Quite by Claudia Winkleman | Book Review | #Giveaway #QuiteTheBook #LoveLifeandEyeliner

Published by HQ
Available in Ebook | Audiobook | Hardback (1 October 2020)
256 pages
Source: Copy received for review from publisher
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ABOUT THE BOOK

Funny, moving and truthful… Quite

Claudia Winkleman’s warmth, humour, no-holds-barred attitude and smoky eye have made her the favourite broadcaster of millions and a much-loved household name.

In this, her first ever book, Claudia invites us all into her world. She shares her observations on topics such as the importance of melted cheese, why black coats are vital, how it’s never okay to have sex with someone who has an opinion on your date outfit, how nurses are our most precious national treasure, and why colourful clothing is only for the under 10s (if you’re reading this sporting a bright red jumper and you’re 9, great! If you’re older, sorry).

This is a love letter to life – the real, sometimes messy kind. Quite celebrates friendship, the power of art, the highs and lows of parenting, and of course, how a good eyeliner can really save your life.

Heartfelt, wry and unmistakably Claudia, this book gets to the heart of what really matters.

MY THOUGHTS

My thanks to HQ for sending a copy of this to review, along with a miniature bottle of Baileys (I love Baileys. this didn’t last long!) and an eye liner pencil.

At the end of the post, I have a giveaway for a lovely hardback copy.

Quite isn’t a memoir, or autobiography but Claudia’s take on aspects of life in general – from dating and husbands, children, T-shirts, shoulders, egg and chips being the best meal on earth- she also talks about her love of black clothes (I’m with her on this) and bridge, and how an art teacher at school on a school visit to Venice introduced her to the power of art.

Written in a chatty, humorous way – there are 6 main headings – all preceded by ‘Quite’ – Important (to me); Big; True; Inconvenient; Bossy; and Opinionated (I Know). Included are subheadings of all manner of various subjects and her musings and observations.

It’s not a book that you have to read straight through from cover to cover (although I did) but you can dip in, as the layout makes for an easy read. There were so many sections where I was nodding furiously in agreement and just one or two where I skim read, (usually the children focussed ones – only because I don’t have any and didn’t really relate to it).

There is a chapter about Strictly in which she talks about the glitzy dresses – that need to be bought and worn instead of her beloved black. Being nosey, I would have loved a little bit of gossip but she was very discreet and restricts any narrative to generalities about the show. Nevertheless it’s still an interesting look behind the scenes.

I’ve always loved Claudia’s quirkiness, her sense of humour and the ‘genuineness’ that comes over onscreen. I very much enjoyed this – it’s fun, but written from the heart. Her self depreciating comment about the author photo at the back made for an amusing finish to a joy of a book.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Claudia Winkleman is one of the best known broadcasters in the UK, she won the RTS Award for Best Presenter in 2015, the WFTV award for Best Presenter in 2019 and has been BAFTA-nominated. Claudia currently co-hosts Strictly Come Dancing (BBC1) alongside Tess Daly and also has a Sunday night show on BBC Radio 2. Claudia also fronts the BBC1 cookery competition series Britain’s Best Home Cook alongside Mary Berry, which first aired in 2018 and will return to television screens again next year. She also regularly appears as a guest on panel shows including QI, 8 Out of 10 Cats, Big Fat Quiz of the Year and Would I Lie To You.

Claudia has previously presented four series of The Great British Sewing Bee and was the host of BBC Film. Claudia is also a trustee of Comic Relief and has fronted the live television shows for both Red Nose Day and Sport Relief, along with spin-off shows including Let’s Dance for Comic Relief/ Sport Relief and the Comic Relief Danceathon.

As part of the Strictly family, Claudia first presented Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two before joining Tess Daly on the main show in 2014. The following year she also hosted The People’s Strictly.

Claudia graduated from Cambridge University with an MA Honours in History of Art. She lives in London with her husband and three children.

Author Links:
Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads


**GIVEAWAY**

Life is a bit crap for everyone at the moment so I’m offering my hardback copy of Quite as a giveaway for someone else to enjoy. It has been read by me – just the once, but it is in excellent condition. For postage costs, entry is restricted to UK only, sorry. It won’t arrive before Christmas but I will post as soon as I can afterwards.

The winner will be selected at random via Rafflecopter from all valid entries and will be notified by Twitter and/or email. If no response is received within 7 days then I reserve the right to select an alternative winner. Open to entrants aged 18 or over in the UK.

Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties. After I have despatched the prize and receipt has been confirmed I will delete the data I hold. My Reading Corner is not responsible for delivery of the prize in the postal system.

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