It is all About the Books Baby
Pic of the Day ~ Becca on the Fence
A few weeks ago I was fortunate enough to be sent a book from a publisher that I am very happy to review today. Then I am going to complete the Book Meme that Michelle at Big Blueberries Eyes tagged me with. Finally I am going to ask you to share some of your favorite pregnancy, baby and children books with me. It is all about books today baby!
Last month Petite Mommy posted a review of The Complete Organic Pregnancy, by Deirdre Dolan, Alexandra Zissu. I innocently left a comment (not aware that I was pregnant at the time) that the book sounded really cool. Not long after, I was contacted by Harper Collins, asking if I would like a copy of the book and to let them know if I completed a review. I was so honoured to be asked and love to read (plus had just found out we were pregnant again). I finally finished the book while my mother-in-law was here and I am more than happy to share my thoughts on the book (this is the first book I have finished in months! We have been so busy!)
I have a huge passion for books. My husband moves us all over the place yet we have an ever growing library. When it comes to pregnancy I enjoy reading all that I can on the subject. I am fairly new to the organic lifestyle interest. It seemed like a lot of hype to me, especially when J & I both come from families that farm. My Dad (although not a farmer) maintains a garden, one cannot get more organic than that. Yet I hesitate to spend over our budget on food that is labeled “organic” from far away places. Blech enough history and about me (it is MY blog after all but i am suppose to be book reviewing…need to focus pregnant brain!)
I would totally recommend this book to anyone considering, trying or that is pregnant. The price is nice at $14.95 and it comes full of personal stories (my favorite, oh how I was addicted to Baby Story and Discovery Health Channel when I was on bed rest with Becca! Eeep back to the book!) Above that there are facts and concepts I never gave much thought before reading this book. One example is nail polish. Although I am not one to wear hooker red on my finger nails (not condoning anyone that does personal choice here) I sure do enjoy having a splash of colour on my pretty little toe nails. After reading this book, not so much (however I do feel compelled to do some pre-labour, just as I insisted on shaving my legs!)
The Complete Organic Pregnancy, is organized into three sections, before conception, juring pregnancy and afterwards. The authors are not pretencious and do not command all people to eat organic. That type of approach really would have turned me off the book. Rather the women presented their ideas in a manner that was accepting. For example, when it came to the subject of colouring your hair while pregnant, I held my breath reading it. You see my dear friend L’Oreal Paris helped me achieve my California sun kissed locks this summer. Obviously now that I am pregnant I do not intend on touching up the *cough* roots every 4-6 weeks however I found it completely (and vainly) unacceptable to live with trailer trash roots poking through. So I the evil pregnant woman died my hair. No I did not go to the salon located in New York, that uses organic hair products. I did however die it close to my natural colour and will live with the results until the little bean is out of harms way. I liked the way the information was given without the guilt and torture some pregnancy books like to give out. It gave me a lot to think about and darn it that is what I call a good book!
And now for a good old fashioned Book Meme:
One book that changed my life: Every book I read changes my view on the world in some small way that is what makes books so magical.
One book that I’ve read more than once: The Stand by Stephen King (I am a nerd I have even read different editions of this book)
One book that made me laugh: Wicked by Gregory Maguire < --- Awesome story about the other side of the story!
One book that made me cry: The Time Traveler’s Wife < --- Great Book!
One book I wish had been written: The Harry Potter Series because gosh it would be nice to be that successful after years of work!
One book I wish had never been written: Aww I am not sure that is a fair question!
One book I am currently reading: The Chronicals of Narnia (oh this one is taking me FOREVER! I just can’t get into it, not sure if it is me at this time or just not a story for me?!?!)
One book I’ve been meaning to read: The Cell by Stephen King - this has been on my shelf oh I don’t know since i bought Narnia and cannot FINISH IT! ugh!
I am not a big tagger. If you think this Meme is the one for you please, complete it. I love reading about people’s favorite books. In fact, I want to know what your favorite pregnancy book is/was? I have read a few and What to Expect is really informative but I also have the Mayo Clinic - Complete Book of Pregnancy & Baby’s First Year and that was awesome too. Make sure you mention your favorite pregnancy book in the comments!
