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Tipping
An Instagram scandal at a grammar school sparks outrage in an exclusive bayside suburb and upends the lives of the families involved. However, it might also prove to be the tipping point required to change the school, and the wider community, for the better.
Liv Winsome, working mother of three sons, wife to decent if distracted Duncan, is overwhelmed. And losing her hair. Her doctor has told her she needs to slow down, do less. Focus on what’s important.
After Jai, one of her fourteen-year-old twins, is involved in a sexting scandal, Liv realises things need to change, and fast. Inspired by the pop-psychology books she devours, she writes a nine-page list of everything she does to keep the family afloat, and she delegates. She lets her boys’ conservative school know it has some work to do, too – partly, Liv suspects, because its leadership has a ‘woman problem’ (or, rather, a too-many-men problem).
Jai’s girlfriend, Grace, is at the heart of the sexting scandal and her mum, Jess Charters, up in arms as well, goes to the media. The women’s combined focus forces Carmichael Grammar to take action. To everyone’s surprise, and Liv’s delight, things actually start to improve.
Inspired by his wife’s efforts, Duncan rethinks the way he lives and works, too, despite the workaholic culture of his law firm and its scary managing partner, who’s also Duncan's older brother. In unexpected ways, Liv and Duncan’s marriage and family life undergo their own transformations. Some new developments, though, aren’t entirely welcome.
Light-hearted and optimistic, Tipping is a novel for our times. It’s a story of domestic activism. Mum and dad activism. Because real change is possible. Sometimes all it takes is a tweak. And the will. And a bit of fun.
Liv Winsome, working mother of three sons, wife to decent if distracted Duncan, is overwhelmed. And losing her hair. Her doctor has told her she needs to slow down, do less. Focus on what’s important.
After Jai, one of her fourteen-year-old twins, is involved in a sexting scandal, Liv realises things need to change, and fast. Inspired by the pop-psychology books she devours, she writes a nine-page list of everything she does to keep the family afloat, and she delegates. She lets her boys’ conservative school know it has some work to do, too – partly, Liv suspects, because its leadership has a ‘woman problem’ (or, rather, a too-many-men problem).
Jai’s girlfriend, Grace, is at the heart of the sexting scandal and her mum, Jess Charters, up in arms as well, goes to the media. The women’s combined focus forces Carmichael Grammar to take action. To everyone’s surprise, and Liv’s delight, things actually start to improve.
Inspired by his wife’s efforts, Duncan rethinks the way he lives and works, too, despite the workaholic culture of his law firm and its scary managing partner, who’s also Duncan's older brother. In unexpected ways, Liv and Duncan’s marriage and family life undergo their own transformations. Some new developments, though, aren’t entirely welcome.
Light-hearted and optimistic, Tipping is a novel for our times. It’s a story of domestic activism. Mum and dad activism. Because real change is possible. Sometimes all it takes is a tweak. And the will. And a bit of fun.
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About the author
Anna George
3 books39 followersAnna George is the author of What Came Before, The Lone Child and Tipping. Anna lives in Melbourne, Australia, with her husband and two sons.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
March 17, 2021
When her fourteen year old son, Jai, is suspended for his part in creating a ‘hot or not’ Insta-story it proves to be a tipping point for both Liv Winsome, and the exclusive grammar school her sons attend.
“Twenty five years ago she was a high-achieving student, and today she was a high achieving mother (and wife). A super-doer. Or so she’d thought.”
Liv, a legal investigator, mother to twins, Jai and Oscar, and nine-year-old Cody, and wife to Duncan whom she describes as a “A pleasant, human stocking filler.”, is stressed and tired of being all things to all people. To the horror of her family, Liv decides to divide the overwhelming physical and emotional burden she carries amongst them. It’s a rare mother who has not dreamed of doing the same, I laughed out loud in recognition when Liv’s family presented their lists of responsibilities, which amounted to a fraction of her own nine and a half pages.
Liv has good intentions - to stop her hair falling out by the handful, to teach her sons responsibility, to encourage her husband to develop his emotional range, to make just a few tweaks to ensure a better life for them all. And she’s not going to stop there, she’s determined to hold her sons conservative school to account for what she considers are their subtle, and not so subtle, misogynistic practices. Liv is excited as real change begins to happen, but things soon begin to go awry on the home front, particularly when Duncan has his own epiphany on work/life balance, and Carmichael Grammar is none too receptive to the idea of permanently disrupting the status quo either.
