Crib Notes: Maximum Reading Pleasure

Succinct book reviews for new and busy mothers.

I did not always read for pleasure before I became a mother. Granted, in that other life, I was often reading for work; but there were also books I picked up out of a vague sense of obligation. The worthy literary prize-winner that made me think I was missing something. The navel-gazing 'must-read' I endured whilst inwardly rolling my eyes. Now that I spend my days placating small people, I no longer have the time, patience or tolerance to read for any reason other than to please myself. Whether listening to an audiobook at 2am as I feed the baby or taking five minutes with a paperback whilst my toddler play-dohs, I want nothing less than maximum reading pleasure. For this issue of Crib Notes I have selected five novels that come with a 100% guarantee of enjoyment. I hope you find something here that you love. 

How To Buy Your Books: I recommend purchasing your books from family-run, indie bookshop Storytellers Inc. Click here to shop or email Katie and quote ‘cribnotes’ to receive free postage on singles orders and 10% off orders of more than two titles. 

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THE MOST DESIRED READ

Briefly, A Delicious Life by Nell Stevens 

When I reviewed Briefly, A Delicious Life on Crib Notes Instagram it was bookmarked by so many of you, I had to include it in this issue. Briefly is the debut novel by Nell Stevens, the author of ultra-readable bibliomemoirs Mrs. Gaskell and Me and Bleaker House. This luscious offering spirits the reader to 1838: writer George Sand, her lover Frédéric Chopin and her children travel to a Mallorcan hilltop monastery to escape from the bustle of Paris. Here, they are observed by Blanca, a teenaged ghost who becomes infatuated with George. The book skips fleetly between past, present and future. We see George rejecting her role as wife and mother and moving to Paris, where she dons men’s clothes and takes up cigar smoking; we discover Blanca’s fate, some three hundred years beforehand; and, in the present moment, we watch as the locals are scandalised by George’s unconventional appearance and her 'illicit' relationship with Chopin. Briefly, A Delicious Life is a fresh and surprising work of historical fiction about creativity, queer ghosts and forbidden desire. It is sensual, poignant and bright with wit — I adored it! 

When To Read It: I began this novel after spending a few days feeling delirious with sleep deprivation. With childcare finally on hand, I ran myself a day-time bath and sunk into Briefly, along with a bar of Tony’s Chocoloney. Although George and Frédéric’s Mallorcan sojourn is awash with disaster, there’s something headily pleasurable about this book with its Mediterranean setting and delectable prose. 

How To Consume: Out now in hardback from Picador (buy it here). You may want to consider an ebook edition if you are reading in cradle-hold.

Content Warnings: A traumatic birth scene. 

What to Read Next: For other virtuosic historical fiction by cool female writers try the following: Margaret the First by Danielle Dutton, Matrix by Lauren Groff and Indelicacy by Amina Cain.