I’m not a big tagger either. I like letting people decide on their own whether or not they’d like to participate in a meme.
Great post about books, by the way.
As you know, I didn’t do the whole prenancy thing to become a parent, so I have no pregnancy book recommendations, but I have some children’s books to recommend!
Here are some of Snuggle Bug’s favorites:
A Mother for Chaco
Love You Forever
Moo, Ba, La La La
Toes Are to Tickle
By the way, thanks for your comment on my WFMW creating blogging categories post.
I loved the book “A Child is Born”!!! It is full of pictures of babies in utero and there are also some interesting pictures of deliveries! However, if you are the modest type I do not recommend looking at those!! I wore out my copy during my pregnancies!!
Narnia had much more magic for me when I was a kid. I still like the books, but they’re more nostalgic than anything. I would argue fiercely, though, that Lion, Witch and the Wardrobe is a classic and brilliantly written.
Great meme!
That Organic Pregnancy book sounds great. I try to eat organic as much as possible etc. so I think I’d like that book.
Nice template, by the way!
wish i was a mommy so that i could participate.
Very cool. Nice info on really great books. I’ll hafta get them. I am starting to really get involved in being organic since my ‘detox’ and all…I feel relly good.
“Hooker red?” You’re hilarious! It’s going to be hard to keep a straight face the next time my SIL flashes her red nails.
Great post! The book sounds interesting.
A good sentimental book is Chicken Soup for the Expectant Mother’s Soul; but have a hankie handy.
Love You Forever is a great one too;it’s not a baby book, but if you want a chuckle, try Blessed are the Ties that Bind and Gag by Erma Bombeck
Good for you, I haven’t finished a book in a long time. Between this darn computer & that darn tv (plus the painting I was doing & the pregnancy) I just hit the pillow at night & was out.
That sounds awesome - I think I’ll read it.
I didn’t like the What to Expect…series at all. I liked the more scientific ones - like obstetrical textbooks. No scare tactics - just the facts!
For baby books, I LOVE The Happiest Baby on the Block!
That book sounds interesting - I’m going to have to see if it is at my library.
Thanks for playing along w/the book meme
I read The Cell and loved it! I couldn’t put it down and the story really grabs you right from the beginning. Maybe put Narnia on the shelf for awhile and read Cell instead 
I have those 2 pregnancy books you mentioned. I also liked The Girlfriend’s Guide To Pregnancy - I just liked her wit and humor and that it wasn’t so clinical.
oh i LOVE blog swag books!! I’m in teh midst of reading one.
i like that you mention teh book doesnt make you feel guilty for not living teh ideal organic lifestyle. We strive to eat and do better organically and just choosing less pollutatnt laden things but I’m not rich nor fdo i have the time to be THAT dedicated.
WIth both my girls i read Dr Sears books and while i plan to reread for this pregnancy I nmow have figured out how to do so with a grain of salt rather than a boatload of guilt.
here’s wishing you much more blog swag and glad your pregnancy seems to be humming along
I like the Dr Sears books a lot. Good for advice you can really use. I also liked Happiest Baby On THe Block. By the way, how old is Becca? There are some great books out there about becoming a big sister that you might want to share with her.
I’m so glad that they contacted you for the book. That’s really cool. I’ve got a few more reviews coming. It is indeed a great eye-opener book.
Ahhh, I have no pregnancy book rec’s, but my son LOOOVES Goodnight Moon and anything by Dr. Suess…
-mel
awwww what a cute little baby .. what a great little smileee .. may God bless her ..
Hey, you got to review a book - no fair! It sounds like a really great pregnancy book… I hated those What To Expect books, too, and my midwife actually demanded that I throw out my copy.
Your book choices, with the exception of Stephen King, are all favorites of mine! Maybe the Narnia books will work better as a read-aloud when Becca is a bit older, and you can see some of their magic through her.
I wish I read this yesterday…
I had the Travellers Wife in my hand… and I chose Crow Lake and The Kite Runner instead… Will have to pick it up next time…
I still have to complete my Meme…
You just reminded me…Oops!!!
I guess I must be the odd man out. I am not much of a book reader at all. I read to my children, but just Dr Suess or the board books, that teach ABC’s, colors or numbers.
I just wish I had more time to devote to it!