Blog Archives
Sparent
Jyl CJ Barlow’s Sparent is a raw, heartfelt, and often hilarious dive into the messy, beautiful, and sometimes maddening world of step-parenting. Through a series of personal essays, Barlow recounts her experiences navigating blended family life, sometimes thriving and sometimes barely surviving. She shares the joys, the heartbreaks, the frustrations, and the small victories that come with being a “Sparent” (a spare parent). It’s a book full of love, vulnerability, and biting humor, making it a refreshingly honest take on modern family dynamics.
One of the things I loved most about Sparent was its unfiltered honesty. Barlow doesn’t sugarcoat anything. She talks openly about feeling like the “extra” parent, the one easily dismissed or overlooked. In the prologue, she bluntly states, “I am the Sparent. I am the extra parent that no child wants in their life.” That kind of truth hits hard, and throughout the book, she explores what it means to claim a space in a child’s life when biology isn’t on your side. There’s an emotional depth here that sneaks up on you. One moment, you’re laughing at her struggles with a moody teenager; the next, you’re tearing up as she describes the quiet heartbreak of waiting to be seen and valued.
Another standout aspect of the book is Barlow’s humor. She has this incredible way of turning even the most frustrating situations into laugh-out-loud moments. In “Summer Camp”, she perfectly captures the exhaustion of dealing with a teenage boy, lamenting how her once-snuggly sidekick has morphed into a surly, towering, hormonally-charged force of nature. “I love this boy. I will hunt you down if you hurt him. But good grief, how am I going to survive five more years of this?” That’s the magic of her writing, as she makes the chaos of parenting feel so relatable, even if you’re not a stepparent. If you’ve ever dealt with a teenager, you’ll recognize yourself in these pages.
But the book isn’t just humor, it’s also deeply introspective. In “Letting Her Fail,” Barlow recounts the agonizing decision to let her stepdaughter, Amelia, face the consequences of her own choices instead of swooping in to fix everything. She writes, “We have to let her fail,” Rich repeated. This was torture. The struggle of stepping back, of allowing a child to stumble so they can learn, is one of the most challenging parts of parenting. Barlow’s willingness to admit her doubts, fears, and occasional missteps makes her story all the more powerful.
Sparent is more than just a book about step-parenting; instead, it’s a book about love in all its complicated, imperfect glory. It’s about showing up, even when you’re not sure you’re wanted. It’s about finding joy in the chaos and laughing when you’d rather cry. It’s about realizing that love isn’t about biology; it’s about presence, patience, and persistence. If you’re a step-parent, you’ll feel seen. If you’re a parent, you’ll nod along. If you’re someone who loves a complicated, heartfelt story with plenty of humor, this one’s for you.
Pages: 128 | ASIN : B0DTVSJPLQ
Laugh Like A Mother
Laugh Like A Mother by Kathryn Sprandio Ells is a wonderfully engaging blend of humor, chaos, and heartfelt emotion, capturing the rollercoaster ride of parenthood. What sets this book apart is Ells’ knack for portraying the madness of raising small children in a way that feels intensely personal yet universally relatable. Through witty illustrations and short, vibrant stories, she offers a candid glimpse into the joys and frustrations of parenting, all while keeping readers laughing from start to finish.
Ells writes as if she’s sitting across from you, coffee in hand, recounting her latest parenting disaster. Her voice is real and conversational, making the reader feel like they’re swapping stories with an old friend. She doesn’t sugarcoat the struggles, but she also doesn’t dwell on them. Instead, she finds humor in the chaos, whether it’s wrestling with an umbrella stroller in a crowded parking lot or accidentally setting herself on fire while cooking. Her ability to make you laugh out loud while still recognizing the underlying challenges of parenthood is what makes her stories so compelling. What truly sets Laugh Like A Mother apart is its balance between humor and sentiment. While the stories are quick and light, they’re layered with moments that catch you off guard. Ells reflects on her children’s growth, her own insecurities as a mother, and the small victories that come with parenting, adding depth to what initially seems like a breezy read. The mix of light-hearted anecdotes with deeper reflections turns this book into something much more meaningful than just another funny parenting book. The inclusion of poetry adds an unexpected and thought-provoking touch. These poetic interludes offer a reflective pause between the more humorous tales, allowing Ells to explore the quieter, more introspective moments of motherhood. Simple yet evocative, these poems capture the tenderness and emotional complexity of being a parent, lingering in your mind long after you’ve turned the last page.
