Hello!

Join Login
Learn More

Comp WIN 1 Of 17 Copies Of How to Fake Being Tidy By Fenella Souter - Competition Closed

WIN 1 Of 17 Copies Of How to Fake Being Tidy By Fenella Souter

263 Entries

Funny true stories about the everyday dramas that can make or break friendships, cooking, housekeeping and the domestic chaos that always threatens to get the upper hand, written in the tradition of Nora Ephron.

We are giving away 17 copies of Fenella Souter’s How to Fake Being Tidy, thanks to our friends at Allen & Unwin.

‘A glorious account of how the little things of life are, of course, the big things’ – Richard Glover

‘Every failed domestic goddess will rock with laughter.’ Shona Martyn

My mother wasn’t much of a housekeeper. She wasn’t much of a cook either, although she tried. She longed to live a more unconventional life. Admirably high-minded, but it meant I never learnt to fold a towel.

In these funny, sometimes poignant, stories, award-winning feature writer Fenella Souter celebrates the highs and lows of domestic life – from her attempts to run the house like a grown-up, to lessons in good cooking; from accidentally killing her wisteria, divorcing the cat and shirt-fronting bossy tradies, to wondering if the ‘hostess gift’ is still a thing or why some people have impeccable taste.

With their distinctive wit, they will leave you smiling with recognition at the everyday dramas and dilemmas that can make or break friendships and marriages, turn a house into a home, or let chaos get the upper hand.

‘Chuck out all your self-help guides to gratitude, mindfulness and finding meaning. This book is all you need.’ – Charlotte Wood

In bookstores now!

About the Author

Fenella Souter is an award-winning feature writer and former long-time editor of Good Weekend, in The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, whose work has appeared in magazines and newspapers over many years. More recently, she has also worked as a radio producer, co-producing several documentary series for ABC Radio.

Please note this competition is open from 29 March 2021 until 30 April 2021 and is only available to members of Mouths Of Mums. This competition is a game of skill – answer in 50 words or less. We are unable to accept entries posted via facebook. Facebook LIKE functionality is not a requirement of entry to this competition. The winners of this competition will be published on this page. Winners’ name and address will be provided to the promoter of this competition and prizes will be sent to the address you have in Your Profile. Please ensure your details are up to date so that you receive your prize.

Share this

Winners for this competition

  1. K. Hertz-DyonNSW
  2. H. DeeVIC
  3. A. AmohauQLD
  4. M. GardnerQLD
  5. N. CuxacQLD
  6. K. MorganQLD
  7. L. WilliamsWA
  8. S. BouquetNSW
  9. A. MenziesQLD
  10. S. GleesonVIC
  11. J. RoseVIC
  12. J. GriffithsACT
  13. J. StevensNSW
  14. B. YudkinVIC
  15. T. SharplesVIC
  16. L. MartinSA
  17. L. Diamond-SmithVIC

  • I get myself in such a kerfuffle
    Everytime I vacuum –
    Tangled-up in cords and hose
    As the daily detritus I exhume;
    I hate their WHINE
    The way they suck
    And fill themselves
    With ‘who-knows-what-muck';
    The worst is when I hear ‘THAT’ clunk –
    And know it’s NOT
    A piece of junk!!!!

  • All household chores! Especially, cleaning the toilet!

  • I would like to give up more than one, but if I can only choose one it would cooking as I can never thinks of what to make for lunch or dinner..

  • The washing up! Every time I turn around there is a sink full.

  • Washing the tiles in our home as we have a large amount and it takes quite a bit of time to vacuum and wash. Then before you know it people have walked all over them and they need washiig again.

  • Cleaning the toilet! It would be an understatement to say I’m a germaphobe, so I try to get it done as quickly as possible with the most powerful products available on the supermarket shelves!

  • Cleaning the washing machine! While it doesnt happen all the time its awkward / smelly / gross. Mine gets so bogged up because partner is a tradie.

  • Cleaning the bathtub, shower and toilet!! It is time consuming, unhygienic and stinky!

  • Cleaning up after cooking! I really love to cook but every time I realise I have to clean up afterwards it removes from the enjoyment.

  • Vacuuming. I have 3 cats and a dog, I feel like I am forever vacuuming hair off every surface.

  • Putting my clothes away

  • Cleaning the bathroom! It seems to get dusty so quickly and it’s exhausting scrubbing the bath crayons and paint of my sons bath!

  • The dishes because no matter how many times I wash up; there are always more multiple items waiting at the sink for me and only me to clean

  • The dusting – especially above windows and lights, and those collectibles in the glass cabinet – I swear they breed dust in there.

  • Cooking. I do love it, but the question of ‘what’s for dinner?’, Is so relentless! Wish I had a per spinal chef that cooked all my meals!

  • Washing and folding clothes. It’s a never ending cycle. Where did all these clothes come from and where do the socks go?!

  • Laundry!! It honestly never ever ends, i “find” it i sort it i wash it i hang it out i take it off the line i fold it i put it away i repeat day after day…

  • Definitely would love to give up cleaning windows & mirrors, I am hopeless at them! They always end up streaky or less than perfect.

  • i need this book in my life. i feel i am constantly cleaning up and tidying after everyone. I would love to give up washing the showers, its a pain and i hate the smell of the cleaning liquids

  • Cooking tea every night! It’s not easy to think of healthy, tastey meals that everyone will eat, night after night. Washing up after would be a bonus too

Enter this competition
↥ Back to top

Thanks For Your Star Rating!

Would you like to add a written rating or just a star rating?

Write A Rating Just A Star Rating
Join