I picked this copy up at a bootfair. It's the edition brought out after the film, and has some photos from the film (sorry, guys, MOVIE) in the middle.

This one is going to continue on the proposed route of the bookray started by Lucycat since that one seems to have stopped travelling.
Looking forward to reading it and making further comments. I've seen the film, so want to know how the book compares. I've never yet seen a film based on a diary that can do the job as well as the book. Well, we'll see :-)

From the back cover:

'A dazzling urban satire of modern human relations?
An ironic, tragic insight into the demise of the nuclear family?
Or the confused ramblings of a pissed thirty-something?'

Absolutely brilliant. My original copy of this is in well-loved tatters from being lent out and enjoyed so many times, so when I spotted this on a charity-shop trawl on Saturday morning with my little sis, I couldn't resist picking it up for a ray.

In a diary format, it makes a delightfully light and quick read, and I still find new bits to giggle at every time...it's all so regrettably familiar. ;O)

Here's a nice taster that doesn't give anything away...

Wednesday 22 February

9st, alcohol units 2, cigarettes 19, fat units 8 (unexpectedly repulsive notion: never before faced reality of lard splurging from bottom and thighs under skin. Must revert to calorie counting tomorrow).

Tom was completely right. I have been so preoccupied with Mum and Dad, and so tired from taking Dad's distraught phone calls, I have hardly been noticing Daniel at all: with the miraculous result that he has been all over me. I made a complete arse of myself today, though. I got in the lift to go out for a sandwich and found Daniel in there with Simon from Marketing, talking about footballers being arrested for throwing matches. 'Have you heard about this, Bridget?' asked Daniel.
'Oh yes,' I lied, groping for an opinion. 'Actually, I think it's all rather petty. I know it's a thuggish way to behave, but as long as they didn't actually set light to anyone I don't see what all the fuss is about.'
Simon looked at me as though I was mad and Daniel stared for a moment and then burst out laughing. He just laughed and laughed till he and Simon got out and then turned back and said, 'Marry me,' as the doors closed between us. Hmmmm.'

As always, if you'd like to join this ray at any time, just PM me or drop me a line through my homepage and I'll add you in to the travelling order.

Current reader is in the pink:

Kalipriestess - US

Thanks again so much to Linda for offering her copy to continue the ray after my original copy got 'stuck'...your kindness is surpassed only by your beauty! :O)


Update 18th May 04

This one seems to have ground to a halt again, so as lovely Jenvince found a copy at a charity shop the other day, she has very kindly offered to continue the ray with her copy which can be found here.

Third time's a charm! ;O)

I needed this book!
I've been reading Cat's Eye by Margaret Atwood, which although a good read, was magnifying my despondent mood at the time. Bridget Jones gave me just the lift I needed.
Sometimes, just rarely, I find myself transported back to my younger days, and I get the feeling of just what it's like to be young and single. Reading this book was one of those times.
Different from the film, of course, and much more detailed. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
Off to Tyressia next :-)
Update: posted 14th August airmail.

I received the book in the mail first thing this morning (thanks loopy1!). I'm very eager to read it, as I haven't seen the movie yet, so I have no idea what to expect. :) I'll journal again once I've finished reading it, and then it'll be on its way to LaurieS.

Not having seen the movie, I had no idea what to expect, and I was pleasantly surprised to find myself lost in a funny, and often all too realistic book. Bridget's trials and tribulations were refreshing to read - and the diary format gave me a deeper understanding of Bridget's motivations and inner thoughts.

Light, fast paced, and amusing - this was a great way to spend a few hours.

Released on Wednesday, September 24, 2003 at Post Office in Ottawa, Ontario Canada.

Book is on its way to LaurieS - enjoy! :)

Bridget arrived today. Alas, I'm in over my head with book commitments and have roughly 6 ahead of this one. I'll get to it as soon as I can. Loopy1, if you'd like me to send this along to someone else (and bump me back to the end because I do want to read it) please PM me. Thanks!

**Update 11/30/03** I'm so very sorry for holding on to this book for so long. I've been working like a madwoman to get thru my ring books and just logged in to check on the status of this book and realized I've had possession of it for two months! I apologize and will get started tonight.

**Update 12/7/03** I'm 30 pages away from the end and am thoroughly enjoying every page. I'll write a new journal entry tomorrow with my thoughts.

I’ve been having a difficult time of late finding a book that holds and, more importantly, keeps my attention for any length of time. Am I jaded? Too easily bored? Tempted too easily by the lure of the tv? Probably. Having already seen the movie based upon this novel I knew what I was getting into when I turned the first page. A very funny, somewhat jaded, slightly over-the-top look at the modern girls’ search for love. I figured I’d turn a few pages before becoming bored or distracted but was surprised when I quickly polished off 70 pages before nodding away to dreamland (from exhaustion not boredom). I found Bridget’s lack of control when it came to nearly everything quite amusing and her constant (but never overwhelming) remorse realistic. She keeps on plugging away despite her setbacks and always maintains a wicked sense of snark that you’ve gotta love. Yeah, she’s more than a little self-absorbed but I still loved her.

Some fave bits:

When Bridget ponders the weirdness of why one must apply mascara with mouth open, making me feel not-quite-so-odd for doing the same. It’s these silly little comments on the mundane that kept me turning the pages.

Love Bridget’s daily tallying up of her vices. This one is my favorite though:
Pg. 77 9st, alcohol units 5 (disgrace: urine of Satan), cigarettes 14 (weed of Satan - will give up on birthday)

Another favorite of mine (possible because I don’t know the first thing about throwing a successful diner party) was her famous dinner party where she agonized over making the perfect. “Realize after all effort and expense have served my guests: blue soup, omelet, marmalade.”

A great read. I’m looking forward to reading the sequel someday soon. Sending off to livelywriter today.

Released on Monday, December 08, 2003 at Bookring in n/a, Bookring Controlled Releases.

Mailed off to livelywriter today.

Caught in the mail today. Thanks!

Finished reading in two days. A very light, quirky read with moments of hilarity. I love Bridget's pithy comments at the beginning of each journal entry when she mentions her weight and number of cigarettes smoked. You can truly detect the frame of mind in which each entry was written. I've not seen the movie, but I might just check it out having read the book. Thanks for sending it along.

Received yesterday. I have really been looking forward to reading this one! I've already read almost 60 pages when I just picked it up to look it over. It's very similar to the movie, but I loved the movie, so it matters not to me!