August 18, 2008
5 Minutes for Books — Slummy Mummy
Slummy Mummy by Fiona Nell was pitched to my review consideration as “Full of humor and feeling, SLUMMY MUMMY arrives on U.S. shores to delight everyone who took Bridget Jones to heart a decade ago and now has kids. Your readership will love it!”
Somehow I missed the “full of feeling” part, and as I read it, I thought that they had severely undersold this truthfully touching account of a mom who doesn’t have it all together. She’s the kind of mom who drops her kids off for school while she’s still in her pajamas, whose children sleep in their clothes so that they aren’t late for school as they rush through the morning, and who is always losing her credit card and her car keys. It is full of feeling. Some of the descriptions as she looked at her life made me stop and read them a second time.
Yes, it’s funny. Yes, she gets into scrapes that you wonder how she’s going to escape with her dignity, but Lucy Sweeney is so much more than a lovable buffoon. Keeping the Bridget Jones comparison in mind, I was glad that it was missing the excessive profanity (although there is some) that was found in that movie and novel.
“Really she’s nothing like Bridget Jones,” I thought. “She’s a real person. Yes, a bit comical, but she gets what it’s really like to be a wife and a mom. To try your best, and yet still feel as if you are failing. . . to be tempted by the differently exciting lives of others.”
Once I had finished the book, laughing, crying a bit, and thinking a lot, it hit me — hard. When I read or watched Bridget Jones it was as a married woman. I did see her as a bit of a comical buffoon, but I was not single. I think that a single woman struggling to find love probably viewed Jones in the same way that many moms today will view Sweeney — an over-the-top version of yourself or someone you know, who in spite of being a bit of a comical figure has the same deep thoughts and feelings that you do.
There is plenty of real life in this novel — real gritty life that some people might not want to read about — marital infidelity, some talk of drugs, drinking, etc — but it’s also real in that she completely “gets” what it’s like to be a full-time mom, competing with other moms, looking for friendship, hoping not to lose yourself.
It’s probably not for everyone, but if you like a little humor mixed in with some hard choices and a glimpse into a life like your own, yet not, you might enjoy Slummy Mummy.
If you’d like to win a copy, leave a comment here. We’ll announce the winner in next week’s column.
The winner of last week’s book The Motherhood Manual and gift package including a tiara is #71 Rebecca Doherty.
Filed under * Feature Columns, 5 Minutes for Books, Contests by Jennifer
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191 Comments on 5 Minutes for Books — Slummy Mummy »
#1 - Melissa @ 12:19 am
Sounds great! I would love to read it!
#2 - trish @ 12:52 am
Sounds good
#3 - Sheila @ 2:41 am
Sounds like a fun read and one to pass around!
#4 - Junglewife @ 4:02 am
Sounds like a great read. I love those kind of books - have you read “Confessions of a Shopaholic”? There’s a whole series with Shopaholic, and even though many of her antics make me cringe, I especially liked the one where she was pregnant because I could identify more with her =)
#5 - Colette @ 4:22 am
Sounds like a fun read.
#6 - candeelady @ 4:52 am
We all have our Slummy Mummy Momments or Hours or Days or Weeks - Thank God we can laugh about it later and usually our kids don’t see how goofy we were at the time! Although during the tween years they tune in and really enjoy Mom’s mistakes. My son loves to tell the whole family about any driving mistakes I”ve ever made and he is of course exaggerating!
#7 - Karissa @ 5:28 am
i think I need a book like this, to make me feel “not so bad about my own mistakes” if you catch my not so subtle drift.
#8 - emily @ 6:25 am
This sounds like a fun book. I could use something right now to make me feel like I’m doing an alright job at this mom thing.
#9 - Tonya @ 6:25 am
Please enter me!!!
#10 - Monkey Giggles @ 7:32 am
I would love to read this.
#11 - Monica @ Paper Bridges @ 7:39 am
pick me!
#12 - Debbie B. @ 7:46 am
Sounds great! hope you pick me!
#13 - James Jenkins @ 7:47 am
wow
#14 - HeresTheDiehl @ 8:13 am
I’d love to win a copy!
#15 - Ruth :) @ 8:55 am
Sounds like fun … sign me up!
#16 - Julie @ 9:07 am
I’d love to win this! Sounds like a good read.
