I Lick My Cheese and Other Notes: From the Frontline of Flatsharing - Oonagh O'Hagan

...“I am a dirty dish, I go in the dish water not the sink, this is here ----> put me in there” or the brilliant “I am milk, I live in the fridge, when you're done with me, put me in my home”. She could well have either of those in the “I lick my cheese” chapter...

…So that cleverly brings me on to the part of this review that concerns the chapters of the book, that book is split into 4 rather separate chapters based on the different ...
...the TV. Though some of the notes are quite difficult to read, this is mainly due to nature, we all have different handwriting, some are easy to read, some (my own included) are really difficult. This is about the only major fault with the book that I can pick out.  ... more

On a random jaunt to a local bookshop a silly little title caught ones attention “I lick My Cheese”, this was either going to be amazingly funny, brilliant and one of those books that you love. OR it was going to be a disgusting boo revolving around smeg, and lets be honest, no one wants to read a book about that. As it turned out, the title comes from a note in a flat, which is actually the basis for the entire book, it's “notes left in flats”.

Those living in shared accommodation will recognise many of the ideas behind the notes, whilst others will me amazed at peoples tactics to avoid face to face confrontations. Oonagh O'Hagan has collected over 120 notes from flat dwellers who have handed them in to her, to create a humorous and widely entertaining book based on them. The book looks at the worst of shared living as well as the best...but mainly the worst.

Whilst not a huge reader of books, it is books like this that do appeal to me for so many reasons that make them perfect for me as they can be perfect for a pick up and read, put down, then pick up again a few hours later sort of read. The book doesn't need to be followed as it has no narrative it;s just simple and every page is it's own page no need to remember things from pick up to pick up no narrative, no story. The books pages are devoted to a blend of the stars of the show (the notes) and Oonaghs comments on them, ranging from back story's to her own experience in a similar situation and to just curious questions on them.

The book is one of those books that despite being one you don't want to put down, you don't mind if you do need to. Simply due to the fact you'll pick it up straight away as soon as you pick the book up in the next free moment and you'll love it there and then. Sadly though this will cause you to finish the 248 page book inside a few days...and feel it should have been significantly longer.

On a personal note (pun intended) I've witnessed the great “Note Leaving” about my house despite living in a family house (mum and my sister) when my brother and his then girlfriend moved in notes became an even bigger thing. Usually my mum leaves simple notes or my sister “bring in the washing” or “put the chicken in the oven at 220 at 5:30 please”. When my brother and his girlfriend moves in notes became order of the day “I am a dirty dish, I go in the dish water not the sink, this is here ----> put me in there” or the brilliant “I am milk, I live in the fridge, when you're done with me, put me in my home”. She could well have either of those in the “I lick my cheese” chapter...

…So that cleverly brings me on to the part of this review that concerns the chapters of the book, that book is split into 4 rather separate chapters based on the different parts of that flat in which people live:
“I pay the rent what do you do” this is the notes left about bills, rent and general living, often left in the living room and are often a bit general.
“You stink like a big fat stinker” this one is based on personal hygiene and the bathroom, featuring broken toilets and bad smells.
“I lick my cheese” which is based on the kitchen, featuring mainly “stolen food” and the the messy dishes that no one wants to wash.
“Why is my bed damp?” the final one which is aimed at bedroom notes, be it sexual, relationships or just a little bit on the perverted side.

Each of the four chapters is well worth reading every few months as you'll find yourself giggling every time you read them just like a 10 year old hearing “penis” on the TV. Though some of the notes are quite difficult to read, this is mainly due to nature, we all have different handwriting, some are easy to read, some (my own included) are really difficult. This is about the only major fault with the book that I can pick out. 

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