Tales from the Crib

by Risa Green

In the sequel to Notes from the Underbelly, Lara Stone struggles to cope with the overwhelming challenges of new motherhood, while dealing with the arrival of her long-estranged father and his stripper girlfriend, her husband's flirting with a gorgeous young thing, and her nanny's voodoo spells. Original. 30,000 first printing.

Genres: Chick Lit, Fiction, Adult Fiction, Parenting

320 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2005

About the author

You would think that writing a bio would be an easy thing for a writer to do, but there’s not much that’s harder than trying to convey a sense of who you are in three lines or less. I’ve always admired those writers who are able to come up with hilarious little vignettes about their pets or their strange obsession with Cheetos, and yet, hard as I try, I just can’t find a way to make myself sound that off-beat and quirky. Because I suppose when it comes down to it, I’m not. At the same time, though, I hate those “official” bios that just list where I grew up and where I went to school, and where I live now, because really, what does that tell anyone about me? Nothing. So because I have the space for it, I’ll just tell my story, which, if you’re interested in knowing anything about me all, will probably fulfill all of your curiosity and then some.
I lived my entire life before college in the same house in a suburb of Philadelphia called Ambler. I loved to read, and whenever I found a book that really spoke to me I would read it over and over and over again, and somehow, I never got tired of it. Most of Judy Blume’s books fell into this category for me (particularly Are You There God, It’s Me Margaret), as did Bridge to Terabithia, a book called The Girl With the Silver Eyes, and my all time favorite YA book, The Westing Game. I was a good student, though better at English and writing than I was at math, and although I like to think of myself as athletic, the truth is that I am not particularly coordinated or fast, and I don’t have what my husband likes to call “heart” when it comes to sports. So after dabbling in field hockey and lacrosse in middle school (more because I thought the uniforms looked cool than because I was good at either of them, which I wasn’t), I became a cheerleader. It was very 1980’s. I also was president of my class for three years, which I enjoyed at the time but I now kind of regret, because twenty years later, it turns out that I am the one responsible for planning our class reunion, which is something I distinctly do not recall being told when I was seventeen.
Until I was ten, I used to spend every summer “down the shore” with my family in Atlantic City (I am dating myself here, but I still remember when the first casino in AC had it’s grand opening), and after that I went to sleep away camp, which, as anyone who knows me will tell you, I am rabidly passionate about. When I got older, I had part-time jobs during the school year at Baskin-Robbins and at a Hallmark store, and I spent a lot of time hanging around in the parking lot of McDonald’s with my friends, because there wasn’t a whole lot else to do in Ambler. I couldn’t wait to get out of there, and I always imaged that I would go to college somewhere far away and experience a different part of the country, but I fell in love with the University of Pennsylvania, which was just forty minutes from my house. When I decided to go there, I made my parents swear that they would treat me like I was in California; no visiting, and I would only come home on official school breaks. Which lasted for about six months, until I discovered that it was actually quite convenient to go home and do my laundry, rather than wait all day for a dryer to open up in my dorm.
At Penn, I double-majored in English with a concentration on 20th century literature, and American Civilization, which is sort of like American History but from a social and cultural perspective. I always enjoyed writing and much preferred research papers to tests, but I never did take a creative writing course during college, probably because I never really imagined that I would ever become a writer. During my senior year at Penn, I met a guy from Los Angeles who eventually became my husband, and after I graduated I went to law school at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C.
I moved to Los Angeles and got marrie

Reviews

[Becca · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book in 2 days, while I was sick. Quick read. I liked it because I had the EXACT same experiences with my son that she describes in the first newborn weeks. I liked how Lara came around at the end to learn to love herself as a mother and not compare and be happy with her own life. A few things I didn't like: soo much swearing, it got old really fast! I also didn't like anything about her relationship with her nanny, Delores. It was completely unreal, and nobody would really put up with it, let alone continue to pay and provide a room for a nanny like that. I suppose the author was just trying to be funny, but I was annoyed!

[HeatherCove · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought this book to follow “notes from the underbelly” because I loved reading it so much. Lara is hilarious. This was a nice follow up however the first novel I found much more comical. More than likely because I could relate to the scenarios slightly more. That being said I do recommend this book as she adds a hilarious outlook on parenting after pregnancy.

