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The Baby Diaries

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The hilarious and heart-warming second in the series from the author of The Wedding Diaries.

"I'd be sick right now, but I never like to reinforce a cliché."

A few weeks after Kiki and Thom return from honeymoon, Kiki finds there's a noticeable absence. An extremely serious noticeable absence of something, it turns out, Kiki now realises she was pretty glad about. One pregnancy test later, Kiki's breaking the "good news" ( Wow. We're so… Edwardian.) and rewriting all the plans she'd made before.

With an ever-expanding waistline, her nightmare childhood "friend" Annie pregnant too, all the problem authors at Polka Dot Books she could (not) wish for and an army of NW London's Smug Mothers to deal with, these nine months might not be the nine months of blooming relaxation she'd been promised…

402 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 1, 2013

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Sam Binnie

8 books14 followers

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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
Profile Image for Leanne.
1 review1 follower
February 28, 2016
Having recently had a baby myself, there is a lot I can relate to and find very funny. I did find that the end seemed quite rushed though.
Profile Image for Marita Pethick.
37 reviews
September 7, 2017
What a wonderful second book! I could definitely relate to most of the thoughts, experiences and situations in this book since I'm pregnant myself! It was funny to read about another person who feels almost exactly like I do even if it's fiction! It was both hilarious and heart-warming! I even went teary at some bits!!! It was a compulsive read, I just couldn't put it down! Five big stars!
Profile Image for Sugar.
75 reviews
February 15, 2020
Unexpectedly good. I found myself wishing I'd read this when I had my first baby.
Profile Image for Sara Uckelman.
Author 12 books14 followers
June 27, 2015
The book starts off in "Bridget Jones has a baby" style, with the same sort of internal monologue exhibited through a diary structure. The similarities between the heroines -- women working in the publishing industry in London with a close knit circle of ecclectic friends -- only enhanced this. As a well-educated, well-traveled woman in my early 30s with a great marriage and career now living in England and who had a child three years ago, I was surprised at how very little Kiki and I had in common. Reading the opening chapters was like looking in at a curious animal in a zoo -- so utterly foreign from anything I know (part of this was exacerbated by the underlying feeling present throughout the book -- a feeling with I've found in many British writers, particularly British female writers -- that there is no other place than London for a well-educate, well-traveled woman with a career who wants to have a family live. That in itself is pretty exclusionary). Kiki's experiences with: (a) her ease of getting pregnant, (b) the response of her partner (who never seemed to exhibit any worry that, even if this was indeed wanted, was going to be a seriously big change and difficult to adapt to), (c) the physical side of pregnancy, (d) pregnancy & work, (e) such a very large and diverse social sphere of friends, (f) making friends with other women in the prenatal class; are so far away from my own experiences that I found it hard to maintain the willing suspension of disbelief.

So I began the book with a rather sneering mental tone, but since I picked it up simply as fluff read, these drawbacks weren't any reason not to continue, and of course by the time you reach the end you've been drawn sufficiently into the story to be invested in the outcome. Two particularly good points about the book:

- It was only about halfway through that, with all the secondary characters being introduced, sprung upon you here and there with very little background story, I began to wonder if this were in fact a sequel. In fact, the only indication that you get is on the back cover, a picture of another book by the same author called The Wedding Diaries. It is not easy to write a sequel that also functions as a standalone novel; the author did this excellently.

