My Mad Fat Diary and My Madder Fatter Diary

The first book I read this year was My Mad Fat Diary by the extremely fabulous Rae Earl. Many of you will be familiar with the TV programme and probably even more familiar with the totally lush face of Nico Mirallegro aka Finn aka Sex Wizard but did you know that this TV series is in fact based on the original diaries of a 16 year old Rae Earl.

If like me you decided to read the book AFTER watching the TV series you will soon be confronted with the issue that the characters in the TV series are not the characters in the book (although it soon becomes clear who is supposed to represent who and just takes a little bit of time to get your head around). So some basics about the book. It's a diary. It is effectively Rae violently scribbling down whatever comes to mind (with some brilliant poetry scattered about here and there). The diary covers EVERYTHING that a teenage girl will be familiar with. Physical appearance, SEX, boys, bitches and  booze. However Rae's ramblings also reveal much darker and deeper issues which she is confronted with. Having just left a psychiatric ward she is still battling with her own thoughts, OCD and depression. The second book deals more with these, alongside the traumatizing A Levels. In My Madder Fatter Diary however, we see Rae overcome her issues. She begins losing weight, she goes on a trip to Poland (which is incredible considering her anxiety).

So why did I love these two books so much? Reading them is basically the same as having a random yet secretly sensible yet hilarious best friend in the room with you. Have any of you ever felt like "I can't do it" or "noone else understands" or "I'm so alone" or "HELP"? I'm sure you have. Delving into the witty yet truthful comments of Rae helps to sort all of that, as you realise that there are others who know how it feels. And what's even better? We get to see Rae step forward out of her comfort zone and if she can do it you can too. I finished the two books feeling "you know what I can do it and it will all be okay you know". It's just great to have read something which is so relatable. Rae really opens up to her diary, and I think that is why it's so comforting in a weird sort of way. Because it is the original diary it is all written so informally, in the kind of way that we can understand every little emotion through capital letters and random punctuation. Oh and if the cuddly familiarity of it wasn't enough, Rae also makes up some completely bonkers yet hilarious words of her own, example: "Orgasmsexplode" Where do you come up with something like that from?!

 I was always told to keep a diary, I thought that was the stupidest idea I have ever heard, however since finishing these books I have started my own. You will finish the book just completely inspired to write down any little thing that comes into your head, whether it's just how crap your life is, or some cheeky conversation with a boy, or whatever you feel. Go and pick up a pen and scribble away (Only once you've picked up these diaries and given em a read though)