Minus Nine to One: The Diary of an Honest Mum

by Jools Oliver

Being pregnant for the first time changed Jools Oliver's life. Having longed for children since before she can remember, she was suddenly faced with an array of unfamiliar, unexpected and sometimes downright embarrassing emotional and physical reactions. And when Poppy (and a year later Daisy) was born she had to learn a whole new set of skills.From trying to conceive and a first positive pregnancy test to Poppy's first birthday, Minus Nine To One takes you through the worries, surprises, excitement, miracles and sheer bloody hard work that Jools - and all new mums in their own different ways - have to cope with along the way. As Jools writes, 'This certainly isn't meant to be read as a guidebook, or a medical reference book - it is simply my story and I hope that you can relate to it in some way (and maybe even relax with it in the bath!).'Down to earth, personal and very, very funny, this is the book no aspiring mother will want to be without.

Genres: Nonfiction

320 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 4, 2006

Reviews

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

What can I say, I loved this book! I am not a mum just yet, and not normally a huge fan of this type of book, but being a fan of Jools and Jamie thought I would give this a go - it didn't dissapoint!
A funny, honest and heartwarming look at pregnancy and family life. The book starts with Jools' journey through conception and the various issues with fertility etc. She then takes you through the various stages of the pregnancy journey with honest accounts of all the good and bad moments! There are also lots of tips and advice throughout the book, such as what to expect when you go into hospital, recipes to cook for baby, and how to deal with the worries and anxieties that come with being a first time mum. Jools became pregnant with her second child just a few months after the first was born so she takes you through the early steps of having a second baby whilst caring for a toddler! A great read - my only critisism is that the book wasn't longer..!

[Sarah Siddiqui · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a delightful honest account of pregnancy and motherhood as told by a first time mom. Written by Jamie Oliver's wife, one doesn't at all feel like you are reading about a celebrity family. Rather everything is very natural, messy, a bit haphazard and exactly as a pregnancy and motherhood should be.
Jools is undoubtedly a bit of a control freak, with everything from scheduling her sex life to meal prepping for toddlers. But she makes it seem fun and enjoyable. For first time moms starting their pregnancy journey, this book may seem a little intimidating but it also gives some invaluable advice on what to expect and how to prepare for whatever lies ahead in one's parenting journey.
Highly recommend to any woman who is on her way to being a first time mom.

[lee_readsbooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am not a huge Jamie Oliver fan but chose to read this book because not only does Jools' talk about the struggles of trying to have a baby but the effect that has on a relationship.
I, much like Jools had trouble when it came to pregnancy so I enjoyed reading her story and how Jamie fits into it is hilarious.
Not all women decide they want to have a baby, next thing they're pregnant, then they have these beautiful well behaved kids.
It's just we don't all write a book about it.
Well done Jools.

[Shar-Lee Atherton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Definitely a sweet read, and helpful for someone like me who's now in the trying for a baby stage. I found it easy to read and relatable even though I'm not a mom yet. The way she speaks plain English on niche mom-type topics helps with that easy read feel. It is also a great book to help me imagine what all these new mom experiences will actually be like. That said, I did find Jools' neuroticism a little annoying at times, if for no other reason than she reminds me of myself, yikes!

[RJC · Rating 3 out of 5]

Surprisingly good lits of good pictures. She sounds like a very anxious and overly organised person.

[Despina O’Neill · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m not a mum, but this was a fun read! It’s perfect for anyone who’s trying to conceive, is currently pregnant, already a mum or just keen to read something light.

[Theresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Useful and heartwarming

[Adele · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't think I would enjoy this book but I was curious to see if Mrs. Oliver could hold up own against her husband - she can.

[mrsljgibbs · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this biography of Jools Oliver's pregnancy. It gives the reader an insight to her early marriage and how she found it difficult to conceive, right through the pregnancy to the birth and then the aftermath! Its nice to see the reality side to famous peoples lives and not just the public side.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this when I was pregnant with my first child.Jules Oliver writes with such a honest and humourous approach and is spot on with everything.

Her honesty about subjects makes her like a big sister offering you advice and along with her lists and recipes I just adored the book

[Samantha Curley-Young · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think I would have preferred this book if I was a pregnant first time mom and not a mom of two kids after having battled 7 years of infertility.

It was an easy, engaging read and I loved the personal images used but as an "experienced" mom it probably wasn't the right book to read.