Book giveaway: Nina is Not OK by Shappi Khorsandi. Discuss the book by 12 July for chance to win £100 Love2Shop voucher!

[SorchaMumsnet]

This month we are very excited to give you the chance to read comedian Shappi Khorsandi's first novel ahead of its publication date. Nina is Not OK is a darkly funny, sometimes shocking, coming of age novel about what it's like to be young and out of control. Fans of Caitlin Moran and Lena Dunham will laugh and cry at this brilliant insight into the perils of teenage life. To find out more and apply for a proof copy, head over to the giveaway page.

Nina does not have a drinking problem. OK, she likes a drink. But what 17-year-old doesn't? Nina's mum isn't so sure but she has her new family to look after. And Nina's almost an adult after all. But then one dark Sunday morning, even her friends can't help piece together the night before. All Nina feels is a deep sense of shame, and that somewhere along the way, all this stopped being fun...

We've got 50 copies of Nina is Not OK to give away to Mumsnetters who want to read and share their thoughts about it on this discussion thread. The giveaway closes Monday 30 May, so apply for your free copy now.

If you miss out on a free one, you can pre-order it. All who post feedback before 12 July will be entered into a prize draw to win a £100 Love2shop voucher.

This giveaway is sponsored by Ebury Press

Really enjoying Shappi's book so far and will definitely share this with my teenagers as I think they would get a lot out of it. It's poignant and funny and the relationships between the characters are well written and very believable. The relationship between Nina and her little sister is very touching. Thank you, Mumsnet, for my copy.

I really enjoyed this book. It was a hard read at times, and I struggled with the first third: I found Nina frustrating and her self destruct mode infuriating, but that was the point really, wasn't it! Her journey through rehab and owning up to the fact that she was an alcoholic was a tough read, but the humour gave it a human element that I really enjoyed.
I'm glad I persevered with this - I would definitely recommend it to friends.
I received this book from Mumsnet to review. All opinions are my own.

As a parent, this is my nightmare!

I am over halfway through the book and am hooked. I wasn't too sure at first, but kept going and now hooked. Being going to sleep a lot later than I should!! I hope Nina is ok in the end.

It is very true to the world today. It is a very dark book which I don't think I would have chosen myself, but I am going to read to the end.

As expected in a proof, I spotted a number of typos, but it didn't put me off.

I am loving this book so much! I am over halfway there and can't wait to finish it and post a review! Great read!!

Finally finished the book and couldn't put it down for the last few chapters, here's my review...

Being a nearly-but-not-quite 30 year old I didn't think I would have much to connect with in his book.
But for the first few chapters sudden and unexpected memories of my own college days wooshed back with a thump! Remembering everything, from the huge confusion and doubt of my own body and mind, to little things, like how everybody really did eat jacket potatoes, cheese and beans.

I did not have the same college life as Nina, in fact mine looks rather mundane in comparison, but what we all share at that age, regardless of life experiences, is the feeling that we are never quite getting it right. We are told to grow up, so we try to emulate the grown ups we see around us, only to be told we are acting childishly! No matter what we do, it seems to be wrong in someone's eyes, and although Nina never quite says this, her words scream out that feeling to me.

Being a Mum of one (cat) and a (hopefully) soon to be Mum, I couldn't believe the connection I felt to Nina's mother. Shappi had managed to convey the terror, confusion and general worry a mother feels without even using words from that characters lips. Just Nina's guilty reactions say it all, and probably better than any Mum feels able to express her emotions. In fact, you grow to know and love (or hate) every character as if you were listening to them talking, even though it's all in the form of Nina's thoughts. I am amazed by how much I feel I know about everyone using this style of writing and love it!

The emotional fluctuations that happen when reading this book take your breath away. One moment you are laughing with Nina and her friends, the next gasping in shock, the next crying in sympathy. I am awestruck by how much you are made to feel each little thing.

My only criticism is that the end, when it comes, comes too swiftly! I don't want to spoil the story for others so won't specify why, but your heart races through terror, sadness and joy! You don't know which emotion to feel, then two pages later it's the end!

Even saying that, this is one of the best books I have read in a long time and cannot wait to pass it on to friends to read. This would make an ideal book club read because it has something for everyone in it!

I found this book fascinating on several fronts. It is punctuated with some excellent humour and also manages to develop into an interesting and moving tale of complex family relationships. Nina is a fantastic main character. She's a likable girl with problems she isn't equipped to deal with, she's very self aware and recognises when she's acting like a brat or behaving in a self destructive manner, even if she can't stop herself.

