To describe a book as being both funny and poignant is getting to be something of a cliche, nevertheless, it is probably the best three word description of Giving Up on Ordinary. Whether the three word description "laugh out loud" also applies will depend on the sense of humour of the individual reader. It certainly raised a smile for me. ( )

Waylaid by life, Megs has settled for cleaning people's houses while handling her three children and singing part-time at the club. Gifted storyteller Isla Dewar brings to life a tale of a woman who was lost and slowly finds herself and her future. Characters are fully developed and missed when you finish this book. ( )

Giving up on Ordinary is anything but ordinary. It is a true to life tale of a 40-year-old woman coping with life. She is a single mother who lost a son in a tragic accident. Megs looks to her friend, Lorraine to help her forget her painful life. She has a job she thinks is beneath her and a dream of singing the blues. Through the twists and turns of life, Megs concludes that she is in control of her circumstances, even though it seems fate has her in a spin. I highly recommend Giving up on Ordinary for a diversion from your ordinary life. ( )