Laugh Like A Mother is a book that will strike a chord with anyone who has ever found themselves laughing and crying at the same time. It’s not just a funny take on motherhood; it’s an honest one, and that’s what makes it a must-read for parents everywhere.
Pages: 119 | ASIN : B0D3T5YXS8
Embrace Crankiness
Cranky Superpowers: Life Lessons Learned from the Common CrankaTsuris Chronicles is a collection of thought-provoking and humorous stories about the challenges people face in their everyday lives. What was the inspiration for this collection of stories?
My first book was a children’s book titled The Last Surviving Dinosaur: The TyrantoCrankaTsuris, and a reviewer wrote that I didn’t talk about overcoming crankiness. But the whole point was to embrace crankiness. I started a blog, and I wanted to be both funny but to highlight that since this is about all of us, I wanted to explore how it can be our strength.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
Patience, empathy, overcoming obstacles, and finding strength inside of us when we have those cranky moments.
What is one thing that you hope readers take away from Cranky Superpowers?
I hope that readers will see themselves in the stories, and find inspiration to take on life’s challenges that we all face.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when will it be available?
My third Snoodles book. Snoodles in Space: Episode 2. The Zoodles Strike Back will be available in late Winter/Early Spring.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website
Peppered with captivating tales, both fresh and familiar, “Cranky Superpowers” unveils the often-missed hilarity in our everyday grumbles and groans. But it’s not all laughter—this witty guide offers priceless insights into our hidden “Cranky Superpowers,” powers that when harnessed correctly, can ignite a more understanding, patient, and positively cranky version of ourselves.
“Cranky Superpowers” is a rollicking journey of self-discovery, one that not only entertains but enlightens. So, put on your favorite cape and tights, and get ready to unlock your potential, unleash your better self, and find a little bit of humor in the perfectly imperfect art of being human.
Cranky Superpowers: Life Lessons Learned from the Common CrankaTsuris Chronicles
Cranky Superpowers: Life Lessons Learned from the Common CrankaTsuris Chronicles is an engaging anthology blends humor, wisdom, and fresh takes on life’s everyday challenges. Penned by Stephen Joseph, the book captivates readers with its playful narrative style and colorful array of characters, dilemmas, and solutions.
From its initial pages, the collection charms with its witty language and imaginative spins on timeless fairy tales. As you turn each page, stories unfurl that will evoke laughter and spark moments of reflection. Joseph’s adept handling of language and his flair for surprising narrative twists ensure that every reader will discover delightful segments to savor, no matter their comedic taste. Tailored for casual reading, it’s an excellent companion for your living room table, beckoning for spontaneous dives into its light-hearted world. Given its brevity, it’s also a fitting choice for brief intervals, like waiting times, as it promises easy immersion without the commitment of lengthy plots.
But don’t let its comedic facade fool you. Amidst its humor, the collection also offers valuable life lessons, guiding readers through challenges such as impatience, weariness, or overwhelming dynamism. While certain tales deliver unadulterated amusement, others provoke introspection, further enhancing the allure of decoding their underlying messages. Though the distinctions among the various CrankaTsuris forms may be subtle, they create an intriguing quest for readers to decipher and relate to. Each CrankaTsuris, much akin to Pokémon, boasts its distinct traits: some demand control, others call for proactive measures, and a few signify attributes worth cherishing. This vagueness beckons readers to delve deeper, enriching their engagement.
Cranky Superpowers is an enchanting compilation, interweaving sheer entertainment with occasional idiosyncrasies. This treasure chest of humor and insight is undoubtedly worth exploring. Dive in for a read that teeters on the brink of excellence, and you won’t be disappointed.
Pages: 246 | ASIN : B0CH1FTZSV
LITERARY TITAN 