- While the book itself was fluff and a bit silly, the after portion, with advice for expectant mothers from the author, I found to be sensitive, straightforward, humourful, and sympathetic. Here she shows a sensitivity to the fact that not everyone finds it as easy or straightforward to become pregnant as Kiki, that the odds are high that someone in your social circle (especially as large as hers!) has dealt with some form of infertility or pregnancy loss. Her advice is given in a non-judgemental fashion and you can tell that she tries to practice what she preaches. I'd give this book to a friend simply for the last 20-30 pages in it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Agi.
1,681 reviews105 followers
March 3, 2013
This is a second book in the series about Kiki. Still one to go!
"The wedding Diaries" was not a hit with me but I thought I will give a go to "The Baby Diaries". Since I have a baby myself I love reading about pregnancies, even if it is fiction. I must say, I really liked this book. It was really good to read about other person who felt almost exactly like I did, who felt scared, then excited, then scared again. It had me nodding along with agreement because I could sympathise with the Kiki and the way she feeling, I could share the birth stories and I could envy Kiki how easy her birth was. And I totally knew how it is when the hormones are taking us into their possession. This time I loved Kiki, she was much more mature than in the first book, and the conversations between her and Thom were brilliant! He was perfect, and it was really nice to read that he is not afraid to tell how he is feeling in this whole situation.
What I loved in the book is the fact that Sam Binnie has treated the pregnancy with such a humour, not serious: "I am going to be a MOTHER, I am PREGNANT, I am the most important person in the world, and my pregnancy is the one and only" approach. Thanks for that! It was a roller coaster of feelings: ecstasy, doubts, angst about the future. I think that this made the book so real for me, and I think that in reality all the moms - to - be feel like that.
What disturbed me in the whole reading is the part after the baby was born. I'd like to have such a nice and already well - bred baby. Baby that is sleeping soundless, that cries only when it's hungry and stinks only occasionally, ie. when you are going out. And not after every feeding. Kiki found her motherhood from the beginning a piece of cake, she didn't felt depressed, bad, and if - it was just for a moment, good feelings were back in a second.
OK, she felt bored, alone, feeling like her brain is shrinking but anyway, she did really super and I can only be jealous. It is not always like this, all done with flying colours.
This book made me cry and it made laugh out loud, actually it made me shaking with laughter, especially when Thom had his adventure with TENS machine and when Molly was expressing milk after she has broken her milk expresser. Actually, I am still laughing, just when I think about it.
The book is in a diary form and it couldn't be better, it allows to flow easily between the pregnancy months and not to bore us to death with some facts and there is not "too many information" for those who were not pregnant yet.
This book is not only about pregnancy, it doesn't tell a fairy tale story about motherhood like people want to see it, but also about problems increasing, such as maternity leave, fear about your financial security, and how one must deal with all of this and much, much more (situation with mother, friends), even when one is pregnant.
It was a super read, and even the part after the birth of the baby didn't spoil it for me.
Profile Image for Megan.
470 reviews184 followers
February 12, 2013
I first discovered Sam Binnie when I read her book ‘The Wedding Diaries’ which is the book before this one, and I LOVED it! So I was very excited when The Baby Diaries was coming out as I was desperate to see how Kiki and Thom got on after the first book finished. Although The Baby Diaries can be read as a standalone, you will have SO much more enjoyment if you first read The Wedding Diaries, as it helps you familiarise yourself with the characters, read the full story of Kiki and Thom, and quite frankly, it’s not one to be missed!

After The Wedding Diaries, Kiki and Thom return from their honeymoon. Kiki and Thom happily settle into married life, but Kiki can’t quite shake the feeling that she’s forgetting something…then suddenly it hits her. After taking multiple tests Kiki realises she’s pregnant. What follows next is Kiki’s diary over the course of her pregnancy – her thoughts, her conversations and a lot of adventures!

I LOVED it! I read the entire book in a day because it was so addictive that I just couldn’t put it down! From the first page I could not stop laughing, and I’m talking spluttering and snorting laughing – which did result in me receiving a few odd looks!

The characters were brilliantly written! As before in The wedding Diaries, I looked forward to catching up again with Kiki, and I found I enjoyed her character just as much as in the previous book, if not more! She was instantly likeable, and I’m sure many mothers will be able to relate to Kiki as she goes through her pregnancy. Even though I’m not currently a mother, I found I could relate to Kiki in other aspects of her life, so don’t worry if you’re not a mum or expecting a baby because this book is for you too!!!

I really liked the secondary characters, and their sub-plots. I liked the side stories very much as it created an enjoyable mix and gave the reader other plots to focus on and return back to later in the story, and so it kept the book moving along at a fantastic pace and added that little bit of extra interest, excitement and intrigue to the story! I particularly liked Susie, Kiki’s sister, as she reminded me of my own sister, and I liked her humour and how supportive she was towards Kiki. I absolutely LOVED Alice and molly, they had me crying with laughter, and at other times rooting for them in the book.

I thoroughly enjoyed The Baby Diaries and I really was quite sad to finish the book and leave the characters behind, as soon as I finished the last page I immediately wanted to start it again, and I spent the rest of the day remembering hilarious scenes from the book and chuckling to myself!

