Skip to main content
Skip to main navigation
Skip to talk navigation

Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Saved Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Flip

Get updates on how your baby develops, your body changes, and what you can expect during each week of your pregnancy by signing up to the Mumsnet Pregnancy Newsletters.

Get updates on how your baby develops, your body changes, and what you can expect during each week of your pregnancy by signing up to the Mumsnet Pregnancy Newsletters.

Pregnancy

Cheery books to read while pregnant?

20 replies

Eveninties · 10/04/2017 15:11

Can anyone suggest something funny/lighthearted to read while pregnant? I usually read thrillers but everything I pick up seems to contain something baby related to freak me out. I'm an anxious person even when I'm not pregnant and need something nice to read.

OP posts:

Report

WindwardCircle · 10/04/2017 15:21

How about Chris Stewart's books about his life in rural Spain? The first one is 'Driving Over Lemons'. They're funny, gentle easy reads.

Eveninties · 10/04/2017 15:29

Had a quick Google there, looks very different to what I usually read so probably just what I need! Downloaded a sample so I'll give it a try later, thanks!

OP posts:

GingerHanna · 10/04/2017 15:58

I've nearly finished 'The Baby's Coming' by Virginia Howes. She's an independent midwife and it talks about her experiences of home births and some hospital and is generally really really nice. I'm on the last chapter - got it 24 hours ago!

Eveninties · 10/04/2017 16:29

Ok ginger I'll check that one out too, thanks!

OP posts:

SpringSpringSpring · 10/04/2017 19:23

I was thinking something similar. I need something with a good plot because I'm so tired when I go to bed now but detective stories don't appeal.

I was looking for funny books similar to: Cold comfort farm, Bill Bryson, Wodehous, My family & other animals all of which I would recommend. So far I haven't come up with anything like them though. I tried a David Lodge which was nice but not so great I want to read all the others.

Eveninties · 10/04/2017 21:10

I bought cold comfort farm years ago after a similar recommendation- for some reason I never got round to reading it. I'll need to dig it out..

OP posts:

Eveninties · 10/04/2017 21:13

Had the misfortune to read The Girl Before recently- big mistake for a worried pregnant lady...

OP posts:

alabasterangel · 10/04/2017 21:15

Bill Bryson - the road to little dribbling. Lady on the sun lounger next to me on holiday asked if I was ok. She thought I was crying, I had to explain I was stifling hysterical laughter!

alabasterangel · 10/04/2017 21:16

Sorry - I see you already said bill bryson. What about mike Gayle? His novels are light but not dumb. They've got a fair bit of humour.

madeleinecreek · 10/04/2017 21:18

I'm currently reading Great With Child, I think I'd have liked to read it when pregnant.

BikeRunSki · 10/04/2017 21:20

The Yorkshire Pudding Club

It's about a group of women who meet antenataly and the friendships and experiences they share. It's a heartwarming true story of pregnancy (and based in the hospital where I had my dc).

BikeRunSki · 10/04/2017 21:23

I have to admit to a soft spot for the Shopaholic series (Sophie Kinsella), when I want something entertaining and not taxing.

PelvicFloorClenchReminder · 10/04/2017 21:26

How about Mel Giedroyc's books, 'From Here To Maternity' and 'Going Ga Ga' - they got me through pregnancy brilliantly.

Chavelita · 10/04/2017 21:27

Anything by the American novelist Laurie Colwin. She died in her 40s in 1992, but left five elegant, funny, clever, happy novels (and short stories and recipe books). All her characters are eccentric, upper-middle-class New Yorkers having relationships/affairs/babies/friendships, but they're observant and tough-minded and funny, and have a big cult following.. Start with A Big Storm Knocked It Over or Happy All the Time, or Family Happiness.

Eveninties · 10/04/2017 22:52

Thanks for the suggestions, off to check them out on amazon

OP posts:

millsbynight · 11/04/2017 21:04

"The Unmumsy Mum". Absolutely hilarious

Oscillationss · 12/04/2017 00:14

Wife in the north

madeleinecreek · 12/04/2017 08:27

The Guernsey literary and potato peel pie society

RedheadinCamelFlarge · 17/04/2017 15:45

No 1 Ladies Detective Agency. I read about 8 of them while pregnant!

CaipirinhasAllRound · 17/04/2017 17:48

Willy Russell's Wrong Boy is v funny

Flip

Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.