Title: Mother, Can You Not?
Author: Kate Siegel
Publisher: Crown Archetype/Random House, LLC
Release Date: April 5, 2016
Genre: Humor, Parenting & Families, Entertainment
About the Book:
Based on the wildly popular Instagram account @CrazyJewishMom, Kate Siegel's essay collection about life with the woman who redefined the term "helicopter mom"
There is nothing more wonderful than a mother’s love. There is also nothing more annoying. Who else can proudly insist that you’re perfect while simultaneously making you question every career, fashion, and relationship decision you have ever made?
No one understands the delicate mother-daughter dynamic better than Kate Siegel—her own mother drove her so crazy that she decided to broadcast their hilarious conversations on Instagram. Soon, hundreds of thousands of people were following their daily text exchanges, eager to see what outrageous thing Kate’s mom would do next. Now, in Mother, Can You NOT?, Kate pays tribute to the woman who invented the concept of drone parenting.
From embarrassing moments (like crashing Kate's gynecological exams) to outrageous stories (like the time she made Kate steal a cat from the pound) to hilarious celebrations (including but not limited to parties for Kate's menstrual cycles), Mother, Can you NOT? lovingly lampoons the lengths to which our mothers will go to better our lives (even if it feels like they’re ruining them in the process).
Scherry's Review:
Although Janna and I generally reach for different genre's, occasionally we both grab the same book to read and review. That's what happened here. Sort of.
My youngest daughter actually bought this book for me. Was she trying to tell me something? She and I have a great relationship and talk about things I would have NEVER talked to my own mother about... but I don't think I ever went as far as Kate Siegel's mom did. At least I never coerced her into stealing a cat for me. And I never, ever, threw her a "period party"! I did hover over her as a child, I guess. Just simple stuff like being the room mother in school and going on every field trip with her and being her girl scout leader because no other girl scout leader could do it right. We do talk on the phone several times a day, and I do send her an occasional text message... usually telling her about crazy stuff her father is doing. And perhaps I do comment on her love life from time to time. And about sex. And sex toys. OMG! I'M JUST LIKE KATE'S MOM!
All that aside... I really loved this book. I laughed so hard I had tears streaming down my face. But I totally get it! Kim is the kind of mom I could be best friends with! She just wants to make Kate's life so perfect! Perhaps she went to extreme measures a few times, but it all seemed to work out. That's what mom's do!
Loved this book!!
Janna's Review:
I've been a fan of the Instagram Account @CrazyJewishMom for several years. When I found out she'd released a book, I couldn't help myself. I had to pick it up. This book is terrific! I laughed so hard that I cried. I even ended up reading parts of it to my son -- you know, just to remind him that as crazy and neurotic as he thinks I am -- I could be even worse. He got such a kick out of it, he even borrowed it from me so he could finish reading it too.
This is a quick and incredibly fun read. Kate's mom's antics are hilarious and the little screenshots of the instant messages at the end of each chapter will make you want to read more! At the very least, read a sample of this book -- or check out their Instagram account. Trust me, you don't want to miss out on this book.
Our Rating:
About the Author:
KATE SIEGEL is a writer and a social media guru who started the hit Instagram account @CrazyJewishMom. She has been featured on BuzzFeed, Elite Daily, The Huffington Post,Cosmo, Today.com, Vogue.com, in People Magazine, and on Nightline and The Ellen DeGeneres Show. She previously served as an associate producer for Condé Nast Entertainment, overseeing digital video for Teen Vogue, Bon Appétit, The New Yorker Festival, Condé Nast Traveler, and Self. Prior to joining Condé Nast, Kate studied English, creative writing, and theater at Princeton University.
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