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Review ALL FALL DOWN- Simon & Schuster book review

ALL FALL DOWN- Simon & Schuster book review
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ALL FALL DOWN- Simon & Schuster book review :
3.91 out of 5 based on 31 reviews.
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ALL FALL DOWN

by Jennifer Weiner 

Allison Weiss is a typical working mother, trying to balance a business, ageing parents, a demanding daughter and a marriage. But when the website she develops becomes a huge success, she finds herself challenged to the point of being completely overwhelmed.

As she struggles to hold her life together and meet the needs of all the people around her, Allison finds that the painkillers she was prescribed for a back injury help her deal with more than just physical discomfort – they make her feel calm and get her through the increasingly hectic days. Sure, she worries that the bottles seem to empty a bit faster each week, but it’s not like she’s some Hollywood starlet partying all night. It’s not as if she has an actual problem.

Until she ends up in a world she never thought she’d experience outside of a movie theatre: rehab. And as Allison struggles to get her life back on track, she learns a few life lessons along the way.

With a sparkling comedic touch and tender, true-to-life characterisations, All Fall Down is a tale of empowerment and redemption and Jennifer Weiner’s richest, most absorbing and timely story yet.

Available as eBook or paperback from all major book retailer.

$29.99 paperback, $17.99 ebook

Published 9th July 2014

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  • Opened the book and it got me hooked straight away

    A mother is addicted to pain pills and she is trying to leave a normal life while hiding her secret around everyone. It gets you as soon as you open the book

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  • All Fall Down is a great read

    Loved this book like all the others by Jennifer Weiner. Honest, witty, and very believable, this is a must read for any Mum who struggles in this complicated and challenging time! I could not put it down and was eager to see the outcome of this clever, highly strung person with an extremely highly strung daughter who delivers some classic lines for a 6 year old!!! As Molly Meldrum would say “Do yourself a favour” and read this book!!!!

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  • Great reading

    I’ve just started to read books, this book got me from the start and the story was great it had me to the end of the book thanx for a great read

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  • Relatable and enjoyable book

    I’m a few days into reading and I’m really finding it hard to put down. So far very relatable as a mother trying to do and be everything for their family…

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  • We can all relate

    I think we as mums can all relate to this book. A woman who is trying to juggle everything, life work, family, relationships, pressures of the daily life. We too often push through on our own trying to do it all to be seen as the super hero!
    Reminded me a bit of the tv show Nurse Jackie how she is addicted to pain killers and yet seems to be able to do a lot of things although juggling the lies gets harder and harder.

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  • All Fall Down - Very relatable to all mums, how a busy lifestyle can overtake you.

    I thought this book was very telling. Most mums can relate to a busy lifestyle, although I’m sure most would not resort to drugs to keep going. I can totally understand why she felt the need to keep herself propped up to get through her days. I know I can feel very down when I do everything and no one seems to care. Certainly a food for thought book. It was very easy to read and I enjoyed it throughout.

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  • Half way through...

    Still really enjoying this book, I’m finding myself wishing for the fairy-tale ending but the more I read the more desperate the main character seems to be getting….it really brings to life the struggle of marriage and family life.

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  • A very touching beautiful story

    This book is a very touching story. Growing up with back ground similar made it more real and touching. Recommend for others to read.

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  • not a bad book

    well i did enjoy reading All Fall Down by Simon & Schuster book it did take a while to get into the book but no i was a very very good book. it had me at the end and now im goimg to go out and but more books from Simon & Schuster thank you for bring out a great book Simon & Schuster

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  • Great story that is alarming close to heart

    A book that shows it isn’t all pretty dress ups and play dates. To show the down spiral that some mothers lives can turn to and the powerful reminder that we are not super woman is powerful and terrifying. The book definitely has my attention, i can’t wait to finish reading it.

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  • Good read

    This is quite an enjoyable and a thought provoking book. It deals with Allison and her pain prescription addiction. Jennifer Weiner writes in such a manner that you become immersed in the story and you really care about the characters and what happens to them. Very good read That I enjoyed.

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  • Book for thought

    Different to the usual sci FI that I read. I found this interesting though. Quite thought provoking reading about Allisons pain tablet addiction and her realization of the fact. Reading this book you can’t help but become immersed in her story and care for the character. Overall a very good read.

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  • A pretty good read

    This was a really good read as with all by this author. It took me about 2 weeks to read so I wasn’t hooked on it but I did enjoy it. As has my Mum since she has read it. Mouths of Mums always has really great ideas for me to read by what is up for reviews, it really encourages me to read
    Love the variety of reviews on mouths of mums. It helps us busy mums make easy decisions about absolutely everything. Thank you. Enjoyed it and would recommend to other mums. I read this one while I was having my girl!

