Review & Giveaway: "Momnesia" by Lori Verni-Fogarsi

She's just another typical mom. Overwhelmed with diaper duty and carpooling and making sure that the laundry is clean and the fridge is fully stocked, she could be any one of us. She's the one that you see scrambling to pick up the kids from school on time or the one that looks exhausted while shopping for some essential item that has just been run out of.

In her book Momnesia, author Lori Verni-Fogarsi explores the fictional life of one such mother who is determined to find herself again. After too many years of running a business, being a mom, and putting up with a passive husband, our main character feels like she has lost herself and is now "just a mom". She wonders what example she is setting for her own daughters- is she setting them up to ignore their own needs so that they can take care of others? Determined to find herself again she ventures beyond her comfort zone and looks to find her old self, and the way there is littered with adult toys and cocktails and one really great mix CD.

I really enjoyed the themes behind Momnesia. Who, as a mother (or truthfully as any dedicated parent!), has not felt invisible or unimportant? Who hasn't felt from time to time that their husband is just another child to clean up after? Who hasn't been exhausted after a long day or working and cleaning up after other people and has struggled to think of one thing that they have done for themselves in the course of the past 24 hours? Verni-Fogarsi explores these all-too-familiar issues in a fun and fictional way with a character that you can't help but root for. I, for one, was cheering her on to her happy ending.

There were times when the first person narrative that the book was written in just didn't work for me. At times it worked well, and it felt like I was listening to a friend chat, but at other times the writing felt awkward or the subject shifted too abruptly and I found myself struggling to figure out what was going on. I also wish that the book had taken place after the main character had decided to divorce her husband, without as much of the backstory. I felt that the issues between the main character and her husband took away from her journey to get out there and find herself again, and the story often seemed to be whiny in the beginning.

Overall Momnesia is a fun story about one mom's quest to figure out who she is when she's not busy being a mom. The plot is entertaining and the author brings up some great points about motherhood throughout the book that certainly had me nodding my head in agreement. This is a great read for anyone who has ever felt invisible on occasion but who doesn't know what they would do without the very same family that drives them crazy! My thanks to the author for providing me with a copy for review.

Lori Verni-Fogarsi has generously offered two copies (one US only, one international) of Momnesia to giveaway! To enter:

1. *Mandatory Entry* What if your favourite thing to do during "me time"? Leave me your answer in a comment below and include your e-mail address so that I can contact you if you win. Please let me know if you are a US or an international entrant in your comment.

2. *Bonus Entry* Become a follower of this blog through Google Friend Connect and let me know in a comment that you follow. Current followers are eligible for this bonus entry as well, just let me know that you are a follower.

3. *Bonus Entry* Spread the word about the giveaway in some way. Blog about it, Tweet about it, or post it on your Facebook. Whatever you choose to do, let me know in a comment what you have done.

There are two copies of this book to be won. One winner will be chosen from the US entrants and will be able to choose if they would prefer a paperback or a Kindle copy for their prize. One international winner will win a Kindle copy. This contest runs until May 30, 2012 and the winner will be notified by e-mail after this time. Good luck!