A Better Me: The Sunday Times Number 1 Bestseller

My wife thinks Gary Barlow is amazing. I say "amazing", even though it is an often over-used word in today's society when children think everything is amazing and, generally speaking, most things are much less than amazing (if indeed verging on average).However, I decided to buy her this new revenue-generating regurgitation of well-known plights in the life of Mr Barlow just to shut her up. Let's face it, we all heard what he went through when Take That split up. I'm not going to comment on that side of things because I'll undoubtedly become the least popular person on Amazon Reviews and probably have my passport revoked by a Take That fan who works for Border Control. What I will say though is that I can't imagine there's a great deal in this book that Take That or Barlow fans (except Ken Barlow fans) don't already know.My wife loves it. This should come as no surprise to anyone. It could have contained nothing but the words "Thanks for giving me a few more quid" and she'd have still loved it, such is her admiration of Gaz.if you're a fan reading this and now hate me, I'll just have to live with it.If you're a partner/husband/wife/boyfriend/girlfriend looking to buy it for a loved one - just buy it if you know they're infatuated with him. I mean, you can't really go wrong can you? Besides, he's not replied to my constant efforts to get him to come and surprise her by singing on the doorstep. I'm reasonably happy that he hasn't because I'm not sure I could bear another moment of hearing about him, never mind hearing him sing in person.Did I mention that we're off to see them in concert in 2019? Yes, I've had to pay for that too.But hey, life is short and it's nice to have a peaceful few moments to oneself whilst she has her head buried in the book or is talking to others about how she's going to see him in concert.p.s. he seems like a nice enough bloke but he's just a bit too nice for my liking and these are the small things in life that bug husbands.

Really enjoyed reading this. I like the way it's written - you can hear him talking with his deadpan northern humour. Interesting to see how Gary's mindset has evolved over the years and how even the most successful people are hurt by the callousness of others sometimes. Not egocentricity, just genuine human emotion. Bring on 'niceness' I say - we could do with more of it!I'm also interested in food (and have probably read most of the same diet books) so I found his food journey fascinating. Like most of us, trying to do the right thing but with bad advice. I will have to brush off my copy of Hemsley + Hemsley but would love to see Gary do a cookbook of his own. I think he would be a great ambassador for a healthier way of eating.

I listened to the audio book so probably got through it a lot quicker than if i had been reading it. This isn't quite a follow on from his last book as he covers a lot of the same ground from when the band started and before. This book tells the same story but with the overall theme of food running through it. It's about his relationship with food and how it's changed and been affected throughout his career as opposed to a straight forward bio. Can't really say I took anything away from it though - if i had the money to pay for someone to prepare and cook my meals for me I'm sure I'd be quite healthy too. He does talk about knowing where your food comes from though, and trying to stay from processed foods which did make me think more about what I was preparing (although not much change needed really as I don't eat much processed food anyway)

Unassuming, excellently written, honest and forthright - this is a book to treasure about a man who has become a national treasure. We both loved it and loved reading it - the highs, the lows and the kind, caring concern that marks GB out as a very special person. The loss of their daughter is heart breaking to read about and the effects on the family and on Gary's wife is so, so sad. The bitter criticism he faced during his "wilderness years" is inhumane - by any standards - but to be doled out by those who once professed to revere and adore him is hard to stomach. I'm not a Take That fan, although they have written some very catchy songs, but I am a fan of who Gary Barlow is and what he has become. There are lessons in humility, reality and honesty in here for everyone who is prepared to look, read, listen and learn. It is a lovely book. Read and enjoy the journey of this very special personality.

A superb book that has been written in an open and Frank way. It is interesting to hear about Gary’s ongoing battle with his weight and how he overcame his eating demons. He talks openly about his relationship with Robbie and is not afraid to apologise and realise how his life so far has been so fortunate.For me, I laughed and I cried when he explained about his father dying and how losing Poppy affected him and his family. Gary proves that to be at the top of your game takes practice, curiosity and fundamental self belief.It was that good I read it in a day.