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The Binary Year
On 01:01:11 Anna woke up to the New Year. She was 50, worked on global health issues, had four children, one husband and one dog,
On 01:01:12 Anna woke up to the New Year. She was 51, everything had changed including the dog.
Tracey Tester summed 'The Binary Year' up saying - "I downloaded this book when I saw a link saying it was currently free on Amazon - although I certainly would not mind paying for it.
I loved the way the book was written in diary format, with some entries being relatively short and others longer. I could not put down my Kindle while reading this book - it was most inconvenient that I have to work and could only read it for half an hour on my lunch break each day !
It certainly gives a great insight into the fostering process - I did not realise the full extent of the 'upheaval' for want of a better word, that prospective foster parents have to go through before they are even accepted (poor Leo !)
That said, it definitely isn't a tale of woe - the humour in the book (provided mostly by the wonderful Lily) is great and I found myself laughing out loud at some parts. I would even bookmark certain pages so that I would read them to my partner when I got home from work.
I highly recommend this book to anyone and I will definitely be reading it again."
Professor Anna Maslin is a Wife, Mother, Author, Working globally on Health, Human Rights & International Development for over 30 years. - Twitter @annamaslin - https://www.facebook.com/ProfessorAnn...
On 01:01:12 Anna woke up to the New Year. She was 51, everything had changed including the dog.
Tracey Tester summed 'The Binary Year' up saying - "I downloaded this book when I saw a link saying it was currently free on Amazon - although I certainly would not mind paying for it.
I loved the way the book was written in diary format, with some entries being relatively short and others longer. I could not put down my Kindle while reading this book - it was most inconvenient that I have to work and could only read it for half an hour on my lunch break each day !
It certainly gives a great insight into the fostering process - I did not realise the full extent of the 'upheaval' for want of a better word, that prospective foster parents have to go through before they are even accepted (poor Leo !)
That said, it definitely isn't a tale of woe - the humour in the book (provided mostly by the wonderful Lily) is great and I found myself laughing out loud at some parts. I would even bookmark certain pages so that I would read them to my partner when I got home from work.
I highly recommend this book to anyone and I will definitely be reading it again."
Professor Anna Maslin is a Wife, Mother, Author, Working globally on Health, Human Rights & International Development for over 30 years. - Twitter @annamaslin - https://www.facebook.com/ProfessorAnn...
- GenresBiography
408 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 26, 2012
5 people are currently reading
41 people want to read
About the author
Anna Maslin
16 books2 followersProfessor Anna Maslin, Ph.D. has had a unique career globally focusing on health, human rights and international development for over 30 years.
She has given numerous presentations nationally and internationally, written a number of books, as well as articles for the national and international press. She has had 14 books published including 'The Binary Year', Oxford University Press's Breast Cancer, Sharing the Decision", and "Women at Work, Perspectives, Experiences & Tips."
Anna has been married for over 30 years. She has four birth & several bonus children.
Twitter: @annamaslin
http://uk.linkedin.com/pub/professor-...
http://www.annamaslin.com
Author Page: amazon.com/author/annamaslin
She has given numerous presentations nationally and internationally, written a number of books, as well as articles for the national and international press. She has had 14 books published including 'The Binary Year', Oxford University Press's Breast Cancer, Sharing the Decision", and "Women at Work, Perspectives, Experiences & Tips."
Anna has been married for over 30 years. She has four birth & several bonus children.
Twitter: @annamaslin
http://uk.linkedin.com/pub/professor-...
http://www.annamaslin.com
Author Page: amazon.com/author/annamaslin
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
December 5, 2013
Not a bad story but I was constantly distracted by the most amazingly bad grammar and spelling I have ever encountered in a book. The author states that every one of her 4 children is dyslexic, when neither she nor her husband is. Hmmm...
Was this book self-published [if there's such a process], without the benefit of an editor? I mean, it was crashingly bad: incorrect spelling, appalling grammar and the ubiquitous apostrophe [in practically every word ending in 's']. A number of paragraphs are repeated, too :/
Shame - it would have been quite an enjoyable, and enlightening, story. If I were contemplating fostering, I'd now buy a dog instead.
Was this book self-published [if there's such a process], without the benefit of an editor? I mean, it was crashingly bad: incorrect spelling, appalling grammar and the ubiquitous apostrophe [in practically every word ending in 's']. A number of paragraphs are repeated, too :/
Shame - it would have been quite an enjoyable, and enlightening, story. If I were contemplating fostering, I'd now buy a dog instead.
October 7, 2013
The Binary Year is a good look at how becoming a foster parent will turn your life upside down. It seemed a good thing to do mid life for Anna Maslin. Her sense of humor keeps the story from sounding like a nightmare. The challenges faced in one year were overwhelming to me and I feel certain I would not have handled it with the good grace of Maslin. Her story was more a warning to me than a motivation, but I hope other good humored, sensible people take it as a calling. It was very entertaining to read though.
