This is a book about a stay-at-home Mom who does part-time work from home; she blogs, she loves reading books, she has a husband who works long hours and she doesn’t care for other ‘mommy’ opinions that she overhears on the playground. Does this sound like anyone you know? Anyone that is, perhaps, typing the very words you are reading now? Yes, myself and the protagonist of Mitzi Bytes have much in common, which probably explains why I loved this novel.
It’s written by Kerry Clare, a wonderful book blogger, journalist (and mother!) who I’ve been following since 2009, and I aspire to have a successful book-ish career like hers every time I hear about another fun literary project that she’s involved in. In short, she’s one of my literary idols, so it was pure luck that this book was sent to me for review by her publisher, because before I wrote this, I had never really voiced how much of a fan I was of this particular woman. Because of my existing fandom of her, I was quite nervous about reading this book-what if I didn’t like it? Would I see her differently and have to move onto some other Canadian book blogger to rejoice in? Thankfully I do not, as I loved Mitzi Bytes, and I’m sure all my fellow book bloggers will feel the same way if they haven’t read it already.
Superwoman Kerry Clare!
As I mentioned above the protagonist or “Mitzi” is a blogger, a very successful one actually, who was named one of the top 40 bloggers of the year by Time Magazine (back when they had a list like that, I doubt one exists now). But, Mitzi is a screen name, the woman behind the blog is actually the little-known Sarah Lundy, a mother of two who is better known by the PTA as the mom who doesn’t volunteer as much as she should. Sarah started the blog as a way to broadcast her often snarky opinions about those around her, so of course she had to do this anonymously. But when she began the blog she was a single woman reeling from a difficult divorce, now 10 years later, she has a loving family, and much more to lose. Someone known only as “Jane Q” sends a few nasty emails to Sarah announcing that she has been found out, and in retribution for the blog’s unkind comments, Jane Q is ready to oust Sarah for who she really is.
Now this book probably fits in with the genre of ‘contemporary women’s literature (or chick-lit), but it has a literary twist to it for sure. The main characters have a substantial amount of depth to them, and although silly things do happen throughout the plot, the emotional push and pull between the lines is just as important to the outcome of this story. Serious issues of fidelity, truth, and freedom of speech are addressed here, which elevate this book from an enjoyable read to an important one. I’ve spoken about the emerging genre of ‘mommy-lit’ in this blog before, but Mitzi Bytes is a more thought-provoking read that deserves to be elevated beyond that somewhat limiting category.
I struggle to say ‘everyone’ will love this book, because I don’t think that’s the case here, and I also don’t think that’s a mark of a worthwhile read. When I feel as though a book is written solely for me, and reflects my life back at me so clearly (without perhaps, the whole hugely successful anonymous blogger part) I’m a bit hesitant to make any grand recommendations. But I can say unequivocally that this is one the best books I’ve read in awhile, and I do look forward to Clare’s next offering.
Great review .. unfortunately this author isn’t available on amazon.co.uk or I would have snapped this one up!
Oh that’s too bad! Maybe rights will be sold to the UK soon…
Your cat looks just as happy as my cats do when I sneak a photo with them lol
yes, they’re not always so cooperative 🙂
Even though I know this book is more than just “mommy-lit”, I think the parenting bits were my favourite parts!
yes me too!
I meant to say how much I love Kerry’s blog. If she created a book out of her blog posts and reviews, I’d definitely read it! (Are you reading this, Kerry?)
haha I would too!
Sounds good and probably has a wider appeal than the “mommy” aspect might at first indicate. All bloggers put ourselves in the public eye to some degree. Indeed, let this be a lesson to us all never to hide behind a false identity…
Signed, FictionFan (my mother had a strange taste in names, as my brother ForeignFilmFan will attest… )
hahaha
Ooh, sounds like this would be up my alley! I’ll keep an eye out for this one.
yes, I think you’d definitely like it! You should check out her blog too if you haven’t already
Even though I’m not a mom, the part of the book that would appeal to me is what happens when you have a blog that people threaten to use against you. I teach at a Catholic college, even though I am not Catholic. I reviewed the entire Lesbian Career Girls series, which may (I’m not totally sure) get me into trouble. I do know that a woman who teaches part time was told not to apply for a full-time teaching position because she got married–to her wife.
OMG really? That is so crazy. and…unfortunate.
I’m of the opinion that both literary and chick-lit/women’s fiction are non-existent genres. Both are contemporary (or, y’know, historical fiction,) anything else is just snobbery and marketing (which seems to put a lot of women in the latter, regardless of what they write. #JustSaying.) 🙂
I agree actually, although I find when recommending books these labels are a more efficient way of letting people know what to expect, ya know?
I’ll have to keep an eye out for this one since you recommend it so highly!
Oh Laila, you would love this one, I know you would.
Alright, adding it to my TBR!