Dear Hardcovers and Hangovers,
Our last meeting of 2011 was an enjoyable one. Ellen treated us to pizza and salad, simple and delicious. We sipped on yummy raspberry mojito punch and had “to die for” chocolate cake…OH MY!
We so missed Allison, Amy and Marrie and look forward to seeing then at upcoming holiday events!
Ellen’s selection, I Don’t Know How She Does It, received mixed reviews. Overall, it provided some chuckles along with some food for thought.
Here are some of the comments from the night:
Karin wanted to smack the mother-in-law.
Susan felt bad for Kate’s dad, being so brilliant but socially inept. However, he was a jerk and didn’t like how Kate hide the fact she gave him money from her husband.
Karin noted that Kate was always so stressed out that it made her stressed for Kate and then stressed herself out worrying about all the things she had to do!
Susan commented on how stupid it was that the nanny kept threatening to leave so Kate paid her off with $$ and trips. Although noted there is a real feeling of desperation when you are dependent on someone to take care of your kids and worriment of what happens if they don’t show up or leave etc.
Sara felt the book was over the top at times. She felt Kate was burdened by her children, although loved them, she may not have shown it enough. Sara noted Kate’s involvement with the co-workers (the one who didn’t want kids and the one who ended up pregnant).
Ellen agreed that things were very exaggerated…the kids screaming, the excessive number of business trips on really short notice, making out with the client etc.
Sara did enjoy reading about meeting the demands between work and home.
Ellen loved the Kate’s run in with the father in law in the hallway wearing her new negligee.
Karin noted the relationship with the guy developing via email. And we all agreed we like the email correspondences Kate had.
Ellen liked the ‘to do/remember’ lists at the end of the chapters.
Personally I found the book to be sad and somewhat depressing; it was all too real that it lost its humor. I found Kate to be annoying at times, couldn’t wait for Mondays to arrive fast enough. Her heroic efforts for her children (making mince meat pies in the middle of the night) were to impress other moms and not necessarily for her children. I really disliked Kate’s relationship with her doormat husband (what took him so long to leave). I did at times enjoy the British wit, humor and stream of consciousness.
We all mentioned the comparison of Bridget Jones Diary and the Nanny Diary.
“The times you don’t make it are the ones children remember, not the times you do.” ~Pearson
For the New Year we will be starting at my house with the 2008 Caldecott winner, The Inventions of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick. Definitely a different pick, this ‘children’s literature’ is part picture book part novel.
Wishing you all a happy holiday season and look forward to reuniting in 2012.
Best,
Jenn
