Motherhood News: The Latest News That Matters to Moms

The Other Mother Author Featured in Newly Launched New Jersey Moms Blog

2008-05-02T09:47:00.002-04:00

The founders of the popular (and sometimes controversial) Silicon Valley Moms Blog launched the New Jersey Moms Blog at http://www.newjerseymomsblog.com.

Gwendolen Gross, Ridgewood author of The Other Mother, is one of the 16 featured contributors to this new addition to New Jersey’s online world. Ms. Gross’ blog, The Other Mother – For Moms Who Write, is a free online writing workshop for moms at http://gwendolengross.typepad.com/.

The New Jersey Moms blog is described as “a collaborative group of mothers living or working in New Jersey. Salty on the outside, but soft in the center, these East Coast moms are not only hip, they say what they mean and mean what they say as they write about their lives in The Garden State, where they spend way too much time driving in traffic, being stuck in carpool lines, and dodging tourists on the Parkway or Turnpike.”

Click to read the announcement about the newly launched NJ Moms Blog.

Gwendolen Gross, author of The Other Mother, to Speak at East Brunswick Public Library

2008-04-25T15:10:00.027-04:00

Come to the East Brunswick Public Library to hear Gwendolen Gross speak about her new motherhood novel, The Other Mother on May 6, 2008 8:00pm (free event).

Gwendolen Gross’ novel, The Other Mother, is described by Booklist as "an electrifyingly complex and explosively gripping portrait of contemporary, have-it-all motherhood" and is the selection of four national book clubs.

The Other Mother has been featured in the New York Daily News, the Toronto Star, Redbook, OK! Magazine, and on National Public Radio. The Other Mother was selected as a best Jersey book of 2007 by Jersey Writers, a best book of the year by the RoleMommy blog, a book of the week on Amazon, and is on the Amazon bestsellers list (Women’s Friendship).

The Mom Gadget Blog says that The Other Mother "captures the truest most vulnerable times any mother has experienced, as one mother struggles with the fact that all her kids will soon be attending school -- while the other struggles with returning to work with a newborn at home ... The characters are so believable and are sure to leave a lasting impression, long after the final page has been turned."

The Other Mother is available at Amazon and in bookstores.

In connection with the book, Ms. Gross, an award-winning writing instructor, is offering a free online writing workshop for moms. In this interactive forum, mothers write stories inspired by their experiences and choices. Gross says, “I started this writing workshop encourage women to explore the meaning of motherhood through writing, and to share their experiences in hopes of better understanding each other.”

Gwendolen Gross is the author of the novels Field Guide, Getting Out, and most recently, The Other Mother. She graduated from Oberlin College, received an MFA in fiction and poetry from Sarah Lawrence College, and was selected for the PEN West Emerging Writers Fellowship. In addition to her novels, Ms. Gross has published poems and stories in dozens of literary magazines, as well as essays in collections including It's A Boy: Women Writers on Raising Sons and It's A Girl: Women Writers on Raising Daughters. Ms. Gross lives in northern New Jersey with her family.

Event Details

East Brunswick Public Library
2 Jean Walling Civic Center
East Brunswick, NJ 08816
Tel: 732-390-6950
May 6, 2008, 8:00pm, Free
Sponsored by The Friends of the East Brunswick Public Library

Learn more about East Brunswick, New Jersey: East Brunswick Township, East Brunswick Public Schools, East Brunswick Public Schools - Adult and Community Education Programs, and Middlesex County.

East Brunswick Township borders South River and the Sayreville on the east; Old Bridge Township on the southeast; Spotswood and Helmetta on the south; Monroe Township and South Brunswick Township on the southwest; North Brunswick Township and Milltown on the northwest; and New Brunswick and Edison Township on the north. (Source: Wikipedia, East Brunswick New Jersey Geography)

The Other Mother Selected Book of The Week

2008-04-19T07:57:00.008-04:00

Lauren Baratz-Logsted's Amazon Blog selected "The Other Mother: A Novel" by Gwendolen Gross as the book of the week.

