I made a new friend this week. Her name is Julia Einstein, or depending on how literal you want to get, author Laura Zigman who created her. Laura Zigman herself claims that she writes “thinly veiled autobiographical fiction,” so I think it’s a fairly safe bet that if I enjoyed the character, I would relate to the author.
Julia Einstein is forced to go back to work as a celebrity publicist when her husband loses his job. She has to quit the job she’s come to love–that of full-time mom to her three and a half year old son (just like mine–similarity #1 to my own life). After first resenting the idea that she must go back to work, she begins to remember what she enjo
yed about life beyond the scope of playground politics and Thomas and all of his friends (similarity #2–she even mentions Mavis and others by name). What’s more, her husband seems to enjoy his work at home, and actually seems to excel in some of the areas where she has fallen short as a homemaker (similarity #3??). At the risk of sounding odd, I won’t mention that my heart sort of skipped a beat when she mentioned the delicious (and inexpensive) rotisserie chickens from Costco (#4).
I read Piece of Work in a few short sittings. It was clever, light, and real. I enjoyed getting to know and like this character. It’s not often that I come across characters who are real and likeable. It was a pleasure to read about a good marriage–not a perfect one, but one in which mutual love and respect flourishes. This real mom admits that she likes the flexibility of being a stay-at-home mom, but when needed, she also demonstrates that she still has what it takes to be a success in the workplace.
There is a reading group guide available which provides some thoughtful questions about the role of a mom, some great get-to-know-you questions about past work experiences, and some fun questions about celebrities. For more information about the author, check out her website and blog at LauraZigman.com.
We have three copies to give away (to U.S. or Canadian addresses), so please leave a comment if you are interested in winning. We’ll announce the winner in next week’s column. The winners of last week’s book How Strong Women Pray were announced in the New Habits for the New Year giveaway post.
5 Minutes for YOU to read, relax, & connect with other moms. We're here to inspire, encourage & empower you.
{ 156 comments… read them below or add one }
I would love a chance to read this book
Count me in!
Count me in!
Sounds fun!
I could use a new book, count me in!
I love to read and this sounds like a great book!
I would like to be entered. Thanks!
Sounds like a fun read. Thanks for the chance to win!
sounds like a very interesting read..
I like the idea of reading it and then having a group discussion. That gives us a good excuse to break out the coffee and chocolate!
This sounds like a great read.
I am always looking for a good book. That sounds great, count me in.
Enter me please!
I’m looking for a good new book!
Sounds like a book I would like to read!
Sounds wonderful to me. Definitely something a busy mom could fit into a busy day.
I’d love this for my bookclub.
Im definitely interested in winning!
This sounds excellent!
Sounds like a good one. Count me in! Thanks!
add me in too!
Count me in, please! Sounds like a fun read!
I would love to win this book. I already relate to the title since I’ve been told I’m a “real piece of work.”
Books are indeed important.
=Your Books Reviews=
I’d love to read this!
This sounds like a good book!
Sounds like a fun read!!
Sounds like it would be interesting. I’m always looking for new authors.
Sounds nice to me wanna win thanks for the contest.
yes please!
Count me in!
I’m in need of a new good book, count me in!
This book sounds great! I love reading more realistic books. I need to know that I am not the only one who is going through all that stay at home moms and working moms go through!
Sounds like my life as well=). There is no right universal answer to the work/ stay at home dilemna! Id love to read this book.
Sounds great!
I would like to read this book!!!
sounds wonderful
Looks like a good read! I’d love to win!
I need a new book to read!
dansan826 at yahoo
Please randomly select me!
moms sharing thoughts with other moms, is there anything better???
I would like this book.
Hi, I like a light reading book. Please enter me in your giveaway. Thanks,Cindi
Count me in.
I would love to win and read this book!
I love her books! Count me in please!
ooooh another great book!
Sounds great. Count me in
sounds like an awesome book! count me in!!
Sounds like a great book. Count me in!
I would LOVE to win. I could use a great read right about now!
Looks like a great read! Thanks!
I would love to win this book. Sounds like it would be a good read.
Twitter: TheAngelForever
January 14, 2008 at 3:45 pm
This book looks like a great read.
What a fun read!
I’ve loved some of Laura Zigman’s earlier books and this one sounds great. Thanks!
I would love a good mommy to mommy read!! Sounds good, count me in!!
I’m interested. Sounds like a book I’d enjoy. Thanks for the giveaway.
Looks like a great read!
