The Mommy Diaries

THE MOMMY DIARIES

NO MATTER HOW YOU SLICE IT, THE SAGA OF MOTHERHOOD
MAKES FOR A RIVETING READ. WHETHER IT IS THE CANDID
CONFESSIONS OF REAL-LIFE MOMS OR THE FICTIONAL TALES
OF WOMEN WHO HOLD A SIPPY CUP IN ONE HAND AND A GLASS
OF SHIRAZ IN THE OTHER, READING ABOUT THIS UNIVERSAL
CONDITION OF MOTHERHOOD IS A GREAT LITERARY ESCAPE
(IF YOU CAN FIND THE TIME, THAT IS)

HERE ARE THE FAMILY GROOVE'S TOP PARENTING PICKS OF 2007—
AND A SNEAK PEEK AT WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN THE NEW YEAR.



	I Was a Really Good Mom before I Had Kids: Reinventing Modern Motherhood by Trisha Ashworth and Amy Nobile (Chronicle Books, April, 2007): This is an honest look at what it means to be a mother in the modern world. Accomplished authors and mothers Ashworth and Nobile, also include candid stories from over 100 moms across the country—so you don’t have to feel bad about your frightful parenting faux pas, because chances are you’ll read of a woman, who did the same thing, too. ($12.98, www.amazon.com)
	What The Other Mothers Know: A Practical Guide to Child Rearing Told in a Really Nice, Funny Way That Won’t Make You Feel Like a Complete Idiot the Way All Those Other Parenting Books Do By Michele Gendelman, Ilene Graff and Donna Rosenstein (Harper Paperbacks, April 2007): The title says it all! This book is a light-hearted gem of a read and a humorous guide to parenthood told by three moms who have been-there and done-that, and wrote the book. ($10.36, www.amazon.com)
	Momzillas by Jill Kargman (Broadway, April 2007): This fictional tale of San Francisco-transplant, Hannah Allen chronicles her new life as a mother on Manhattan’s tony Upper East Side. It details how Allen tries to keep her sense of humor—and her sense of self —while navigating through the never-ending maze of pre-school applications, co-op interviews and the ultra-competitive mommies of the UES. ($10.36, www.amazon.com)
	Living the Posh Mom Life: The Fun, Fabulous And Fashionable Guide to Motherhood by Amy Nebens and Jara Negrin (Sourcebooks, May 2007): A sassy take on motherhood as told by the founders of poshmom.com. From the morning drop off to a much-needed drink with the girls, the author’s dish on how to do it in style, without breaking a nail or missing a spa appointment. (8.97, www.amazon.com)



	Porn For New Moms (Chronicle Books, February 2008): This full-color photo book showcases what really turns on new moms. Hot men—sans shirts—are shown skipping golf to bond with baby, getting up for the 3AM feeding and stocking the freezer with homemade baby food. ($10.36, www.amazon.com)
	The Real Deal Guide to Pregnancy by Erika Lenkert (DK Publishing, March 2008): This is the mom-to-be encyclopedia. It is an all-encompassing guide, which covers topics from what to eat to where to shop. The book also includes insight from the “Mommy Menagerie,” a group of 111 real-life pregnant women who give their straightforward spin on what to really expect when you’re expecting. ($11.53, www.amazon.com)
	Dirty Little Secrets From Otherwise Perfect Moms by Trisha Ashworth and Amy Nobile (Chronicle Books, March, 2008): Remember how great it was reading about all those mom’s in I Was a Really Good Mom before I Had Kids: Reinventing Modern Motherhood? Well this book is a follow-up from Ashworth and Nobile’s last, and it is chock full of more candid confessions from real-life moms, just like yourself. ($10.36, www.amazon.com)
	Peeing In Peace: Tale and Tips For Type A Moms by Beth Feldman and Yvette Manessis Corporon (Sourcebooks, April 2007): This tell-it-like-it-is, must-read is a fascinating look at the balancing act performed by today’s working mothers as told by two real-life professionals who are trying their best to have it all—a career, a family and, ultimately, happiness. ($9.75, www.amazon.com)

—Jennifer Carofano

After a decade of subways, bagels and window shopping in New York City,
Jennifer Carofano now lives with her husband and their two cars in sunny Los Angeles.