In "The Other Mother," by Gwendolen Gross, the author uses the form of the literary novel to take on the contemporary issue of The Mommy Wars: the Stay-at-Homes v. the Go-to-Works ... a worthwhile and rewarding read.

Read the full review on the Amazon Blog.

The Other Mother Selected As A Best Book of The Year by Role Mommy

2007-12-28T09:29:00.001-05:00

Role Mommy has selected The Other Mother: A Novel by Gwendolen Gross for her Role Mommy 2007 book club list of "must reads" of the year. Read her in-depth review of this new motherhood novel.

Other top books of the year for moms that are RoleMommy favorites include Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert, Water For Elephants by Sara Gruen, and A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini

Read detailed book reviews for each of these recommended books at the RoleMommy book club. "Role Mommy is a website dedicated to todays' busy moms. Role Mommy Blogs include: The Undercover Mom, Potty Mouth Training, Role Mommy Confessions, Moms of Reinvention, Sound Off, Kiddy Commentary, A Laptop Naptime Mama, Safety Dad, our Role Mommy 411 podcast and more!"

Authors and Books Moms Love -- RoleMommy event on January 23, 2008 in White Plains, New York

2007-12-28T07:59:00.000-05:00

From RoleMommy Events:

On Wednesday, January 23, 2008 from 7-9 pm, RoleMommy events will be kicking off a book event series hosted by the White Plains Public Library, located at 100 Martine Avenue, White Plains, New York.

Join RoleMommy for a wonderful night with three amazing women - with refreshments, some goodies and a book signing too! Books will be available for sale at the event by Borders.

Gwendolen Gross, whose new book The Other Mother, made the Role Mommy list of favorites in 2007. This compelling read paints a realistic portrait of the intense divide between a working and stay at home mom and has received rave reviews from critics and readers alike!

Bestselling author Jane Green. Her latest novel is called Second Chance.

Pamela Dorman, Editorial Director for Every Woman's Voice which publishes a host of great reads for women 35 and older including The Feminine Mistake by Leslie Bennetts.

Authors and Books Moms Love at Zvents

The Other Mother Named a Best Jersey Book of 2007

2007-12-26T15:39:00.000-05:00

NJ.com announced today its list of the best Jersey books of 2007. This best books list includes The Other Mother, a new motherhood novel by Gwendolen Gross.

"Suburbia is not really a safe place at all, especially for Moms and kids. The neurotic micro-managing of childhood by self-doubting parents and competitive crafters provides fertile ground for Gwendolen Gross in her newest peek through the Pella windows in The Other Mother... It is a funny, gripping, scary adventure set in the dark underbelly of the cul-de-sac near you."
-Maureen Berzok, NJ.com, Jersey Writers

"As a New Jersey author, I was thrilled to have The Other Mother selected as a Best Jersey Book of 2007. I set my third novel here (in a mythical town near the Valley Hospital) because the territory—physical and social both—is rich and fascinating. Sure, we’re close to New York City and all its glories, but there’s plenty to be explored right in the Garden State. What an honor!"
-Gwendolen Gross, author of The Other Mother

The other three books named as best Jersey books of 2007 are: The Last Three Miles by Steven Hart, Exit Ghost by Philip Roth, and The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Diaz.

Desperate Housewives?

2007-12-24T15:58:00.000-05:00

Cara Seitchek of Writers Revealed interviews Gwendolen Gross

CS: I noticed that one of the jacket blurbs refers to your characters as desperate housewives ...
GG: I started writing The Other Mother in 1999—quite a while before Desperate Housewives! When the show came out and was a hit I thought—they’ll have to buy my book now! I think The Other Mother could make for great TV...

Read the full interview at Writers Revealed

Which side you’re on in the Mommy Wars is really simple, right?

