Hannah Hiles

I’ve fallen a bit behind posting these mini book reviews and while I’m sure no one but me is interested, they are more for my benefit than anything else. So here we go with April’s books!

Books finished

Vanishing Acts – Jodi Picoult

After loving Jodi Picoult’s Nineteen Minutes back in January, I picked up a copy of Vanishing Acts in a charity shop to help me get through a mammoth six-hour hairdressing session. Unfortunately Vanishing Acts didn’t live up to Nineteen Minutes and I ground my way through it without caring about any of the characters and being interested in the plot. I don’t normally finish books I don’t like but having out so much time into it I limped to the end with a bit of help from Wikipedia and Goodreads. I’m not sure I’ll pick up another Jodi Picoult.

The Rainbow Way: Cultivating Creativity in the Midst of Motherhood – Lucy H Pearce

I read this because I was interviewing the author for my Green Parent magazine series. It’s been a long time since I thought of myself as a creative person (have I EVER thought of myself that way?) and while I was reading the book I struggled to see myself in the “Creative Rainbow Mother” archetype that she describes. But since reading the book and speaking to Lucy a little spark of creativity has been kindled deep inside. I had my hair dyed an array of “mermaid’ colours and have been drawing a bit, and have been exploring ways of feeling more like myself again. I’ve have felt completely subsumed into  being a mother but this book showed me a possible way to be me and their mum, a way that I would never have considered before.

How Not to Hate Your Husband After Kids – Jancee Dunn

My poor long-suffering husband bought this for me, which suggests that I maybe need to adjust my attitude towards him! I’m not sure that he enjoyed me reading bits out to him all the time, but between making me hoot with laughter and shake my head with recognition, it did hold a mirror up to some of my less appealing habits. It was surprising  how relatable the author’s experience was despite our lives being so different. It’s not just me! It was funny in parts and packed with sensible advice, and I should probably re-read it on a regular basis…

Also on the go

• Seven Seasons of Buffy: Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Discuss their Favourite Television Show
• At Home in the World – Tsh Oxenreider