Public Confessions of a Middle-Aged Woman Aged 55 3/4

by Sue Townsend | Biographies & Memoirs |
ISBN: 0141013729 Global Overview for this book
Registered by boirina of Mallorca - Calvià, Illes Balears/Islas Baleares Spain on 5/1/2006
Buy from one of these Booksellers:
Amazon.com | Amazon UK | Amazon CA | Amazon DE | Amazon FR | Amazon IT | Bol.com
This book is in the wild! This Book is Currently in the Wild!
23 journalers for this copy...
Journal Entry 1 by boirina from Mallorca - Calvià, Illes Balears/Islas Baleares Spain on Monday, May 1, 2006
A collection of articles by Sue Townsend. Funny, enjoyable...

Journal Entry 2 by boirina from Mallorca - Calvià, Illes Balears/Islas Baleares Spain on Friday, July 28, 2006
I have decided to do a my first bookray with this book. So I PMd the two people who had it in their wish list, and posted the bookray. The people who had it in their wish list will have the chance to read it first, then all the rest.
The usual rules apply. When you get the book, make a journal entry so we all know that it is where it's meant to be. Then try to read it in about one month and send it to the next person on the list. It is advisable to contact the next person on the list before you actually finish the book, so there are no delays.
I've respected everyone's shipping wishes (except for hshah, whom I haven't been able to contact). So I assume that she won't mind sending it to the next person on the list. (If that is not the case, please contact me and I'll do my best to change the list). I've also tried to be "geographically sensible", so that the book doesn't have to travel long distances back and forth...
I hope everyone is satisfied with the list.

List in order:

Screen name // Location // Shipping preferences

jax987654321 // UK // anywhere <---------- finished!
Jaycee1972 // UK // Int’l (surface mail) <---------- finished!
LindyLouMac // Italy // from + to EU <---------- finished!
Marcenda // Portugal // anywhere <---------- finished!
Bestfriends // France // EU <---------- finished!
Icila // France // anywhere <---------- finished!
RockDg9 // Australia // Australia/New Zealand <---------- finished!
sarahbear // Australia // anywhere (surface mail) <---------- finished!
prollacct // USA // pref. USA <------------- THE BOOK IS HERE!
spaceystacey // USA // pref. USA (or Int'l surface mail)

The book is leaving for England tomorrow with a friend. He will send it to jax987654321 by mail on Monday.

Journal Entry 3 by wingjax987654321wing from Wembley, Greater London United Kingdom on Tuesday, August 1, 2006
Arrived this morning. Have started reading it already. Isn't quite what I expected, but loving it already!

If I haven't finished this by Sat, I will take this to the Swiss Alps with me as it looks like ideal holiday reading. (Plus I'm going to be spending a long time on a coach - so will need a lot of reading matter!)

Journal Entry 4 by wingjax987654321wing from Wembley, Greater London United Kingdom on Monday, August 21, 2006
I'm not a huge fan of short stories or collections of articles, but I enjoyed this a fair amount. My favourite one was the advice for young people:-
1. Only wear white socks if you are playing tennis
2. Be aware that 'coffee' is a codeword for sexual intercourse
3. If you call your daughter Victoria or Samantha, she will grow up to call her self Vic or Sam
4. All young women should own a Swiss Army Knife - the one with a screwdriver, tweezers, nail file, can opener and corkscrew. It should be kept in their handbags at all times
5. All young men shoudl own a Swiss Army Knife - but they should not take it out of the house or they will be arrested for possessing an offensive weapon.
6. Stop drinking alcohol the moment you are unable to pronounce the word succinct
7. If you enjoy doing everything in the most diffucult way possible - whether it is working, studying, socializing or travelling - get pregnant by an unreliable youth and have his baby.
8. Read for at least an hour a day
9. Remember that all governments tell lies
......
14. Bear it in mind that the fire brigade has been busier since it became more fashionable to bathe by candlelight.
16. Eat a raw onion and raw garlic every day if you are tired of being pestered by men.
17. Before going abroad, have ten one-dollar notes swen inside each of your bra's. This will be enough to enable you to eat, drink and telephone the British Embassy to tell them about the theft or loss of your money, passport, credit cards and plane tickets.
18. If, at seventeen years of age, you have a little monkey tattoed on your belly, stop to consider that, by the time you are thirty-one and nine months pregnant, the little monkey will have stretched to look like King Kong: not a pleasant sight for the midwife.
24. If your parents complain about the vileness and untidyness of your room, buy a padlock and keep the key on our person.
25. Never shave your eyebrows off. They will grow back in laughably eccentric shapes.
26. If your boyfriend thinks that Valentine's Day is a conspiracy led by Florists and card companies, ditch him immediately. (He's probably right, but ditch the miserable git anyway)
30. Never read advice columns. They are inevitably written by Middle-aged women with a grievance against the young.