2007-12-24T15:41:00.000-05:00

In Mom Writers Literary Magazine, Jennifer Brown reviews The Other Mother. Here is a short quote from her review entitled "Which Mother are You?"

Gross has a beautiful literary voice and the characters are real, and in their own ways, subtly amazing. Things happen that both stun the reader and seem right in place. The Other Mother was a book I looked forward to picking up every night.

Read the full review in Mom Writers Literary Magazine.

The Other Mother breaks into Amazon Bestseller List

2007-12-24T15:15:00.000-05:00

During this holiday season, The Other Mother by Gwendolen Gross is one of Amazon's best selling books about motherhood. Here is a recent snapshot showing The Other Mother breaking into the top five bestseller's list for women's fiction novels in the friendship category.

Amazon.com Sales Rank: #2,860 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)
Popular in these categories:

#4 Books > Literature and Fiction > Women's Fiction > Friendship

And, at the same time, this new motherhood novel is in the top 25 in Amazon's list of most popular mysteries and thrillers.

#21 Books > Mystery and Thrillers > Thrillers > Psychological and Suspense

Happy holidays from Gwendolen Gross

2007-12-24T15:04:00.000-05:00

Q: Do you think there will ever be a time where, like men, women don't have to "choose"?

2007-12-14T12:25:00.000-05:00

"Q. [The Other Mother] alternates between the thoughts of two mothers, each living a very different lifestyle. The characters make assumptions about one another that aren't always accurate. How often do you believe we do that, as women: judge one another based on external lifestyle, filling in the blanks based on appearance?"

Read Gwendolen Gross' response and the full interview here from Gina Hannah's interview with Gwendolen Gross at "The Parent Trak: Balancing Family, Work, and Everything Else" in the online edition of the Huntsville Times.

Mom Gets Booked! 3 Top Holiday Gift Books for Moms

2007-12-01T11:44:00.000-05:00

No Coal This Year: What Does Mom Want For the Holidays?

Have a mom on your holiday gift list? Looking for a new, well-reviewed book as a holiday present? Here are three thought-provoking, popular new motherhood books with great reviews.

Recommended Holiday Gift Books for Moms

The Other Mother: A Novel by Gwendolen Gross

Why moms will love this book:

"By using the alternating points of view of each intensely multifaceted woman, Gross paints an electrifyingly complex and explosively gripping portrait of contemporary, have-it-all motherhood."
- Carol Haggas, Booklist

5-star Amazon book review and top 100 Amazon bestseller in - books - mystery and thrillers - thrillers - psychological and suspense

I Was a Really Good Mom Before I Had Kids: Reinventing Modern Motherhood
by Trisha Ashworth and Amy Nobile

Why moms will love this book:

"This is the perfect book to read on those days when the thousand expectations of the world on mothers are too heavy. It made me laugh and cry. Give this to that Supermom you know but read yourself first."
- Joyce Frohn, Apple Blossom Books of Oshkosh

4.5-star Amazon book review and top 100 Amazon bestseller in books - parenting and families - family relationships

The Rest of Her Life by Laura Moriarty

Why moms will love this book:

"Moriarty's honest novel about an ordinary family whose life changes in one extraordinary moment resonates like an emotional tuning fork."
- Jodi Picoult, bestselling author of My Sister's Keeper and Nineteen Minutes

4-star Amazon book review and top 100 Amazon bestseller in books - literature and fiction - genre fiction - family saga

"Don’t tell me that you never listened in to your neighbors on the baby monitor. I don’t believe you..."

2007-11-30T05:10:00.000-05:00

Jersey Writers at NJ.com Features The Other Mother: Maureen Berzok of Jersey Writers ( NJ.com) says:"Well, has this one [The Other Mother] caught your interest yet? The predicament of the working mom who sacrifices time with her kid to provide for her kid. Top that with putting another woman in the house! Fires, dead animals, 'his arm,' Lyndhurst. Now there's New Jersey for you."

Good Moms, Bad Moms: Are The Mommy Wars Fact or Fiction?

