The Bright Side of Disaster

The Bright Side of Disaster by Katherine Center was fabulous. Wonderful mom lit. I didn't love how the author used the title in dialog at the very beginning of the book, but the rest of the story made up for it. Jenny's fiance leaves her the day before she goes into labor, and most of the book consists of those hazy days right after you've had a baby and your whole world is turned upside down. I totally related to all her descriptions of early motherhood. Somehow the author so completely develops and maintains Jenny's voice; the book never strays from her point of view and her character. It was totally enveloping. You can't help but cheer for Jenny as she makes some good decisions in her love life. This is a debut novel that has gotten lots of good reviews and lots of press, all totally deserved.

Now I'm reading Slummy Mummy, my favorite kind of British mum lit--even the flyleaf says "Bridget Jones with kids". (Can you believe it has been almost ten years since Bridget came onto the scene and totally changed contemporary literature?)