Girls Night In by Various

(592 pages)



An unparalleled collection of stories especially written by today's best young female writers, to be published in aid of War Child, the charity dedicated to alleviating the suffering of children affected by war. Top authors Jessica Adams, Fiona Walker and Chris Manby have asked some of today's bestselling young women writers to contribute stories to an anthology to be published in aid of War Child. Just a few of the contributors are Candace Bushnell (Sex in the City), Jane Green, Lisa Jewell (Ralph's Party), Wendy Holden (Simply Divine), Isabel Wolff, Marian Keyes, Freya North, Fiona Walker, Cathy Kelly, Patricia Scanlan, Clare Naylor, Josie Lloyd and Jenny Colgan. All profits from the publication will go directly to War Child.

This is a collection of short Stories, so I will rate each one individually.I did read all these stories, but couldn't find that musch to say about most of them, so I apologise if there ismt much of an entry for all the individual ones. (I also didn't have the patience to make notes on all 31!!!!!)

1. In and Out By Freya North - 6 out of 10 A very odd little tale, not quite sure if there was a point to it though!
2. Dougie, Spoons and the Aquarium Solarium By Jenny Colgan - 8 out of 10 Typical Jenny Colgan style, teaching us that appearances can be deceiving!
3. The Power of Two By Fiona Walker - 7 out of 10 Shows why fame isnt necessarily all its cracked up to be (but then again ...)
4. The Truth is Out There By Marian Keyes - 10 out of 10 It is strange how strength and comfort can be found in the strangest of places, like an invisible, psychic, 6 legged, yellow alien called "Ozymandmandyprandialsink" (just call him 'Bib'!) A lovely heartwarming, cute and sensitive story in typical Keyes style!
5. Rudy By Lisa Jewell - 8 out of 10 A lovely story, showing the strange intricacies of a single mans mind!
6. A Swimmer's Tale By Stella Duffy - 6 out of 10 I don't know why, but I didn't relly get along with this one :o(
7. Post Haste By Isabel Wolff - 8 out of 10 There are only two things to say about this 1) OOOOOPS and 2)Never post a letter when you are in a really bad mood! Read this story and you will understand :o)
8. Cassandra By Cathy Kelly - 7 out of 10 An entertaining story teaching about so called 'friends'
9. Access All Areas By Jane Owen - 8 out of 10 Reminded me of Bridget Jones!
10. The E-Male of the Species By Wendy Holden- 7 out of 10 Oh! the joys of eMail & men ! Lol!
11. Love on the Underground By Jessica Adams - 8 out of 10
12. Fairweather Friend By Patricia Scanlan - 7 out of 10
13. Something Different By Clare Naylor - 9 out of 10
14. The Itch By Polly Samson - 7 out of 10
15. Morro By Alecia McKenzie - 8 out of 10
16. FlungBy Adele Parks - 9 out of 10
17. Pull Me in the Pullman Carriage By Helen Lederer - 9 out of 10 I absolutely love Helen Lederer, she cracks me up & this was no exception!
18. The Plain Truth By Claire Calman - 7 out of 10
19. Mr Charisma By Yasmin Boland - 7 out of 10
20. The Sun, the Moon and the Stars By Pauline McLynn - 8 out of 10
21. The Shell of Venus By Victoria Routledge - 9 out of 10
22. Man with a Tan By Anna Maxted - 9 out of 10
23. Storm Clouds By Seila O'Flannagan - 7 out of 10
24. Caravan By Rosalyn Chissick - 8 out of 10
25. The Seven Steps from Shag to Spouse By Tiffanie Darke - 8 out of 10
26. Lip Service By Karen Moline - 8 out of 10
27. Saving Amsterdam By Chris Manby - 9 out of 10
28. A Form of Release By Daisy Waugh - 7 out of 10
29. Hurrah for the Hols By Helen Simpson - 7 out of 10
30. No Worries By Sarah Ingham - 8 out of 10
31. Re: The World By Amy Jenkins - 8 out of 10 This is a really sad story, left me with a heavy heart. Perhaps being beautiful isnt the most important thing in the world!

WOW! Thats a lot of short stories!
My favourite was definitely Bib the alien created by the wonderful Marian Keyes!