2007-11-28T15:33:00.000-05:00

A new study finds a growing divide between attitudes of stay-at-home and working moms, while several recent articles claim that the mommy wars do not exist.

The tensions between stay at home and working moms are growing according to a new research study. This Pew Research survey finds that there is more disagreement now than ten years ago among moms about whether it is better to be a stay at home mom or a working mom.

Asking mothers about their views on raising children, a 2007 Pew study about motherhood finds that “A 44% plurality of at-home moms consider the increase in working mothers bad for society while about half as many say it is good for society and the remainder take a neutral position. By contrast, working moms are split almost evenly between positive, negative, and neutral views of how this trend is affecting society. … the opinion divide on this question between at home and working moms has emerged over the past decade.

A number of books discuss of the roles of moms and the delicate balancing of work and family. These include: Mommy Wars: Stay-at-Home and Career Moms Face Off on Their Choices, Their Lives, Their Families by Leslie Morgan Steiner; The Truth Behind the "Mommy Wars": Who Decides What Makes a Good Mother? by Miriam Peskowitz; and To Hell with All That: Loving and Loathing Our Inner Housewife by Caitlin Flanagan. A new novel - The Other Mother by Gwendolen Gross - explores the challenges of modern motherhood from perspective of an at-home and career mom.

Taking the opposite view from the Pew study on moms opinions about motherhood, several recent articles claim that the mommy wars is a marketing concept, not a real conflict between working moms and stay at home moms.

A recent Washington Post article titled “The Mommy War Machine,” E.J. Graff says: “But I've got news for you: This is a war that isn't. The ballyhooed Mommy Wars exist mainly in the minds -- and the marketing machines -- of the media and publishing industry, which have been churning out mom vs. mom news flashes since, believe it or not, the 1950s. All while the number of working mothers has been rising.”

Susan Faludi views the war of the mommies as a distraction from the fundamental issue of equality between women and men and faced by moms who stay at home versus moms who work.

In her recent piece, “Pitting Women Against Each Other,” she explains: “Since the late ‘90s, and thanks in large measure to the steering influence of the media, the national “debate” on women has centered on content-free blatherings about Monica and the bad behavior of a host of interchangeable celebrity “girls,” false battles over “Mommy Wars,” disingenuous musings on breast implants and botox as opportunities for enhanced female “self-esteem,” and ephemeral pop-culture “trends” on whether, say, “Knocked Up” heralds the dawn of the “beta male.” This is all very far from the essential question of feminism: how do we remake society (not just give women the equal opportunity to max out their credit cards and be crushed by debt) so that women and men will be truly equal and full citizens, full agents not just in their personal lives but in their responsibilities to a public world?”

Nanette Fondas says in a Huffington Post article “A Peaceful Revolution: What Do Mothers Want? Presidential Candidates Take Notice!,” “American moms wish their lives were portrayed accurately by the media, with interest and nuance, not a bias toward "mommy wars.'' None of the working mothers I interviewed were critical of moms who stay home to care for children: Everyone wanted more time with their loved ones. None of the at-home moms derided mothers who go to work for pay. They recognized it as an economic necessity and often an emotional one. None expressed much angst about opting out of a big, promising career, because most had no such choice.”

Despite the common motherhood issues faced by all moms, communication differences may be a source of much of the strain between moms who work and moms that stay at home. In fact, many mothers do not fall clearly into either camp and find a work and family balance somewhere in between full time at work and full time at home. Perhaps, more attention in the future will be paid towards bridging this gap and finding a way towards mutual understanding.

My Life As It Is blog book review of The Other Mother: A Novel

2007-11-22T06:29:00.000-05:00

Today's featured book review of The Other Mother: A Novel by Gwendolen Gross is from the mom blog "My Life As It Is."

