It’s been a surprisingly busy reading month – helped by school half term holidays and the desire to clear some of my proofs before I embark on NetGalley November (more of that in a bit!)
This month, I’ve read 14 books which puts me on 115/100 on my Goodreads Challenge.
Read moreThanks to Random Things Tours and Monoray/Octopus Publishing Group for including me on the blog tour and for my review copy of the book. As always, opinions are entirely my own.
This book was published in hardback on 30th September, 2021.
From the Publisher:
Known for her sharp, witty and surreal view on everyday life, Lucy shares the unpredictable craziness of being a mum in this brilliant and laugh-out-loud ‘mumoir’.
Mums everywhere will recognise the madness of it all. From when Lucy was hospitalised with indigestion in her third trimester (blame the burrito), to when she
was this close to slapping her hypno-birthing instructor, to finding herself drinking a whole pint of custard in one sitting.
‘Drinking Custard’ also captures Lucy’s marriage to comedian Jon, as they navigate Lucy’s raging pregnancy hormones and balk at pram prices together.
My Review:
Although my own children are older than Lucy’s daughter (this book covers the period from pregnancy to starting school), this early period of parenthood is definitely a time in my life that I haven’t forgotten. As I also love a funny book, I immediately signed up for the blog tour.
And I’m so glad I did!
Once I got beyond the fact that I had totally mis-identified Lucy Beaumont (in my head, she was actress Lucy Punch – whoops!) and then realised that she is married to comedian Jon Richardson, I was happy to immerse myself in their childrearing experiences.
To be honest, I was sold from pretty much the first page when there was that Elizabeth Stone quotation about having children being like your heart walking around outside your body. I’ve always thought this was a creepy idea, so I loved Lucy’s comment – ‘Nice quote, but you’d die if that happened, Liz’. Ahh, it seems we are on the same wavelength from the start…
The book is chronological, covering pregnancy, birth, babyhood/that horrific sleep deprived bit, the toddler years and then coming up to school age. There are footnotes along the way in which Jon Richardson puts across his side of the story and these form a funny commentary – but the lion’s share of the storytelling is done by Lucy.
Lucy Beaumont is a fabulous and witty narrator of her story – I was going to say guide, but she is clear that this book isn’t full of parenting tips and is much more about entertainment, Good, I say – most of the parenting books I did try out of desperation when my children were tiny were no help and laughter would have been better anyway!
There are some really relatable moments, I think, for any parent. While I didn’t resort to drinking custard myself, I’m staggered that my son didn’t emerge with some kind of red meat or fizzy cola bottle addiction… There’s also the exhaustion – Lucy forgets her own child’s name and hires a sleep trainer; I couldn’t confirm my own address in the bank and was heavily reliant on The Baby Whisperer website to fix my own little sleep thief! Lucy’s baby rules the roost at home – and I think a lot of us have been there too.
I thoroughly enjoyed this little peek into another family’s life during those tricky early years. It was heartening to read some of my own thoughts – particularly about ridiculous situations you end up in as a parent – mirrored back at me. Albeit in a funnier way. And without having to actually relive those sleepless months.
I’d recommend this to anyone who has embarked on the parenting journey only to wonder – even if only occasionally – what on earth they are doing. Or anyone who has watched children’s TV and wondered who thought ‘In the Night Garden’ was a good idea. Or anyone who has ever gone to a baby group in the desperate hope of finding kindred spirits (I’m still traumatised by my one visit to Rhythm Time).
Definitely pick up this book if you want a laugh – I zipped through it, giggling to myself as I went and think it would make a great Christmas present for anyone on the parenthood journey. And probably an excellent deterrent for anyone idly considering having a baby!
About the Author:
Lucy Beaumont is a talented stand-up, comedy actress and writer. She is the writer and star of BBC Radio 4’s To Hull and Back, writer of Channel 4’s Hullraisers and co-writer of Dave’s Meet The Richardsons which returns for a second series this year. Lucy is a well-known daughter of Hull and is passionate about her hometown. She has appeared on numerous entertainment shows; Artsnight (BBC2), Jon Richardson: Ultimate Worrier (Dave), Alan Davies’ As Yet Untitled (Dave), QI (BBC2), Drunk History (Comedy Central), Jonathan Ross Show (ITV), The One Show (BBC1), Cats Does Countdown (C4), What’s Going to Kill Us (C5), Live At The Electric (BBC Three) and featured in a Maltesers advertising campaign.
I’m a teacher. Mainly a secondary level one, although I do have primary-age children so the school world explored by brothers Lee and Adam Parkinson in this book is not entirely alien to me. I had also seen posts by Mr P on Twitter but hadn’t made the connection with this book – the @ICT_MrP account is (I think) run by Lee.
This book is an entertaining jaunt through life as a teacher. It covers all the parts of the school year that are part and parcel of teaching life – the parents’ evenings, the school play, assemblies…plus the primary school belief that a wet paper towel can cure all ills. Headache – wet paper towel. Bruised knee – wet paper towel. Major arterial bleeding – wet paper towel. True.
