How Hard Can It Be?

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Filled with humor and wit, readers will cheer on Kate as she navigates this frenzied life and struggles to hold everything--and everyone--together." --Shereads.com Of course I told all my friends about this hilarious book. One of them said that Pirate Dave was actually the product of Robyn Peterman’s real novel, How Hard Can It Be? (cause heaven forbid I read a prologue – I just started right in on chapter 1!!). The summary I got from my friend was “Rena and her gang of porno grannies from a writers group set out to destroy the Viper Bitch (Evangeline O’Hare–the best selling author) who steals the stories they write.” So I slammed breaks on Pirate Dave and set out to read How Hard Can It Be? I mean really, porno grannies? I had to read this first! Emily is by my side of the bed, bent over as if in prayer or protecting a wound. “Please don’t tell Daddy,” she pleads. “You can’t tell him, Mummy.”

His opinionated but humorous tongue-in-cheek writing and presenting style has often generated much public reaction to his viewpoints. His actions both privately and as a Top Gear presenter have also sometimes resulted in criticism from the media, politicians, pressure groups and the public. The funniest and most feminist writing of the year… How Hard Can It Be? is that rare thing: a sequel that matches and even surpasses the original…Every line is meticulous; every reflection on parenthood hilarious, or else so true it’s heartbreaking.” — The Telegraph (UK) Although not my usual genre, I had heard many good things about Allison's previous book 'I Don't Know How She Does It', and so decided to enter the giveaway for 'How Hard Can It Be?'. I'm delighted I won as I loved this book! (I will now definitely be seeking out the first one to read too). Although this is a continuation of 'I Don't Know...', it stands by itself as well and I wasn't confused by the story at any point.

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This book is written by former television presenter Jeremy Clarkson, I chose to read this because I have read several other books by him and their humorous and interesting topics have hooked me to his books. This book is written by small newspaper articles made by Clarkson put together to form a book. Kate! You are absolutely being added to my book BFF list! Not sure when the last time was I read a book with such a relatable character... Kate and I are almost the same age... our kids are about the same age going through the same things as are our parents.... such a wonderful book, filled with laughter, tears, and love... Kate also has a mother-in-law with Alzheimer’s, a mother with a broken hip, a hostile sister and an indifferent husband. Her triumph at work is perhaps too good to be true. Likewise, the story has a romance element involving an old fling. That part of the story also ends too happy to be true. But it is a novel so I shouldn't be complaining about realism. So, I have a confession to make. I didn't realize How Hard Can It Be? by Allison Pearson was a sequel to I Don't Know How She Does It when I started reading it. BUT, I don't think that mattered all that much.

Look, I was doing OK. I got through the oil spill on the road that is turning forty. Lost a little control, but I drove into the skid just like the driving instructors tell you to and afterwards things were fine again, no, really, they were better than fine. Meanwhile, dementia, class expectations, menopause, self-harming teens, and the stresses that can break a marriage get dealt with . . .and the book finds a balance between compassion, insight, and wish-fulfillment that finally pays off splendidly. Allison Pearson has written an “OMG, yes!” book. As in, she totally gets it. This book, about turning 50 and entering the age of invisibility, hits all the correct notes. It’s a real mix of comedy and drama, between dealing with perimenopause, teenagers, aging parents, a husband seeking to find himself at everyone else’s expense and the need to stay relevant in today’s business world. A book about needing to laugh so you don’t cry. When everything seems to be at its worst an amazing guy shows up in her life again—someone she had hit it off with so well that it spooked her, and she’d ended the friendship. But has not stopped thinking about him for several years. Kate’s story of juggling all of life’s challenges, especially this newly evolving sandwich generation, and feeling very much alone in doing so, is without question relatable. Kate (and Allison) truly get it, and I felt like giving her a few high fives while reading. Or fist bumps. Or the wave!Pearson features menopause as nearly its own character in this laugh-out-loud yet all too realistic romp through midlife concerns about aging, sexual appeal, careers for older employees, and family care issues. Spot on’ Library Journal, Starred Review Yep, I eeped and proceeded to talk (type) Robyn's ears off. Something I mentioned in my reply was that this book should be made into a movie, as I'd buy the DVD and watch it continuously. So, I've been told that 'How Hard Can It Be?' has indeed been optioned for a movie, and the author is currently writing the script. Another bit of good news which has made me very happy, is that there is going to be a sequel. I, for one, can't wait. So, in my opinion, this was brilliant and this author got it all right. Every single aspect of this book. It's one of my favourites, and my year has started off just great! Perceptive and funny....Allison Pearson has a gift for comedy, but the best bits of How Hard Can It Be? are her sharp asides about modern life." — The Times (U.K.) Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

In this side-splitting follow-up to I Don't Know How She Does It...the electricity is positively sparkling....Laugh-out-loud yet all too realistic....Spot on." — Library Journal (starred review) But I digress, this collection of articles was probably the most hilarious of The World According to Clarkson lot. Jeremy actually theorises that conquering France might solve Britain's immigration problem. He also almost blew out his stomach having ignored a warning label on Insanity Hot Sauce. He complains about the endless beeps of bells and beepers that ding every time something goes poof, or boom, or on, or off. The variations of these articles make me wish I could get a room in Clarkson's unique mind. And, you know, I really thought it would be fine, because what could be so bad in the life of a teenage girl that her mother couldn’t make it better?The funniest and most feminist writing of the year... How Hard Can It Be? is that rare thing: a sequel that matches and even surpasses the original...Every line is meticulous; every reflection on parenthood hilarious, or else so true it's heartbreaking." -- The Telegraph (UK) Then there’s India, which I can’t take seriously until its air force has some planes with fewer than three wings. Yes, they have nuclear missiles – but could they actually hit Islamabad with them? ‘I very much doubt it,’ said an Indian professor chum of mine recently. ‘I’m not even certain we could hit Pakistan.’" Filled with humor and wit, readers will cheer on Kate as she navigates this frenzied life and struggles to hold everything—and everyone—together." —Shereads.com I was first interested in this book because I thought it might be able to be used in a "Next Chapter" book group for newly retired persons. I've concluded it's a novel for someone in the midst of the work-a-day word, not someone opening a new chapter in their life.