#17 - K. Cleaver @ 9:16 am
Good review! This sounds like a book I’d enjoy reading. It’s something a little different than I’d normally read.
#18 - Sally @ 9:25 am
This sounds like my kinda book–one that will have me laughing and crying.
smilingsal55[at]yahoo[dot]com
#19 - kimberly @ 9:47 am
I think this are some things we all can relate to! Sounds like a great read.
#20 - melissa @ 9:52 am
Count me in, thanks!
#21 - Mama Zen @ 10:00 am
I would definitely like to read this!
#22 - JenPerkins @ 10:03 am
OMG! I put my kids to bed in the clothes they are wearing the next day to save time, and I do go to the store in the same sweatpants I’ve slept in (no point even having pajamas). This book would be great therapy for me, and help me get over my guilt for being such a slummy mummy myself.
#23 - Maddy @ 10:04 am
Hmm I could do with some ‘light’ entertainment myself , even though my nightstand is already groaning with protest at the stack of only just started books.
Great review - I also read and later saw the movie after I was married with a similar perspective, and you know those Brits and their profanity.
Cheers
#24 - Keri Martin @ 10:24 am
I love to read. This one sounds great!
#25 - Linda White @ 10:24 am
sounds like my kind of book to read! Fun stuff!
#26 - Kelly's Krazy Kids @ 10:27 am
I would love a copy!
#27 - DJ @ 10:38 am
I would love to read something funny!
#28 - Hil'Lesha @ 10:39 am
I’d love to read this.
#29 - Kilikina @ 10:42 am
Yes I would love to win a copy. Count me in please.
#30 - Heidi @ 11:06 am
That sounds like a really good book!
#31 - Michelle Rosborough @ 11:06 am
I’d love to read this book
#32 - charline s @ 11:24 am
Wow You have me soooooooo interested in this book. We as Mom’s sometimes think that we are the only ones that feel the way we do sometimes. Would love it.
#33 - Magi @ 11:29 am
Sounds like an interesting read.
#34 - TheAngelForever @ 11:44 am
I saw this at the library the other day and did not get a chance to pick it up. I think it sounds very interesting and would love a chance to read it. Thanks for the opportunity.
#35 - Nikowa @ 11:47 am
This sounds like a great book!
#36 - Beau@xoBeau @ 11:51 am
Thanks for the book review.
#37 - Elizabeth M. @ 12:17 pm
This looks completely entertaining. You make it sound like so much fun!
#38 - Louise Brouillette @ 12:21 pm
I’m always looking for good reads!
#39 - Denise @ 12:31 pm
I love reading. Count me in!
#40 - susan varney @ 12:52 pm
i had an ege exam today
#41 - Doll Clothes Gal @ 1:06 pm
Thanks for that - I’m an avid reader but I don’t this one. Looks fun though - I must try it.
#42 - tracey @ 1:06 pm
Sounds like a good read! Count me in on that contest!
#43 - Jenn S. @ 1:20 pm
Count me in. I am always looking for a good read.
#44 - Dawn @ 1:38 pm
It sounds like something I would really like to read.
#45 - Michele @ 2:03 pm
Count me in.
#46 - SANDY @ 2:38 pm
oh I wanna read it
#47 - Tammy @ 2:46 pm
I would love to win this!
#48 - Rhonda Struthers @ 2:53 pm
I would love to read this
#49 - Tanya Moyer @ 3:01 pm
Lucy sounds like a character I’d like to read about!
#50 - Charlotte @ 3:11 pm
Sounds like a great book. I’d love to read it.
#51 - Kathy D @ 3:17 pm
sounds like a fun read… thank u for all the great contests
#52 - Perky @ 3:17 pm
Sounds interesting — I’d read it!
#53 - jenna @ 3:44 pm
Looks fabulous. Thanks!
#54 - Andrea R @ 3:54 pm
I’m a stay at home mom & after reading the review it sounds like I could really relate to Slummy Mummy.
#55 - Susan Smith @ 4:03 pm
Please enter me
#56 - Pamela Vest @ 4:06 pm
I love to read especially things that relate to real life. please enter me.
#57 - Ana @ 4:42 pm
i’m interested
#58 - vrinda @ 4:52 pm
I would love this book. I know I have my own “slummy mummy” moments. Thanks for the chance to win.