Good advice!!

Is now off to the next person on the ring/ray.
Enjoy.

Journal Entry 5 by Jaycee1972 from Belper, Derbyshire United Kingdom on Saturday, August 26, 2006
Received yesterday. Thank you. I will add it to MTBR and get to it asap. Usually love Sue Townsend's books so I am looking forward to this one.

Edit - 10/09/06 - Currently reading and have pmed LindyLouMac for her address.

Journal Entry 6 by Jaycee1972 from Belper, Derbyshire United Kingdom on Friday, September 22, 2006
I am about 1/3 of the way through this book and have the next person's address ready for when I am done.

I am not enjoying this as much as the novels I have read by this author as it is a collection of short articles, while amusing are not long enough to grab my attention. This is the sort of book that I would not read in one sitting but dip in and out of. As it is a ring, I will probably not finish it and will send it on it's way again soon.

Edit 27/09 to say I will be sending this on before the week is out.

Journal Entry 7 by LindyLouMac from Tywyn, Wales United Kingdom on Saturday, November 11, 2006
Arrived safely after a long time in the post, even for surface mail, post marked 13/10/06 and only got here today! With thanks to Jaycee1972, for sending on and borina for the ray. I am sure both of them will be glad to read this journal entry. Looks like it will be a quick read though I have another bookring ahead of it first.

Journal Entry 8 by LindyLouMac from Tywyn, Wales United Kingdom on Friday, November 17, 2006
Synopsis:Amazon.co.uk
Enter the world of Susan Lilian Townsend - sun-worshippers, work-shy writers, garden-centre lovers and those in search of a good time all welcome. Whether its a war against slugs, hosepipe bans, coping with writer's block or the perils of package holidays, Sue Townsend knows about it. Collected together now for the first time, her monthly column for Sainsbury's Magazine forms a set of pieces that is at once funny, perceptive and touching.

A favourite author of mine. This is a collection of articles previously published in 'Sainsburys' magazine between 1993 qnd 2001. As I have never read this publication they were all new to me, varying subject matter which had me both laughing and crying at her witty take on life.

As soon as I have an address this will be on its way to Portugal next.

Released 17 yrs ago (11/20/2006 UTC) at To the next participant in Bookring/Bookray, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- Canada

WILD RELEASE NOTES:

RELEASE NOTES:

En route to Marcenda in Portugal.

Journal Entry 10 by Marcenda from Carcavelos, Lisboa (distrito) Portugal on Thursday, November 23, 2006
I got it yesterday. Thank you boirina and LindyLouMac!

Journal Entry 11 by Marcenda from Carcavelos, Lisboa (distrito) Portugal on Friday, November 24, 2006
I got it. Thanks!

Journal Entry 12 by Marcenda from Carcavelos, Lisboa (distrito) Portugal on Wednesday, January 10, 2007
I finished this book a while ago, but December is an impossible month, so it took me a while to get here. I loved it. I had a great time reading it. ST turns 'not knowing what to write' into an art form. My reactions varied between laughing my head off, snickering and nodding vigorously in agreement - all this in public transports, where I do most of my reading. I've always dreamt of flying away from the Holidays, and now, thanks to ST, I know that when I have the money, I'll spend a wonderful non-Christmas in Trinidad and Tobago.

