Thursday 15 June 2017

REVIEW - MOTHERHOOD MARTYRDOM & COSTCO ADS BY WHITNEY DINEEN

Title: Motherhood, Martyrdom & Costco Ads
Author: Whitney Dineen
Genre: Humour, Parenting & Families
Publisher: 33 Partners & Publishing
Release Date: 15th May 2017

BLURB from Goodreads
Join bestselling romantic comedy author, Whitney Dineen, as she discovers the three Es of parenting:
• Exhilarating—when you first discover you’re pregnant.
• Exhausting—when you realize you’ll most likely never sleep again--like EVER.
• Explosive—OMG these kids spew from both ends!
And that’s just the beginning. Whitney shares the ridiculous highs and excruciating lows of her catapult into motherhood. Enjoy the ride as this new mom vows to give up profanity while falling in love with… you guessed it, Costco. Be careful, because if you’re anything like Whitney, you may just pee a little.
Motherhood Martyrdom & Costco Runs takes the reader on a roller coaster of emotions as Whitney plummets into postpartum depression, desperately tries to get her kids to stop yodeling in public restrooms, and comes to terms with the fact she’ll never quite be queen of her own kingdom. Get ready to laugh, cry, cheer, and pat yourself on the back for the sake of mommies everywhere. And while you’re at it, stop by Costco for a case of toilet paper and a Very Berry Sundae. You won’t regret it!
 


PURCHASE LINK

REVIEW
I was looking forward to a fun, light hearted read with this book. After reading the blurb I was interested to learn how Whitney coped with the "the three Es of parenting.

I think the cover really sets the fun tone for the book. It shows Whitney dressed in her business suit with a pair of goggles and a cape whilst posing as a superhero! The background is a Costco store (not that I have been in one) though I know it is a trade warehouse store.

The genres on Netgalley for this book are humour, and parenting & families, and I think the book fits those genres perfectly. Its the kind of book you can shove in your handbag and read as you travel to work on the bus or train. The anecdotes and stories are presented as chapters/vignettes so it is all delivered in fairly small bite sized pieces. 

So Whitney Dineen is a "normal" everyday person like you and I. Whitney had suffered miscarriages before the birth of her daughter Margery, and then once again suffered a miscarriage before having her second daughter called Hope. There is a little more background about Whitney where she discusses miscarriage, pregnancy tests such as amniocentesis, disabled children and abortion. I found myself engrossed in her opinions and I totally agree with them, The medical profession seriously takes your opinion for granted, they presume far too much for liking! I think Whitney is the sort of person I would certainly be a friend with! Whitney actually says in the book that she hopes we enjoy the laughs, tears, and eye-rolls her stories will give us. So as i have already said Whitney suffered miscarriages so ended up being a middle-aged mum rather than the hip young mum that all her children's friends would love too! Instead she ended up being a mum for the first time at age forty. Whitney was scared she would be labelled an old mum or may even get mistaken for her off-springs grandparent at the school gate. As it turned out her children's parents vary between age 32 to 52 and no matter the age they still have the same issues. Lets admit it we all dream of a clean spotless, nothing out of place home, we can all feel over tired and end up screaming at the children when they don't do as we ask within the first three times of asking!

I guess I should share a couple of her funny situations. . . I loved how when she tried to explain the 70's and 80's to her young children saying there was no dollar store (pound shop for us in the UK), no home computer, no games or apps etc. The first thing her five year old daughter says is If there's no home computer how did you print off colouring pages!

Another thing I can totally empathise with Whitney on is when she talks about 'finding the balance' she estimates her real needs such as needing 36 hours per day, and 9.7 days in a week to be the type of wife, daughter, mother, writer,and friend successfully. It's either that or she needs two clones, a cleaning lady and a cook!

A couple of phrases she uses which made me smile and think yes I totally identify with were 'If you do touch much for others and don't do for yourself, you'll wither on the vine'
and 'Me time is mythical like unicorns and fairies'. Like all mums Whitney has realised she can only do her best.

Another major part in the book that made me laugh was the different upbringings herself and her husband had. Whitney basically calls it like it is, whereas her husband is more reserved and refers to 'girls parts' and 'boys parts' , her children have decided on using "front door" or "back door". Then whilst out one day one of the children refers to cleavage as a "book crack". 

This book really does have you giggling and literally laughing out loud. I really don't want to share anymore of the stories or expand on the ones I have mentioned as I think it would spoil your own reading experience. There is so much more in the book.

My first thoughts on finishing this book were this book was such fun to read, it felt more like having a chat with a friend! It really does have you laughing out loud. It is a very easy book to dip in and out of so great for journeys to and from places. The perfect book to have in your handbag (as a paperback) on your kindle, or on your phone. You certainly won't be bored with this book ready to whip out and read as much or little as you wish. 




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