Only in New York. How I Took Manhattan (with the kids) by Caroline Overington

Most journalists would crawl over broken glass to secure the glittering prize of being a foreign correspondent in New York. Caroline Overington is understandably over the moon about her plum posting, but there's a problem (or two). New York is a great playground for grown-ups, but is the crowded skyscraper capital of the world a good place to live when you're raising toddler twins. As her mother says, "Are you mad?"

Caroline took the challenge on and in 2004, headed off for a three year stint in New York with her two year old twins and her husband in tow. Unable to work legally, her husband made the switch to primary child-carer while Caroline became full-time money-earner for the family. This book is really more about her family's experiences adjusting to a culture they expected to find familiar but didn't, than about her journalistic adventures. (She is a Walkley Award winner). Still, it was very enjoyable and funny. If you can't live in exotic locations yourself, you might as well read about others doing it!

Rating - I give this 4/5 Not bad!

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Reviewed by Julie @ Wendouree library

All that happened at number 26 by Denise Scott

"I'll never forget the first time John and I saw number 26. We just knew it was going to be ours. It was so awful and ugly and repulsive in every way". And so Denise Scott moved into number 26 with her partner, John, his circus equipment, a king-sized futon (but not a base), a Ventolin inhaler (to cope with stress-induced asthma), no savings to speak of and their newborn baby.

Denise Scott will be familiar to many from appearances on The Big Gig and Spicks and Specks among other things. This was a laugh-out-loud read as Denise recalls the trials, tribulations and fun of family life at number 26. There is something for everyone to relate to, perhaps with the exception of a circus performer partner and regular standup and television appearances. Denise describes the challenges of balancing work, family and life in general with candour and generosity. I, too, grew up at (a) number 26 but my childhood was far more sedate than this! Recommended if you feel like a quick, easy read with a giggle or three along the way.

I give this 4/5 Not bad!
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Reviewed by Julie @ Wendouree library

The Stepmother's Diary by Fay Weldon

Sappho was so happy when she married Gavin. She was in love and it seemed that at last everything was falling into place. But she hadn't considered his daughter, Isobel. She is a delightful, charming girl who spends her school holidays caring for the elderly and is the apple of Gavin's eye. Now cast in the role of Wicked Stepmother, Sappho tries all she can to befriend Isobel and find her place in the new family. It's not easy, but no one had promised it would be. Sappho perseveres. But she has a history, and the history works against her. With warmth, wit and her unique insights into the workings of the female mind, Fay Weldon offers a brilliant, unsettling new novel about family life today. (from the publisher's notes).
Whenever I read one of Fay Weldon's novels, I am struck anew at how good she is. In the hands of a lesser writer, this could be quite an ordinary tale, but in Weldon's hands, it is anything but. The Stepmother's Tale has all the attributes we have come to expect from Weldon - it's clever and witty, with unexpected twists. Another great read from a gifted author.
Rating - I give this 5/5

GREAT!!

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Reviewed by Jan @ Ballarat branch