“I’m speechless. I have too much to say. I don’t know what to say. I don’t know where to begin. But there is so much to say. The book [The Other Mother] was amazing. ... As the story continues we truly get to know both Moms. OMG – I loved them both. I hated them both. I wanted to hug them both. I wanted to shake them both. I wanted to crawl into the pages and bang THEIR heads together. There was so much of ME in both of them.”

— My Life As It Is

To read the full book review of this new motherhood novel, visit the mom blog: My Life As It Is.

Breaking News For Moms! 2 Great Motherhood News Websites With Information that Matters to Moms

2007-11-21T07:29:00.000-05:00

Are you looking for the latest news stories with information that matters to moms? Here are two top websites from MSNBC and Yahoo with breaking news for moms dealing with parenting issues, children’s health, pregnancy, babies, and more.

Recommended motherhood news website: MSNBC Kids and Parenting News

On the MSNBC Parenting and Kids News website, breaking news that matters to moms is updated around the clock. MSNBC Parenting and Kids News includes up to the minute motherhood, parenting, and family news articles from MSNBC, the Associated Press, and Reuters.

What can moms do at MSNBC Kids and Parenting?

Stay current with the news that, as a mom, you want to know...children's health, parent-child relationships, child nutrition, baby safety, and more

"Trade advice and experiences on everything from chickenpox to potty-training to pink eye" on the MSNBC Kids and Parenting Message Board

Read the latest motherhood news stories through My MSN, My Yahoo, Bloglines, or an RSS news reader

Find information that matters to you about babies, teens, pregnancy, parenting, and more

Watch parenting videos with helpful tips and advice

Recent news for moms reported on MSNBC Kids and Parenting News:

New moms rattled by baby nightmares

FDA panel: Don’t use cold meds in kids under 6

Kids join parents at teacher conferences

School yourself in advocating for your kid

Recommended motherhood news website: Yahoo Parenting and Kids News

On the Yahoo Parenting and Kids News website, the latest new stories on parenting issues, children’s health, pregnancy, babies, and more are continuously updated. Parenting and Kids News from Yahoo publishes current news articles from top international sources including Associated Press, Reuters News, Reuters Health News, HealthDay News, and Agence France-Presse.

What can moms do at Yahoo Parenting and Kids?

Stay current with the news that, as a mom, you want to know...parenting news, parenting advice and articles, information on child health and development,and more.

Read the latest motherhood news stories through My Yahoo or an RSS news reader

Watch free health videos and health slide shows with advice and tips.

Recent news for moms reported on Yahoo Parenting and Kids News

Program helps moms get fussy infants to sleep

Want to lose that baby weight? Get some sleep

Disclosing infertility doesn't cause women stress

Without enough sleep, children gain weight

"The Other Mother: A Novel" Now Available on Amazon's New Portable Reader Called "Kindle"

2007-11-19T18:31:00.000-05:00

Just announced today, Amazon is introducing the new portable wireless reader called Kindle. And, The Other Mother: A Novel by Gwendolen Gross is available as a Kindle Book (E-book) that can be downloaded in under one minute and is priced at $9.99.

According to Amazon, "Three years ago, we set out to design and build an entirely new class of device—a convenient, portable reading device with the ability to wirelessly download books, blogs, magazines, and newspapers. The result is Amazon Kindle."

There are more than 88,000 Kindle books available. In addition, there are Kindle versions major U.S. and international newpapers and magazines such as Time and Forbes. You can read reviews of Kindle here.

"Motherhood seems to trigger a biological urge to judge other females." - USA Today reviews The Other Mother

2007-11-15T19:04:00.000-05:00

USA Today - in the Mommy Lit Book Roundup - reviews The Other Mother saying “The Other Mother belongs in a new fiction genre: mommy-war lit. Mothers of infants through the kindergarten set will find it compelling — be they stay-at-home mothers or working.”

“Author Gwendolen Gross' best insights are into how the two women's own childhoods and moms have shaped their choices. And how motherhood seems to trigger a biological urge to judge other females.”

