From Here to Maternity: A Novel of Total Exhaustion

I don't know how many other expectant mothers experienced this, but practically from the moment I realized I was pregnant six months ago, I had no attention span. Once an avid reader who could go through a book a day, I was stopped in my tracks, unable to finish a page a day. I've been able to read a few things here and there but finally with this book I was (almost) back to my old routine. This book is such a quick, good, light read, I would recommend it to any mother - expectant or experienced. I really enjoyed reading about Sophie's experiences as a new mom (since I have nothing to compare motherhood to and no idea what to expect) and I was happy for this (what I think is realistic) insider look at the challenges ahead. And it was definitely a nice change to read about someone who feels just as clueless about pregnancy; babies and baby care as I do. For those of you with your emotions in overdrive, this book isn't too mushy. And if there is anyone mom out there thinking she'll never finish a book again - give this one a try! Also, where can I get Sophie and Debbie's inventive baby product in real life???? I really want one!

Sydney, Australia marketing executive Sophie Anderson enjoys her swinging single lifestyle. Her biological clock might be ticking, but Sydney unplugged it as she prefers a different type of plug with Max Radley. However, her Max is leaving for San Francisco and has no thoughts of commitment so Sophie knows her two year relationship is over.Over except for one minor problem. Max has left Sophie pregnant. She has neither time nor the patience for the havoc her pregnancy will cause her lifestyle or what to do with an infant after it is born. Worse nine months without real liquid seems like a lifetime to her. With the advice of her fellow java members at the weekly caffeine scene at the King Street Café, Sophie formulates a plan on how to mentally cope with the nine months of something growing inside her. Plans go astray for men, mice, and Sophie as carrying requires unscheduled pit stops during meetings and pitches. Still Sophie glows when she meets a hunk that sends her beyond the adolescent Max.FROM HERE TO MATERNITY is an amusing look at the convergence of motherhood with chick lit. At first that combination sounds like an anti oxymoron or perhaps an invasion of the sub-genre, but the delightful Sophie and her coffee crowd pull it off so that the mixing of mom, apple pie, and chick lit inanity blends nicely into a wonderful tale. Still it is difficult to see Ms. Jones anticipating pushing that carriage or nightmarishly pondering changing the diaper at three in the morning yet the two Ws (winning and wonderful) make it happen in a humorous manner.Harriet Klausner

The plot of this book is thin, but that does not matter. The core of this book, and what makes it so delightful, is the view it gives of life with a new baby. Everything it says rings true, from the feeling of parental astonishment that a hospital would send a baby home with a parent who has no idea of how to give it a bath to the looks of dread on the faces of fellow airplane passengers as one enters the plane, baby in arms. This book is an excellent view of life with a baby, with all the love, fun, trials, exhaustion, and moisture that having a baby brings in to the life of a parent.