Thank you so much, boirina. Bestfriends, forgive me for taking so long to send it. I mailed it today.

Journal Entry 13 by bestfriends from - Ergens in de provincie, Gelderland Netherlands on Tuesday, January 16, 2007
In my mailbox today! Looking forward to read it. I'm in the middle of another book, but short stories can always be read "in between".

Thanks boirina for sharing and Marcenda for sending it.

Journal Entry 14 by bestfriends from - Ergens in de provincie, Gelderland Netherlands on Monday, January 29, 2007
Finished reading yesterday.

When I signed up for this ray, it was because of the author's name (although I read Adrian Mole ages ago, but I loved it) and because the title sounded intriguing. I did not know what to expect. If I'd known it was a collection of Townsend’s articles written for Sainsbury's magazine, I would probably not have been that keen on reading it, as I normally don't like short stories or columns too much.

But this was a pleasant surprise! Almost all of the columns are very humorous, the stories recognizable and very well written. They have no common subject; she just writes whatever happens to be in her mind (or so it seems). An extremely accomplished and witty writer indeed, she makes you laugh in one article and cry in the next. Special advantage: I could read a few at the time in between other books. It did not upset my reading schedule because of other commitments at all.

Will be sent to icila next week, as she has asked me "not to hurry" doing so. It seems she has several ringbooks to finish, that where all in her mailbox when she returned after having been out of the country for one month. Hope that’s okay.

Thanks for sharing.

Journal Entry 15 by bestfriends at on Tuesday, February 6, 2007

Released 17 yrs ago (2/6/2007 UTC) at

WILD RELEASE NOTES:

RELEASE NOTES:

ringbook sent to icila. Enjoy!

Journal Entry 16 by wingIcilawing from Nantes, Pays de la Loire France on Wednesday, February 7, 2007
Received today. Good timing to read it soon.
Thank you.

Journal Entry 17 by wingIcilawing from Nantes, Pays de la Loire France on Wednesday, February 21, 2007
I really enjoyed this book. The author's humour fit me well.

I don't know Sue Towsend's novels but I look forwards to read them.

RockDg9 is Pmed.

Journal Entry 18 by RockDg9 from Toowoomba, Queensland Australia on Saturday, March 24, 2007
Arrived!

Journal Entry 19 by RockDg9 from Toowoomba, Queensland Australia on Saturday, March 31, 2007
Sorry Sue, I prefered you as an adolescent brat!

Seriously, this hit WAY off the mark ... didn't find any part of it funny in the slightest (be it noted, I didn't actually finish this). If I'd been reading her column, I would have only read three of them.

Thanks for sharing anyway boirina ... and for posting Icila.

PMing sarahbear.

Journal Entry 20 by sarahbear from St Helens, Tasmania Australia on Tuesday, April 10, 2007
I received this bookring without knowing that this was the acutal book coming. I asked to be removed from this bookring a couple of months ago! Now I see I am stuck with overseas postage. I will post it on as soon as I get an address but please be mindful of keeping lists uptodate on international rings.
I asked to be removed from the ring as I was given a copy of this book and found it absolutely hysterical. A great read from one of my all time favourite authors.

Journal Entry 21 by sarahbear from St Helens, Tasmania Australia on Thursday, April 12, 2007
Posted to prollact by surface mail.

Journal Entry 22 by prollacct from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania USA on Monday, April 23, 2007
Thanks for including me in this ray. I'll begin after I'm finished with my current book.

Journal Entry 23 by prollacct from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania USA on Thursday, May 10, 2007
I just could not enjoy this book as hard as I tried. Maybe it's the cultural and language differences but it wouldn't hold my attention even through the 3 page mini articles. I gave it a shot and now it's moving on, hopefully to someone who will enjoy it.

Journal Entry 24 by prollacct from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania USA on Friday, May 25, 2007
I dropped this off at the post office yesterday afternoon. Sorry for the delay and thanks again for including me!