April 8, 2014
I persisted with this book, despite it being barely readable; with shockingly poor grammar and editing (and serious abuse of the comma!), because the blurb stated that the author started the year with a job, a husband, 4 kids and a dog; but by the end of the year all of those things had changed.
I kept waiting and kept reading, thinking something was going to happen. Well, the reality was a series of trivialities listed each day, such as how many loads of laundry were done, or that they went to McDonalds (which, incidentally, is actually spelt McDonalds, not MacDonalds) or details of shopping trips.
Of the situations that changed, she chose to take early retirement; the husband and her 4 kids are the same, although she fosters some more) & the dog was given away to comply with the fostering regulations!
Why not just be honest & say this book was about her experiences fostering?
The book also tried to drum up some interest by regularly alluding to "allegations" about the family, but these had no place in the book as they were never described, never went anywhere never added anything except confusion. Considering the book was semi-autobiographical, I would think the author either would include detail and make it a story, or if privacy was a concern, just leave it out?
I also found it rather amazing the strange way they dealt with money. Despite living in a 7 bedroom, 5 bathroom house, "only" paying an extra 2000 pounds to change holiday accomodation, extravagant parties and regular shopping sprees, they also regularly complained of no money? Also, somehow the working husband seemed to be able to regularly take time of on a whim to ferry children around all over the place. And why didn't any of them go to a local, walking distance school? For that matter, why were all 6 at different schools anyway? And it was hard to believe that even with that many kids, that she would do 10 loads of laundry a day?
Finally, I can't decide what was more annoying, the appalling lack of editing (names even on the same page spelt differently, eg Shelley or Shelly; obvious cut and paste repeat of paragraphs etc)and consistency, or the over the top proselytising at the end.
I kept waiting and kept reading, thinking something was going to happen. Well, the reality was a series of trivialities listed each day, such as how many loads of laundry were done, or that they went to McDonalds (which, incidentally, is actually spelt McDonalds, not MacDonalds) or details of shopping trips.
Of the situations that changed, she chose to take early retirement; the husband and her 4 kids are the same, although she fosters some more) & the dog was given away to comply with the fostering regulations!
Why not just be honest & say this book was about her experiences fostering?
The book also tried to drum up some interest by regularly alluding to "allegations" about the family, but these had no place in the book as they were never described, never went anywhere never added anything except confusion. Considering the book was semi-autobiographical, I would think the author either would include detail and make it a story, or if privacy was a concern, just leave it out?
I also found it rather amazing the strange way they dealt with money. Despite living in a 7 bedroom, 5 bathroom house, "only" paying an extra 2000 pounds to change holiday accomodation, extravagant parties and regular shopping sprees, they also regularly complained of no money? Also, somehow the working husband seemed to be able to regularly take time of on a whim to ferry children around all over the place. And why didn't any of them go to a local, walking distance school? For that matter, why were all 6 at different schools anyway? And it was hard to believe that even with that many kids, that she would do 10 loads of laundry a day?
Finally, I can't decide what was more annoying, the appalling lack of editing (names even on the same page spelt differently, eg Shelley or Shelly; obvious cut and paste repeat of paragraphs etc)and consistency, or the over the top proselytising at the end.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 26, 2015
'The Binary Year' gives an interesting look into what goes on for those who wish to become foster parents. Having spent two years as a ward in foster care myself, I knew little of the challenges that my foster parents faced, but I did get enough negative daily feedback from their stress. Of the three homes I was in, only one of them could compare to just how smoothly Anna fostered her children.
This semi-autobiographical account was both entertaining and inspiring, as it follows one woman's year and that of her family through their triumphs and hardships in the form of a diary. Despite the sacrifices and lifestyle changes, Anna Maslin proves to be smart and resourceful, and shows just how much it is worth it in the end to be able to help children. Though expanding one's family is most definitely not an easy road or for those who give up easily. Overall, this was a very enjoyable story!
This semi-autobiographical account was both entertaining and inspiring, as it follows one woman's year and that of her family through their triumphs and hardships in the form of a diary. Despite the sacrifices and lifestyle changes, Anna Maslin proves to be smart and resourceful, and shows just how much it is worth it in the end to be able to help children. Though expanding one's family is most definitely not an easy road or for those who give up easily. Overall, this was a very enjoyable story!
February 10, 2014
If this book convinced me of anything, it's that I would not make a good foster mom.
Anna did though. She dealt with all the trial in a way that brought a smile to my face. It's a hard path she choose bu she walked it with humor and compassion.
Anna did though. She dealt with all the trial in a way that brought a smile to my face. It's a hard path she choose bu she walked it with humor and compassion.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews