First of all I want to begin by saying I do rather like Alexa Chung she rocks the just out of bed effortless look like no other and was of course the muse for the now iconic Mulberry Alexa bag but her first book nope. Not at all.
Unlike many other books which I failed to become engrossed within I gave Alexa Chung's IT several chances to the point I forced myself to read it - which is easily done in around half an hour. I have flicked through the photos and tried in some way to relate to Alexa's tales of woe, heartbreak and general advice but never fully warmed to the concept. Why did I try so hard? Well it seemed to be the "IT" book with so many bloggers and magazines claiming it to be a great read. Nope. Sure the book is pretty and rammed full with photos but I am left entirely unsure to what the author was trying to achieve. I understand that in some aspects it was aimed as being a style guide (I use the term loosely) which it has in abundance to the point it clearly is style over substance. In some aspects it is terribly childish and feels like I am wading through someone's scrapbook they created throughout the early teenage angst years when you have yet to shake that I know everything mind set.
Best summed up? Empty. There is very little to this book which does shock me as I have always imagined Alexa Chung being fairly astute, well read and having more to say than the odd walk down memory lane this book provides. A style guide it is not nor is it an autobiography or a diary for that matter just a pretty, pretty book to fill a gap on your bookshelf which will seem incredibly dated in terms of content in mere months. Out of all the T4 presenters I really hope Jamila Jamil is next to produce a book not only is she stylish but she truly has something to say which I admire.
Sorry Alexa Chung this is far from IT!
You can find Alexa Chung IT via Amazon for £11.55 - link
Thank you for posting this, I was thinking of buying it but I might have a flick through in Waterstones to see if I'll actually enjoy it before committing. x
ReplyDeleteLove your honesty! It's so refreshing to hear an honest review!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.isidahorncastle.blogspot.com
I just blogged about this too but I absolutely loved reading it. I found it more of a light hearted read that allowed me a little look into the mind of a style icon I have admired for years! I also loved all the imagery too. x
ReplyDeletefashiontaxidermy.blogspot.co.uk
This was the review I read from everyone not in the beauty blogging world. Its nice to see some overlap between a beauty blogger and the book critiques. It makes me feel as though the blogging world is being less bias.
ReplyDeleteEmily | PENNY RUGBURN
Good on you for being honest enough to admit you don't love it like everyone else seems to!
ReplyDeleteAmy| The Little Koala Blog ♥ HUGE Giveaway Now on!
Very interesting review! I had a feeling this would be the case, I wouldn't expect Alexa to be a brilliant writer haha
ReplyDeletehttp://chelsealeighbeauty.blogspot.ca/
Great honest review - a lot of these fashion books are literally printing money by printing pictures! Most of mine look pretty on the book shelf but have never been opened!
ReplyDeleteJosie xoxo
Fashion Mumblr
So refreshing to read an honest review of this book. I almost bought into the hype surrounding it but decided to have a flick through the pages and felt the same as you. Perhaps it would make a nice table book to leave out for people to flick through but I didn't get much more from it than that. Perhaps she was targeting a younger market?
ReplyDeleteox
I bought this and although I love Alexa, I feel the £17 I paid was a bit of a rip off for a book with little content.
ReplyDeleteCatrinTeleri
One of my best friends loved Alex Turner and thus hated her, and in my loyalty, I have never warmed to her. That's only part of why I thought it ludicrous that she wrote a book. I was never going to pick it up, but glad to hear I'm not actually missing anything! ;)
ReplyDeleteShani x
http://shedreamsinperfectfrench.com
Interesting to hear this yet not surprising, as she is hardly a remarkable person; she doesn't 'do' anything and I never understood the hype. xo
ReplyDeletehttp://beckyalyssasbeautybox.wordpress.com
Thanks for the headsup. I've been reluctant to spend nearly £20 on such a little book I felt that being a fashion blogger I perhaps should read it but i'll give it a miss
ReplyDeleteJade
www.frolickingfashionista.co.uk
xx
Sounds disappointing, one to miss I think x
ReplyDeleteAt least you always stay true Adrienne, maybe she should have opted for a more style orientated book and put together some cool looks may have been more appealing. I would actually like to read a Caroline flack book be much better read xx
ReplyDeleteHahahahaha go on Adrienne! Glad someone told it like it was :)
ReplyDeleteDanniella x | www.famousinjapan.co.uk
Glad to hear an honest review of the book, I am really not a fan of Alexa at all so that probably makes me like your review a little more, hehe x
ReplyDeleteKat from Blushing Rose Beauty
I glanced through it in barnes and nobles and thought the same. Scrapbook is actually the word I was looking for.
ReplyDeleteI want to have that book sooo soo bad. It's just amazing only by its cover! I'm jelous of this book. Hahaha
ReplyDeleteVictoria ♥
http://victressvic.blogspot.com/
This books seemed to be hyped up by for no reason what so ever if you ask me, a little bit of a disappoint from all the reviews i've seen. Think I will be saving my money.
ReplyDeleteP.xx
GreyWalls
I respect your point of view but myself I really liked it.I was bit like reading a big child's book but it was also rather refreshing.I can still understand why that book is not for everyone
ReplyDeleteI was on the fence about buying this but am now completely put off- thank you for the review!
ReplyDeletePoppy | far away
This was a really honest, interesting review. I like Alexa's style, but I feel like she is an average pretty, well styled girl who for some reason rose to the top. She doesn't do anything in particular to deserve that attention. It doesn't surprise me that her book isn't interesting!
ReplyDeleteInteresting to hear what you said, many people seem to have just bought this book because of the hype, unsure how many of those have actually read it! I've not really had much of a desire to read it myself, but now I'm glad I don't feel lie I am missing out :)
ReplyDeleteSophie x
Agreed. I had a flick through my friend's copy as she was raving about it and had no idea what all the fuss was about. It wasn't in any way entertaining or informative... which are the only two criteria I have for a book. And just one will do! Ugh such a let down.
ReplyDeleteWas totally thinking of buying this! I won't now, thanks for the heads up xx
ReplyDeletehttp://floradorarose.blogspot.co.uk/
Never been a massive fan of AC. I think she was probably relying on her status in the fashion world for this book to be a hit. Shame, I thought she was more astute as well. Xo
ReplyDeleteTry Ines de La Fressange - Parisian Chic! I loved the book!
ReplyDeleteI love how honest you are in review, even though I really liked it (I also reviewed it:)) I definitely don't think that its a book that everyone would love, I recommended people to have a flick through it first before buying it :)
ReplyDeleteShe's Looking at the Stars
Appreciation for the honest review!
ReplyDeleteGeorgina at itotallypaused.com
So so happy to see this review (although it's negative!) Saw so many bloggers rave about this and I was beginning to cave and think there must be more to the book than I originally thought. However this review has proved what I thought to be true and I'll be skipping the purchase of this expensive book :)
ReplyDeletexx
www.erinjaine.blogspot.com
This was such a great and honest review, love your honesty!
ReplyDeleteGreetings from London,
chrissabella.blogspot.com
I was disappointed with it too, I got it as a Christmas present and I was so excited to read it, but I gave up half way through, I couldn't even finish it. I still love her though xx
ReplyDeleteAdorethee.blogspot.co.uk
Must admit this book never really appealed despite all the fuss about it - am glad i'm not missing out!
ReplyDeleteRefreshingly honest review, I do think she could have made so much more of it!
ReplyDeleteSophie
http://what-sophie-said.blogspot.co.uk/
xxx
Most honest review I've read and I agree!
ReplyDeletedaisy//daisydaisyxxo