George’s characters are well-drawn, realistic and relatable. Liv is pretty intense, but there are aspects of her character, and her family’s dynamic I found familiar. So too with Jess Charters, whose 14 year old daughter’s sexy selfie was one of those shared, though she is quite a different character from Liv. I didn’t particularly care for Duncan, but I thought his perspective was a valuable addition to the story. Children and teens are notoriously difficult to portray authentically but I thought George did it well.
Elements of the story related to institutional gender bias/ sexual harassment are very timely given current events in Australia (this week was the #March4Justice). George explores a wide range of responses to the issues raised among both sexes, and several age groups. I found the focus on calling out the subtle signs of sexism throughout the school’s physical environment particularly thought-provoking, as it happens parent/teacher night is next week and I’ll be looking at my children’s school with a new perspective.
The story moves at a good pace, but I do think Tipping was a little long, with a few minor threads and characters that didn’t add anything of substance to the narrative.
A story of family, change, activism and the search for equilibrium, Tipping is witty and fun, but it is also a thought-provoking, and even inspiring novel. I believe it would provide excellent material for a book group discussion, especially one with a mixed membership.
“Twenty five years ago she was a high-achieving student, and today she was a high achieving mother (and wife). A super-doer. Or so she’d thought.”
Liv, a legal investigator, mother to twins, Jai and Oscar, and nine-year-old Cody, and wife to Duncan whom she describes as a “A pleasant, human stocking filler.”, is stressed and tired of being all things to all people. To the horror of her family, Liv decides to divide the overwhelming physical and emotional burden she carries amongst them. It’s a rare mother who has not dreamed of doing the same, I laughed out loud in recognition when Liv’s family presented their lists of responsibilities, which amounted to a fraction of her own nine and a half pages.
Liv has good intentions - to stop her hair falling out by the handful, to teach her sons responsibility, to encourage her husband to develop his emotional range, to make just a few tweaks to ensure a better life for them all. And she’s not going to stop there, she’s determined to hold her sons conservative school to account for what she considers are their subtle, and not so subtle, misogynistic practices. Liv is excited as real change begins to happen, but things soon begin to go awry on the home front, particularly when Duncan has his own epiphany on work/life balance, and Carmichael Grammar is none too receptive to the idea of permanently disrupting the status quo either.
George’s characters are well-drawn, realistic and relatable. Liv is pretty intense, but there are aspects of her character, and her family’s dynamic I found familiar. So too with Jess Charters, whose 14 year old daughter’s sexy selfie was one of those shared, though she is quite a different character from Liv. I didn’t particularly care for Duncan, but I thought his perspective was a valuable addition to the story. Children and teens are notoriously difficult to portray authentically but I thought George did it well.
Elements of the story related to institutional gender bias/ sexual harassment are very timely given current events in Australia (this week was the #March4Justice). George explores a wide range of responses to the issues raised among both sexes, and several age groups. I found the focus on calling out the subtle signs of sexism throughout the school’s physical environment particularly thought-provoking, as it happens parent/teacher night is next week and I’ll be looking at my children’s school with a new perspective.
The story moves at a good pace, but I do think Tipping was a little long, with a few minor threads and characters that didn’t add anything of substance to the narrative.
A story of family, change, activism and the search for equilibrium, Tipping is witty and fun, but it is also a thought-provoking, and even inspiring novel. I believe it would provide excellent material for a book group discussion, especially one with a mixed membership.
March 28, 2021
*https://mrsbbookreviews.wordpress.com
Tipping by Anna George is a book for everyone. It is current, lively, filled with bright characters and it presents some very intriguing ideas. I’m sure anyone who picks up Tipping to read will find some elements of the story presented that relates to their life.
Meet Liv Winsome, a harried mother of three who is balancing work with motherhood and domestic life. Liv’s husband Duncan is unaware of the impact his wife’s busy life has managed to place on her health and wellbeing. Liv knows she must do something to slow her life down a notch, but what needs to give? Liv has fourteen-year-old twins and to add her problems, one of her twins is involved in a scandal that rocks the school community. Liv decides to take matters into her own hands and she sets about rearranging aspects of her life. But seems as though this scandal will not go away. However, help comes in the form of the fellow student involved in the scandal and their parents who decide to support Liv in suggesting the school their children attend make some all-important changes. Inspired by the changes his wife is making, Duncan decides to attack his workplace culture, which values a workaholic approach rather than a healthy balance of life and family with work. It is hard to introduce these essential changes to begin with, but gradually thoughts, idea and practices begin to shift in the right way. Tipping is a book that is in touch with our current way of living. Anna George’s book is a tribute to our current busy way of life and it heralds a new form of essential change that is needed in our society.
