Review: Daddy Won’t Let Mom Drive the Car by Jo Elizabeth Pinto

A selection of sweet vignettes from the life of a blind mother.

Rating:  ★★★☆☆ – liked it

There were a few of the stories that didn’t really grab my attention, but most of them had me smiling indulgently as if I could really see each one playing out.

There were a couple interesting moments where I learned things about parenting with a disability that never would have occurred to me as an abled person. I definitely appreciate that.

Overall this collection of stories is sweet and funny and a great way to spend a morning.

I received a free review copy of this audiobook from the publisher at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

Review: Holly Banks Full of Angst by Julie Valerie

Holly Banks has just moved to the Village of Primm, a charming suburb full of topiaries, homemade cherry pie, and pinterest-ready porches. But Holly’s life is hectic and messy, the opposite of Primm-perfect. She worries — about her husband, about her mom, about her film career, and so much more. Can Holly find a way to become more Primm or will everything fall apart?

Rating:  ★★★☆☆ – liked it
Genre:  women’s lit, fiction
Pros:  funny, satirical, Mary-Margaret St. James, Psychic Betty
Cons:  slightly stressful, Jack

Prepare yourself for a book where everyone is at least a little bit crazy! Holly Banks Full of Angst is a funny, satirical look at suburban life.

I rated this three stars because it was good, but it was also a little stressful. It’s well written and made me laugh a lot, but from time to time while reading I found myself picking up on Holly’s stress and feeling stressed myself. Holly Banks was indeed full of angst, but I would have appreciated a break or two from the angst-y nature of her brain.

The caricature-characters that fill the pages of this book will have you laughing out loud and rolling your eyes. If you grew up in one of those neighborhoods where everyone knew everyone and everyone’s business, you will definitely recognize several characters from your own life.

I recommend this book to fans of women’s lit, satire, or psych majors who need to study some genuine loonies.