Welcome to another Tuesday celebrating bookish events, from Tuesday/First Chapter/Intros, hosted by Bibliophile by the Sea; and Teaser Tuesdays hosted by Should Be Reading.
My book today is an ARC from the Amazon Vine program, entitled Nine Months, by Paula Bomer.
Beginning: February 7
“I DID IT!” She screams, ” I DID IT WITH MY OWN BODY!” Her voice is ungodly deep. The veins in her neck thick with blood. And it’s true. Her body, once more, did it. What’s left of it. Bleeding, bloated, bruised inside and out. Ripped and torn, the yellowish, green umbilical cord resembling some sort of proof that aliens do indeed exist, they exist inside of our own bodies. The slimy, luminescent cord is proof of universal mystery, this strange devise that attached her to her daughter—it’s from inside of her body, just like her daughter, too, the red-faced infant screaming in the doctor’s arms. Her insides came out. It’s the end of the world.
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It’s pretty gross, right? Would you keep reading?
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Teaser: Sonia slams the phone down. “Let’s go boys! Let’s go get ice cream,” she hollers, as she heads down the steps from her loft into the living room, where they sit glued to cartoons. “It’s beautiful out! Let’s go to the park!” (p. 37)
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Amazon Description: A bold, unapologetic first novel about a pregnant mother and wife who abandons her family in search of an identity that is hers alone.
“Deliciously, dangerously rogue.” —Marcy Dermansky, author of Bad MarieSonia, a young Brooklyn mother shaken by her unexpected (third) pregnancy, abandons her husband and kids and takes off on a cross-country odyssey in search of an identity separate from her family. She does everything a pregnant woman shouldn’t do—engaging in casual sex and smoking weed—as she retraces her past and attempts to reclaim her sidelined career as an artist. Nine Months is a fierce, daring page-turner of a novel—a lacerating response to the culture of mommy blogs, helicopter parents and “parental correctness” as well as an unflinching look at the choices women face when trying to balance art and family.
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I think this will be a controversial read…so I’m withholding judgment on it until I’m finished. What do you think?
Hmm it does sound pretty good. It’s been a long time since I read anything to do with pregnancy or birth, and there’s almost always a good story attached! Yes, I’d keep reading.
Thanks, Trish…I know that the character’s behavior is off-putting, but I’m always intrigued by why people do what they do. Glad you could stop by.
Very gross beginning! I am sure this is not the kind of book I would enjoy. I hope you are enjoying it though. Happy reading!
I suspect that I’ll be examining it like a client file…lol; enjoyment is probably not the word I’ll use. Thanks for visiting, Kathy, and have a great week.
oh no. i can’t read anything about birth. i don’t know what will happen when one day i have my own kids but it’ll have to be a surprise! i can’t handle it!
Trish – my teaser
I think the intro depicts the gross aspects….which says more about the narrator than the actual process. Thanks for visiting, Trish.
Oh wow! What an interesting teaser. The amazing thoughts that go through our heads while our little ones are born! Thank you so much for stopping by my TT. Old follower
Jaclyn @ JC’s Book Haven
Yes, that is definitely true, Jaclyn…and thanks for visiting and sharing your thoughts. Enjoy your week!
yeah, don’t know if this book is up my alley…. not sure I would keep reading…Book Savvy Babe
It’s definitely not for everyone, Heather…thanks for stopping by!
She does sound like a crazy mom but I’d read it to find out what she finds on her odyssesy.
My curiosity is leading me down that pathway, too, Harvee. Thanks for visiting…and enjoy your week.
Sounds controversial and fascinating! I’ll put it on my Goodreads ‘would like to read’ list! Thank you
Definitely controversial! I am enjoying the comments about these snippets. Thanks for visiting,mfrobertswriter.
I loved being pregnant with my daughter, but I don’t think I want to relive it via a book like this. And it sounds a bit controversial…leaving her family. I could never do that, not even at my most selfish. Thanks for sharing & stopping by my teaser! Happy Tuesday!