Tipping is the third novel from Anna George, an author with a great deal of prior experience in the legal and television industries. Tipping is quite a change of pace for Anna George who has previously penned two thrillers. Tipping is a rich contemporary title that taps into some vital areas that currently define our everyday lives. Zoning in on ideas such as domestic activism and equality, Tipping is a stimulating composition.
With so many of us leading such hectic lives, it is hard to achieve that ideal balance between family life, personal time and paid work. I know I am currently struggling with this general life conundrum since the year began, so I am happy to take all the advice I can! Anna George has presented a very realistic, authentic and modern novel. The ideas, responses and situations in Tipping are completely plausible. I am pleased that the author managed to capture the essence of present-day Australian life. Drawing in issues of personal health, social media, sexting, marriage, relationships, friendships, schooling, community relations, stress and equality, Tipping is a book that takes on a number of challenging themes. I thought the author tackled these varied issues with insight and sensitivity.
Tipping features a cast of a relatable and vibrant characters, who all manage to contribute something to the overall message of the book. There were times where I was able to nod my head in agreement and understanding of the female characters featured in Tipping. I could also see shades of Duncan in the men in my life! While some of the teenage issues were a little scary for me to consider as a mother of younger boys (eight and eleven) but I am now prepared for what I might be faced with in the near future.
Featuring short and succinct chapters that allow the pages of this novel to turn by themselves, Tipping is a quick paced read. I did feel the length of this 400-page novel at some points and I have to confess that reading Tipping at the end of a very busy week wasn’t the best choice as I did feel my attention lagged. However, this may be attributed to my own sheer exhaustion levels while reading Tipping.
Tipping offers a spirited look at the precarious balance between motherhood, marriage and employment. It is perceptive, sharp and empowering. Book your reading spot with Anna George and her engaging new novel Tipping today!
*I wish to thank Penguin Books Australia for providing me with a free copy of this book for review purposes.
Tipping is book #24 of the 2021 Australian Women Writers Challenge
Tipping by Anna George is a book for everyone. It is current, lively, filled with bright characters and it presents some very intriguing ideas. I’m sure anyone who picks up Tipping to read will find some elements of the story presented that relates to their life.
Meet Liv Winsome, a harried mother of three who is balancing work with motherhood and domestic life. Liv’s husband Duncan is unaware of the impact his wife’s busy life has managed to place on her health and wellbeing. Liv knows she must do something to slow her life down a notch, but what needs to give? Liv has fourteen-year-old twins and to add her problems, one of her twins is involved in a scandal that rocks the school community. Liv decides to take matters into her own hands and she sets about rearranging aspects of her life. But seems as though this scandal will not go away. However, help comes in the form of the fellow student involved in the scandal and their parents who decide to support Liv in suggesting the school their children attend make some all-important changes. Inspired by the changes his wife is making, Duncan decides to attack his workplace culture, which values a workaholic approach rather than a healthy balance of life and family with work. It is hard to introduce these essential changes to begin with, but gradually thoughts, idea and practices begin to shift in the right way. Tipping is a book that is in touch with our current way of living. Anna George’s book is a tribute to our current busy way of life and it heralds a new form of essential change that is needed in our society.
Tipping is the third novel from Anna George, an author with a great deal of prior experience in the legal and television industries. Tipping is quite a change of pace for Anna George who has previously penned two thrillers. Tipping is a rich contemporary title that taps into some vital areas that currently define our everyday lives. Zoning in on ideas such as domestic activism and equality, Tipping is a stimulating composition.
With so many of us leading such hectic lives, it is hard to achieve that ideal balance between family life, personal time and paid work. I know I am currently struggling with this general life conundrum since the year began, so I am happy to take all the advice I can! Anna George has presented a very realistic, authentic and modern novel. The ideas, responses and situations in Tipping are completely plausible. I am pleased that the author managed to capture the essence of present-day Australian life. Drawing in issues of personal health, social media, sexting, marriage, relationships, friendships, schooling, community relations, stress and equality, Tipping is a book that takes on a number of challenging themes. I thought the author tackled these varied issues with insight and sensitivity.