This sounds great.
I wish all a wonderful New Year…
I would love to read this book… it sounds like something I would really enjoy.
This sounds like a great book, would love to read it. Happy New year everyone.
sounds like a good read! Thanks for sharing!
Please enter me…it sounds like a great read!
Count us in.
This sounds like the perfect book for my book club!
I would love to read a new book! Thanks!
Great contest!
I’d love a chance to read this, and suggest it to my local moms book group…
Nice book! Enter me.
my daughter is a stay athome mom and I would just love to be able to give this book to her.
cool! Count me in:)
Sounds good! Thanks!
please enter me thanks
Please enter me. Thanks!
please! count me in. thank you.
Enter me please for this book.
Thanks
sounds good!
please enter me!
I’m always looking to add a new author to my list of ones that I look for – count me in!
Nice and useful reading! I’m in
looks great! fingers crossed!
Sounds like a good book – please enter me!
Yes, sounds good. Funny cover.
This sounds like a great book! I’d love to win!
Looks like a good read!
Wow! Sounds like a really fun book to read with others and to chat about! I’d love to win!
This book sounds a lot like me too.
this sounds like a really nice light read. And although I am vegetarian my husband devours costco rotisserie chicken! Sign me up!
I would love to read this book!
Sounds like a fun read!
Sound interesting. I’m an empty nest Mom with surgery preventing to go to work so trying to figure out what I can do. Would love to win this.
I love to read…I’d love to win this cool new book!
Sounds like just the right gift for my depressed friend.
Thank you kindly!
I just wanted to let you know that I received the prize I won- “My Mommy’s Tote” in the mail and it is SO cool! I posted a picture of it on my blog. Thanks again for the contests!
Count me in please!
count me in please.
Count me in too!
me please!
Pick me. Thanks
This sounds like a cool book, especially as it seems to mirror my experiences. I can’t wait to read it!
Sounds like a good read
After 15 years in the workforce, in Aug ’07 I decided to stay home full-time. I am working very hard to build a website and internet business so that I can stay home and raise my almost teenage son and my joyful 1st grade son. I LOVE the flexibility, like today having a sick kid at home, and the freedom to be in charge of my schedule, workload, and the atmosphere in which I work. I am still concerned about finances, but am praying the Lord will honor my decision to put my family first!
I’m getting ready to have my second child, a boy and me and my husband are discussing the option of me heading back to work so he can get his master’s degree. This looks like a great book to read to prepare me for everything that lies ahead. Great contest! Thanks!
Count me in!
Pick me please!
Looks great!
This sounds like a lot of fun, and fun for a book club, too!
Has the author been in MY house, too? I’d love to read this one. Please put my name in the draw!
THis would be awesome – i neeeeeeeed 5 minutes!!!
would love to read
I’d love to read this one
I’d like to get my hands on this one.
What a great book! I’d love to have this in my collection.
good idea
Sign me up, sounds like a great read.
Please enter me!
ENTER ME PLEASE
sounds like a good read!
count me in please
Mee Too!
Sounds good, I’d love to win this!
Sounds fun!
A mother of two, I need all the help I can get!
Sounds like a great read.
Looks like a good read!
i would like this, yes i would
cute and funny what I like
Sounds like a interesting book to read ! im interested !
sounds interesting
this sounds like a good read!
I would love to read this. I am a working mother of two teenagers and I know tons about juggling.
this looks like a great book! i’d love to read it – count me in!
Enter me please,my wife would love this book.Thanks
You have a great site!
Books, can’t get enough of them
Sounds like a good read!
Sounds like a great read, please include me.
would love to win
would love to win, i love to read
Thank you for having such a great giveaway!
My husband salivates at the thought of me going to work while he stays at home. It can’t be because he thinks he’ll get more time at the golf range, right?
Thanks for offering up such a fab book. I’m excited about it.
have a great day
This book looks amazing I look forward to reading it.
I’d love to win this…. thanks!
Enter me please!
Sounds wonderful! I am always looking for new GOOD books to read! I’m a voracious reader and I’m going through our library too quickly!
This sounds great! Enter me Please!!!
Enter me too please.
I am so interested in winning. Sign me up, I would love it!
hope i win.
HOPE i win ! =)
Please count me in
This book sounds amazing! Wish me luck!
sounds great.
Hi I found your site looking for great books for my 10 year old daughter. I recently went back to work and could relate to this book ! I would love to read it !
Jennie Gnojek