You’ve Been Volunteered, Laurie Gelman, author and narrator
This book is not as laugh out loud funny as the first one, but it is an easy, light read with which to relax in this time of chaos and confusion. Her political beliefs are on the occasional page, as in a remark like “lipstick on a pig”, but mostly the book is about the trials and tribulations of wifehood, motherhood and womanhood. She is definitely a woman of the “me too”, TDS ilk.
Jen Dixon, the main character, is a witty, strong willed mother of three. Two of her daughters, Laura and Vivs, both products of her youth, are grown and independent. Her son is the child of her middle life. He is in third grade and is a happy, handful. She has decided to return to the job of class mother at a time when her own home is going through its own unique stress. Ron, her husband is investing in a franchise which requires a bit of belt tightening, using coupons to save money, something she resists, and avoiding extra extravagances.
Her everyday trials and triumphs loom large on every page, especially when she is appointed to head up the safety squad. However, some of her experiences feel very mundane and trite. Her emails to the other mothers in her son’s class are sometimes obnoxious and sometimes witty and revealing. Most of the mothers like her and appreciate her attempt to lighten the atmosphere with her cryptic messages. Most women at her stage of life and around her age, will easily identify with her complaints and triumphs. Because the author refers to Jen’s parents who are in their late 70’s, and discusses their life’s trials, older women will also enjoy the book. However, I do not think it is a man’s book, in any way, shape or form.
No subject is off the table for this author. She discusses cancer, which her mother has endured, the separation and divorce of her friends, the infidelity of some husbands, the bullying and pranking some kids engage in, the lovemaking habits of adults, pregnancy in unmarried young women, as in her daughter, the issues of single motherhood, even the death of a dear relative, and anything else that might come up in the days of an ordinary person of middle age, although she, now at 52, is approaching senior status.
I found the author’s approach to everything a bit to relaxed and cavalier, but it is a light quick read, one that would be perfectly wonderful for a plane ride or a day at the beach. As a rule, I do not believe that authors should read their own books, but she doesn’t do it too badly. Still, I do not think her tone of voice does justice to some of the passages in the audio. Perhaps a professional would have been better suited for the job.