Tipping features a cast of a relatable and vibrant characters, who all manage to contribute something to the overall message of the book. There were times where I was able to nod my head in agreement and understanding of the female characters featured in Tipping. I could also see shades of Duncan in the men in my life! While some of the teenage issues were a little scary for me to consider as a mother of younger boys (eight and eleven) but I am now prepared for what I might be faced with in the near future.
Featuring short and succinct chapters that allow the pages of this novel to turn by themselves, Tipping is a quick paced read. I did feel the length of this 400-page novel at some points and I have to confess that reading Tipping at the end of a very busy week wasn’t the best choice as I did feel my attention lagged. However, this may be attributed to my own sheer exhaustion levels while reading Tipping.
Tipping offers a spirited look at the precarious balance between motherhood, marriage and employment. It is perceptive, sharp and empowering. Book your reading spot with Anna George and her engaging new novel Tipping today!
*I wish to thank Penguin Books Australia for providing me with a free copy of this book for review purposes.
Tipping is book #24 of the 2021 Australian Women Writers Challenge
March 29, 2021
3 1/2 stars
My View:
I did so want to love this. I have mixed feelings about this read. The premise is interesting but…I did not connect with any of the characters, I actually didn’t like most of them. I liked the ideas on how to make academic learning inclusive, on how to remove gender bias, on how to “fix” the broken school but it all seemed a little too simple to me, a little unrealistic in its execution. I did get some great ideas here that made me wonder if our local schools use any of these techniques?
However, the read felt a little like a parable…a lesson being given wrapped up in contemporary narrative.
I think you will find this a great read for the train or the beach.
My View:
I did so want to love this. I have mixed feelings about this read. The premise is interesting but…I did not connect with any of the characters, I actually didn’t like most of them. I liked the ideas on how to make academic learning inclusive, on how to remove gender bias, on how to “fix” the broken school but it all seemed a little too simple to me, a little unrealistic in its execution. I did get some great ideas here that made me wonder if our local schools use any of these techniques?
However, the read felt a little like a parable…a lesson being given wrapped up in contemporary narrative.
I think you will find this a great read for the train or the beach.
March 17, 2021
The most important thing I got from this excellent book was discussing the very important issues around gender and respectful behaviours it explores with my 15 year old son. He explained how these are playing out in his and his friends lives right now. And with this, getting some real revelations about his world and the attitudes of himself, his peers and the school he attends. Truly proof of how realistic and important the themes and challenges Tipping addresses. The book is a very easy read - fast paced and darkly humorous throughout and with an optimism about how things can improve. Given the global push to bring better balance to gender relationships, this is a wonderfully topical book.
May 28, 2021
Could've been 200 pages shorter and less filler
July 26, 2021
3.5*. A working mum takes action after her teenage son is involved in online sexual harassment at an elite Bayside Melbourne private school. It started really well, but at some points it felt like the issues were being forced into the story rather than naturally evolving.
March 15, 2021
Read if you like: feminist issues, domestic life, strong women
I was kindly gifted this book by @penguinaus and I genuinely thought it was so so interesting!! I dont often read domestic fiction but this one had a feminist angle ( which I’m all about!). The story follows a few parents at a prestigious private school after a social media sex scandal erupts.
This incident shows them how inequality exists in their everyday lives and they strive to change the way chores are done around the house etc. I did enjoy reading from a parent’s perspective but I did find a lot of it quite confusing. Things would just happen? And i had to flip back a bit to re-read and make sense of everything that just happened.
I also thought the book was definitely a bit too long, I feel like the same content and the same message couldve been conveyed in 300 pages.
But it is a good read if you’re a mum, a lot of it may be relateable?
I was kindly gifted this book by @penguinaus and I genuinely thought it was so so interesting!! I dont often read domestic fiction but this one had a feminist angle ( which I’m all about!). The story follows a few parents at a prestigious private school after a social media sex scandal erupts.
This incident shows them how inequality exists in their everyday lives and they strive to change the way chores are done around the house etc. I did enjoy reading from a parent’s perspective but I did find a lot of it quite confusing. Things would just happen? And i had to flip back a bit to re-read and make sense of everything that just happened.