The Baby Diaries is a fantastic book full of family, love, friendship, and moments that will make you cry with laughter! It is a firm favourite of mine, and I’m confident that it will be a big success and be loved and enjoyed by many. The Baby Diaries is a must-read!
Profile Image for Jessorella.
102 reviews5 followers
April 10, 2013
God, this book was good. If you are looking for some pregnancy/baby-lit that is NOT solely about some woman staring at her stretchmarks in the mirror, crying in front of her husband, dealing with "the mother-in-law from hell" and hilariously bathing her baby in the sink, then this book is definitely for you. Sam Binnie's The Baby Diaries is a cut above pretty much all the "mommy lit" books I've ever read. Too often they focus on all the Benny Hill-style japes that come from leaking boobs and puking babies, or if they're a bit more ground-based then you might get a look in on the baby blues, but there's something this book deals with that I have not seen in any other - and that's how a woman seems to migrate, in the eyes of what I'm afraid is general society, into a subclass of "seen but not heard" once she has a baby. This makes me sound like a hobnail-booted ultra-feminist but when you read this book you'll see what I mean - and you'll feel angry on both Kiki's behalf and that of all new mothers everywhere. But anyway... This book made me well up with tears and laugh out loud - ACTUAL laughing out loud, not "lolz". Kiki is an extremely well-rounded character; no stereotyping here, ma'am - she's one of a kind. And Thom.... I love Thom. Those two together are one of the best couples I've ever read. (They work so well together that you could almost see them as a crime-fighting duo if this were another genre.) Please do read this book. I've got one child, and the story of Kiki's progression from pregnancy through birth and on to new mum was the most accurate I've read. We get days when we're pretty confident, days when we feel we're doing everything wrong, days when we can barely move, days when we surge into the future with tremendous optimism, and days when all you think about is the wonder of your newborn. It's not the same for everyone, and I think Sam Binnie illustrates that here, in The Baby Diaries, in the most witty and elegant way.
Profile Image for Rea Cobb.
439 reviews696 followers
March 2, 2013
After reading The Wedding Diaries by Sam Binnie I was unsure about reading her next book The Baby Diaries. I loved her style of writing and the structure of the authors book is very different to other books but and this was a big BUT I am not maternal in any way! When people are cooing over babies I am squirming to get away and in books when there is “baby talk” it drives me round the twist …… Ok so do we now get that Rea + Babies= disaster!

I finished the book in two days! Kiki and Thom have returned home from their honeymoon and poor scatty Kiki has a niggling thought that she has forgotten something and it is during a conversation that the shock horror comes out that whoops Kiki maybe pregnant!

We follow Kiki’s diaries through her pregnancy and I am so happy to say that I actually enjoyed reading her entries. I can imagine if the time ever comes when I venture down that journey that I will be very similar to Kiki! Kiki is not a gushy pregnant mum she shows us all the real life day to day problems with cooking these babies from uncontrollable crying to morning sickness ( why do they call it this when it always lasts all day!)
This is a great light hearted read with a great sense of humour there will be times when you have a chuckle to yourself and at some points you will be cringing! I loved the relationship between Kiki and her friends and family especially her closeness to her sister you could really feel the connection between these two characters.

Unexpectedly I did enjoy this book more than the Wedding Diaries, but don’t worry if you haven’t read the first book as you will easily be able to pick up the story-line as the author often refers back to parts in the first book so this should keep you on track.

A fun, lighthearted read which will appeal to many. I am sure this book wont leave you feeling broody!
Profile Image for Book-shelf Shelf.
473 reviews36 followers
February 6, 2013
Firstly I have to just say how excited I was at a chance to review this book after recently getting married and devouring the Wedding Diaries I was so excited to get My mitts on this book and it didnt disappoint. This book follows Kiki and Thom on there journey into unexpected pregnancy and parenthood. It made me giggle from the beginning from the 'how does a pregnancy test work?' to the crying at a 'random advert on the television'.
As a mum myself this book bought back all the memories of hormones and morning sickness and at times I found myself thinking oh god i went through that too.
The book does revert back to the wedding diaries in places but dont worry if you haven't read that book its strong enough to stand alone. This novel is a brilliant easy read and took me little over a day I found it really addictive and I was literally picking it up as much as I possibly could to read 'just one more' diary entry.
I think this novel is a perfect Light hearted read and I think that its a brilliant follow up from Sam's previous novel. I love the writing style and it made me giggle that myself and my husband had the same fears and doubts when we found out we were expecting, I found myself reading bits out to him and making him laugh because we did the same things. Don't worry if your not a parent it wont stop you enjoying this book it is just the right side of 'mumsy' and wont become baby irritating.
If your looking for a funny light hearted read then this book is defiantly worth a look.