Continue reading Book Review: ‘Put a Wet Paper Towel on It: The Weird and Wonderful World of Primary Schools’ by Lee and Adam ParkinsonI love Miles Jupp’s comedy and came to this book with very high expectations – thanks to NetGalley and Headline for my copy in exchange for an honest review.
The story is about Clive Hapgood, a History teacher in a small private school. He is having a tough time both at school and in his family life, so a trip to France at half term looks to be the answer to all his problems. However, an incident at school refuses to be forgotten and Clive’s life starts to unravel.
Continue reading Book Review: ‘History’ by Miles JuppWelcome to my stop on the blog tour for ‘Tinker, Tailor, Schoolmum, Spy’ by Faye Brann.
Thanks to Random Things Tours and Harper Collins for my copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
This book is published on 2nd September.
I’ll admit I perhaps didn’t come to this book for the most obvious reason. I didn’t actually know anything about Barbara Pym or her books, but have read and enjoyed several biographies by Paula Byrne and so was keen to read this. I’m grateful to NetGalley and Fourth Estate Books for my copy of her latest book in exchange for an honest review.
Continue reading (Audio)Book Review: ‘The Adventures of Miss Barbara Pym’ by Paula ByrneIt’s been a slower reading month after July’s 17 books (a record for me!) Still, I’ve read some brilliant books this month – 11 in total. All were 4 stars with the exception of one FIVE STAR read at the start of the month…
This puts me on 92/100 on my Goodreads challenge – the end is in sight!
Links on my blog are Amazon Affiliate ones - thanks for supporting my blog with any Amazon purchases at no extra cost to you.Continue reading August Wrap-Up and September TBR
Given my book obsession (hardly a secret), it is quite rare that I pick up a newly released book in my genres in Waterstones that I haven’t heard of before. This one grabbed my attention (bright orange cover!) and I began idly flicking through it. Within a couple of skimmed lines, I was sold and bought it.
I hadn’t heard of Georgia Pritchett before, although I now feel ashamed to say that given her impressive CV writing for pretty much every comedy show I could think of from ‘Spitting Image’ to ‘Veep’, ‘Have I Got News For You?’ to ‘The Thick of It’.
What grabbed me was just how funny this book is. I’m always on the lookout for books that make me laugh and – as it made me giggle to myself in Waterstones – this one hit the spot in seconds.
Essentially, the book is written as Pritchett’s explanation to her psychiatrist about all the things she is anxious about. This starts from her earliest memories and works in chronological order through her life to date – right through her stellar career and into the struggles she is having that take her to her doctor’s door.
Doesn’t sound immediately hilarious, does it?!
However, the writing is absolutely sublime. Pritchett perfectly skewers thoughts and people and events with such precision that it is just so relatable. This is something I didn’t think would be possible when I compare my life (pottering round in Cheshire) with hers (pottering round the White House with celebrities). Turns out that anxiety is a universal experience – who knew?!
There are some great running jokes – Bob Dylan’s every appearance made me snort with laughter – but there is also real warmth in the descriptions. I loved Pritchett’s Dad (complete with story about how he got his nickname – The Patriarchy), The Moose, The Speck…no-one is called by their actual names and it is like being let in on family in-jokes.
As Pritchett becomes older and immersed in her career, the reader is treated to some lovely anecdotes about celebrities and working on high-profile comedy programmes. It never becomes about name-dropping and there is always Pritchett’s imposter syndrome to contend with – she is self-deprecating to the point of not realising that her achievements are down to her own talent.
That’s not to say that the book doesn’t cover some really serious (and anxiety-inducing) topics. Some of Pritchett’s experiences are heartbreaking, yet there is a matter-of-fact presentation of them and an ability to see humour in the darkest of situations.
I loved this book so much. I raced through it, reading bits to anyone who would listen along the way, and I’m already thinking about a reread! If you love humorous books with bucketloads of warm wit then this is for you. If you have anxiety in any form, the sentiments will all seem so familiar – except narrated by someone really, really funny.
You do need a copy of this book! Please use my affilate link and thank you for supporting my blog with any purchases:
Welcome to my stop on the blog tour for ‘Mrs Narwhal’s Diary’ by S J Norbury.
Thanks to Damp Pebbles tours for inviting me on the tour and for providing a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. This book is published by the brilliant Louise Walters Books.
From the Publisher:
“It was Woman’s Hour who suggested I keep a diary. They said it was good for mental health, and I must say I did feel much less frazzled after writing everything down yesterday. The frustrations were all still there, but somehow smoothed out – as if by a really good steam iron.”