I also thought the book was definitely a bit too long, I feel like the same content and the same message couldve been conveyed in 300 pages.
But it is a good read if you’re a mum, a lot of it may be relateable?
March 20, 2021
I was excited to read something a little different. The premise and promise was there but it didn’t fulfil. While issues of gender were at the heart of this book, the portrayal of schools, teachers and even the teenagers was completely off. For a domestic drama it felt like the author hadn’t really delved deep at all into this world and instead thought writing a topical novel with a few key buzz words was going to cut it.
April 17, 2021
Great book! Many will understand and empathise with the plight of the characters. Anna George has tapped into some really important themes in ‘Tipping’. Super-mums, school power, male leaders, and casual misogyny. A well timed tale.
May 2, 2021
- thanks to @penguinbooksaus for my #gifted copy
I cannot truthfully say that I had high hopes for this novel, but the premise did sound interesting, and I was excited to read it. Unfortunately, Liv's story did not get to me as much as I would have hoped, considering that the novel delves into domestic activism and feminism in our current times.
I firmly believe the author had a great idea that will resonate with tons of people, but especially with mothers today, more specifically mothers with teenage children: I cannot begin to fathom the level of responsibility bestowed upon any parent trying to shape and guide a teenager nowadays. Even though I am not a mother myself, it was effortless to empathise with Liv, and I felt as exasperated and hopeless as she did on countless occasions.
However, I had a difficult time connecting with any other characters apart from Liv. I did not like her children, her husband, nor anyone else, mainly because they were all obsolete ignorants and exasperating people. Therefore, there was little else to enjoy after taking everyone but Liv out of the equation.
I also felt that the narrative was repetitive and dense, with plenty of missed opportunities to delve into misogyny and gender equality in a more impactful and thought-provoking way. Again, I do not doubt the author's intention and the excellent idea for this novel, but the execution lacked impact.
Overall, Tipping was a novel that left me wanting more as it missed the opportunity to create efficient and longstanding remarks for the reader. Even though the story moves at a good pace, the novel was doubtlessly too long, wandering off the action more often than not. I would recommend it to readers that enjoy domestic fiction.
I cannot truthfully say that I had high hopes for this novel, but the premise did sound interesting, and I was excited to read it. Unfortunately, Liv's story did not get to me as much as I would have hoped, considering that the novel delves into domestic activism and feminism in our current times.
I firmly believe the author had a great idea that will resonate with tons of people, but especially with mothers today, more specifically mothers with teenage children: I cannot begin to fathom the level of responsibility bestowed upon any parent trying to shape and guide a teenager nowadays. Even though I am not a mother myself, it was effortless to empathise with Liv, and I felt as exasperated and hopeless as she did on countless occasions.
However, I had a difficult time connecting with any other characters apart from Liv. I did not like her children, her husband, nor anyone else, mainly because they were all obsolete ignorants and exasperating people. Therefore, there was little else to enjoy after taking everyone but Liv out of the equation.
I also felt that the narrative was repetitive and dense, with plenty of missed opportunities to delve into misogyny and gender equality in a more impactful and thought-provoking way. Again, I do not doubt the author's intention and the excellent idea for this novel, but the execution lacked impact.
Overall, Tipping was a novel that left me wanting more as it missed the opportunity to create efficient and longstanding remarks for the reader. Even though the story moves at a good pace, the novel was doubtlessly too long, wandering off the action more often than not. I would recommend it to readers that enjoy domestic fiction.
June 24, 2021
This book was an absolute stretch at the best of times. This book could’ve been easily 150 pages shorter and not have brought up new plot points at the end of the book which were therefore only skimmed and pointless.
February 18, 2021
I had much higher hopes for this book. The blurb drew me in with the interesting plot idea but it dragged on a bit too much and my mind kept straying from the book.
November 9, 2021
A snapshot of Australian suburban life.
Tipping is the third book from Australian writer Anna George. I had not come across George’s previous books, but this contemporary novel sounded relatable, so I got it as an audio book.
George uses a dual perspective that was represented by both pleasant male and female narrators. Many issues are explored that will have readers nodding their heads in agreement. These include parenting , marriage, social media, education, reform, teenagers, privilege, toxic masculinity, friendship and more. All these themes are explored through the two main protagonists, married couple, Liv and Duncan, and a cast of minor characters, all who reside in Victoria, Australia.
