http://www.bookswellread.com/hilary/entries/1 hilary's entries Copyright 2005, BooksWellRead Interactive http://www.bookswellread.com/entry/3649 entry title...A little unrealistic    spoilers... n/a    shelf... have read    tags... pregnancy childbirth

As someone who's interested in natural childbirth, I thought this might be useful. I'd heard positive things about the method from online forums. But the book kind of makes you feel like if you feel any pain or feel any worries, you're failing. I liked the Birthing from Within approach a bit better - worrying during pregnancy is natural! But I did like the visualisations on the CD that came with the book and found them very relaxing. Tue, 12 Jun 2007 22:47:01 PDT http://www.bookswellread.com/entry/3648 entry title...Good closer to the day    spoilers... n/a    shelf... have read    tags... pregnancy childbirth

This book is another book focussed on actually giving birth. There was a bit too much information on birth art for my taste, as I didn't find it all that relevant. However, I think that the portions that deal with actually coping with pain and so on will be useful closer to the big day. I'll also recommend some chapters to Julian. Tue, 12 Jun 2007 22:42:55 PDT http://www.bookswellread.com/entry/3647 entry title...Recommended!    spoilers... n/a    shelf... have read    tags... pregnancy childbirth home_birth

Kitzinger is an anthropologist who's been writing about pregnancy and childbirth for decades, often critically. This book is another great general reference text - lots of focus on homebirth and waterbirths as well. Tue, 12 Jun 2007 22:41:51 PDT http://www.bookswellread.com/entry/3646 entry title...Good reference - get this instead of What to Expect    spoilers... n/a    shelf... reference    tags... pregnancy childbirth babies

A really good general reference text - lots of information on very early pregnancy and also on nutrition. The childbirth section is really good too, with lots and lots of information on how it all happens. Tue, 12 Jun 2007 22:40:40 PDT http://www.bookswellread.com/entry/3172 entry title...If you're pregnant, read this book!    spoilers... n/a    shelf... reading    tags... pregnancy canada birth

This book summarises thousands of studies done about pregnancy and birth. Surprisingly, many of the tests and procedures routinely offered to pregnant women have no basis in scientific fact. It is an indispensable tool for advocating for yourself and your child.

Some fascinating facts revealed:

-non-stress tests and fetal kick counts do not improve outcomes for babies; in fact in one study the babies who were treated by doctors who had access to non-stress test dat actually fared worse!
-there is no treatment that has proven effective for gestational diabetes, and most larger than average babies will be born to women who do not have GD
-over half of women who experience bleeding in pregnancy do not miscarry
-infant mortality is the same for hospital and home birth with a skilled caregiver
-between 50-70% of women who ae found to test positive for GD will test negative when they are retested

The book is relatively non-judgmental, but offers the pros and cons of various procedures. Thu, 17 May 2007 22:11:10 PDT http://www.bookswellread.com/entry/2330 entry title...A great gift for parents-to-be    spoilers... n/a    shelf... have read    tags... pregnancy birth

This book is a wonderful gift to give to parents-to-be. The most stunning feature are, of course, the photographs of conception and birth.

Nilsson is a pioneer, who has managed to capture the very early moments of life. I found it particularly interesting in the early days of my pregnancy, when it was hard to imagine what was going on in still-flat belly. It's particularly nice for fathers-to-be. There are many photos of the embyro, and then the fetus, all in stunning colour.

The book isn't all photos though - there is quite a bit of text covering topics such as possible tests you may elect to have, care of premature babies, IVF conception, breastfeeding and birth. It's certainly not a substitute for a more general book on pregnancy, but it's interesting reading nonetheless.

My one complaint is that I wish there were more pictures of older fetuses. Once you're past the 14 week stage, there aren't quite as many photos. There are virtually no photos of fetuses in the third trimester. That may be because the changes all happen more slowly, and are less dramatic than those in the first trimester. Additionally, there may be fewer opportunities for such late term photos.

While this isn't a vital pregnancy book, it is certainly one of my favourites, and is one that I enjoy looking at again and again as I try to imagine what's going on inside my body. Tue, 20 Mar 2007 19:20:04 PDT http://www.bookswellread.com/entry/632 entry title...rich characters    spoilers... minor    shelf... to read    tags... historical

picked this up on a whim and i loved it. a vivid, encaptivating heroine and a rich setting. lots happens, lots is unresolved; an enjoying and captivating read. Thu, 02 Nov 2006 11:06:01 PST http://www.bookswellread.com/entry/419 entry title...Simple story makes you think    spoilers... minor    shelf... have read    tags... southern slavery race

A fascinating, simple book. Winner of the Orange Prize it is repeatedly lauded for being 'sparse' by various people praising it on the first two pages.

It is the story of a woman on a plantation in the South. Not exactly the most sympathetic heroine, she feels rather sorry for herself throughout much of the book for the dark, lonely life she leads. She despises her husband and resents her slaves. Yet it never occurs to her that if things are going to be better, perhaps the whole system has to change.

