Celia believes that her obsessive must-do lists and daily runs will ensure optimal health and keep her life plan on track to early retirement. Unravelling the truth behind this drive opens a window to witness the effect of long-held grief on Celia’s mind and body. 

This contemporary Australian novel is relatable for women as we face a similar barrage of issues and expectations, many of which become internalized.

After a jittery start with a somewhat hectic amount of list boxes, the story unfolds with warmth and humour which builds along with the characters to convey a hopeful path forward.

I found myself skimming over Celia’s ‘to-do’s but don’t let that stop you from reading this relevant and sensitively crafted novel.

She is also a kind-hearted, thoughtful, loving, supportive, but very controlling partner, friend, worker and family member.

We gradually see her deep seated fears and insecurities. Health issues make her realise she must change her lifestyle.

This valuable book demonstrates how stressful a “perfect, successful “ life can be, and shows us numerous solutions and ways to seek help.

I was quite expecting it to be a ‘Bridget Jones’-type story but it definitely wasn’t!

I’m not a list-maker so to ‘live’ through someone else’s life through the lists they make was quite an eye opener. Making lists seems to make life feel quite regimented and doesn’t allow too much for spontaneity and it’s very interesting to see how we deal with things when the wheels start falling off–which often times is inevitable.

Celia (and her husband Jess) are both likeable characters and I felt invested in how their life was turning out throughout the book.

Definitely a book I would recommend!

Thank you @fremantlepress and Good Reading magazine for the opportunity to read and review this book.

The format of the novel is diary style, and you know you were told to never read someones personal notes, well in this case you can, but this style of writing really creates an intimacy between author/reader. I really valued this reading bond. 

The storyline delves through ups and downs, highs and lows and throughout this reading journey it’s refreshingly sweet, joyful, funny with empathetic and highly relatable moments. 

On a side note – I always enjoy reading a book by an Australian author that contains Australian references within the content, adds to the realism and beautiful writing by the author.

This book is endearing, comforting, delightful, real and moving – there are take home moments and thoughts to process making this read such a pleasure – this book has so much to give. 

This book is quite easy to read, though the lists were long and I lost focus here and there. I haven’t read any books by Emma Young before and am now inspired to see what else she has published. I definitely like the intensity and drama. Inspiring read!

So, I could relate to Celia Stone. Well, to some of Celia. Celia has other issues, which gradually reveal themselves during this highly entertaining story. 

The novel looks at several key issues of our time, such as the nature of a good life, the value of friendship, love and family, and how the pressure of modern life seeps into our consciousness even when we believe we are doing the exact opposite. 

The novel, written in the form of a diary, is set in 2019. Over the year, Celia’s diary entries, which are self-deprecating to the point of hilarious realism, reveal her battles with her situation, and mostly with herself. 

The writing flows, and draws you in, with references to many pop psychology and self-help books that will be familiar to many. It is also laugh out loud funny at times. I loved her voice on the page.