#59 - Gina Stratos @ 4:57 pm
Love the title!
gkstratos@yahoo.com
#60 - Elaine @ 6:05 pm
Sounds like a good read-here’s hoping!
#61 - mikki roo @ 6:06 pm
Sounds like a fun read - I’m always on the lookout for those. Another great author is Charles Martin… I’m actually hosting a giveaway (my first!) of one of his books, so be sure to pay me a visit @
http://betweenloadsoflaundry.blogspot.com/
#62 - Omie @ 6:07 pm
I would love to read this book.
#63 - Kellie @ 6:07 pm
I would read this one!
#64 - Natalie @ 6:14 pm
Sounds like a fun read!
#65 - Channah @ Get a Grip, Mom! @ 6:48 pm
Wow, I want to read this!
#66 - Soha Molina @ 6:56 pm
I’d love to read it. Thanks!
#67 - Tonya Froemel @ 7:03 pm
like to win this
#68 - Anne @ 7:06 pm
Sounds interesting; I’d love to win a copy!
Thanks
#69 - Kimberly @ 7:11 pm
This sounds like a book I would love to read.
#70 - dh @ 7:27 pm
This sounds like a fun read. I wish I wasn’t so slummy myself some days.
#71 - danandmarsh @ 7:38 pm
Sounds like some funny reading! I’m in!
#72 - JONI CHADWELL @ 8:00 pm
this looks like it would be fun
#73 - christopher h @ 8:02 pm
sounds really good
#74 - Megan @ 8:13 pm
Sounds like a funny book.
Thanks for the giveaway!
#75 - Leslie @ 8:34 pm
Terrific
#76 - Dawn @ 8:34 pm
Sounds great! Count me in!
#77 - Brooke @ 8:36 pm
Seems like a perfect book for me. I haven’t made my son sleep in his clothes yet, but it sounds like a good idea.
#78 - beth shepherd @ 8:47 pm
Thank you for having this! I would love to be able to read this!
#79 - Valerie Mitchell @ 10:33 pm
What a wonderful prize!
#80 - Felicia Lockamy @ 10:40 pm
Sounds like a book you cant compare to any other, what a fun read. Thank you
#81 - Kathleen @ 11:00 pm
I’m really glad I read through your review because I’ve got to say, the title and the comparison to Bridgit Jones turned me off pretty quickly. I think this would be a fun book to read.
It doesn’t count as dropping your kids off in your jammies if you sleep in sweatpants, right?
#82 - pineapple princess @ 11:18 pm
I’m a dummy for a contest–count me in. I am anxious to find out if I fit in the slummy mummy category.
Thanks for all of the fun contests.
#83 - Stephen Saunders @ 1:14 am
Cool contest, thank you.
#84 - Corrie C @ 1:29 am
good read for a mummy
#85 - Noreen @ 2:01 am
I would love this book
#86 - Susan C @ 8:00 am
This sounds like the type of book I love; humor and chaos!
#87 - Cheryl B. @ 8:11 am
Any book that can make me laugh until I cry is a good read.
#88 - tobye @ 8:37 am
Sounds like a good read.
#89 - Nicole C. @ 8:44 am
I would love to read this book!
#90 - Nancy @ 9:10 am
I’d love to win, sounds right up my alley!
#91 - Liz @ 9:38 am
I’ve been wanting to read this book since I read an excerpt in a magazine. Count me in!
#92 - Mommy Zabs @ 9:49 am
would love to win a book like this!
#93 - Tara R @ 10:04 am
This sounds fascinating!
#94 - Susan M. Heim @ 10:08 am
This sounds like a really good book. I’d love to read it!
#95 - valerie mabrey @ 11:41 am
thanks for the contest
#96 - Katherine Newton @ 12:06 pm
I’d love to win!
#97 - lylah ledner @ 12:51 pm
i’m just delighting in and giggling over the reality of the cover.
#98 - Vicky Boackle @ 12:55 pm
i love to read and this looks great.
#99 - veronica sandberg @ 1:01 pm
love to read
#100 - djp @ 1:03 pm
i’m in!@
#101 - Ren @ 1:05 pm
Sounds like a great read! Would love this.
#102 - Shannon @ 2:07 pm
sounds good
#103 - Barbara Fox @ 2:48 pm
This book looks really good. Enter me please.