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  • We can all relate

    I think we as mums can all relate to this book. A woman who is trying to juggle everything, life work, family, relationships, pressures of the daily life. We too often push through on our own trying to do it all to be seen as the super hero!
    Reminded me a bit of the tv show Nurse Jackie how she is addicted to pain killers and yet seems to be able to do a lot of things although juggling the lies gets harder and harder.

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  • Down!

    I went for this book-‘All Fall Down’ by Jennifer Weiner after reading the mixed reviews by Mom’s community members on this site. It is a book about something serious; the awful addiction to horrible painkillers. A book that can possibly make you feel a little ‘down’ due to the topic.

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  • Great read

    This book was good, it took a while to get in to the story for me, but I found I need long periods of time to read it and I just did not get that until night when my boys where in bed. The story was great and enjoyed it. I would recommend it to other people just not mums who have not a long time to read in one go.

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  • Worth the read

    I found this book really interesting. Being a working mother myself, it was scary at how easily Alison became addicted to pain medication. I found the book to be realistic and a lot of the situations I thought, WOW that could be me. I enjoyed the part when she was in rehab, although that was sad as it bought home how bad it is for some people. Overall worth the read.

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  • Not my cup of tea

    I found All Fall Down a bit negative for my liking and very dramatic, While it highlighted how easy it is to become addicted to painkillers, I thought the story was quite dark and depressing. I much prefer books about uplifting events and as a positive escape rather than spiralling down someones inner demons into the world of addiction.

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  • not a bad book

    well i did enjoy reading All Fall Down by Simon & Schuster book it did take a while to get into the book but no i was a very very good book. it had me at the end and now im goimg to go out and but more books from Simon & Schuster thank you for bring out a great book Simon & Schuster

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  • great

    was a great read, i dont normally read books but was intrigued by this particular one. it gave me something to relate to although i am not working yet i am excited but anxious for when i finally am. i would read this book again one day maybe after i get a job to see how much of it i still relate to

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  • I found this book difficult to get into!!

    This book really didn’t capture my attention from the beginning and I found that it was too negative for me. I prefer books that are far more uplifting than this. While it addresses how easy it is to become addicted to painkillers and the problems that life throws at you, it just wasn’t my cup of tea!!

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  • All Fall Down is a great read

    Loved this book like all the others by Jennifer Weiner. Honest, witty, and very believable, this is a must read for any Mum who struggles in this complicated and challenging time! I could not put it down and was eager to see the outcome of this clever, highly strung person with an extremely highly strung daughter who delivers some classic lines for a 6 year old!!! As Molly Meldrum would say “Do yourself a favour” and read this book!!!!

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    book?
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    this book to other
    Mums?
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  • Hmmm...

    I am struggling to read this book – I don’t think I’m halfway through yet. I can’t relate to the main character. I find her quite obnoxious actually. I just don’t want to read on. The writing style itself if great, and I would read another book from this author but all in all, I don’t know if I actually will finish the book.

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  • Entertaining Reading on a Serious Topic

    All Fall Down is something that could easily happen to anyone and it shows how easy a person’s life could spiral out of control. The novel was a bit slow at the beginning and seemed to drag on a bit but then improved and I enjoyed reading Jennifer Weiner’s humorous view on a serious topic. It was also a real eye-opener to be given an insight into this topic from an addict’s perspective.

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  • All Fall Down - Very relatable to all mums, how a busy lifestyle can overtake you.

    I thought this book was very telling. Most mums can relate to a busy lifestyle, although I’m sure most would not resort to drugs to keep going. I can totally understand why she felt the need to keep herself propped up to get through her days. I know I can feel very down when I do everything and no one seems to care. Certainly a food for thought book. It was very easy to read and I enjoyed it throughout.

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  • Still trying to get into it and finish it :(

    Am really struggling to get into this book at the moment. Unsure why but not enjoying it at all.

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  • It could be anyone

    At first I got into this book but the more I read it the more I disliked Alison. I found her not taking responsibility for her actions but then again she is a addicted so it is normal behavior.. It’s a trait I do not like in people. It is well written and would consider reading the author again

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  • Finished the book and it lived up to expectations

    I have now finished this book (took me a little longer than expected with children interruptions), and it did live up to my first impressions. I am usually a reader of Spy & Mystery Novels with twists and turns but found this book to be intriguing enough that it kept my interest to the end. This book has not converted me from my love of Spy and Mystery novels but it has intrigued me enough to consider reading another of her books if the reviews are positive. :)

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  • An intriguing read right from the start

    I found it refreshing to read from a first hand point of view, the darker side of prescription pill addiction. Its something that we don’t really hear about but something that I am now sure affects lots of people, people that you would never expect. People who don’t “look” like drug addicts. I was sucked into Allison’s hectic life and could see how easily she spiralled from controlling it all to needing her crux to get her through. Well worth a read, different to the books I usually read.