[Eva-Marie Nevarez · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 - I picked this up years ago not knowing it was the sequel to Notes From The Underbelly. I'm not a huge fan of chick-lit so when I read and really liked Notes I noted it in my head and picked this up when I saw it.
Unlike most of the sequels coming out today, this is the kind that deserves to come out IMO. I was pleasantly suprised when I learned exactly what it was even though I read Notes so long ago that I couldn't remember much.
My younger sister read this before me, a few weeks ago, and after hearing a little about it I was somewhat worried that I wouldn't like it. I think I'm half mommunist. I've loved Julia from the second I knew I was carrying her. I still watch her, at almost 5 years old, with wonder every day. I loved the entire pregnancy, even the kind of crappy parts and I loved giving birth. Can't wait to do it again matter of fact. So, when my sister told me some of the main characters feelings on being a Mommy I was timid to say the least. I am glad I stuck with it though - although my sister represented it fairly this is a perfect example of how someone can assume something totally different than what it actually is.
Even with all I said above about Julia I can still understand Lara's points. Babies do sit there like lumps - especially if you don't know what to look for. Babies are hard work, you do miss your old life, etc.
Risa Green did an awesome job of letting her readers form their own opinions while still being able to relate. Andrew was the perfect husband character and I couldn't stand the nanny. I think because of two things, one is that I can't stand when someone refers to themselves in the third person and the second is that if someone tried to compete with me for my daughters love and attention they'd never see her again. But, I'm not one of those readers who hates a book because I hated a character - I think it's awesome that she brought up such strong feelings in me - no matter what way they leaned. The supporting characters were great - everyone knows a Susan - I know I do.
The whole situation with Lara's Dad and Nadine was a fantastic twist - I wasn't expecting it to turn out the way it did somehow. I'm still thinking about Lara and Nadine's relationship actually.
I don't know if Green has any other books but she's one chick-lit author I'll always keep my eye out for.

[Theresa Wade · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is cute, but you have to have read the first one and KNOW the character. I love the character of Lara and enjoy the way she grows in this book. Great masterpiece of literature it isn't, but it's cute and fun.

[jillian · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is one of those books where all the narrator does is whine, whine, whine. I read this book when I was nine months pregnant, the week before I finally got to go into Cedars to have labor induced. And I seriously wanted to slap the narrator every other page. The author says she wrote the book to speak out against the predominant overachieving mom culture among middle-class women in L.A., but never actually shows any positive alternative behavior to the women she refers to as "mommunists". This book made having a baby sound like a major inconvenience that would last until you could hire a nanny to take over while you went to the gym to get your figure back.

Now that I have a two month old baby boy, I can be all smug and say that being a mom is not the nightmare that these sort of books make it out to be. If you want to read a book about retaining your identity while having a child, this is not the fictional account to read. And if you want to demonstrate alternative behavior to the mainstream in L.A., then buy your baby gear secondhand (or from small providers), go for walks in non-upscale neighborhoods, and drive a car with good gas mileage instead of an SUV.

[Melanie Link · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank God someone felt the same way I did about my child! I suffered from postpartum depression and was searching for something to let me know that the way I was feeling was normal. Although I didn't go to the extremes as detailed in this book our feelings of frustration, of being overwhelmed by the new and terrifying situation we have just been introduced to and the mourning of our old lives were strikingly similar. Green had me laughing out loud and quoting passages to my husband throughout the book. This is a great book for first time moms who find out that for them having a baby isn't all what it is cracked up to be or doesn't live up to their expectations. As you will find in the book and also what I have learned-give it a few months and you will see that having a baby is much more special than you could ever imagine! Enjoy!

[Bethany · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is the sequel to "Notes From the Underbelly," which I loved, but it pales in comparison. The problem I had with this book was that Lisa, the main character, was so over-the-top selfish, materialistic, and insecure during the first 3/4 of the book that I hated her! I was actually disgusted by her, which is possibly the reason that I kept reading the book and was still entertained. That, and the book was funny. Overall, by the end, Lisa comes around (sort of) and I was left with an "okay" feeling about the book. I did enjoy reading the book though, which almost makes me embarrassed to admit because Lisa is so pathetic!!!

[Mary · Rating 1 out of 5]

Although the book read fairly well I hated it. I hated the whiney self obsessed main character. I hated many of the axioms of the books. The main characters views towards children especially her own infant should concern all of humanity. And the constant fodder of being selfish is a good thing for a mom so that you can than be a good mom goes against everything I believe about parenting.

The end message was okay, but after reading 80% of the books mindless and worldly drivel about parenting I was sick.

[Elena · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was the follow up to Notes from the Underbelly, which of course I read because I am currently pregnant and want to read such stories, and then since the story ended abruptly I had to move forward. The follow up was okay....it was funny in parts, and Lara redeemed herself a little, but I still never really warmed up to her. I also really think she exhibited signs of post-partum depression (anything past two weeks is not the baby blues) and it's too bad it wasn't addressed in such a way....although she did emerge out of it. No one said motherhood is easy. . .

[Yolibear · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't know what I expected but as I did not read Notes from the Underbelly (but have seen the TV show) this book was a bit... underwhelming (I know... not a word)

I had to force myself to get through the beginning and once i got to the middle I don't know what I wanted to see but it just got to the point I wanted to see where the characters ended up. So it was okay. I liked it but didn't love it... won't rush to read another book by her but will still give this author a chance.

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought the author did a wonderful job portraying the anxieties of new motherhood. I loved how the book is narrated by an honest womans thoughts...

Although in Tales From the Crib she goes it bit overboard. She whines and cries about how hard everything is, while she has a live-in maid and housekeeper! Come on!

It was still funny but not nearly as good of a read of Notes from the Underbelly.

