The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole Aged Thirteen and Three Quarters by Sue Townsend

"Wednesday June 10th

Pandora and I are in love! It is official! She told Claire Nelson, who told Nigel, who told me. I told Nigel to tell Claire to tell Pandora that I return her love. I am over the moon with joy. I can overlook the fact that Pandora smokes five Benson and Hedges a day and has her own lighter. When you are in love such things cease to matter."

Even if you are edging towards the 20s, 30s, 40s or even 50s, you should pick this book up! It is a hilarious, bittersweet account of Adrian Mole, aged 13 3/4, going through all the trials and tribulations of a teenage life, with the added complications of his parents' marital troubles. He is in LOVE with Pandora, he is sexually frustrated, he has a high regard of his own 'intellectual' capabilities, his hillarious attempts at poetry is under appreciated and he has to battle with zits sprouting on his face. On top of that, he has to deal with his dysfunctional family. And what sets him apart from other teenage boys is that he actually keeps a diary! I couldn't stop laughing when I read this book. Of course, the story doesn't end here, you can follow Adrian's life through the years by a series of sequels starting with The Growing Pains of Adrian Mole, The True Confessions of Adrian Albert Mole, Adrian Mole from Minor to Major, Adrian Mole - The Wilderness Years and Adrian Mole - The Cappuccino Years.