#104 - Karen Gonyea @ 2:50 pm
Looks like a really fun read !
#105 - Anita Yancey @ 2:55 pm
Would love to read. Please enter me.
#106 - Veggiemomof2 @ 3:01 pm
Looks like a good book!
#107 - Monique Rizzo @ 3:02 pm
Can always use a good book!
#108 - Belinda A. @ 3:22 pm
Sounds like a ‘must read’ for a mom:)
#109 - Susan @ 3:23 pm
Sounds like me!! Would like to read this book!
#110 - midwestmommy @ 3:26 pm
I might have to check the library if I don’t win
#111 - kristi blackstone @ 3:54 pm
I love reading! I’m on bedrest with pregnancy right now so would enjoy this book!
#112 - Sky @ 5:15 pm
This is a good book…another great one is Mommy Tracked. I loved it!
#113 - Mike Weisberg @ 5:24 pm
I want to win
#114 - Linda @ 7:04 pm
I like everyone else would love to read this book.
#115 - Sharon Jones @ 7:45 pm
would LOVE to win this…thanks!!!!!!!
#116 - sabb266 @ 10:18 pm
Sounds like a great read! Thanks for the giveaway.
#117 - aliadam @ 12:18 am
I love a fun read and this sounds like one. Even the title makes me smile. Thanks!!
#118 - Desiree @ 1:08 am
Always looking for a new read
#119 - Cindi @ 1:10 am
The cover alone of this book makes me smile! I always enjoy reading a book with some humor about being a mom. Please enter me in your drawing. Many thanks, Cindi
#120 - Michele @ 1:40 am
I really enjoyed reading your review of Slummy Mummy. I also really liked Bridget Jones so I appreciate your comparison to that book. I’d love to be entered into your giveaway!
Thanks so much!!
Michele R.(CA)
luvkittysmeowmail@gmail.com
#121 - Tina @ 7:33 am
This sounds like something I can relate to.
#122 - Kathy Scott @ 9:07 am
I love to read and I have been looking for some new authors. Thanks for the chance.
#123 - cindy Allen @ 10:50 am
looks like a great read. Thanks
#124 - Sarah @ 11:57 am
enter me!
#125 - lara southam @ 12:00 pm
i feel like i need to read slummy mummy cuz it looks great and i need to come over my mistakes if you see what i mean… so thank you!
#126 - kristenkj@nosmallthing @ 1:56 pm
I’d love to win a copy! Thanks!
#127 - Sara Taylor @ 3:58 pm
Sounds like a great breaktime read for this slummy mummy.
#128 - Tammy Firth @ 5:48 pm
Sounds intresting please pick me!!!
#129 - judy brittle @ 6:38 pm
This does sound like it would be enjoyable to read. Thank you so much!
#130 - Tracey Haynes @ 9:03 pm
My book group read this - and I missed this month - they all loved it! I never got to read it though and would love a chance at a copy!
#131 - Ginny @ 11:16 pm
Looks cute!
#132 - Jessica @ 1:00 am
I’d love to read this!
#133 - Terra Heck @ 1:36 am
I’d like to read this book.
#134 - Tammy @ 10:25 am
Sounds like a fun read - thanks for the chance.
#135 - ELV @ 12:16 pm
sounds like a fun book
#136 - Alicia Webster @ 12:36 pm
sounds like my kind of book…I wish that I was a little less “slummy” and a little more organized…
Alicia Webster
5webs@comcast.net
#137 - The Diaper Diaries @ 3:08 pm
Love it, count me in!!
#138 - Lisa Fosses @ 4:08 pm
sound like a fun read
#139 - Christine @ 5:17 pm
I really want to read this. I even checked it out from the library but had to return it without reading it because I ran out of time!!!
#140 - tanya wilson @ 6:52 pm
Sounds like a good book!
#141 - Bevelry @ 8:56 pm
I’d definitely like to read this book…sounds good!
#142 - Vicki Wurgler @ 10:33 pm
this sounds like a fun book-I’d love to win
#143 - Christi @ 10:56 pm
sounds like a fun, easy read! Thanks for sharing!
#144 - Audrey Okaneko @ 12:15 am
This sounds like a great read. Thanks!
#145 - brandy wilson @ 2:22 am
I think this book sounds fascinating
#146 - Ruthie @ 4:09 am
Sounds like a good read!
