Mother, Can You Not? by Kate Siegel | Audiobook Review

I received this book for free from Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Based on the wildly popular Instagram account @CrazyJewishMom, Kate Siegel's essay collection about life with the woman who redefined the term "helicopter mom"   There is nothing more wonderful than a mother’s love. There is also nothing more annoying. Who else can proudly insist that you’re perfect while simultaneously making you question every career, fashion, and relationship decision you have ever made?   No one understands the delicate mother-daughter dynamic better than Kate Siegel—her own mother drove her so crazy that she decided to broadcast their hilarious conversations on Instagram. Soon, hundreds of thousands of people were following their daily text exchanges, eager to see what outrageous thing Kate’s mom would do next. Now, in Mother, Can You NOT?, Kate pays tribute to the woman who invented the concept of drone parenting. 
From embarrassing moments (like crashing Kate's gynecological exams) to outrageous stories (like the time she made Kate steal a cat from the pound) to hilarious celebrations (including but not limited to parties for Kate's menstrual cycles), Mother, Can you NOT? lovingly lampoons the lengths to which our mothers will go to better our lives (even if it feels like they’re ruining them in the process).
From the Hardcover edition.

Why Did I Listen To Mother, Can You Not? by Kate Siegel?

So, I was actually new to Siegel’s viral instagram account going into Mother, Can You Not? by Kate Siegel. Like, prior to this book I had not seen it or heard of it. I actually decided to listen because the book was really short, I needed a palate cleanser, and the description sounded hilarious. Lucky me, this was such a great listen and a wonderful commuting companion. I definitely found myself laughing out loud a couple times while listening.

What’s The Story Here?

Basically, Mother, Can You Not is Siegel’s memoirs of hilarious moments between herself and her helicopter-esque mother. There is a lot of over sharing between the two, but it’s touching. I mean, they have this wonderful close relationship that kind of makes me think of a Jewish Gilmore Girls. Kate’s mother is her biggest cheerleader, and for real, you can’t help but be a little bit jealous of their excellent relationship while listening to this book.

How’s The Writing?

So, you know how you go out for a beer with a great friend at happy hour and you’re just enjoying each other’s stories and company while catching up? That’s how Kate Siegel’s writing is. It’s like cocktails with a dear friend. I laughed a whole lot, as I keep on mentioning. There’s also just the right touch of second hand embarrassment on the reader’s end as well. Kate Siegel’s debut is worth reading, especially if books that tickle your funny bone are totally your jam.

What Did I Ultimately Think Of This Book?

I loved Mother, Can You Not?. Granted, this is like my shortest review ever, but what is there to say. This is a book that takes what is an instagram sensation and jolts it to the next level. There’s hilarity, text conversations, awkward crush moments, matchmakers, and more. I feel like if you want to be less miserable, you should just read Kate Siegel’s debut.

How’s The Narration?

So, Mother, Can You Not? is narrated by both Kate Siegel and her mother, Kim Friedman. The two narrate really well together – with Kim narrating all of her lines of dialogue. It sounds very natural and not out of place or weird. Sometimes I feel a bit skeptical about books with more than one narrator if it isn’t alternating points of views. However, the narration is on point in Mother, Can You Not. Also, this is a mad short audiobook and one I would absolutely recommend you get your mom as a gift for mother’s day, if she has a sense of humor and isn’t offended by sex. It’s really just a good entry into audiobooks.

Sum It Up With A GIF:

She may be overprotective and really super involved, but at heart, Kate’s mom is a cool mom, I think.

Other reviews of Mother, Can You Not? by Kate Siegel:

Sandy’s Motherhood Blog – “Siegel displays a clever writing style”

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April (Books&Wine)

April is in her 30s and created Good Books And Good Wine. She works for a non-profit. April always has a book on hand. In her free time she can be found binge watching The Office with her husband and toddler, spending way too much time on Pinterest or exploring her neighborhood.

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