Quotes from Sophie Kinsella

Yes!" I perk up. "Actually, I was wondering, do the mothers have lots of coffee mornings, parties, that kind of thing?" Erica shoots me an odd look. "I meant socialization of the children." "Right." I clear my throat. "The children. Of course.

A break from what? Until that moment we'd been fine. So clearly what he needed a break from was the risk of hearing the word "marriage" again.

What is it about shoes? I mean, I like most kind of clothes, but a fabulous pair of shoes can just reduce me to jelly. Sometimes, when no-one else is at home, I open my wardrobe and just stare at all my pairs of shoes, like some mad collector. And once I lined them all up on my bed and took a photograph of them. Which might seem a bit weird, but I thought, I've got loads of photos of people I don't really like, so why not take one of something I love?

It's just, there's something compelling about very beautiful people. Especially strong-jawed men with stubble and intense eyes. You fall under their spell and believe anything they say.

Buy calmly and with meaning.

People move on. Friendship end.

You can Cut Back or you can Make More Money

If I ran the country there'd be courses in things that you'd actually use your whole life. Like: How to do eyeliner. How to fill in a tax return. What to do when your loo blocks and your dad isn't answering the phone and you're about to have a party.

I think I've finally worked out how to feel good about life. Every time you see someone's bright-and-shiny, remember: They have their own crappy truths too. Of course they do. And every time you see your own crappy truth and feel despair and think, Is this my life, remember: It's not. Everyone's got a bright-and-shiny, even if it's hard to find sometimes.

Hören Sie genau zu, ich werde es nur einmal sagen. - Mit Grabestimme flüstere ich ins Telefon. - Ich organisiere eine Überraschungsparty für Lukes Geburtstag. Die Sache ist streng geheim, und Sie sind der siebte Mensch auf der Welt, der davon erfährt. Fast möchte ich hinzufügen: `Und jetzt muss ich Sie erschießen.´

Family bloody first.

This party is also very much not "norm-Christmas." There's a photo booth in the corner, and black and white balloons reading Naughty and Nice float everywhere.

The idea of Kai and Luke sitting at a table discussing his pecs nearly made me snort out my coconut water.

I've lost it. The only thing in the world I wasn't supposed to lose. My engagement ring. To say this is a special ring is an understatement.

I bet Obama had a great one prepared," says Seb. "I almost wish we'd been invaded by Martians, just so I could have heard it.

anesthetic, darling," interjects Mum. "Or a nice cesarean!

What is it about shoes? I mean, I like most kinds of clothes, but a good pair of shoes can just reduce me to jelly. Sometimes, when Suze isn't at home, I open my wardrobe and just stare at all my pairs of shoes, like some mad collector. And once I lined them all up on my bed and took a photograph of them. Which might seem a bit weird—but I thought, I've got loads of photos of people I don't really like, so why not take one of something I really love?

But I was afraid you might blab.

On impulse, I go round the small clearing, picking up all the trash, working with a burst of energy. There isn't a rubbish bin, but I gather it together and put it next to a large rock. My life might be a mess, but I can clear a patch of land, at least.

OK. The trick is when you've said something embarrassing by mistake is not to overreact. Instead, keep your chin up and pretend nothing happened.

But they can't just "get rid" of people! Their

By seven o'clock I've thrown away one lot of burned filo cases, baked another four, topped them with strawberries, and finished with heated-up apricot jam. I've pan-fried the vegetable shreds in olive oil and garlic till they're soft. I've blanched my French beans. I've put the sea bream in the oven. I've also taken more than a few sips of vermouth meant for the coulis, but that's neither here nor there

And I can't sigh or roll my eyes or exclaim, "I'm so stressed!" because they, I now realize, are things you do when you're not really worried. When you're really worried, you go silent and pick at your fingernails and forget to put your lipstick on.

a whole group of tech whizzes are