Liv and Duncan have been married for at least fifteen years. Through alternating chapters, I got to know each person intimately. The couple have a traditional set up with Liv being a homemaker, and Duncan the breadwinner. In that time, they have been raising three boys, one a nine year old and, the other two teenage twins. Life is a balancing act as the parents deal with family, work, school, and other problems that are a part of everyday life. They do their best, yet Liv finds herself craving more for herself as the boys grow older. When one of the teenager’s becomes involved in a sexting scandal, Liv takes on the challenge to start a revolution and begin reform in her son’s school.
While I did enjoy Tipping at the beginning, I found it started to drag as time went on. As an audio book it was too long for me. There were other moments when I felt like I was being lectured to with it's political commentary. Even though it’s not for me, it may appeal to others.
Tipping is the third book from Australian writer Anna George. I had not come across George’s previous books, but this contemporary novel sounded relatable, so I got it as an audio book.
George uses a dual perspective that was represented by both pleasant male and female narrators. Many issues are explored that will have readers nodding their heads in agreement. These include parenting , marriage, social media, education, reform, teenagers, privilege, toxic masculinity, friendship and more. All these themes are explored through the two main protagonists, married couple, Liv and Duncan, and a cast of minor characters, all who reside in Victoria, Australia.
Liv and Duncan have been married for at least fifteen years. Through alternating chapters, I got to know each person intimately. The couple have a traditional set up with Liv being a homemaker, and Duncan the breadwinner. In that time, they have been raising three boys, one a nine year old and, the other two teenage twins. Life is a balancing act as the parents deal with family, work, school, and other problems that are a part of everyday life. They do their best, yet Liv finds herself craving more for herself as the boys grow older. When one of the teenager’s becomes involved in a sexting scandal, Liv takes on the challenge to start a revolution and begin reform in her son’s school.
While I did enjoy Tipping at the beginning, I found it started to drag as time went on. As an audio book it was too long for me. There were other moments when I felt like I was being lectured to with it's political commentary. Even though it’s not for me, it may appeal to others.
April 6, 2021
'An Instagram scandal at a grammar school sparks outrage in an exclusive bayside suburb and upends the lives of families involved'. How can you not be drawn into this story immediately.
Liv Winsome is a mother of three sons and works part time. She is also responsible for the majority of their workload at home and finds herself exhausted. Sound familiar anyone? 😂 Liv's doctor tells her she needs to slow down but how on earth can she do that without it all falling apart. But when her son, Jai, is involved in a sexting scandal, Liv realises things need to change and she enlists the family in sharing the load. She also starts to work on the culture of their school, where a great deal of the cultural issues stem from and along the way helps her husband try to deal with the culture of his law firm.
This was described as a story of domestic activism and while it was far-fetched (deliberately so I'm guessing), it was such a fun take on so many domestic and more serious issues in current society.
Thanks so much to Penguin Australia for my review copy.
Liv Winsome is a mother of three sons and works part time. She is also responsible for the majority of their workload at home and finds herself exhausted. Sound familiar anyone? 😂 Liv's doctor tells her she needs to slow down but how on earth can she do that without it all falling apart. But when her son, Jai, is involved in a sexting scandal, Liv realises things need to change and she enlists the family in sharing the load. She also starts to work on the culture of their school, where a great deal of the cultural issues stem from and along the way helps her husband try to deal with the culture of his law firm.
This was described as a story of domestic activism and while it was far-fetched (deliberately so I'm guessing), it was such a fun take on so many domestic and more serious issues in current society.
Thanks so much to Penguin Australia for my review copy.
July 29, 2021
I’m assuming these characters are intended to be caricatures of the themes and issues each represents. If so 3/5. It raises some interesting conflicts for modern day parents and hits you over the head with them like a wet fish. Some very funny ‘yup’ done that moments but a little contrived and simplistic. I’m not sure if it was meant to be ironic but stereotyping the very stereotypes you are critiquing wasn’t done quite cleverly enough for me. As a starter to these concepts it’s accessible just not sure it has anything super meaningful to add to the debate.
December 9, 2024
I was so close to DNF but I kept going because I hate not finishing things... and now I'll never get this time back. I'm not usually one to shit on people's writing but come on.
