It Could Happen To You: Diary Of A Pregnancy and Beyond

by Martha Brockenbrough

Martha Brockenbrough's It Could Happen to You is a delightfully funny diary of the author's own pregnancy through the first year of her daughter's life. It is the perfect antidote to all of the patronizing, horribly dull pregnancy books, which are long on advice and short on laughs.It Could Happen to You began as a column Brockenbrough wrote for the Microsoft Network while she was pregnant. During its tenure on MSN, it was the most widely read column about pregnancy and motherhood on the Internet. It's easy to see why. Brockenbrough's amusing approach to pregnancy and motherhood will strike a chord with experienced moms and the newly pregnant alike, who may wonder, as the author did, "Do I really have to wear maternity clothes'"Throughout the book, Brockenbrough shares her joys and her fears, and asks the questions every new mom wants to know, such as, "Why do old ladies keep telling me my baby is cold'" and shares the realization that "When you're a mother, your guilt light goes off the second you start doing something for you, instead of something for your child." A few not-to-be-missed chapters written by her husband, Adam, such as "A Guy's Guide to Baby Holding," provide a comical male perspective on the whole experience.Refreshingly honest and funny, It Could Happen to You is just right for bolstering the most important tool a new parent has-a sense of humor.

Genres: Parenting, Memoir, Nonfiction

288 pages, Paperback

First published September 2, 2002

About the author

Martha Brockenbrough is author of The Game of Love and Death, Finding Bigfoot, The Dinosaur Tooth Fairy, and Devine Intervention, books for young readers. For adults, she has written Things That Make Us [Sic], a hilarious guide to things that can go wrong with English, and It Could Happen to You, a diary of her first pregnancy. She's the founder of National Grammar Day and SPOGG, the Society for the Promotion of Good Grammar.

Reviews

[Nan Mooney · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you've had kids or are planning to, this one is funny and smart and oh so honest

[Jena · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. It's heartwarming and funny. It tells a personal story while also offers things to think about if you're having a child which don't always get discussed

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I couldn't stop laughing! Everything she wrote rang so true. I loved her writing style and her humor. I never read the last few chapters, however, as it slowed down after she actually had her baby. But I immensely enjoyed the diary of her pregnancy (I was laughing so hard my husband made me read it outside because he was trying to study). I would buy a copy of this book for everyone I know who has had a baby if I could :)

[Kelly Holmes · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this memoir. I rarely laugh out loud when reading, but this one got to me a few times.

I'm only 21 weeks along right now, but I feel like this must be a pretty realistic account of what happens to you physically and emotionally during pregnancy and as a mom. Because some parts scared me, some parts made me smile, some parts made me want to cry, and some parts made me just laugh. And all that sounds a lot like what I've heard about parenthood from other parents.

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delightful read for expectant mommies. Far from the tired "what to expect"-type volumes, this journal-style book reads like a hilarious novel. I read it every time I am pregnant and it always makes me laugh. It's a little irreverent, but not inappropriate. Makes a great gift for an expectant friend with spunk.

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just because I read this does not mean I'm pregnant. I AM NOT PREGNANT, just enjoying Martha's wicked sense of humor and to tied me over until she gets her but in gear and releases another YA novel.

I kind of wish there were more sections in Adam's perspective- those were the parts I read aloud to my husband.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Could've been the hormones, but I thought this book was hilarious. I read it while pregnant with my first child and it left me rolling.

[Annie C. Leavitt · Rating 3 out of 5]

funny. witty. pee your pants sentences from laughing. gets a little old by the end. great prego read.

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Had to stifle my chuckles reading this while T was sleeping.

[Wina Beals · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was downright hilarious, I could barely hold myself from bursting out laughing and I did in the few occasions while reading this book in public. Great entertainment!

[Corrie Aw. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not bad, but didn't make a lasting impression. I read it only some months ago but can hardly remember.

[Ilene Fey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this when I was pregnant with my now 9 y/o son, & it was exactly what I needed in my 1st pregnancy. It was touching, hopeful, real, and very funny!

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a fun look back at being pregnant and dealing with your first. She mixes irreverent humor with a sense of the overwhelming love and protectiveness you feel. I fully enjoyed it.