baby brain fiction

[LadyBee]

My DS is 10.5 weeks and I'm starting to think I might be able to get back into reading actual novels as opposed to pregnancy & birth books or baby manuals, these being the only things I've had the slightest interest in for the last year. (yes, he is my first, I know, I know)
Unfortunately, I've tried reading books that don't mention babies/conception/new family etc and they just don't interest me yet, so can you help me indulge my obsession and recommend some well-written books that do have these themes. I'm hoping I can re-introduce leisure reading into my life with these books and then gradually wean myself off the subject and back into my former, wider taste in reading!

That's very funny, I know what you mean though.
Gaglow by Esther Freud has two stories, one of which is about a pregnant woman / woman with new baby.

Hi Ladybee, I loved Ann Enright (she of the Booker very bleak Gathering fame) book "Making Babies- Stumbling into Motherhood" easy to dip into and made me laugh.Ditto Jeremy Hardy (Comedian bloke) "When did you last see your father?" for a comical male perspective.Am sure there are lots more.For a more factual book Naomi Stadlens "What Mothers Do" is a lovely reassuring book.HTH Wrinkly

For a sad initially but ultimately uplifting read "Blue Sky July" by Nia Wynn about a mum who gives birth to a baby with cerebral palsy and is told he will never achieve many milestones,they both prove everyone wrong.Have plenty of tissues for this one though.A beautiful book about the love a mother has for her child and about how much a "special needs" child can achieve and supersede all expectations.I read this around the time I realised dd had severe delays and wept buckets throughout.

I recommend short stories. I found that if I start a novel I can't remember what I've read the night before, no matter how good / compelling. I blame sleep deprivation. (in fact if its too good I won't put it down and then i get no sleep at all).

Oh, and this isn't actually what you asked for but it's interesting, a history of baby advice manuals:
www.amazon.co.uk/Dream-Babies-Childcare-advice-Locke/dp/0711227993/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=12 14941673&sr=8-1.
I thought it was really good for putting all the 'helpful advice' in books and real life into perspective. Maybe one to get out of the library.

ooh short stories is a good idea, I've never really been into them but this could be my opportunity to find some I like. I've started looking these up on the library catalogue and put a request in for Ann Enright, that baby advice manual history looks interesting too. Sorry I'm a bit tardy acknowledging your help, baby picked up a cold and so I've had my hands full (of saline drops and snot suckers) - hope to give these a go soon though. Anyone else?