Journal Entry 25 by spaceystacey from Bridgeton, New Jersey USA on Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Received in the post yesterday. Will be reading today at the beach as this is the closest book to me and I need something to read today.

07/11/07 Hilarious! Loved it. Have contacted the originator of this bookray to see if there are others interested in reading this who were not listed on the page. If not will offer in the forums for a continuing bookray.

Order of the ray:
1. Frangelle journaled
2. penelopewanders journaled
3.EmgeeNL journaled
4. solskinn journaled
5. carelaisa journaled
6. pitluv4 journaled
7. herchelle journaled as read..
8. J4Shaw Australia journaled as read
9. Vekiki UK asked to be removed from the participation list. 02/16/2009
10. Plum-Crazy journaled as read.
11. birmingham-rose
12. sunfi 01/31/2011 journaled as read
13. NMReader USA Postings

07/02/2008 Beginning another journey today as it was posted out to frangelle.




Journal Entry 26 by frangelle on Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Received today, many thanks. Will read then send on to continue it's journey!

Journal Entry 27 by frangelle on Sunday, August 31, 2008
An OK read but I didn't find it to be a real page turner. Occassionally funny but sometimes I got the impression the author is trying too hard! I do imagine it's really hard to think up random topics to write from scratch though!

Thankyou for the opportunity to read this book!

On its way to penelopewanders now, enjoy! x


Journal Entry 28 by wingpenelopewanderswing from Saint-Loup-des Vignes, Centre France on Saturday, September 20, 2008
This arrived in Switzerland today, thank you so much! Am I correct in thinking that I am at the end of the ray? I ask because I have a few rings ahead of this and if I know there's no one champing at the bit after me I can get to it during up-coming holidays...Let me know if I'm mistaken,please, and again, thanks for making this book available.

Journal Entry 29 by wingpenelopewanderswing from Saint-Loup-des Vignes, Centre France on Thursday, October 2, 2008
When I first started to read this, I was reading it as I would a novel - and was not really enjoying it. Then I realized I should read it the way I read magazines - in bits and pieces, and started enjoying this very much. I was moved by the sections about her becoming partially sighted (and couldn't help thinking of a fellow bookcrosser who is currently having major problems with his eyesight). One of my favorite bits was the piece about November - maybe because I live in the mountains and some days, like today, are just so dreary... I have the next address and will be sending this on as soon as I get my act together.
Thanks so much for making this available.

Journal Entry 30 by wingpenelopewanderswing at Bookring, .---controlled release---. Switzerland on Friday, October 3, 2008

Released 15 yrs ago (10/3/2008 UTC) at Bookring, .---controlled release---. Switzerland

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

Slowly making its way from the rainy Swiss alps (almost snowy- predicted down to 800 meters and we're at 1000m) to the lowlands. Enjoy! And thanks so much for making this book available.

Journal Entry 31 by EmgeeNL from Rotterdam, Zuid-Holland Netherlands on Saturday, October 11, 2008
I received the book and put it on the "to be read" stack

22/10 Finshed my other book, so I'm going to read this one now.

27/10 Finished reading the book yesterday. It's a nice read, I like Sue Townsennds style. I will send the book to the next one today

Journal Entry 32 by EmgeeNL at Rotterdam, Zuid-Holland Netherlands on Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Released 15 yrs ago (10/28/2008 UTC) at Rotterdam, Zuid-Holland Netherlands

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

The book is going in the mail today. Have fun reading Solskinn!

Journal Entry 33 by wolkenklang on Friday, October 31, 2008
This well-travelled book arrived in Austria today. Thanks for the ray, spaceystacey, and thanks for sending it, EmgeeNL! I'm looking forward to reading it!

Journal Entry 34 by wolkenklang on Saturday, November 22, 2008
I signed up for this bookray because spaceystacey was looking for someone who was willing to post the book from Europe to Canada, and I thought, why not, I could give it a try. Well, I am glad I did! It was exactly the right book at the right time. A great, light, most amusing read. Thanks for sharing!