"This Mama’s Trip" Reviews The Other Mother

2007-11-15T07:26:00.000-05:00

Here is an excerpt from the "This Mama's Trip" review of The Other Mother.

"I LOVED this book [The Other Mother]. For me, the best part of this book was the look inside the stay at home mom's house. Since I work full time and always have, I have no idea what it would be like to be a stay at home mom. This book gave me a glimpse into this life."

The Metropolitan Mama interviews Gwendolen Gross and offers chance to win a free copy of The Other Mother

2007-11-14T21:19:00.000-05:00

In a recent interview, The Metropolitan Mama (Stephanie) chats with Gwendolen Gross. Take a look at the full interview here.

One question Stephanie asks Gwendolen is about tips for aspiring writers. Gwendolen replies:

“Writers are people who write. The whole business bit is separate and comes later. Write every day, even if the only time you have is in the school parking lot waiting for your kids. Give yourself permission to find your way, to write until you get to the truths you want to tell.”

Also, Stephanie is offering a random drawing for a free, signed copy of The Other Mother. To enter, leave a comment and your e-mail address by Thursday, November 15, at midnight on the Metropolitan Mama website here:

http://metropolitanmama.blogspot.com/2007/11/meet-author-gwendolen-gross.html

The winner will be announced and contacted by e-mail on Friday, November 16.

The Other Mother is Featured in the New Jersey Star-Ledger’s Jersey Blogs

2007-11-13T21:21:00.000-05:00

The Moms Blogs discussion of The Other Mother is featured in New Jersey Star-Ledger's Jersey Blogs written by Kelley Heyboer.

A group of Mommy bloggers started an online book club this week-- and they've chosen a book by a New Jersey author and fellow blogger as their first subject.

Gross, the author, lives in North Jersey and has a rather interesting blog herself. Her site -- The Other Mother - for Moms Who Want to Write -- is a blog/online workshop for aspiring writers.

New Novel – The Other Mother – Is Generating Intense Discussion Among Moms

2007-11-13T06:46:00.000-05:00

Inspired by the release of the new motherhood novel "The Other Mother," contributors to the Silicon Valley, Chicago, Washington DC Metro, and New York City Moms Blogs are currently engaging in an intense discussion about balancing work and family.

In many of the comments on the Chicago Moms Blog, moms relate their own lives to the main characters in the novel: Thea (the stay-at-home mom) and Amanda (the working mom). Moms are exploring the question of how we allow and trust other people to care for our children.

Jill Asher writes on the Chicago Moms Blog, “I could totally relate to both Thea and Amanda. At some points in the book, I kept yelling (to myself)... just talk to each other! Get your issues out on the table and you will both feel a lot better. At other parts, I wanted to give them each a big hug and tell them that they were doing a great job as a mom.”

Gwendolen Gross, the author of The Other Mother, comments, “I wrote this novel with one narrator who is a stay-at-home mom and the other a working mom to accomplish something I thought non-fiction couldn't. What I wanted was to be able to stand in shoes of both moms, in hopes of illustrating how we judge each other unnecessarily, and understanding, myself, how important it is to respect other people's methods and choices even if they don't match my own.”

The discussion continues and all blog readers are invited to participate on the Chicago Moms Blog.

The four Moms Blogs are the brainchild of Jill Asher and Pamela Miller Hornik, and they have received national media attention for their coverage of parenting issues in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, San Jose Mercury News, Los Angeles Times, Chicago Sun Times and on ABC News.

What Moms Are Saying About The New Motherhood Novel: The Other Mother

2007-11-12T07:19:00.000-05:00

Mom blogs across the country are writing about how the new motherhood novel - The Other Mother - explores the joys and struggles of motherhood. Mom reviewers describe how this suspenseful novel inspires them to think deeply about their own choices in balancing work and family, as well as their judgments about decisions made by other mothers.

