Man & Wife by Tony Parsons

This story is about Harry Silver and how he's learning to juggle his many responsibilities and commitments - namely to his current wife, his ex-wife, his biological son, his stepdaughter and his own mother, his own work as well as his wife's career.

And while he has not got the hang on juggling all the above, someone walks into his life making his complicated life more complicated.
Man and wife ventures into the complex relationship in the new century. It tells about why we fall in love & why we marry, why we marry who we marry, about why some of us stay and some of us go.

Personally, this book takes me for an emotional roller coaster ride .. it delve into emotions of relationships - the parents kind, the step parents kind, the marriage kind, the ex-marriage kind, the extra marital kind, the-our-elderly-parents kind, the ex-partner's partner kind...all in one sitting. At times, I feel it is really hard leading a life like that.

The plot and character development builds up nicely. I have to say the dialogue and descriptions are vivid. However, there are certain things which were over-mentioned. One being Lucy-doll.

I seriously think that the take home message for me from this book is 'Love is a pure and simple thing. It's best left as simple as it is.'

At times it makes me angry to read about how Harry handles his relationships. It gives me the feeling that he's not doing enough.

It's an eye opening read. It enable you to feel what a person in that situation is feeling. Although I consider this a good read, it leaves a bitter after taste.

Recommended only if you like unconventional romance story.

1001 little parenting miracles

I picked up this 224-pages book at the last Big Bad Wolf book sales due to its very colourful cover.
It covers tips for raising children from newborns to teens.
This book offer tips and strategies in a light read & humourous manner.
Tips and strategies are in abundance but not elaborated enough...basically just scratch on the surface.
There are some cute little drawings peppered throughout the book though which makes it a little more interesting.
Perhaps I was taking a little too long to complete this book, I seem to be lost at certain part of the book particular on the topic about sun care. The steps seem to be repetitive and beating around the bush.

I give this book 2.5/5 ... light but not comprehensive enough.

What to Expect the first year

"With 7 million copies sold, What to Expect : The First Year is the parents' bible for taking care of their baby.
A comprehensive guide packed with down-to-earth, reassuring and practical advice, it is an invaluable aid for all parents with new babies."

I do find the acclaimation above is true.
I didn't expect I could find most of the answers during my 1st year in this. I mean how can a book be so complete? But this book again and again proves me wrong.
It may not cover those doubts and queries I have at that particular stage of my baby but it is surely covered somewhere in the book. The answers are there but sometimes looking for it may be a little challenging.

What I like about the book :
It covers many example & FAQ besides highlighting significant pointers.
The coverage is wide and very organised.
A very informative read and hard to put down once started.

The major categories the book is divided into :
The 1st year :
- Get set, get ready
- buying for baby
- breastfeeding basics
- Your newborn baby
- 1st month to 12 months
Of special concern
- Baby of all seasons
- when baby is sick
- First aid do's & don'ts
- low birthweight baby
- the special need baby
- the adopted baby
For the family
- For mum:enjoying the 1st year
- Becoming a father
- From only child to older child
Ready reference
Baby's First recipes
Common home remedies
Common childhood infection

Overall, for me, this book is a good investment. A friend Mei Ling lent it to me during my confinement due to a breastfeeding problem I had. My baby only wanted to drink my my right breast. This book gave very practical solutions. Then when I had another doubt, my baby did not poo every day and only once in 2 to 3 days, my worries were reduced when I read it is normal for breastfed babies as long as their other functions are not affected.

I love the book so much that I'm now reading What to Expect : The Toddler Years.
I rate this book 4/5