Journal Entry 35 by wolkenklang at Sent To The Next Bookcrosser, Bookray -- Controlled Releases on Sunday, November 23, 2008

Released 15 yrs ago (11/24/2008 UTC) at Sent To The Next Bookcrosser, Bookray -- Controlled Releases

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

Off to Canada. Happy travels, little book!

Journal Entry 36 by carelaisa from Québec, Québec Canada on Thursday, January 8, 2009
Fianlly, I have the book in my hands!! It arrived while I was away so I wasn't able to journaled it until today when I got my mail. So, no worries, the book is here, safe and sound.

Thanks to solskinn for sending it (and for the postcard as well) and to spaceystacey for organizing this ray.

I will read asap so it can get moving again to the fellow BCers who have signed for this ray!

Journal Entry 37 by carelaisa from Québec, Québec Canada on Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Finished this morning and well, I wasn't disappointed by it! I'm happy to have had the chance to read this collection of columns written by this wonderful and funny author that I enjoy. She's funny, witty and serious when needed, depending on the subject she chose for her column. One recommendation for this book: read a "dose" of it everyday, as it's not a work of fiction and thereby it's easier to get her humour and comments on everyday's life.

The book is already in the mail to the next BCer, pitluv4. It should be there by friday of this week.

Thanks again spaceystacey for starting this ray and share this book with us!

Journal Entry 38 by pitluv4 from Toronto, Ontario Canada on Tuesday, February 3, 2009
ready to read & send off to next person in ray

Journal Entry 39 by wingherchellewing from Calgary, Alberta Canada on Wednesday, August 12, 2009
This book is finally here. I am 2/3 thru another book and then I will dig right in! Thank you!

Journal Entry 40 by wingherchellewing at Calgary, Alberta Canada on Sunday, August 30, 2009

Released 14 yrs ago (8/30/2009 UTC) at Calgary, Alberta Canada

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

I am really enjoying this book! The writer is totally out of my usual genre and it is great. Ready to contact the next in line, J4Shaw for the address in Australia

I really enjoyed this book, Sue Townsend's humour was great, now I am waiting for a response from the next in line for this book so I can send it on its merry way.

Journal Entry 41 by wingJ4Shawwing from finding my place, Somewhere -- Controlled Releases on Friday, November 27, 2009
Received this one today. I had opted out of this Bookring (I think) but thats ok, I am happy to read and send it on for it to continue its journey.

Journal Entry 42 by wingJ4Shawwing from finding my place, Somewhere -- Controlled Releases on Friday, January 8, 2010
I lost this book on Mt TBR somehow, and for that I apologise. Started reading it today and will mail it off as soon as I have finished it.
100 pages in so far (it was a long wait at the doctor's sugery, followed by an equally long wait at the physio today) so it's not far off moving on.

Journal Entry 43 by wingJ4Shawwing from finding my place, Somewhere -- Controlled Releases on Saturday, January 16, 2010
A good 'fun' read. One that I think my Mum (who isn't a reader) would enjoy greatly.
I hadn't read anything by Sue Townsend before, and this was a nice 'out' from the hardcore depressive stuff I have been reading of late.
Also, living in Australia now, I enjoyed reading something UK based.

I have PMed birmingham-rose twice, but have had no response. Will try an ISO, and see what happens.
The book is packaged and ready to move on.

Journal Entry 44 by wingJ4Shawwing at Sandringham, Victoria Australia on Sunday, January 24, 2010

Released 14 yrs ago (1/24/2010 UTC) at Sandringham, Victoria Australia

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

This is taking a slight detour before going over the pond to the UK

RELEASED AT THE BEACH, SANDRINGHAM, VICTORIA, AUSTRALIA

Journal Entry 45 by rem_YLY-774301 on Monday, January 25, 2010
A friend (J4shaw) just got me into BookCrossing and this is one of the four books she gave me to read to start me off.

Journal Entry 46 by rem_YLY-774301 at Highett, Victoria Australia on Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Released 14 yrs ago (2/9/2010 UTC) at Highett, Victoria Australia

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

Good for reading on train, tram etc as this is a collection of Sue Townsend's columns. I didn't read all but enjoyed the ones I did read.
Returned to J4shaw.