Mrs Narwhal is overwhelmed. Her husband, Hugh, is unkind and unhappy – working every hour at a job he hates to save the ancestral home he never wanted. Then there’s Hugh’s sister, Rose, who’s spurned her one true love, and ricochets from crisis to crisis; and not to mention two small boys to bring up safely in a house that could crumble around their ears at any moment…
When Hugh’s pride receives a fatal blow, and he walks out, Mrs Narwhal is plunged into a crisis of both heart and home. With help from Rose she sets out to save the house her husband couldn’t. But can she save her marriage? And does she really want Hugh back?
Funny, charming, and moving, Mrs Narwhal’s Diary is an irresistible story which will enchant and delight its readers.
My Review:
This isn’t my usual genre, but I’ve heard such brilliant things about Louise Walters Books (plus I enjoyed ‘Old Bones’ by Helen Kitson from the same stable) that I was keen to join the blog tour. I’d seen someone suggest that this book had echoes of ‘I Capture the Castle’ by Dodie Smith (a favourite of mine) and was drawn by the idea of a gentle, funny read.
‘Mrs Narwhal’s Diary’ is covers a tumultuous year in the life of the Narwhal family. Mrs Narwhal’s husband, Hugh, has inherited his family estate and it isn’t in a good way. Add in Hugh’s loose cannon of a sister (Rose) who is separated from her husband, two lively sons, a slightly odd groundsman, a difficult customer of her husband’s furniture business, a surly cleaner – and it is clear that Mrs Narwhal has her work cut out for her!
Given the diary format, it is Mrs Narwhal’s voice that we hear most distinctly and what a voice it is! Funny, thoughtful, wise – she is a character that the reader cannot help but warm to, even though I was a bit frustrated by some of her reactions to things in the novel. I loved that you could hear her almost unfiltered private thoughts which was important in gaining an insight into the other characters and events. It’s a wholly realistic and engaging voice and the reader shares in her frustrations, sadness and moments of joy.
However, my favourite character in the novel had to be Rose – she is brilliant! She is much less measured and diplomatic than Mrs Narwhal and I loved the way she was often tactless and blunt, yet clearly fun and respected by those around her. I also loved her involvement in the stately home visit that ended rather unfortunately…
With such strong female characters (including the memory of the terrifying Greer), Hugh was always going to be a disappointment. However, it is precisely this about him that allows the women to shine in this novel and take charge of the huge project that comes their way regarding Narwhal Hall.
The characterisation is one of the real strengths of the novel – like real life, this isn’t packed with exciting events or plot twists. Instead, it is the quiet story of a family rearranging their relationships and redrawing boundaries as life moves on around them. It is all the better for this and allows for some really insightful and clever observations on human nature.
However, all the wisdom and insight of the novel rather takes the reader by surprise as it tends to be the humour and ridiculousness of everyday life (especially everyday life in a crumbling stately home) that is foregrounded. There are some very funny events, not least the opening of the novel when Mrs Narwhal is waiting anxiously for the piper to fall through the boards of the tree house.
Little details – both relatable and those unique to the Narwhals – are what make this novel. The missing scissors, the stuffed polar bears, the ghastliness of the school fete, the Minecraft posters on the precious wood panelling, the insulting poem about a character’s generously-sized bottom – these are the things that make the reader laugh and make up the days of the lives of the Narwhal family.
I’d whole-heartedly recommend this book to those looking for a funny, charming and sweet novel. It isn’t without its quiet sadness, but it is absolutely relatable and entertaining. Comparisons with ‘I Capture the Castle’ are justified – the eccentric family living in a run-down setting – but Mrs Narwhal deals adroitly with so much more than Cassandra Mortmain as she faces everything that middle-aged life can fling her way. And always with wit and humour and charm.
About the Author:
S J Norbury lives in Herefordshire with her family. Mrs Narwhal’s Diary is her first novel.
Purchase Links:
Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/3aDOjKw
Book Depository: https://bit.ly/3xscUMc
Waterstones: https://bit.ly/2R5p3pt
WHSmith: https://bit.ly/2QZkOMq
Foyles: https://bit.ly/3gHJMKX
Nook: https://bit.ly/3aEgMQf
Blackwells: https://bit.ly/3tXM1xk
Publishing Information:
Published by Louise Walters Books on 16th May 2021
As a life-long bookworm, I’ve made it my mission to read ALL THE BOOKS.
Everything I liked the sound of – added to the TBR. Recommended by someone I trust – added to the TBR. Interesting cover – added to the TBR.
You get the picture – a love of books and an endless TBR.
However, I do (kind of) accept that I cannot read every book.
In fact, my journey into blogging has really made me focus on the elements of books that I really love. I’ve had to really think before I request yet more books – and there are definitely things that tick the boxes for me.
So here we go – an insight into my muddled mind and the TBR that I am desperately trying to tame… I love all these things independently but where they combine is pure magic!
(Disclaimer: I still reserve the right to read randomly and at whim - that's one of the true pleasure of reading!)
My blog contains affiliate links - thanks for supporting what I do with any purchases.Continue reading How I Choose My TBR