It sounds like a depressing book, and to some degree it is. But the taut writing and suspenseful style are a hook I read it in two days, unable to put it down. I was both repulsed and drawn in by the lead and the complex cast of characters who surround her, none of whom are exactly good, but none of whom are exactly evil.

I will definitely be looking for more from Valerie Martin - this book made me think harder than anything I've read in a while. Sat, 12 Aug 2006 09:38:05 PDT http://www.bookswellread.com/entry/319 entry title...[entry title]    spoilers... none    shelf... favourite    tags... childrens baby showergifts

This is a lovely, calming, soothing book - great for shower gifts. Fri, 07 Apr 2006 20:54:51 PDT http://www.bookswellread.com/entry/289 entry title...suspense, romance, mayhem    spoilers... n/a    shelf... to read    tags...

I've tried to read this book a couple of times, starting at age 11. I'm happy to report that sixteen years later I managed to complete it - and am actually shocked I've never done so before. The plot is quite riveting, with tonnes of suspense. The heroine is certainly a little dated, and while she is a little nineteenth century, one can understand why she has kept our attention - the girl's got a lot of spunk. Not sure that Mr. Rochester holds the romantic charm he did when I was 11, but a good read in any case. Particularly liked the last section, in which the plot takes a completely different take, away from the English manor... for a while at least. Sun, 19 Mar 2006 00:11:42 PST http://www.bookswellread.com/entry/287 entry title...Restored version of Klee Wyck    spoilers... minor    shelf... have read    tags... canada britishcolumbia aboriginal

Recently released version of famed painter Emily Carr's book about travels among the Aboriginal people of British Columbia. While some parts are clearly dated, there are interesting insights into First Nations life at the turn of the century, albeit from an outsider's perspective. Bonus - recently material that had been left out for decades, including criticisms of the residential schools and missionaries, has been restored. Sun, 19 Mar 2006 00:10:36 PST http://www.bookswellread.com/entry/247 entry title...strange...    spoilers... minor    shelf... have read    tags... britlit scifi

This was a book by Kazuo Ishiguro, who wrote Remains of the Day - a tremendous work of love in a repressive society. There's a common theme here, only the society, rather than being Edwardian England, is a sort of contemporary place. Only there's a difference, in that there are schools, raising children whose sole purpose is, without giving too much away, well, sufficed to say there is a purpose for their existence. As such, they are not free to choose their destinies as we are. Ishiguro pictures a future as repressed as our past, but where we are instead slaves to science instead of morality. The characters weren't as well-drawn or deep as I remember from Remains of the Day, nor did their tragedies linger for me. But, the theme, the sense of place and the eerie familiarity all make this a worthwhile read. Sat, 11 Mar 2006 23:40:11 PST http://www.bookswellread.com/entry/228 entry title...What's all the fuss?    spoilers... none    shelf... have read    tags... thriller religion fiction

People keep telling me to read this book, knowing that I have a bit of a penchant for talking about the role of women in the church and the gnostic gospels; I also love to explain the difference between Mary of Bethany and Mary Magdalene and how they all got conflated by some evil dude.

And naturally I've heard about this book for a very long time... I mean, who hasn't read it yet?

Was I impressed? Yes and no. I really liked all the religious trivia. As a bit of a conspiracy theorist myself, I dig that stuff. But the plot itself? It was actually pretty bad. I can't say I understand why this book has captured the imagination of so many people; frankly its theories aren't new, and its characters are rather wooden. And why the hell isn't it out in paperback yet? That pisses me off - I've been waiting to buy it but instead I just borrowed someone else's copy. Bottom line: unless you want the religion trivia, give this one a pass. Sat, 14 Jan 2006 00:00:00 PST http://www.bookswellread.com/entry/229 entry title...Another hit from the East    spoilers... none    shelf... have read    tags... canlit newfoundland

Why do so many great authors come out of Newfoundland? It's a very profilic place. This book is sort of post-modern; not a whole lot happens; it's just a series of vignettes that weave together about seemingly unrelated people who are actually tangled up in a web. Think of it as the Robert Altman's Short Cuts of Canadian literature.

What's remarkable about the book isn't the plot (or plots) but the author's style. She has a knack of catching the mundane details, the shape of an egg-cup, a description of the medicine cabinet, the sneer of a rude cashier, and painting them in language that is descriptive yet spare. I could learn a lot from this style. I'll be interested to read this young author's next work. Sat, 14 Jan 2006 00:00:00 PST http://www.bookswellread.com/entry/159 entry title...Can't Wait for the Musical!    spoilers... minor    shelf... favourite    tags... witch wicked gregorymaguire fantasy fairytale

It's been years since I've read this book, and I've read all the Gregory Maguires since, and I LOVE it. It was a wonderful book - so evocative. All the characters are turned around - Glinda is a simpering backstabber, and Dorothy a mere annoyance. It makes you start to look at all literature in a topsy-turvy way. Definitely on my top ten books of all time list. I hear he's coming out with a sequel and I can't wait. Mon, 28 Nov 2005 00:00:00 PST