Monday, January 2, 2012

Between Interruptions by Cori Howard Review and GIVEAWAY

Between Interruptions
Cori Howard
Key Port Books
About Between Interruptions: 30 Women Tell the Truth About Motherhood Paperback: 328 pages Publisher: The Momoir Project; First Trade Paper Edition edition (May 5, 2009) Between Interruptions is a remarkable collection of original and heartfelt essays about the process of becoming a mother. Written by a wide range of mothers – from a Hollywood celebrity to an immigrant domestic worker, the book explores the transformative experiences in our journey as mothers. Provocative, honest and emotional, the stories focus on the impact motherhood has on our identity, sexuality, ambition and relationships. Laid bare in this collection are the vivd, gut-wrenching and exhilarating true confessions and secret longings of mothers across all ages, cultures and classes. Whether it’s a story about a journalist going to war and missing her baby, or a mother finding perfection in autism, or a mother struggling to breastfeed through post-partum depression, or a mother learning to let go of her dream to stay home with her children because she has to work, there’s a story in this collection for every mother.
Cori Howard is the founder of The Momoir Project, an online writing centre that offers memoir writing classes, workshops and workbooks. She’s also an award-winning journalist whose work in newspapers, magazines, TV and radio has taken her around the world. Her stories – many about motherhood – have appeared in publications including Reader’s Digest, Elle, The Independent, among many others. She lives in Vancouver, B.C. with her family.

Why I loved this book: This is a compilation of essays by women who know how to write an essay. They are divided into categories, each addressing different aspects of motherhood. Many of the essays resonated deeply, others, not so much. The women walk all the paths of life yet express themselves in ways that a fellow mother understands. Perhaps there was a writing prompt that said something like, "Describe how motherhood changed you" or "Contrast life before and after" or "How well were you prepared for motherhood?" What struck me was the raw honesty of these women. Most were ill-prepared for the reality of motherhood. Many are still teetering atop the pyramid of motherhood and career, precariously attempting a balancing act. I loved the way one author described how motherhood has no clear edges or primary colors. Parts of life can no longer be categorized or checkmarked. Motherhood seeps into all the compartments that were so neatly built before. Another beautiful writer expressed her delusions as she  gave birth to her second daughter then jumped into an evening gown and took over a magazine only to discover that she found her ceiling and her fall was long and hard. I loved that raw honesty. Because motherhood is not one thing or another. It is beautiful, fulfilling, worthwhile, spiritual, uplifting, and divine. It is also thankless, neverending, exhausting, hellish, and someone-needs-to-stop-this-ride-so-I-can-get-off.

The simple truth of motherhood is that it can't be taught. You will never reach such highs or lows until you are a mother. You will never be stretched so thin and feel so contentedly satisfied until you are wholly responsible for the fruit of your womb. It's an exclusive club but anybody with estrogen can join. It's not the same as tending your nieces and nephews or having a friend who has a child. It is all consuming and women all over Canada and the U.S. are sharing their stories of growth. This is the first installment. I hope there will be more.

This book is part of a TLC tour and the publisher agreed to 5 giveaways for the tour. And I won the lottery! I get to host one! Check out the other stops on the tour along the way but remember, I have a giveaway! Because I'm Mrs. Quick Fingers and asked fifth! I feel so lucky! You will love this book! I do. And I'm not giving up my copy!

Fill out the form below or click HERE


Monday, January 2nd:  A Musing Reviews
Wednesday, January 4th:  Acting Balanced
Monday, January 9th:  Seaside Book Nook
Wednesday, January 11th:  Overstuffed
Thursday, January 12th:  Just Another Mommy Blog
Monday, January 16th:  Juggling Life
Wednesday, January 18th:  Get Healthy with Heather
Thursday, January 19th:  There’s a Book
Monday, January 23rd:  Musings of a Bookish Kitty
Tuesday, January 24th:  From Tracie
Wednesday, January 25th:  Red Headed Book Child

6 comments:

Bonnie said...

I would love to read this book. I love when I have a chance to read motherhood stories from women who have nothing to prove and are willing to be *honest*. It sounds amazing! Thanks for the chance to win a copy *fingers crossed*

Bonnie @ Hands and Home www.handsandhome.ca

Darlene said...

Thanks for the giveaway!

I think this book would be valuable to any mom, but especially to a new mom. Lots of moms are too afraid to admit that motherhood is HARD - it's not all roses. And then they feel like a failure and wonder what is wrong with them for feeling that way??

Sounds like a good one!

Kim Lehnhoff said...

I didn't sign up for the most recent giveaway, but I know my stepdaughter would love this one...and maybe she'd let me read it later.

Susan O'Bryant said...

As someone who is seriously debating whether or not to have children, I think this book would be very valuable in making that decision. Thanks for the chance to win it!

Anonymous said...

Wow, this sounds like a wonderful read. I know what you mean about being able to write an essay - that is a skill not everyone has.

Thanks for being a part of the tour!

sparklejewelsp59@yahoo.com said...

I really love reading would love to win this book thanks for the great giveway