himself, but Scrooge's only worker Bob Cratchit. The nephew knows that Bob and his family would significantly benefit from some financial help. He desires Scrooge to become tremendous both for the Cratchits' sake and Scrooge's own. Fred understands how people should treat one another; the Ghosts have taught Scrooge. Upon awakening from his night with the Ghosts, Scrooge asks a boy on the highway to buy the prize turkey from a regional shop. Having noticed, through the Ghost of Christmas Present, the Cratchits' little goose, he plans to send them the turkey instead. This first act represents generosity: Scrooge makes a financial gift that will benefit individuals in need. Scrooge does not want credit for this act, and best of all, he starts to realise that generosity functions as its tip. Understanding that the Cratchits will be glad makes Scrooge happy.

Marley shares his regret with Scrooge to stop Scrooge from sharing his fortune. Having never supported his fellow people in life, he has been condemned to walk the earth in death without the power to help them. He understands that Scrooge also walks through the streets, overlooking the requirements of others. He suggests that the original Christmas story furnishes the key for how people should behave toward one another. The narrator defines how, with the aid of Marley'At this point, he feels doubtful of what he believes. Scrooge sounds regretful over a past deficiency of generosity for the only time. Scrooge had just relived the events of his boyhood when he was entirely alone at school over Christmas. He participates in the sad and lonesome feelings he has elongated repressed.

Connecting again to his younger self, he now places the boy who newly tried to sing him a Christmas carol, a lad he discharged violently. Whether his compassion for the chap results from his solitary status or poverty, the incident rekindles Scrooge's instinct for kindness. The narrator describes Scrooge's remorse as he sees the daughter of Belle, his ex-fiancée. Readers discover that Belle broke off their engagement due to his increasing focus on money and happily married another man. Unexpectedly, Scrooge finds that if he maintained not lost Belle, he might have had a gorgeous household too, and for the only time, he discerns the weight of a family. 

Marley defines how justice procedures in the afterlife punish sins of deletion. When people withhold exemplary in life, they will endlessly revisit the missed options in death without making the circumstances better. Humankind must tend to each other by assisting and sharing. Not doing so results in a lasting torment. The value of life rests on proactive, positive morality rather than a passive strategy of avoiding sin. Marley regrets the wrong priorities he carried in life. Scrooge has just noted that Marley was always a good company man. Marley, distressed, knows that his actual industry should have assisted individuals. The overall message here shows that one may be a reasonable businessman and a good person. The Phantom of Christmas Present rebuts Scrooge's indictment that the good spirits prompted Sabbath closures of essential services like bakeries to represent religion. 

Scrooge's nephew Fred explains why he has decided to visit his uncle and wish him a cheerful Christmas despite Scrooge's snub. Fred urges that the nature of Christmas profits him even though the spirit does not benefit him—a concept unfamiliar to Scrooge. While Fred thinks the Christmas spirit comes over him, making him feel helping, he also illustrates and extends the Christmas spirit through his generosity and kindness. The narrator conveys the grim city avenues altered by the Christmas spirit spreading cheer everywhere. On December 25, ordinary activities like shovelling or shopping own air of festival. 

What can I say? This is one of my all-time favourite books, and I will always cherish it ever since I was a little girl. I have felt drawn through this story, and I still think it's a beautiful fairytale about how people can change even when they are older. I highly recommend this to anyone, especially around the Christmas season.

Astrid Lindgren's novel "Pipi Longstocking" is one of the most well-known and famous children's books of all time. The Swedish author told imaginative tales about a small girl with a pigtailed redhead to her 7-year-old sick daughter Karin. After her ankle injury, she put the Pipi Longstocking stories to paper. After the rejection of the Swedish publishing house, Lindgren rewrites her manuscript. The contest and awards committee promptly shared the story first prize, and the book was printed in 1945. 

This novel consists of 11 parts and is about a nine-year-old redhead girl who moves into a big house understood as Villa Villekulla with her pet monkey Mr Nilsson, an unnamed pet horse and a bag filled with pieces of gold. Blessed with strength and countless other features, Pippi has friendships with two local siblings named Annika and Tommy Settergren. Because of the girl's previous lifestyle, she has limited knowledge of standard childhood behaviour and another daily routine. And this fact significantly adds humour to the story. It is better to remind Pippi's attempts to enrol at Tommy and Annika's school, following chaos or a coffee party organised by Mrs Settergren.