Kayla Oliver
Profile Image for Rebecca.
327 reviews7 followers
March 20, 2017
I thought this book was very funny. I enjoyed it more than the last book because Kiki was much more likeable. The relationship between her and Thom was brilliant, and also between Kiki and her sister.

I just like how 'real' the characters in the book are. They have normal conversation. Bland things happen - not every diary entry is explosive, some are just about buying baby things or having a conversation with Thom. I liked that even though she met people and didn't get on originally, or judged them, later on they were meeting up as friends. It was refreshing to have a book of this genre without an overly stereotypical lead female.

One irritation I had with the book was that there was a lot of build up to the birth of the baby but then she had a very placid baby once he was born. As I am not a parent, I am no expert, and probably some people's births and first months with the baby are uneventful, but in my family experience there are a lot of non-incidents and overreactions about the baby when it is born. I don't know if the author left these out for a reason or not, but I felt their absence when reading.

However I would recommend the book, I don't think you need to read the first to enjoy this one, but if you'd like to know the character relationships then it is best to read The Wedding Diaries first.
Profile Image for Carol W.
215 reviews125 followers
June 27, 2013
In the follow up to The Wedding Diaries, author Sam Binnie has yet again produced a very funny read.
I was happy to be able to read another diary from Kiki and Thom.

Soon after the honeymoon Kiki has a strange feeling something is missing. Yes, her time of the month has not arrived.
A positive pregnancy test confirms that Kiki and Thom are about to begin an new journey into parenthood.

In diary style, this novel will have you laughing out loud. If you are already a parent new or otherwise you will be nodding
and chuckling at some of those, only parents understand, moments. If you are thinking of becoming a parent this will give you a taste of what is to come.

Although a follow up to The Wedding Diaries, it can be read as a stand alone. I would recommend both.

It is 5 years since I was pregnant last but this was such a fabulous funny read. Very entertaining.
Profile Image for thecoylelife.
102 reviews2 followers
March 20, 2016
I was entertained by this book and thought it was written in a light, entertaining manner. Even though it was presented in a journal format, it was easy to follow and felt as if a friend was writing letters to your about their every day life.

The book captured the fact that not everyone feels like they are ready to become parents, and sometimes being an adult feels more like playing dress up than reality.

I enjoyed the book, although it was somewhat predictable.
Profile Image for Theresa.
394 reviews12 followers
March 28, 2013
i was a wary about reading this book at first cause couldn't really get into the first book wedding diaries. I am so glad i read this book i really enjoyed the story line and i like how the format of the book was a diary and i was laughing at some parts of the book.
Profile Image for Hayley Thorpe.
139 reviews11 followers
February 10, 2013
I truly adore Kiki Carlow a laugh out loud book that will have you on the edge of your seat.
Profile Image for Lizzie.
34 reviews4 followers
April 21, 2013
absolutely fantastic book and had me laughing out loud! I have loved both of Sam Binnie's books an can't wait for the next one
Profile Image for Jessica.
2,527 reviews14 followers
abandoned
March 28, 2013
Someone really needs to give Kiki a good slap of reality.
Profile Image for Nat.
134 reviews
April 25, 2013
So good, much like her first book, I pretty much sat and read 80% of this book this morning! Loved it, it is so easy to read.
Profile Image for Leanne.
25 reviews
August 20, 2013
A fantastic read.

I found this book very funny and cried once or twice.
Profile Image for Harriet.
100 reviews
September 5, 2013
This is a fun read, especially if you are pregnant or have just given birth. My only caveat is the baby was hardly a feature. There was no sense of him as a little character, which was a pity.
Profile Image for M.D. Bowden.
Author 22 books40 followers
May 15, 2014
Very enjoyable! The biggest 'page turner' I've read in a while actually. Felt that maybe things worked out a little too easily, but I was sad when it finished :-(
Profile Image for Rosina.
671 reviews13 followers
September 18, 2016
This was just so cute. Like, I can't even think of anything else to say as I just feel so fluffy right now.

Generally though this was a great sequel and I'm so glad I've read both books.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews

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