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  • Realistic reading material

    Personally I’m into light hearted reading material but I found it was well written.Would read another book from the author.

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Article Buon Appetito! A Busy Mum’s Guide To Memorable, Simple Summer Entertaining

Buon Appetito! A Busy Mum’s Guide To Memorable, Simple Summer Entertaining

I fondly remember slow, summer afternoons with family and friends gathered around a table of delicious finger-food during my childhood – the adults chatting and laughing, the kids pretending they understood the jokes. My parents had continued their Mediterranean traditions long after settling in Australia – and the simple joy of an effortlessly elegant gathering was one of my favourites.

What I don’t remember is my parents ever being stressed about the gatherings. It all just seemed to ‘come together’. Ah, how times have changed!

There’s something about the Italian style of entertaining that’s still so alluring in our fast-paced family lives. The idea of La Dolce Vita: a sweet life surrounded by family, friends, food and minimal fuss. Which is why we’ve enlisted the help of the entertaining experts at Sandhurst to share easy tips for elegant, memorable summer get-togethers.

We also asked our community of mums to share their tried and true, easy summer entertaining ideas, and we can’t wait to share them with you!

Euro-Inspired Entertaining

Sandhurst

Before we dive into the delicious world of sumptuous, simple summer entertaining, it helps to know a little about the inspiration behind our guide. And that’s the concept of Italian entertaining – where time is taken to lovingly grow ingredients, before enjoying them with those you love.

Established in 1988, Sandhurst was born from the time-honoured traditions of generations of the family behind the brand – a proud Italian Australian family passionate about quality produce sourced from world’s best growers.

At the helm of Sandhurst are brothers Mimmo and Ray Lubrano, who live and breathe the impeccable ingredients that become the centrepiece of so many gatherings in Australian family homes.

“Tradition is what we stand for. We’re custodians of Italian values,” explained Mimmo. “When we go to Italy we see it in our grandparents, our parents came from Italy in the 50s. The tradition is a set of values: honesty, teamwork, participation, family – all the things you would associate with Italian family are the values.”

And it’s these beautiful values that make summer gatherings in Australia an extension of the European table.

Easy Summer Entertaining Starts With … Time Saving Secrets!

Sandhurst

A sweet summer of entertaining doesn’t need to be stressful. In fact, it shouldn’t be. It’s a chance to spend time with loved ones. To press pause on life and make memories. And it can be simple! So here are some really easy tips for making your home the place where everyone wants to gather this summer.

Create An Entertaining Kit

Whether it’s pre-planned or you’ve had friends or family drop-in, having a few things ready to go immediately melts away any stress. Here are some things to include in a summer entertaining kit:

  • A red table cloth: It instantly says festive!
  • Some platters and serving dishes
  • Candles
  • Some quality antipasto ingredients that simply need to be decanted and enjoyed!

Many Hands Make Light Work

As mums, we tend to be our own worst enemy when it comes to delegating tasks. But remember, a summer of entertaining is about creating memories – not perfection. So let the kids help, and accept offers from your guests who’d like to bring something along to share.

“It can be overwhelming, so just delegate, and prepare. I do one dish prep per day and pop them in the freezer. Then they just need to be heated up. Let the kids do the decorating for you – plus keeps them busy!” – MoM Member Kirsty

Decorate With Happiness

There’s no need to pull out your finest crystal to pull off an elegant get together. Take a look around your home and garden to see what will bring your table to life. A bowl of lemons is a gorgeous addition, as is a bunch of gum leaves. Keep it simple and understated.

Sandhurst

Finger Food For The Win

Nothing says simple summer elegance more than a charcuterie board (or three!). When my friends and our families get together, it’s our go-to – every family is asked to ‘bring a board’. Some do savoury and some sweet, so we’re covered for a long afternoon of catching up.

“Food wise, I keep it simple by doing cold deli meats, cheeses, fresh fruits and veggies.” – MoM Member

But just because boards are easy to put together, doesn’t mean they can’t ooze elegance. And that comes down to including quality ingredients. Choosing Sandhurst products is the easiest way to guarantee the highest quality ends up on your table. We love the premise behind the brand: from our family to yours – it invokes that nostalgic feeling of shared stories, history, gatherings and family.