Journal Entry 47 by wingJ4Shawwing from finding my place, Somewhere -- Controlled Releases on Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Back with me

Journal Entry 48 by wingJ4Shawwing at Highett, Victoria Australia on Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Released 14 yrs ago (2/9/2010 UTC) at Highett, Victoria Australia

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

Posted off to Plum-Crazy today by surface mail

Journal Entry 49 by wingPlum-crazywing at Brighouse, West Yorkshire United Kingdom on Thursday, May 27, 2010
YHMSmileyWhat a lovely surprise......thank you so much J4Shaw, this book sounds great fun & being a middle-aged woman myself (though I'm still very young or maybe that should be immature in mind!) it will be interesting to see how much I identify with the writer

....Oh & thanks for the jasmine tea as well :o)

Journal Entry 50 by wingPlum-crazywing at Brighouse, West Yorkshire United Kingdom on Saturday, December 18, 2010
I picked this up with the intention of just dipping in & out of it between other reads or for carrying around when my current read was too big but once I started it I just sniggered my way straight through it!

My first thoughts were that I'd make a note of anything I particulary related too or found very amusing - I soon gave up on that idea as I realised that covered the majority of the book! Maybe it's an age thing (as much as I hate the idea I guess, yes I am middle-aged) or maybe this type of humour is a British thing but whatever it certainly hit the spot with me! At the moment I'm torn between sharing it & giving someone else a giggle (hopefully!)or keeping it to cheer me up when feeling down. Watch this space......

Read as part of the 2010 ULTIMATE CHALLENGE

Journal Entry 51 by wingPlum-crazywing at Brighouse, West Yorkshire United Kingdom on Tuesday, January 4, 2011
MASSIVE APOLOGIES TO ALL!!!


I was just about to RABCK this book on when I read previous JE's & I saw it's actually a bookring! I am so sorry I would never have left it so long before reading had I realised...I am usually a very good bookringer - honest! I will PM Sunfi now for an address (not bothering with birmingham-rose as she has not answered many PM's re books sent to her)

sorry, sorry, sorry......

Journal Entry 52 by wingPlum-crazywing at By Mail, Book Ring -- Controlled Releases on Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Released 13 yrs ago (1/12/2011 UTC) at By Mail, Book Ring -- Controlled Releases

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

Finally on it's way after an overlong stop in Brighouse

Released as part of the 2011 ULTIMATE CHALLENGE - themed "Creature" release for January (apparently humans count!)



Journal Entry 53 by sunfi at Dayton, Ohio USA on Sunday, January 30, 2011
Caught safely in Ohio, I'm mid way through the book I'm currently reading but hope to start this by mid Feb. Thanks again for including me and plum-crazy thanks for the great bookplates.

Journal Entry 54 by sunfi at Dayton, Ohio USA on Saturday, February 5, 2011

Released 13 yrs ago (2/5/2011 UTC) at Dayton, Ohio USA

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

I gave this one 30 pages or so and just couldn't get into it, so I've mailed it off to the next reader. It should arrive in Virginia in the next couple weeks or so. Thanks for including me and mailing this to me.

Journal Entry 55 by NMReader at Herndon, Virginia USA on Monday, February 28, 2011
My neighbor handed me the book when I returned from my weekend today. She said she had it for a couple weeks but hadn't seen me in that time

Journal Entry 56 by NMReader at Herndon, Virginia USA on Tuesday, July 12, 2011
As I am at the end of the ray, I am moving to my reserved shelf until I get caught up on other rings/rays

Journal Entry 57 by NMReader at Reston Regional Library in Reston, Virginia USA on Sunday, April 16, 2017

Released 6 yrs ago (4/16/2017 UTC) at Reston Regional Library in Reston, Virginia USA

WILD RELEASE NOTES:

Donating to the Friends of the Library for their sale

Are you sure you want to delete this item? It cannot be undone.