Sleep Is for the Weak: The Best of the Mommybloggers Including Amalah, Finslippy, Fussy, Woulda Coulda Shoulda, Mom-101, and More! (BlogHer Books) [Paperback]

Rita Arens (Editor), Stacy Morrison (Foreword)

Book Description

Series: BlogHer Books | Publication Date: September 1, 2008

Each month, more than half a million readers turn to the 25 mommyblogs featured in this collection for advice and a sense of camaraderie, and this anthology brings together their best and brightest essays, ranging in style from snort-Diet-Coke-out-the-nose funny to poignant and bittersweet. Written to be read during the mind-bogglingly short breaks parents get during their busy days, these pieces will help moms find solace in a wide range of viewpoints and issues not often discussed in mainstream magazines and other parenting books. From dealing with rage to negotiating sleeping arrangements to the frustration and joy of parenting a special needs child, this is the perfect read for the hip but harried mother that says "you are still you."

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A lively compilation of honest, funny, real-life writing. Parents will find reassurance, heart, and a lot of humor in this collection. A very entertaining read!"  —Christie Mellor, author, The Three-Martini Playdate, The Three-Martini Family Vacation, and Were You Raised by Wolves? Clues to the Mysteries of Adulthood

"From the foreword to the final essay, this is a collection of some of the best writing out there on the topic of modern motherhood."  —Amy Keroes, founder & CEO, mommytrackd.com

"Don't spend another night awake without these intelligent and funny-as-hell moms by your side."  —Devra Renner and Aviva Pflock, authors, Mommy Guilt

"This treasure . . . is a real page turner, delighting readers with honest re-tellings of motherhood's most joyous (and sometimes terrifying) moments."  —peekaboopicks.com

"A perfect read for the mom with little time and a great sense of humor."  —Pregnancy & Newborn

"This compilation of essays . . . run the gamut from hilarity to heartbreak, woe to wonderment, and will have you laughing and crying as if they were stories of you."  —Mamaspeaks.com

"There are endless examples of the quick wit and empathy of the writers in this anthology. It's a fast and entertaining read . . . But it's also the much-loved, well-worn book that many moms will come back to over and over for the support and cameraderie offered inside."  —Mamalit.com

"A clever, funny, touching and humbling book."  —parentbloggers.com

About the Author

Rita Arens is the author of the blog Surrender, Dorothy (www.surrenderdorothyblog.com) and a contributing editor to BlogHer (www.blogher.org). She has written for the Austin American Statesman, BurstBlog, Circle Magazine, and the Kansas City Star. Stacy Morrison is the editor in chief of Redbook magazine. She is the former executive editor at Marie Claire and editor in chief of Modern Bride. She was part of the launches of Mirabella, Condé Nast Sports for Women, and Time Out New York.

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Chicago Review Press (September 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1556527721
• ISBN-13: 978-1556527722
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.9 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #734,587 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Rita Arens lives in Kansas City with her husband and daughter. She is BlogHer's (www.blogher.com) assignment and syndication editor and the author of the popular blog Surrender, Dorothy (www.surrenderdorothyblog.com). Sleep Is for the Weak is her first book.

Arens is working on a novel and releases short fiction and poetry regularly to Kindle.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I'm definitely stronger now!, July 21, 2008

By 

S. O'Dea (Bay Area, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sleep Is for the Weak: The Best of the Mommybloggers Including Amalah, Finslippy, Fussy, Woulda Coulda Shoulda, Mom-101, and More! (BlogHer Books) (Paperback)

I purchased this book over the weekend, and was lucky enough to have it signed by several of the phenomenal women who contributed essays.

Wow. Instead of spending time with my husband (whom I haven't seen for three days), I stayed up until the wee hours of the morning laughing and crying. These women GET IT. It is so refreshing to read REAL stories from REAL moms---the good, bad, dirty, and hysterically funny.

Rita did a fantastic job of picking the best of the best, and I look forward to many more volumes.

This is a superb gift for any woman, anywhere. I am terribly pleased to have Christmas completely taken care of!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Read -- funny and real., September 7, 2008

By 

Joy Samuel (North Carolina) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sleep Is for the Weak: The Best of the Mommybloggers Including Amalah, Finslippy, Fussy, Woulda Coulda Shoulda, Mom-101, and More! (BlogHer Books) (Paperback)

Sleep is for the Weak is a great read for any mom. You will identify with so many of the situations. And the ones you don't identify with will give you more perspective on your own experiences.

I rarely laugh out loud when reading a book, but I certainly did when I read the first chapter. Hilarious! And because the book is a collection of stories, it is easy to read a few, put the book down, and then pick up again later -- which is so essential with the inevitable distractions a mommy reader will have.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great read!, August 11, 2008

By 

Jennifer R. Kirschling - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sleep Is for the Weak: The Best of the Mommybloggers Including Amalah, Finslippy, Fussy, Woulda Coulda Shoulda, Mom-101, and More! (BlogHer Books) (Paperback)

As a fan of the blog, Surrender, Dorothy and so many of the other blogs that contributed to this book, I found it to be a wonderful collection of essays.

That being said, you don't need to read any of these blogs to enjoy this book. I wish I had read it prior to having my kids. Helps you realize you are not alone in this struggle called parenthood and that there are ways to see the funny side to almost any parenting situation.

Super read!