Minus Nine to One, by Jools Oliver

Absolutely loved this...a friend lent it to me and I read it twice in a few days!! Cried my eyes out both times. This book is emotional, easy to read and had me in fits of giggles on numerous occasions. Wonderful read....

Only negative which is nit picky on my behalf...the title...

minus nine to twelfth

or

minus 3/4's to 1

but they don't have the same ring to it...

I liked this book, very honest but somehow a little patronising in parts as if written so as not to offend those who cannot afford the same luxuries that she has. I love Jamie Oliver and that was my reason for reading it. Some good recipes in the back too.

I loved this book and finished it within two days - I should mention that I was still in the early months of pregnancy and appreciated the down to earth, girl-to-girl chatty style of Jools Oliver. Regardless of her famous husband, this is definitely not a 'yummy mummy' book but a practical, knowledgable and heart warming read that stands out amongst the best parenting books. I am still using the recipes from the back of the book too! A great addition to the bookshelf!

I must confess that this is not a book I would have chosen to buy if I had seen it in a shop. However, a friend lent it to me and I'm so glad she did. I'm not sure if I really learnt any good parenting tips from it, but I did thoroughly enjoy reading it and couldn't put it down. Jools has a lovely, easy to read writing style and it's just like she is there chatting to you. My daughter was about 2 when I read this, and Jools' descriptions of her first few weeks at home with a newborn brought back such wonderful memories. I also love the fact that Jools is a worrier like I am and I felt very reassured knowing that I'm non the only person who worried constantly during their pregnancy and baby's first few months!

I'd definitely recommend this book. If you are pregnant, planning a baby or already have children, you will love it! It's best enjoyed with a glass of wine in the evening when the children are in bed!

Despite her husband's obvious fame and acclaim, Jools Oliver is a Super Woman in her own right. This book gives a frank and honest account of her own personal experience of bringing her two children, Poppy and Daisy, into this crazy world of ours.

I am not really a "Yummy Mummy Book" fanatic. Usually I prefer to be cast into the swirling rapids of an experience, rather than dip my feet tentatively in the shallows first. I think I barely read anything aside from a casual flick through the Bounty pack paraphernalia when I was pregnant with my first child. However, I thought I would give this book a go since I had heard good stuff about it from various friends - and I am really glad I did.

Rather than go for the "Yummy Mummy" approach, Jools tells it like it is. I was mainly drawn to this book because, like me, Mrs Oliver has a very small age gap between her two little girls. Impressively, she has a 13 month gap, which I gaze at in awe across the 14 ½ month age gap between my two little ladies!

Starting at conception, Jools takes us through the heart-ache of fertility treatment to the elation of "those two blue lines"; from the rigours of morning sickness through the trauma of childbirth to the utter joy of holding your child in your arms for the first time. She leaves nothing to the imagination as she strips bear her fears and thoughts for her captive audience. I really enjoyed the easy-to-read diary style this book takes with its short chapters and extensive index. The excellent photography is a lovely bonus too and cuts up what is quite a hard read, in terms of the reality of child-rearing which Jools paints.

I particularly enjoyed relating to Jools' experience of having a new life growing inside you while carrying on with the day-to-day grit of already having a baby to care for. I found her honest approach very affirming and it made me realise that I am not the only one who has struggled (and continues to struggle!) through such times!

As you would expect, there is also a fantastic "Food Section", which details lots of great recipes Jools has found quick, easy and nutritious while weaning Poppy and Daisy and introducing them to new tastes and textures.

I put this book back on the shelf feeling positive, renewed and enthusiastic about the daunting task that awaits me every morning in the shape of my two gorgeous little monkeys! I would definitely recommend you all receive a bit of this "therapy" too.