Yes, the character would have to be, at the very least, emotionally unstable. I’m curious as to what led up to these choices. Thanks for visiting, Jen.
Can’t say the beginning or description grabbed me on this one, but hope that you enjoy it. Thanks for visiting!
Thanks, Heather….I suspect that the story will be disturbing in many ways. Glad you could stop by, and enjoy your pick.
Hi Laurel-Rain,
Not having ever had any children of my own, your opening paragraph would be enough to turn me off this book! However, I am still intrigued, if not more than a little appalled, at the thought that a mother-to-be could leave her family behind, go off and act in such a debauched manner, as Sonia seems to.
The author has already written another book titled ‘Baby And Other Stories’, which is pretty much along the same irreverent lines, so I am not sure whether she is a mother herself, or whether she is playing out the fantasy of how she would like her own life to be.
I am not sure that Paula Bomer is an author for me, but thanks for sharing and I shall be interested to read your thoughts.
Yvonne
I am not sure about that either, Yvonne, but I selected the book from Vine out of curiosity. Thanks for visiting.
Wow, sounds pretty interesting. Thanks for visiting our Teaser : http://refractedlightreviews.com/?p=13073
Thanks, Heather…I do like stirring things up a bit, and this book does that. Glad you could stop by.
I think I would as it is a pretty accurate description of birth
kelley—the road goes ever ever on
Thanks, Kelley….I am intrigued, too, and it will definitely not be a book that makes birth seem “pretty.”
Um, wow. Quite graphic, er, descriptive at least! I like the way you posted these teasers, one following the other, so we get more than one — dare I say — taste of the book.
Okay, ugh, “taste” was definitely a horrible word to use there, considering your teasers, but I couldn’t think of another word! “Sample?” lol…
Ha-ha…Yes, I like “sample” better…and I am almost reluctant to see how graphic the rest of the book gets….thanks for visiting, Kelley.
Interesting book. I don’t think it’s my cup of tea, but it sounds intriguing. Hope you enjoy it.
~Danica Page
Taking it One Page at a Time
It would definitely not be everybody’s kind of book, Danica, but I appreciate the visit and comments. Enjoy your week.
I think the book sounds interesting and the cover in all it’s simplicity is great. Thanks for your comment on my blog.
I agree about the cover, Tiina…and thanks for visiting. Enjoy your week.
Nice teaser!
Thanks, Stephanie…glad you could stop by!
Great teaser. Very true with children these days, wanting to sit and watch TV. I haven’t heard of this book and it looks interesting. Thanks for stopping by and sharing.
Katie ~ Turner’s Antics
Glad you could stop by, Katie…enjoy your week!
OOh nice tease!
Thanks for visiting mine!
Thanks, Jessica…glad you liked it!
OMG…gross is right, but actually it made me chuckle. I’ll be looking for your review.
Thanks so much for joining us this week; I appreciate it.
Yes, the more I read into the book, the more I come to understand the character…and she just seems to be very upfront with her thoughts and feelings, although some of her language is a bit graphic…but so far, so good.
Thanks for stopping by, Diane.
Good one! I want to know more!
Thanks, Yvonne…I like a book that’s a bit controversial…at least now and then. Glad you could stop by.
I don’t know if I would keep on or not!! And yes it was a bit gross!
Ha-ha….Yes, I’d have to agree. I’ll see how it goes. Thanks for visiting, Staci.
The beginning is very descriptive! LOL. Look forward to your thoughts.
Yes, that’s a good way to look at it, Nise…I will have to wait and see if I enjoy it…lol; thanks for visiting, and have a great week.
That is quite an opener! Thanks for stopping by.
Glad you liked it, Beth…and I hope you’re enjoying your read. Thanks for visiting.
Hmmmm… I’m not sure what I think just yet. LOL! I’ll be looking forward to your review on this one!
I’ll probably be reviewing this by the end of the day…thanks for visiting, Lisa.
whoa, that is definitely attention grabbing! thanks for sharing!
I agree, Andrea…and despite the somewhat gross beginning, the story was a lot more intriguing than I would have imagined. Thanks for visiting!