Customer Reviews

Girls' Night Out

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I bought this collection of short stories to put in our guest room, when a girlfriend was coming over for the weekend. She loved it so much, she took it home with her and returned it with her next visit. I didn't love every story, but the great thing about short stories is that you don't have to. There are more than enough great reads contained within to make this a worthwhile purchase. There is a story for every woman.

Girls' Night Out is a collaboration effort from some of the biggest names in chick lit with proceeds to benefit War Child, an organization dedicated to easing the suffering of children around the world. The editors of this book have long-since had a similar effort organized in England with many British chick lit authors contributing, and this is the second effort in the American version of the series. The previous novel, Girls' Night In, was released in 2004 and included many of the same authors.

If you like chick lit, this is your chance to get samplings from many of your favorite authors in one convenient package and to help out a good cause while you're at it.

A couple of my favorite stories in the anthology are:

A Thing of Beauty by Emily Giffin

In this story, by-the-books actuary Kate stops living her ordinary life when her numerologist/manicurist Betty suggests that she needs to make some changes. On Betty's advice, Kate cuts off her long hair, breaks up with her long-time boyfriend, and quits her respectable job as an actuary. Instead, she takes a job at a flower shop, and decides to rethink her previously well-ordered life.

I thought this story was fun and lighthearted while at the same time reminding you to take stock of your life and make sure you're living it the way you want to. Kate takes a chance, and winds up with valuable experiences that she'd never have had if she'd just kept living her ordinary life without thinking there might be something more out there for her. Emily Giffin is one of my favorite authors and her books Something Borrowed, Something Blue, and Baby Proof are definitely worth checking out if you have never read her work before.

A Little Bit Broken by Sarah Mlynowski

When her husband of six month confesses to her that he's had an affair, Jessie has no idea how to react. The idea that someone she trusted and thought she knew so well could treat her so badly doesn't sit well with her and she has to make a decision about whether or not she can forgive this indiscretion.

This story is probably my favorite in the entire anthology because it resonates with truth from start to finish. It's difficult to know whether or not you can put back together something that may be irreparably broken and the fact that their marriage is so new makes it especially difficult in this story. Mlynowski is also one of the editors of the book and I'd never heard of her before I picked it up. I'll be sure to check out her work in the future.

Overall, Girls' Night Out is a great way to get a little something from some of your favorite chick lit authors who might not put out work as often as you'd like them to, and also a great way to get an introduction to some new ones. Another story I really liked was by Alisa Valdes-Rodriguez, titled The Corruption of Father Scott, and involves a television producer who is tasked with finding the sexiest Catholic priest in the country to become the next Dr. Phil. I'd never heard of Valdes-Rodriguez before but I enjoyed the story so much I went out and bought one of her books.

Girls' Night Out has got stories that range from humorous and lighthearted to somber and thought-provoking. It would definitely be perfect for your next night in.

I was actually searching for Sophie Kinsella books when this little gem popped up. Most of the stories are awesome!

LIked this book. It was a good set of short stories from many great authors.

I'm about 6 stories in and so far, it's great. I picked up both Girls Night In and Girls Night Out in hopes of finding more authors to read, and I've definitely found them! I can't wait to finish both books!

The twenty-five short stories that make up GIRLS' NIGHT OUT are for the most part entertaining chick lit tales. Most are amusing with a few outstanding especially since the plaintiff displays wit and intelligence while also emotionally moaning the woes of the universe. The author's are a who's who of the sub-genre with each writer bringing their A game. The stories run the gamut from the Internet dating to non-dating to old fashion dating. As always in the subgenre the females get their wishes granted, but the results are never what they anticipated. Though in many of the contributions the males seem underdeveloped, no one will care as the women (reflects real life) carry the story lines. This will be a fun time for readers as few sub-genres if any fit as well as chick lit does in the anthology format. Additionally besides obtaining a strong compilation, fans will know they benefit the charities War Child and From No Strings, two groups dedicated to help the children of war.

Harriet Klausner

I absolutely loved this book! I loved the premise of the short stories by fabulous authors. "Girls' Night Out" introduced me to so many new "chick-lit" authors. After reading the book I had to run out and get "Girls' Night In."

What a compilation of fantastic writers! This book is filled with stories from Meg Cabot, Cecelia Ahern, Marian Keyes, Laura Caldwell, Sarah Mlynowski and Carole Matthews, to name a few. Each story is a wonderful trip into the interesting lives of very diffent women. You will find yourself savoring each story so as not to finish the book too quickly. You will also discover new authors and new voices. A great read for the beach, the cabin, the pool or the train to work. (In other words, a great book for ANYTIME!)

A host of authors have come together to produce another anthology benefitting Operation War Child. This alone makes the book worth purchasing. Beyond that, several of the entries are truly enjoyable. Dog Lover will definitely give you more than one chuckle, while Wishing Carefully or A Thing of Beauty will give you smiles of a more profound nature. There are some stories that just won't be for you, but the few gems and the good cause combined should make this one to think about.

Amanda Killgore

When I purchased the item online I made sure I was only looking at new items to purchase, therefore extremely disappointed when the item arrived - second hand with inscriptions "To Kendall" etc, my name is not Kendall and I expected the item to be new as advertised! Will be very reluctant to purchase through Amazon ever again.