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It’s hard to fully encapsulate the amazingness that is Bridget Jones’s Diary. Helen Fielding’s book is fantastic, and the movie is even better. (Seriously, come at me). Between the most relatable female heroine ever, the objectively least-crazy-most-sensible-while-still-being-attractive leading man, and quite possibly the greatest, least graceful fight scene in movie history, 2001’s Bridget Jones’s Diary is my favorite romantic comedy film. It will never be beaten. It will never be surpassed. It is flawless.

The sequel was bitterly disappointing. Let’s not talk about it.

However, whether we like it or not, Bridget Jones is having a baby. Preliminary reviews for the new film are fairly positive, which I’m taking as a good sign. It’s being directed by the original film’s director, Sharon Maguire, who actually inspired the character for one of Bridget’s friends in the story. Amazing unicorn of fantasticness Emma Thompson helped write the screenplay. All the seeds are there for this movie to be great, so I’m cautiously optimistic!

So, what would be on Bridget’s bookshelf today? What will be on our bookshelves as consolation if the movie is crap? What will be on our bookshelves if the movie is fantastic and makes us demand more? The answers to all of these questions can be found below!

I Know What I’m Doing – and Other Lies I Tell Myself: Dispatches from a Life Under Construction, Jen Kirkman (Simon & Schuster, April 12, 2016)

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So Bridget Jones is known for her hilarity, drinking sometimes, being independent and not having everything figured out in life. The nonfiction, non-British equivalent of all of these qualities can be found in comedienne Jen Kirkman’s latest memoir. She offers wisdom on embracing your inner hot-mess and being OK with who you are, despite what the people around you might be suggesting. This book would definitely be on the newly-confident Bridget’s anti self-help bookshelf.

 

 

 

The Jane Austen Writer’s Club: Inspiration and Advice from the World’s Best-Loved Novelist, Rebecca Smith (Bloomsbury USA, September 20, 2016)

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Bridget is pretty dedicated to her diary. She loves writing, even if it sometimes gets her into trouble. It seems pretty appropriate that Bridge, a character inspired by Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice’s Elizabeth Bennet, would have a collection of writing tips from her meta-creator? Maybe – Bridget seems just as likely to love edgy, raunchy humorous novels as Austen’s buttoned-up romances. Still, this fun collection of writing pointers would be stacked right underneath her diary on her messy kitchen table.

 

 

 

Drink Like a Woman: Shake. Stir. Conquer. Repeat., Jeanette Hurt (Seal Press, October 25, 2016)

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Bridget drinks her problems away sometimes. We all do. However, Bridget has never been a Cosmo girl. Going through a bad breakup? She chooses vodka and spin class, which is the correct reaction. In keeping with her unabashed love for a stiff drink, this feminist drink cookbook would definitely be on the top of her stack. Since she’s not really one for cooking anyway, I expect her to have completely given up on all cookbooks except for this one.

 

 

 

 

 

Main image courtesy Universal Pictures, via YouTube. GIFs via GIPHY

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Genre: Fiction
Katie Hires

Katie Hires is a book lover, pop culture nerd, and graphic designer. When she's not researching Game of Thrones fan theories, she's either reading or at home making pasta.

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