I really enjoyed the book, albeit it was hard to read in places. It's not my usual style of novel (and I try to avoid anything too upsetting as I cry too easily!), but it was a real rollercoaster of emotions and once I got into it I enjoyed reading it.

I have finished my copy. Didnt start reading until a little while after getting it. Wished i had started it sooner. Great read. There were times when it got abit dark but still enjoyable.

This is my first book by Shappi Khorsandi.

I must admit when I first began the book, my initial thoughts were that this was not my sort of story at all and I didn’t expect to enjoy it. However, I perservered and I was very glad that I did as I soon became quite drawn into the compelling storyline and found myself rather involved with the main character and interested in what happened to her. This is a coming of age story but not like any average one – this girl seriously has problems! And while not all likeable, the characters are interesting and memorable.

It is an intense novel which is disturbing and at times hard to read, although it is punctuated with humour throughout which provides some light relief from the drama. The tension is maintained from early on and I found the story incredibly gripping. Probably best suited to young adults, I look forward to reading more from this author.

When I began reading 'Nina is not ok' I wasn't sure how far through the book I would get, I found the first chapter really uncomfortable and I think this was because I could relate to the character as I made some shockingly silly decisions as a teen and found myself in some similar dangerous situations as Nina did. Little did I know that I would end up staying up very very late to finish the whole book in one sitting, I found myself willing Nina on, wanting to comfort her and tell her that everything would be okay and that she was worth so much more than she thought of herself, I felt very motherly towards the character although in parts I felt as if I was reading a teenagers private account of their life. I found the book to be very dark and gritty and I don't really recall any of the book being funny or making me laugh, this did not spoil my enjoyment at all I was just surprised after reading the quotes on the cover.

Many thanks to Mumsnet / Ebury Press for a copy of this book. I still have a bit of a way to go to finish the book. But after a slow, somewhat disjointed, start, finally got into it - an intriguing book in the making so far. I agree with what a lot of other users have said above, so I will avoid repeating the same thing. What I will add is that the character of Nina is, at times, infuriating. Yes, she's a teenager facing complex issues which cause her many problems, and lead her to wickedly humorous scenarios, but maybe she needed someone to hold her by both arms and shake her. Sort it out, girl!
But she is starting to take on board some of life's lessons. I’m curious to see how it all pans out.

Thank you so much for my copy, it is quite a serious topic, but I really enjoyed the book. It was an easy read and I really enjoyed the main character.

Thank you for choosing me to review this book. I was really pleased to receive it as I am a fan of Shappi as a comedienne.
I did find it difficult to get into the book to start with. I suppose because it is so bitter sweet and you don't want such a young person to go through such difficult times. I am also glad I didn't have to grow up in this social media age where all your actions are captured to throw back at you.

Thank you for my free copy mumsnet - the views I express here are entirely my own. An interesting read that didn't immediately grab me - call me prudish but some of the language was not to my taste. However, once I'd got into it a few weeks later (having read another more easy-reading book in the meantime) I was hooked. I sympathised with Nina at the beginning, had a few laughs throughout, and by the end was cheering for her and her victory. I would recommend to anyone.

I nearly gave up on this book (bit past drunken antics) - but really glad I didn't - once you hit upon Nina's inner turmoil, harrowing back story it is really sad and engaging. Will be a great read for my kids (when they hit their late teens), shows them parents are not the bad guys & that asking for help is okay.

It became a compelling read which I finished in no time. A very honest, funny book which takes you on an emotional journey. Thank you very much for my copy.

I absolutely loved this book! It really tells the story of what many young adults are going through and problems that you don't think are problems until you look closely. Shappi has done a fantastic job with Nina's character as like many people have said, you can't help but care for her. She is so funny yet so naïve. At first I did feel it wasn't much of a story and struggled to get in to it but when I carried on reading I couldn't put this book down and will happily recommend it to everyone. Thanks for my free copy! X

Shappi is on Saturday Kitchen Live this morning (bbc1) and was just mentioning her book. Although she didn't talk about it too much if anyone isn't familiar with her might be worth watching it on catch up to see what the author is like. She seems like a lovely lady!

Really did not expect to enjoy this book , but I've just finished it with tears pouring down my face. Can't believe her Mothers behaviour in leaving her in the UK though.