How To Put Together A Charcuterie Board 

Sandhurst article image

There are no right or wrong ways to create a charcuterie board, but to ensure a balance of textures and flavours try to include:

La Dolce Vita!

A summer of sophisticated entertaining doesn’t have to be hours and hours of work. We don’t want it to be! By grabbing some beautiful ingredients to fill your pantry next time you’re shopping, you’ll know that at a moment’s notice you’ll have everything you need for a Euro-inspired gathering. No fuss, but plenty of substance and style!

Sandhurst

Ready to host your own summer gathering? Choose Sandhurst’s quality produce and look for the red lid.

Mouths of Mums is proudly working with Sandhurst to bring you this article.

We may get commissions for purchases made using links in this post. Learn more.

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  • Great ideas for entertaining guests and love that brand I buy it all the time

    Reply

  • i buy this for family they love the brand and the taste of sandhurst and the different flavors and range to choose from and i find it great value for money, i re-use the jars when im done with for small items in the house.

    Reply

  • I have been a purchaser of Sandhurst goods ever since they first appeared on supermarket shelves and still buy it to this day. The Sandhurst brand is the best without a doubt. This year I have not been able to find the Sandhurst cheese stuffed baby capsicums anywhere. I have tried to get on the Sandhurst site, but no luck with what they make. Help – these are such a wonderful addition to a salad.

    Reply

  • Fantastic Article

    Reply

  • I Love a good charcuterie board. I Love all the different options all on the one board. I love to do a chocolate board when we have guests over, it’s a fun way to do dessert after dinner. The kids love seeing everything layed out so they can pick and choose.

    Reply

  • This is great for the grandchildren they love them as they use them as finger food and make up their own meal and use plenty of ingredients including meat and cheese on the dips and crackers. We keep it simple with the Sandhurst’s products as it is a meal in every jar and the kids love them.

    Reply

  • This looks like the perfect relaxed way to have a picnic! I am loving the idea of this! Just bring along lots of fillings and plenty of cheeses and breads and of course a little alcohol and you’re all set. This sounds like the perfect way to catch up with friends!

    Reply

  • I hate being taken to a third party page to enter comps.

    Reply

  • Certainly most welcome for summer, and would be wonderful for the festive season. I can see this platter on the table Christmas Eve, when we get together with our neighbours.

    Reply

  • Love the look of the olive on creamy fetta

    Reply

  • This is timely and helpful, thanks – I aspire to entertain more and tips to make it less stressful are very welcome.

    Reply

  • Charcuterie boards are the absolute best! We do these so often in the warmer months because there’s something for the whole family. People pick and choose what they like and there’s no complaints because there’s so many different options to choose from, everyone is happy. It’s such a simple stressful way to make dinner.

    Reply

  • I absolutely adore finger food and this style of feeding people when we have family and friends at our home; or when we go out for a picnic, bbq or get together. These types of food are so easy to source and to buy and to prepare and to happily eat.

    • Yes I agree, finger foods are easy and yummie ! And you can assemble a healthy enough plate (certainly when you add salads, cheeses, nuts, fruits, boiled eggs, olives and rustic breads) that it can certainly can replace a meal (either lunch or dinner). Everyone happy and no hours of preparation in the kitchen :)

      • Also; the other bonus is less mess to clean up when cutlery is not needed. Finger food is the best for laid back and relaxed get togethers. There is always such a clam and relaxed feel to a finger food meal without the need for any fancy and stuffy table settings.

    Reply

  • The simplest way to entertain.

    Reply

  • I love the looks of different finger foods. I don’t think it is hard to put something together and I had many afternoons hanging out with many mums and all the children at the Cul the sac we then lived. At times I had 8 mums coming with over 40 kids. Many sweet memories indeed

    Reply

  • Love the visuals of the chatcuterie board

    Reply

  • Looking forward to summer catch ups! Its always the best time to just chill

    Reply

  • I love the go to guide for how to arrange a board! Mine never look aesthetic so I am going to try this!

    Reply

  • Charcuterie Boards and Antipasto boards are so good. I love them, i love the variety of foods you can put on them and they are so great for entertaining and enjoying with family or friends. It is something i like to make whenever i have friends over as you can enjoy and pick away while you are catching up. Great entertaining option.

    Reply

  • I absolutely adore an antipasto spread. There’s nothing better than having a colourful plate of charcuterie and antipasto shared with loved ones. I grew up with my Mum making the most lush, long table of nibblies on celebrations and it’s something that my siblings and I carry on today. It brings us all together.

    Reply
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