Despite its dedication to a young audience, many adults enjoy reading this masterpiece. It ought to be mentioned that while Pippi Longstocking might appear as the super-child with her weird behaviour, at first sight, she can do anything, feels confident everywhere, is an imaginative playmate. She can always outsmart the grown-ups; loneliness is a profound element. We can analyse this feeling in such situations as playing Tag with police officers who wanted to carry her to public children's house, with thieves who tried to steal her money (she insisted on dancing with one of them) and a lot of other occasions. She has Tommy and Annika, but they do not spend the day together as the girl's neighbours go to school, do their homework and help their mother with tasks. Pippi is always with her pets. Much of her "mischievous" is not caused by deliberate rebellion, but because the girl has no one to care for her, show her what is right or wrong, provide her teaching, learning and obey social rules and restrictions.

However, this girl is full of great creativity, quirks, attitudes to different aspects of life and authentic ideas. Pippi illustrates a person living life delightfully, appreciating every moment and providing several favourable minutes by herself. She is the same as everyone around because this redhead child is unique. Pippi does justice, as in the chance when she gets into a fight between Willie and the other boys. She is bold as in the fire situation in the building: Pipi tried to save two little boys when the other observed the misfortune. Thus, some adults should learn something from Pippi's agreements.

I have finally finished reading Pippi Longstocking. I never thought I would read this book since I did not enjoy watching the films as a child. I do you have to say that I like the book much more; however, I still like her neighbours tell me and Annika much better since they are more my type of people who are not too loud or too expressive. I would recommend that every parent read this story to their child since it is easy to understand and joyful. You have to say that some of these lines in this book were highly racist.

Carole Matthews is a global bestselling author of hugely successful rom-com novels. Her remarkable sense of humour has won her units of fans and critical acclaim worldwide. 
"A Minor Indiscretion" and "A Compromising Position" earned the Top 5 in the Sunday Times bestseller chart in the UK. "You Drive Me Crazy" got to number 8 in the original fiction charts. The book "Welcome To The Real World" was shortlisted for RNA romantic novel of 2007. In 2006 Carole co-edited - with author Sarah Mlynowski - two latest editions of the hugely favoured "Girls' Night In charity" series named "Girls' Night Out" - one for the USA and one for Canada. All profits go to War Child. 

After breaking up with her cheating ex, Ruby Brown is prepared for a change. She is single again for the first time in years, and she will dive into a new world. The last item she is looking for is a serious relationship.
Mason represents everything Ruby wants right now: he is charming, smooth and perfect for some no-strings-attached fun, and yet Ruby cannot help feeling that something is missing. On the other hand, Joe is kind and attentive, but he arrives with the sort of luggage Ruby wants to avoid: an annoyingly beautiful ex-wife and two teenage kids. And though Ruby thinks she understands what she wants, is it what she needs to be happy? It is about to get emotional in "Million Love Songs".

First of all, I have to say that I usually do not gravitate forwards to romance books or romantic comedy's especially, and I have been gifted this book to read it. I did have some funny moments, and I did feel entertained; however, I do have to say that it's not my genre end. The plot was too predictable, in my opinion. Moreover, I did not enjoy the characters. I felt like they had a dull and plain personality and a 2000 kid, and I don't get the hype of taking That, especially since I wasn't born then and always having these references was hard to understand.
Moreover, I thought that the friendship between Ruby and Charlie wasn't as great as I thought their relationship would be after reading a few chapters. I think how the author continually referred to her cheating ex-husband and always talking about the new woman of the husband's sparkling vagina was quite irritating. Also that the main character always struggled with the fact that she had a threesome and constantly brought it up, or worse, weird to read, in my opinion.

Overall I somewhat enjoyed the book. It had some funny moments, but it is absolutely not my cup of tea, and I would recommend it if you like to read romantic comedy books, but if it's not your thing, do not even pick it up because I know you will not like it.