Gwendolen Gross, the author of The Other Mother, shares her thoughts saying, "I wrote this novel with one narrator who is a stay-at-home mom and the other a working mom to accomplish something I thought non-fiction couldn't. What I wanted was to be able to stand in shoes of both moms, in hopes of illustrating how we judge each other unnecessarily, and understanding, myself, how important it is to respect other people's methods and choices even if they don't match my own."

In recent reviews, moms tell how they relate closely to both mothers in the novel. The Mom Blog My Life As It Is writes, "As the story continues we truly get to know both Moms. OMG – I loved them both. I hated them both. I wanted to hug them both. I wanted to shake them both. I wanted to crawl into the pages and bang THEIR heads together. There was so much of ME in both of them." Jill Asher writes on the Chicago Moms Blog, "I could totally relate to both Thea and Amanda. At some points in the book, I kept yelling (to myself)... just talk to each other! Get your issues out on the table and you will both feel a lot better. At other parts, I wanted to give them each a big hug and tell them that they were doing a great job as a mom."

The balanced portrayal of the challenges of motherhood for both stay at home and working moms is noted in many reviews. Super-Mommy Blog says, "This book really touches on some of the deepest issues that come with motherhood, and no matter what side you belong to, you can really get a feel for the other side’s life." According to Work It: A Blog For Working Moms, The Other Mother "displays with pinpoint accuracy the challenges for both stay-at-home moms and working moms - and the delicate balance that all women face on a daily basis." Go-Go Mommy says "The Other Mother clearly illustrates the self-doubt that is a part of parenthood, the firm convictions that we carry with us - be they right or wrong, and the special treat of being able to really see issues from a perspective other than our own."

Mom reviewers are also talking about the deep emotional impact of Ms. Gross’ novel. The Mom Blog Reviews From the Couch says, "Some experiences in the book led me to tears. I cried because it hit too close to home. It is difficult to not have the power, trust, or heart to stick up for one’s choices, and then nearly have a heart-attack of fear and regret when one finally does. I can understand being simultaneously brave and cowardly." Along the same lines, The Mom Gadget Blog writes "the characters are so believable and are sure to leave a lasting impression, long after the final page has been turned. While I can’t tell you how the book ends, I will tell you that it’s the first time I’ve ever had to reach for the box of tissue while reading a book."
Working Moms Against Guilt sums up her thoughts, "What I really like about this book is how the characters experience doubts and emotions that every mother experiences. Though Thea and Amanda fixate on one another, the real conflict lies within themselves. In the end, this book isn't about The Other Mother, it's about being a mother in general." Karianna - Reviews From the Couch also writes "The Other Mother is enjoyable, thought-provoking, and definitely an excellent book club book because not every woman will read it the same way. It is bound to create lots of heavy discussion and introspection."

Oberlin Graduate Author Featured in Lorain County Ohio Newspaper

2007-11-11T20:20:00.000-05:00

Gwendolen Gross, author of the recently released novel The Other Mother, is featured in the October 24, 2007 edition of Chronicle Telegram newspaper of Lorain County, Ohio.

In this article by Cindy Leise, Ms. Gross describes her experiences at Oberlin College, in the publishing industry, and as a writer.

Here is the article link to the Chronicle Telegram piece: "Oberlin grad a hit in literary world"): http://www.chroniclet.com/2007/10/24/oberlin-grad-a-hit-in-literary-world/

Gwendolen Gross - Author of The Other Mother - Speaks to Rockaway MOMS group

2007-11-10T10:00:00.000-05:00

Gwendolen Gross was guest speaker at the inaugural meeting of the Rockaway MOMS Club book group to discuss her new novel, The Other Mother. The group met at the Rockaway Borders bookstore on Mt. Hope Avenue and had an engaging 2 ½ hour discussion.

The conversation touched on how each mom viewed the two main characters: Amanda — a high-powered book editor and conflicted mother from New York City and Thea — a suburban stay-at-home super-mom. Ms. Gross confirmed the group's thoughts on how the women are both drawn to and repelled by each other. She voiced how many mothers struggle with balancing work and family, and that all mothers share in many of the same joys and regrets.

