Pregnancy books

The book most woman buy when they find out they are pregnant is "What to expect when you are expecting" by Heidi Murkoff. This is a helpful book which details week by week the mother and babies development. However I found that it was very American in focus and did not give sufficient local information on maternity options, care and procedures.

For a great book on the Irish maternity system "The better birth book" by Tracey Donegan is invaluable. Tracey is a Doula, trainee Midwife and hypno-birth practitioner and she provides really interesting information on traditional and non-traditional birthing methods.

For more alternative books,  Ina May Gaskin books "Guide to Childbirth" and "Spiritual Midwifery" offer a natural and holistic approach to pregnancy and childbirth. Her ideas and midwife practice revolutionised approaches to childbirth by de-medicalizing the process and giving control back to woman.

Another interesting author is Frederick Leboyer, like Ina May he focuses on natural, baby focused birth in "Birth without violence".

If you are interested in natural birthing, hypnobirthing might be for you. It uses meditation, chanting and breathing during the birth. Marie Mongans "Hypnobirthing" is a good starting point

Booker Prize Shortlist

The shortlist for the 2012 Booker Prize came out this week.

Here are the Titles:

Tan Twan Eng, The Garden of Evening Mists 
Deborah Levy, Swimming Home 
Hilary Mantel, Bring up the Bodies 
Alison Moore, The Lighthouse 
Will Self, Umbrella 
Jeet Thayil, Narcopolis 

Great books for babies

There are some amazing books available for babies right from newborn. Newborn babies have very bad eyesight and can only see in black and white- the Amazing Baby Black and White series is perfect,  full of geometric shapes in black and white.

Cloth Books: These are great for young babies who like to eat and snuggle their books. Two cloth books I like are "Guess How Much I Love You Snuggle Book" and "Baby Touch Snuggle Book" Both are very bright and tactile.

Cot Books: Cot books attach to the outside of your babies cot or craddle, they can look at them lying down. Usborne has a great range these such as "Animals: Babies First Cot Book" and "123 Cot Book"

Board  Books: There are alot of board book available. "Duck on Wheels" by DK is a toy and a book in one. "My Noisy Book of Ducklings" this book quacks and is my daughters current favourite. "Baby loves Peekaboo!" by DK is a fun lift the flap book. "The Hungry Caterpillar" is a very popular book, I have a version that has a finger puppet included!

Buggy Books: Buggy books attach onto the side of the pram and can be read on the go. "Night" and "Day" by Campbell Books are eye-catch with mirrored front covers suitable for newborns.

Nursery Rhymes: If you cant remember the words to any nursery rhymes, I recommend investing in a good book such as "100 Best Loved Nursery Rhymes" by Miles Kelly or  Babies love them!

Songs and Music: "Wheels on the Bus" is a Nursery Rhyme and song CD produced by the BBC great for listening to in the Car. "The Usborne Book of Lullabies" is a book and CD compilation, again great for putting baby to sleep in the car.

All of these books and many more available in Village Books.

'INTO THE LION'S DEN'

'Into the Lion's Den'

A biographical history of the Talbots of Malahdie by Stephen E. Talbot.

NOW IN STOCK!!

Signed copies available.

Retailing for €30. 

Criminal by Karen Slaughter

The newest Karin Slaughter doesn't disappoint- an edgy and intense read. Criminal is the next instalment in Slaughter's series which follows detectives Faith and Will from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. Will Trent is an orphan, son of a murderer and seriously dyslexic. Criminal traces his past,set simultaneously in 1975 and present day- investigates the murder of Will's mother and his birth. I highly recommend Criminal, a great thriller.

Booker Prize 2012 long list

The Booker prize long list was released yesterday. Here are the nominees...note the lack of Irish writers!

Man Booker Prize - 2012 longlist

• Nicola Barker - The Yips
• Ned Beauman - The Teleportation Accident
• Andre Brink - Philida
• Tan Twan Eng - The Garden of Evening Mists
• Michael Frayn - Skios
• Rachel Joyce - The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry
• Deborah Levy - Swimming Home
• Hilary Mantel - Bring Up the Bodies
• Alison Moore - The Lighthouse
• Will Self - Umbrella
• Jeet Thayil - Narcopolis
• Sam Thompson - Communion Town

Non fiction top 10 July 2012

   Top 10 Non Fiction

·        The Magic Reality

     By Richard Dawkins

·        American Caesars

     By Nigel Hamilton

·        Treasure Islands

     By Nicolas Shaxson

·        Political Corruption in Ireland

     By Elaine Byrne

·        I was a boy in Belsen

     By Tomi Reichental

·        White Fever

     By Jacek Hugo Bader

·        Thinking Fast and Slow

     By Daniel Kahneman

·        The House on an Irish Hillside

     By Felicity Hayes-McCoy

·        Travels with Bertha

     By Paul Martin

·        Mrs Robinsons Disgrace

     By Kate Summerscale