Mommy Had a Little Flask (The Tales of Imperfection Series) Paperback – June 18, 2013

More like a series of sixteen short stories or essays, MOMMY HAD A LITTLE FLASK is a funny, eyes-wide-open look at children and adults, written from the perspective of a mother. My main complaint is there was way too much emphasis on the “flask.” It wasn’t necessary and was distracting. Whatever her point was, it was overdone and probably turned off a lot of readers who would have otherwise really enjoyed the book. Now to the rest of the book: I was hooked on page 6 when Amanda, a writer and the main character, reacts to an adult using baby talk, in this case “nummers” to refer to the taste of something. Amanda moves on to the use of “wawa” for “water.” She notes that children may say that when they are learning to speak, “But that is no reason for the parent to then begin referring to water wawa. It is the parents who is supposed to teach the child how to speak. The parent is not supposed to adopt the child’s baby talk as the new and improved English.” Later on she talks of how she “gets overwhelmed by crowds of people but I like being in lines. They imply the presence of a greater system instead of the anarchy of a free-for-all, during which I’d surely be trampled to death. Lines are my friends.” Amanda is raising her young daughters in an unusual environment. The family lives in Idaho but spends three months during the winter living in Mexico near her husband’s family. The girls attend a Montessori school where they are learning Chinese. She notes the differences between the two cultures: “The playground was minimalist and endearing and somehow reminded me of the simplicity of children at play. It’s good to remember that children are quite capable of playing with a stick and a rock and don’t require video games or even remote-control cars.” Much of her writing is tongue-in-cheek. One day, she comes home and sees a large number of police vehicles near her house. As she tries to figure out what is happening she thinks, “Maybe they’re keeping a sharp eye out in case the culprit returns to the scene of the crime...because that happens a lot on television and therefore must be true.” Speaking to her father-in-law one day about something he said he states, “You’re going to write about this, aren’t you?” She replies, “No, I promise.” And, of course, she does write about it. She writes of how her fear of water has led to her children developing the same reaction. When a neighbor asks her if she’s going to a pool party, she starts to say how much she has to do until she learns the pool is heated. And then there is the chapter when her daughter innocently discovers her sexual feelings long before any of them are prepared to deal with the concept. She has a delightful way of observing things and describing them, e.g., referring to some Alaskans who venture south to get warm, she writes, “The longer they live in Alaska, the more obsessed the become with finding warm, sunny climates in which they can bronze themselves for their golden years.” She writes about skiing and writing and how Americans believe “there is only one way and one place to live.” MOMMY HAD A LITTLE FLASK was a well-written quick read with some interesting observations about both things seen and things analyzed. It maintained my interest. This book was a free Amazon download.

AK Turner is the kind of author you look forward to toasting with a frosty beverage in a suitably convivial atmosphere. Or around a campfire as the flask is passed (the little one mommy has and brought with her, of course). To me the best thing about reading her books and those she co-authored is the gentle rhythm. What do I mean? With a Neil Simon comedy (anyone of age to remember those?) you know exactly when the laugh line is about to come so you ready your body to laugh. After a while you get mentally tired of the rhythm, because it is so eminently and boringly predictable, even though you might genuinely laugh. With Turner's prose, the laugh lines sneak up on you despite being perfectly in context. So instead of one tsunami laugh line after another, its like lying on the beach just at the edge of the surf and enjoying the gentle rhythm of the waves washing over you. Oh my that was a bit over the top wasn't it. I didn't mean that the way it read. Uh, what I meant was ... Oh heck you know what I mean. Turner knows how to craft a fun read, with all the elements of composition that lead us naturally and satisfyingly down her storytelling path. I get a kick out of reading her stuff because until my divorce yea many moons ago I also was part of a family in which I had two kids, a boy and a girl, and some of the incidents and anecdotes in Turner's work reminds me of days long gone (mine are 22 and 26 now). *Buy* and *read* her books, folks. *Buy* and *read* her co-authored works, folks. True, booze is a generous leitmotiv in each of them, but haven't you ever noticed how much funnier any joke becomes when there's a glass of wine or a beer preceding it? And following it? One of Turner's works' charms. Bartender, another round, and Amanda, another book, please! :::hic::: oops 'scuse me...

This book felt much like the author describing her half-marathon efforts: in the first part, you get the following impression from the author, "Oh, my God, why am I writing another book? I'll never finish it! What was I thinking!" I felt that way after reading the first 2-3 stories. IMHO, they weren't that strong.Then, like the mini-marathon, the book picks up and gets better. After awhile, you feel the author thinking, "Yes! I will finish this book, and it will be good! I can do it! I'm writing a second book!!" And it is good, and the stories get better. I read this book after reading her first book. I think that helps. You get a feel for AK's writing style, and an introduction to the characters present in the second book.I hope she has more books coming down the pipe. No, she's no angel, but she's no devil, either. AK is human, with human quirks, foibles, and frailties. I found her honesty and humor refreshing, and felt both volumes were good efforts. They will keep you engaged and entertained.

...so opens this book, the follow up to This Little Piggy Went to the Liquor Store.I laugh out loud (the first time of many) as I recognize those words and the real-life character uttering them:Virgil! He's (finally!) back!Like a favorite but distant zany uncle, Virgil is hands down my favorite of all AK Turner's in-laws though, to be sure, ALL her relatives are endearing, funny (intentionally or otherwise) and, ultimately, genuine and HUMAN...which makes this book such a relatable and enjoyable work...if you don't recognize bits of yourself or someone you know here, you're not paying attention.Amanda's gift lies in her ability to take average, everyday life and show the humor and beauty that makes it shine.Mommy Had A Little Flask is laugh out loud funny and, as was the case with its predecessor, I find myself adopting the hilariously mangled expressions the family uses into my everyday speech...I recommend reading "This little Piggy..." first, just because you'll recognize the characters and it'll make this follow up even more enjoyable than it already is--if that's possible.Read 'em both! (Though you can't always lead a horse to water....)

An interesting title, 'Mommy Had a Little Flask' chronicles the events surrounding Amanda and her loveable, often zany family. I was intrigued by the title, and the impressive number of five and four star reviews on amazon-over-the-water made me want to check it out for myself.I'm so glad I did. It was a thoroughly enjoyable read; I loved the humour and had a permanent smile on my face while reading. Humour often seems to be diluted or misunderstood when it travels over 'the pond', but I thought the wit had quite a British flavour to it and I'm happy to say, it travelled well. I enjoyed the family's amusing antics and adventures in their hometown, but their Mexican mishaps had me giggling inanely.It was a privilege to be allowed into A. K. Turner's delightful family and to become acquainted with her quirky, endearing in-laws. I'd happily have any of them as my neighbours. Perhaps I should have read the first book first, but then I've never been great at doing things the sensible way. Still, I've no doubt I'll get just as much enjoyment whichever order I read them - which I certainly shall be doing very soon. A. K. Turner has just gone to the top of my Must Read list.

An easy read with very likeable people with funny and recognisable characteristics. Made me smile and laugh. Excellent light read.

The title was what made me download this book. Loved it. All the little quips out of the children. Didn't take me long to read.

This book is light and at times, laugh out loud funny. Leaves you with a smile. I would read more of her books.