May's Book of the Month is one of the best books on motherhood I've read for ages. Like Helen Simpson in Hey Yeah Right Get a Life, Sarah Moss is one of those authors that just nails it. This is a book you'll be passing on to everyone around you, and should win prizes for its author.
Anna Cassingham (aka Dr Bennet) is an Oxford Research Fellow writing a history book. Only she isn't, because she is also trying to cope with the incessant interruptions, questions and demands of precocious, death-obsessed, seven year old Raph and two year old Moth, who has yet to sleep through the night. Husband Giles, owner of the tiny island of Colsay where they have come to live for the summer, is keen on homemade bread and recycling, less keen on childcare and clean surfaces. Whilst planting a tree one day, the family discover a baby's skeleton, which sets Anna (and the police) on a papertrail of stories that are interlinked with the island's history and Giles's family. The dialogue is sharp and funny, the observations are lively and true to life. Above all, the tension between the visceral love for your family and the need for self-preservation is brilliantly explored.
Find out more on the book of the month page, and you can check out Sarah's website for videos, reviews and more details on the people and places that inspired the book.
Granta have given us 50 copies to give away to Mumsnetters - to claim yours go to the book of the month page and fill in your details. We'll post here when all the copies have gone. If you're not lucky enough to bag one of the free books, you can always get your paperback or Kindle version here.
We are delighted that Sarah will be joining us to chat about NIGHT WAKING, motherhood and her writing career on Wednesday 30 May, 9-10pm. Hope you can join us then...
ProfCoxWouldGetIt
Fri 04-May-12 08:21:58
erm - am I being thick, or is the page not working yet?
I think the page will go live at 10.30 today, there is a bit of a time lag between me posting the thread and the page switching between last month and this month. Sorry, should have explained that.
ProfCoxWouldGetIt
Fri 04-May-12 08:34:32
Thanks Tilly - it's early and I've not finished my first coffee yet, so I thought I was very likely having a very stupid moment
Hello, yes, our May book of the month page going live at 10.30am, and as Tilly says, there are 50 copies of Night Waking up for grabs. 
Abcinthia
Fri 04-May-12 10:33:25
This book looks really interesting. I've requested my copy.
NoraHelmer
Fri 04-May-12 10:37:12
It does look like a good one - have requested a copy. Fingers crossed
DazR
Fri 04-May-12 10:38:28
Requested - really looking forward to reading this - hope I'm lucky with a copy!
ShadeMumsnet
(MNHQ)
Fri 04-May-12 10:38:41
The May book of the month page is now live. Hurry over for the chance to bag a free copy of Night Waking.
Fingers crossed, this looks a good one
coni336
Fri 04-May-12 11:13:46
sounds good, can't wait to read it
Ooh that looks good - and it's my birthday this month and everything <hint hint> 
Oh wow - just finished this a couple of weeks ago and absolutely loved it. Bit out of the MN habit but must try & remember to log in for the chat.
DazR
Fri 04-May-12 14:19:56
Just a quick point - your amazon link to the book on your home page does not show the cheapest copy of this book on amazon and has a different cover to that shown on the home page.
ShadeMumsnet
(MNHQ)
Fri 04-May-12 17:01:55
The free copies of Night Waking have now gone. The successful applicants will receive an email within the next seven days.
DazR: Thanks for the heads up re the Amazon link. We have changed all the links to the cheapest paperback copy.
Hi,
I am kinda new here but would love to join this month's book club. Cannot wait to get reading this book.
I got one!!! So excited. Looks like my current book is going to get put down halfway through again 
NoraHelmer
Tue 08-May-12 12:53:37
I got an email this morning. Looking forward to reading it
Just to reiterate something Tilly said on another book of the month thread - please don't hold back and wait until the author webchat to talk about any of our books of the month.
The more reactions and musings the merrier (minus spoilers, if poss). Ideally, we want to have a 'rolling' discussion of the book of the month as and when people finish reading it, even if you can't make the author chat.
But, of course, if you have read Night Waking and are longing to ask Sarah about a question, then please join her on 30 May.
And a shameless plug (in for a penny etc) for @Mumsnetbookclub - our very own Twitter feed.
fifide
Tue 08-May-12 20:33:37
I absolutely loved this book and have bought copies and given away my copy to friends. I am not an academic like Anna (by any stretch of the imagination!) but really identified with the way kids completely blew apart the life she had before. I don't want to spoil it for anyone so I'll not say any more just now. It is well worth a read though and will try my best to look in for the chat on the 30th.
Hi Sarah,
I really liked the book (and Cold Earth). One of the things I liked in particular was the fact that you put the children as much centre stage as the adults. Children are usually such minor characters (if seen at all), it was great to have real life small people roaming about the pages. Were you aware how unusual this is when you chose to do it? Did you have to persuade your editors..?
NoraHelmer
Mon 14-May-12 13:07:00
Has anyone received their copy yet?
RachelMumsnet
(MNHQ)
Mon 14-May-12 15:38:05
We've just been in touch with Granta, the book publishers who say the books were sent out towards the end of the last week. Unfortunately they temporarily ran out of stock for a couple of days, hence the delay. Let us know when they arrive and enjoy.
Abcinthia
Tue 15-May-12 10:49:13
My copy arrived this morning