I would love to win a copy. Thanks for the opportunity.
#147 - Alexia @ 7:58 am
This sounds like an entertaining book and I’m always on the prowl for new stories!
#148 - Donna W @ 4:38 pm
I would love to win this prize!!
#149 - CHERYL A FRANCISCO @ 6:29 pm
commenting for entry please.
cherylfrancisco@hotmail.com
#150 - joy northrop @ 7:12 pm
would love to read this!
#151 - Erica Kahn @ 10:44 pm
Seems like a great read.
#152 - Stacie Ruyle @ 12:04 am
I’d love to win this book
#153 - amandasue @ 1:36 am
Sounds like an interesting book
#154 - Zoe Lee @ 3:36 am
I would love to read this , thanks for the contest.
#155 - Sherri Siler @ 8:42 am
Looks like a great book.
#156 - Janice Wright @ 9:22 am
This sounds like a good book!
#157 - Sarah Buki @ 9:55 am
sounds like a funny book!
#158 - Paula S @ 10:07 am
Great Giveaway! I would love to read this book!
#159 - Denise @ 1:05 pm
This looks like a fun read. I am in!
#160 - Marion B @ 2:34 pm
I feel like a slummy mummy most of the time so this would be fun to read!
#161 - Hesper Fry @ 3:49 pm
Looks like a great read! Count me in!
#162 - Erma Hurtt @ 5:44 pm
Count me in.
#163 - ellen cunningham @ 6:46 pm
Please enter me. Thanks
#164 - Susanne Troop @ 7:32 pm
I would love to read this book!
#165 - Audrey b @ 8:03 pm
sounds cute
#166 - Delores @ 8:19 pm
please enter me!
#167 - romero @ 8:20 pm
would love to be entered.
#168 - Catherine copeland @ 9:14 pm
slummy mummy wow what an interesting title and now i need to read it so i can satiate my interest in the book
#169 - Lara Aleff @ 12:23 am
I’d love to read this book!
#170 - karen @ 12:54 am
I love getting lost in a good book.
#171 - C Duran @ 1:39 am
Looks like a good read.
#172 - Heather C @ 4:34 am
Sounds like a fun read. Count me in.
#173 - Erica G @ 10:04 am
I am a first time mom and feel like I don’t have it together alot of the time. I would love to have this.
#174 - Janet @ 12:19 pm
Sounds interesting
#175 - DL Stephens @ 1:30 pm
I love to read all kinds of books. Count me in and thanks for the contest!
#176 - Patricia Hill @ 1:39 pm
Sounds like a great read. And, one I can pass on to my daughters whom are young mothers themselves.
#177 - kathy pease @ 2:27 pm
PLEASE COUNT ME IN ON THIS AWESOME GIVEAWAY
#178 - Jennifer Schroeder @ 3:44 pm
Sound like a good read! Please count me in! Thanks!
#179 - kathleen Yohanna @ 4:14 pm
This sounds like a really funny book. I would like to have a copy. I need a laugh right now.
Thanks for the contest.
#180 - Jean @ 4:31 pm
Thank you!
#181 - Pamela White @ 4:54 pm
I would love a laugh. I hope I win.
#182 - Theresa N @ 5:48 pm
I’d like to read this book.
#183 - Jeanine P @ 6:39 pm
Sounds like fun! I would love to win! Thanks so much for the giveaway!
#184 - Kathy Conley @ 6:57 pm
Looks like a fun end-of-summer read!
#185 - Carolyn Ireland @ 8:18 pm
Thanks so much for offering this contest! I hope to win!
#186 - Nick @ 8:19 pm
Count me in to win! Looks like a great read!
#187 - Donna Kozar @ 8:47 pm
It sounds good.
#188 - Suanne Giddings @ 9:36 pm
I want to LAUGH! I want to CRY! I want to EMPATHIZE! And then I want to do it all over again. I could do all of that if I won this book. Thanks for such a great giveaway!
#189 - Veronica Garrett @ 9:36 pm
I would love to win this funny book.
#190 - Carissa D. @ 11:09 pm
Sounds great. Thanks!
#191 - 5 Minutes for Books — Lilly P. Badilly @ 12:16 am
[...] We’ll announce the winner in next week’s column. The winner of last week’s book Slummy Mummy is #147 [...]