Moms Blogs Select The Other Mother For First Online Book Club Meeting

2007-11-09T06:06:00.000-05:00

In an event described as "following in the footsteps of our beloved Oprah," contributors from the Silicon Valley Moms Blog, New York City Moms Blog, Chicago Moms Blog, and the Washington DC Metro Moms Blog are reading the new suspenseful motherhood novel The Other Mother by Gwendolen Gross. Starting on Monday, October 29, they begin their first-ever online collective book club meeting to discuss this novel, which has been described by Booklist as "an electrifyingly complex and explosively gripping portrait of contemporary, have-it-all motherhood."

Gross' novel encourages an active dialogue between moms, because it inspires mothers to explore their own choices about balancing work and family, the struggles and joys of parenting, and the constant push and pull of contemporary motherhood. Publisher's Weekly says that The Other Mother "documents the front lines of the Mommy Wars, but its real strength lies is exposing the complex inner battlefields motherhood can open up." National Public Radio calls The Other Mother "a thoughtful, multi-faceted look at what divides and unites mothers."

These four Moms Blogs are inviting all blog readers to "read along if you like and join us for a lively book club discussion." The Moms Blogs are the brainchild of Jill Asher and Pamela Miller Hornik, and they have received national media attention for their coverage of parenting issues in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, San Jose Mercury News, Los Angeles Times, Chicago Sun Times and on ABC News.

The Other Mother has been featured in the New York Daily News, the Toronto Star, Redbook, OK! Magazine, and on National Public Radio, and it is the selection of four national book clubs.

The Mom Gadget Blog says that The Other Mother "captures the truest most vulnerable times any mother has experienced, as one mother struggles with the fact that all her kids will soon be attending school -- while the other struggles with returning to work with a newborn at home ... The characters are so believable and are sure to leave a lasting impression, long after the final page has been turned." The Other Mother by Gwendolen Gross is available at Amazon and in bookstores.

New Novel -- The Other Mother -- Explores Meaning of Motherhood

2007-11-08T20:19:00.000-05:00

Newly released by Crown Books, The Other Mother by Gwendolen Gross is a compelling novel about conflicts between working moms and stay at home moms as well as the constant push and pull of contemporary motherhood. This new novel is a selection of four national book clubs. The Other Mother “paints an electrifyingly complex and explosively gripping portrait of contemporary, have-it-all motherhood” says Booklist. This new novel takes both sides of the mommy wars, asking working moms and stay at home moms to look closely at why they identify with one side or the other. Dame Magazine writes “The Other Mother is a dark look into everything that tears us apart and brings us closest together.”

There is a sharp divide between working moms and stay at home moms according to recent research. A Pew survey finds that 44% of stay at home moms say an increase in working moms is bad for society. In a national iVillage survey, 50% of women said that stay at home moms and working moms have a difficult time relating to one another. A recent poll by Parenting magazine finds that the number one topic that makes moms feel most judgmental is working versus staying at home.

Book reviews of The Other Mother describe how the novel speaks to this tension between stay at home and working moms. Publisher's Weekly says that The Other Mother “documents the front lines of the Mommy Wars, but its real strength lies is exposing the complex inner battlefields motherhood can open up.” National Public Radio calls The Other Mother “a thoughtful, multi-faceted look at what divides and unites mothers.”

Gross’ novel leads mothers to explore their own choices about balancing work and family, the joy of motherhood, and feelings of guilt, resentment, and regret. The Mom Blog 5MinutesForMom writes, “Because of the neutral tone and the way this book addresses the issues that all moms face, this would be a great book club selection.” The Other Mother is a featured selection of the Redbook Book Club, and a featured alternate selection of the Book of the Month Club, the Literary Guild Book Club, and the Doubleday Book Club.

More information about the iVillage poll “What Moms are Thinking Now” and the Parenting Magazine survey “Mom Confessions: Mom vs. Mom.”