[Michelle · Rating 1 out of 5]

As someone who prides myself on finishing every book that I start, even if I don't really care for it, I have to say that I've met my match. Even though I liked the first book, Notes From The Underbelly, I absolutely cannot force myself to continue with the sequel, Tales From The Crib. I made it to page 110 before I could no longer stand the idiocy of all the characters. I am so appalled by the main character, Lara, that all I can think about is how to NOT be like her....

[Amy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read Notes From the Underbelly a couple years ago, and remember thinking that it was completely hysterical. I was really looking forward to reading the sequel, but I was a little put off by the amount of language in it. I would have rated it higher had there not been the f-bomb on almost every page. It did have some very funny moments, but the main character was a lot whinier than I remember, and the husband seemed to be a bit of an idiot.

[Heather75 · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book starts with Lara coming home from the hospital with her newborn baby and goes through about 5 months of her life with adjusting to a new baby. I loved it because I had a hard time adjusting to motherhood so it was nice to read something that I could relate to. But I felt it was humorous also so even non moms would enjoy it.

[Julie Hoadley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great book about motherhood, whether you are a mother or not. It tells the story of a first time mother and her struggles with adapting to motherhood. It also tells the story of her relationship with her estranged father and what she learns about herself through him. I would recommend this book to any woman who has kids or ever even thought about having kids.

[Karschtl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dieses Buch beschreibt den schwierigen Alltag mit einem Neugeborenen, und Laras Erfahrungen stimmen in erschreckend vielen Punkten mit meinen eigenen überein!! Insofern konnte ich mich teilweise 100% mit der Protagonistin identifizieren, passiert ja nicht oft. Je älter ihr Kind wird desto unterschiedlicher wird ihr Lebenslauf von meinem. Fand es dennoch auch da noch interessant.

[Kristi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it. So funny and relatable. I was laughing out loud while also remembering my experience with a colicky newborn- being unable to leave the house or do anything in it, spending days in a row in my bathrobe with a lump in my throat...wish I read this book beforehand to have a better idea of what I was in for!

[Candace · Rating 4 out of 5]

I literally laughed out loud at several parts in this book. I could totally relate to Lara because I remember having been in very similar situations with my first child when he was a newborn. (For example, the grocery store without a fully stocked diaper bag and your child has explosive diarrhea). I would highly recommend this book to any mothers with young children.

[Charity · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lara Stone is back with a baby in tow. Now Lara feels even more anxious than before because of a group of 'mommunists' who make her insecure about motherhood. An excellent follow-up to Notes from the Underbelly. I can't wait to read more by Risa Green.

[Allison Wiest · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another funny one by Risa Green. After having a baby, I could definitely appreciate everything that was happening, although I don't think you have to have kids to get a laugh out of this book! Again, I was laughing out loud.

[Synova · Rating 4 out of 5]

A delightful follow up to Notes from the Underbelly, Lara is back, post birth, and struggling with parenting. I enjoyed the story, it was nice to see some of my own fears about having children play out in a fictional setting. If you liked Notes... this one is worth a read.

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book really validates the way new moms feel. Motherhood often seems glamorous and easy, especially on t.v. or in the movies. This is a humorous look at how trying and wonderful having a baby is.

[Christy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I totally should have read Notes from the Underbelly first. While that was apparently the tale of her pregnancy, this picks up with motherhood. A fun chick lit, but again, I definitely read these out of order.

[Christy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read for moms! Very funny and every mom out there can relate to this funny story about a woman who has her first child and her life is turned upside down. I found this very funny and lighthearted and think I even laughed out loud!

[Jamie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute sequel to "Notes From the Underbelly." I like how the book shows that parenthood isn't always easy. Unfortunately, not all of us can afford a live-in nanny and Jimmy Choos to get us through it.

[Stephanie Cardoso · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is the follow up to Notes From The Underbelly. I loved this book even more than the first one. I find the main character to be extremely real and relatable. The story is funny and a quick read. I highly recommend this book and Notes From The Underbelly if you like light, funny stories.

[Karianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

good read for every new mom.

I will say the protaganist was pretty selfish at times and her annoying need to be "skinny again" drove me nuts, but her description of breastfeeding and the lack of sleep that comes with having a newborn is spot on.

[Joanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This should be a mandatory reading for every mom-to-be. The motherhood is not all about smiles and cuddly baby, but also about exhaustion, sleep deprivation, and inadequacy in this new role. Not mentioning all these moms around you, who look so happy despite all that....

Great summer read.

[Marianne · Rating 3 out of 5]

I actually liked this one more than the first. The main character became someone that i could relate to. There were also some new, colorful characters that added even more funny moments. A cute, fun read.

[annelies · Rating 3 out of 5]

If I could I would give the first half of this book 2 stars and the second half four stars. The beginning drove me CRAZY. The mother was crazy and unrelatable for me and I enjoyed Notes from the Underbelly much, much more! This is the type of book that gives LA moms/women a bad rap.