This sounded like it was written by a boomer trying to be relevant and failing miserably. It was lukewarm feminism that contradicted itself so much. Pointing out a teen girl's tight t-shirt while she's talking about being assaulted? Weird.
The characters had no depth and changed personalities multiple times, the plot could have been cut by 200 pages minimum. Only for it to end in a tepid HPE.
This sounded like it was written by a boomer trying to be relevant and failing miserably. It was lukewarm feminism that contradicted itself so much. Pointing out a teen girl's tight t-shirt while she's talking about being assaulted? Weird.
The characters had no depth and changed personalities multiple times, the plot could have been cut by 200 pages minimum. Only for it to end in a tepid HPE.
February 25, 2021
Where’d You Go, Bernadette? meets Big Little Lies. It’s an interesting look at some of the places where modern family life intersects with gender inequality and misogyny. The book starts with Liv being locked in an increasingly sweltering car by her husband – something that actually happened to me in Morocco. I enjoyed the parts about re-evaluating your life and how you live it most. This is a bit of a departure for George from her previous books. I do like it when writers surprise us. #
April 7, 2021
This book was fantastic. A story of motherhood, especially raising boys in the modern age, I also have 3 sons so I identified with Liv, but also being a woman with Jess as mother of a girl.
It’s about marriage about loosing yourself in the trenches of parenting, a 24hour 7 day a week job with no holidays or time outs. About recognising long term relationships are hard, especially when raising a family but you need to focus on the reasons you picked each other initially.
It’s about marriage about loosing yourself in the trenches of parenting, a 24hour 7 day a week job with no holidays or time outs. About recognising long term relationships are hard, especially when raising a family but you need to focus on the reasons you picked each other initially.
April 8, 2023
3.75 engaging story on topical issues that have played out recently in the press here. Kudos to the author for fleshing it out, making it real and presenting the whole story to us. Gender bias, entitlement, toxic masculinity and a resistance to progress are all on full display here. As is an alternative told in an engaging and entertaining way.
April 30, 2023
While the premise of this books is very relevant, some school boys start a rating site on social media of school girls photos, and the parents, students and school all have to stop the behaviour of a school with a long history of sexism, it was way too long and had many unlikable characters on both sides.
August 30, 2023
I didn’t really enjoy this. I blame the book but also my expectations going into it…It felt very simplistic.
Perhaps if Grace or Bella or any of the kids were the protagonists, it would make a good read for middle schoolers. But it felt quite reductive for a book geared at adults and pitched as a book with a middle aged female protagonist…
Perhaps if Grace or Bella or any of the kids were the protagonists, it would make a good read for middle schoolers. But it felt quite reductive for a book geared at adults and pitched as a book with a middle aged female protagonist…
February 19, 2021
This book made me laugh.
A funny take on a woman and school community making a change for the better when faced with challenges.
This is a thought provoking book too, which makes you wonder what changes you can make yourself at home.
Highly recommended!
A funny take on a woman and school community making a change for the better when faced with challenges.
This is a thought provoking book too, which makes you wonder what changes you can make yourself at home.
Highly recommended!
June 11, 2021
Fascinating exploration of gender roles, systemic sexism, design bias and heteronormative family dynamics. Resonates strongly. Politics of sex within Australian private school system portrayed accurately. Relatable and readable.
July 2, 2021
Such a relatable read for me as a working mother. With the guilt associated with nailing home life and work and the juggle with managing teens and precious male egos in same sex schools, Anna George has captured it beautifully.
July 30, 2021
Enjoyed the book as it talked about some really relevant issues and it hooked me in from the beginning however I felt the ending could of been more possibly visited back in 6 months on how it was going
February 16, 2021
A light hearted fun book to read. Though a timely reminder not to tip over the edge!
March 4, 2021
I loved this book, just what I needed right now, funny and thought provoking at the same time..
Anna’s books never disappoint and always varied,.. can’t wait for more from this author.
Anna’s books never disappoint and always varied,.. can’t wait for more from this author.
April 18, 2021
I really wanted to enjoy ‘Tipping’ but I found it very disappointing, a poor ‘Big Little Lies’. I felt the story line and characters were cliched.
June 5, 2021
DNF @ pg 89
June 20, 2021
Contains some interesting ideas but is much, much too long.
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