What Do Mothers Love? Books!

First off: The winners of last week’s Klutz Guide to the Galaxy Giveaway.

Here are the random numbers:

7	6	17	

Timestamp: 2011-05-05 01:31:43 UTC

That would be, Slow Panic, Kristen and Kcinnova. Plus, I’m going to give my copy to Jocelyn’s kids as a welcome home to the U.S. present when they return from Turkey. Send me your snail mail, ladies and I’ll pass them on to Klutz!

Secondly: Some really old business. (Hangs head in shame) I never picked a winner for Reality is Broken. I have rectified that situation and the winner is #12, Magpie. Again, send me the snail mail address.

Now . . . A Mother’s Day Two-Fer review and giveaway.

First up is . . .

MOM: A CELEBRATION OF MOTHERS FROM STORYCORPS. Now you must understand that I am devoted to StoryCorps with the intensity a mother has for her newborn (to keep the analogies to motherhood). If you don’t listen, start. If you haven’t read one of their books, get or give this one.

These are simply stories told by real people to people they love—in this case it is mothers, spouses and children talking to and about their mothers. It is heartwarming, poignant and a joy to read.

Then we have . . .

Times x Two by Kristen Henderson and Sarah Kate Ellis. The book leaf synopsis describes it this way, “Times Two is about two women meeting, falling in love, and realizing that they are so crazy about each other that they want to have a family together. The fact that they both get pregnant at the exact same time is where things get interesting.”

I mostly enjoyed the book, which is a quick, light read,  because it is a twist on the usual love story/memoir. I found the portions that dealt with the couple’s infertility struggle to be the most compelling part of the tale. After seeing the movie The Kids are All Right I came away with the impression that being in a lesbian relationship might be really difficult simply because having two people that obsess about the same things would be really hard. This book reinforced that impression for me.

I have to be honest that I had a little problem with their story. There is no doubt they’re both amazing, accomplished women; they are both very much New Yorkers (something they freely admit) and I felt the way I always feel when I read about the hyper-spending NYC, farm-it-out lifestyle—are you people kidding me?! No, a baby nurse is NOT a necessity! $375 dollars on body pillows?! Oy!

I do love that our society is in a place where we can appreciate and celebrate the family these two women have made. It’s worth reading for that story alone.

Leave me a comment as to which book you would like to win, and why and I’ll pick a winner for each book next week.

 

Both review and giveaway copies were provided to me at no charge by the publishers.

Comments

[K]

Yay! I love books! I'd happily take either one.

Congrats to the winners.

[Janet]

Gosh, both of those books sound amazing! I <3 StoryCorps, too :-)

[kcinnova]

I haven't yet taken the time to listen at StoryCorps and now I REALLY need to! We are trying to figure out a way to get my brother to "interview" my mom with some questions to get her stories on audio for posterity.

And I'm excited to have won the Galaxy book. SnakeMaster will be thrilled! I'll send you my snail mail address ASAP. Thank you!!

[green girl in wisconsin]

Yeah, I weary of that NYC perspective, too.
Congrats to your winners!

[Denise]

I would love to read Times X Two. A few reasons: I know infertility issues all too well, I would love to be a New Yorker (but without the baby nurse and excessive lifestyle) and have been reading a blog from a woman in a same-sex relationship (just eat your cupcake) that has taught me a lot. Where I live, this is NOT in the open, so it is interesting to view a life so different than mine.

And, yes, books - or a Nook! - are a great idea for Mother's Day!

[Magpie]

Cool! Thanks.

[Jenn @ Juggling Life]

I promise I wont wait as long to mail it as I did to pick a winner. Things got a little crazy. Youll love it.

Jenn

[yogurt]

Storycorps would be great. If I don't win and/or you don't get any takers for the x2 book, I am connected with a GLBT support house that keeps a library and appreciate donations.

The story of the women and their nurse reminds me - I know a young couple with a newborn, a singleton, telling me how surprisingly "easy" it was, how she wasn't as "tired" as she thought she'd be. Self aggrandizing smile on her face. Then she mentioned the paid night nurse four nights a week!! Telling that to a mom who managed three kids three and under and NO help. Oy is right.

[Heather J. @ TLC Book Tours]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts on StoryCorps - I'll definitely have to give it a listen!

[Jocelyn]

I hit you on FB with the address and HUGE thanks...and StoryCorps rocks. xxxo on you