Rating: 
Summary: Want an excuse to hate the ultra-rich?
Review: I have been there. Right out of college, I supplemented my income by babysitting for families like The "Ex"'s (usually whenever their actual nanny had a conflict). I found myself laughing frequently out of recognition as I read through this book, but at the core is the very upsetting fact that there's a 4-year old who is given anything he wants except for his parents' love and attention. Though one reviewer expressed a certain level of frustration over the fact that Nan didn't stick up for herself, I understand and know why she didn't...nothing can penetrate the self-involved lives of those who think they're far more important than anyone else around them. It's a light read, but you'll find yourself haunted by the lack of stability and genuine love surrounding Grayer.
Rating: 
Summary: Hilarious Nanny Diaries is worth a look.
Review: The reason I gave this book three stars is because although it is not one of the greater works of literature, it was sassy and hilarious. It is a beach book, the kind you find yrself absorbed in, and when it is over, it's not one that you particularily need to reread again. At least that is the case for me. It also rips off Candace Bushnell's of Sex and the City's writing style.If you like bantering, predictible, gossipy novels than this book you will definately like. If you are looking for something of inspiration or substance, then forget it. Nanny who is a nanny, attempts to pick the most "normal" looking parents to nanny for. She meets Mrs. X and gets more then she bargains for. This is the literary equivilient of gelato, tasty and flavourful, but also airy with no substance. ;)
Rating: 
Summary: Great for a day at the beack!
Review: This book was a real quick read. It allows you to see into the life of NYC high society and the crazy way in which they view their children and the people who raise them. A great book for a day at the beach or a rainy afternoon!
Rating:
Summary: Nanny, get some gumption PUH-LEASE!
Review: Although I thoroughly enjoyed this book, I must say that I was very frustrated with Nanny's lack of guts to stand up to Mrs.X! For a young woman who came across as having some sort of intelligence, Nanny should have spoken up to Mrs. X so many times during the book. Maybe it is just my personality, but if I were being treated (and paid) as poorly as she, I would have said something as soon as I had the chance. Who is Mrs. X to boss me around!? And just when I thought Nanny had come to her senses and seen how heavily she was being trodden upon, she takes it all back (you'll see what I mean at the end of the book...) One lesson I learned from this hard-to-put-down book is that you should not have to put up with someone else's verbal abuse or debase you for who you are.
Rating:
Summary: A Good Quickie Beach Read
Review: This book goes fast as the reader peers thru a keyhole to see how the "other half" lives.It's not very flattering as Mrs. X runs around in her self-absorbed world neglecting her son,4 year old Grayer. She leaves him in the care of Nan,an NYU grad student.With this power couple's mega-millions,why do they hire a grad student & not a professional nanny???Just another nail in the coffin of Mrs. X's mothering abilities & judgement.The reader acquires a profound sympathy for poor Grayer as he is taxied around to nonsensical lessons & playdates -- anything to keep out of his mother's way.The funniest character is Nan's granny.She is a hoot as Nan portrays her as a dowager who has her act together & really knows herself.A few storylines go unfinished,but this is quite good for a first book.Don't expect to finish the book with any new revelations.Like I said,it's just an enjoying beach read and a peek into the lives of NY's rich and shameless.
Rating:
Summary: Utterly weird but believable
Review: This is not the usual type of book I read but I couldn't put it down. It's a look into how parents may not be the best judge of what happens to their kids, and would love to see a sequel on what happened to Grayer.
Rating:
Summary: What I thought it would be
Review: I enjoyed the book and it was interesting to peek inside the world of the NYC elite and the way they treat their own children and the people responsible for raising them. Great summer read. The only complaint I had was the names of the main characters, Couldn't they have thought of better names for the parents then Mr & Mrs X, I would rather have had Mr & Mrs Smith, etc.
Rating:
Summary: Entertaining but Disturbing look at Childcare on Park Ave
Review: Nanny is hired to take care of an emotionally neglected four year old child Grayson. She is determined to distance herself from the family this time, but the self centered parents see her as little more than a slave to their needs. Mrs X is a self centered would be artist and trophy wife. She needs to spend all of her time in empty pursuits and little time with her son. Mr. X is a philandering no show. From what I have heard, there is alot of truth to Nanny's story. The author manages to make her plight entertaining. Fortunately for her there is a light at the end of the tunnel. She is earning her degree at NYU and has a good job offing in the not too distant future. I loved her descriptions of the registration process at NYU. I spent my grad school years there and had to fight to register every time. Apparently someone with a similar name never paid their tuition, and it was too much trouble for the bursars to get the accounts right. I wondered if Nanny had enough ID to get through the process. Nanny also had the advantage of coming from a similar social strata as the X's. Many of the nannies are immigrants, legal and illegal who don't have families nearby to back them up. The book was very good it made me laugh and made me angry. You will end up hating the X's, feeling sorry for the little boy and rooting for Nanny.
Rating:
Summary: Chimney Scrubbing
Review: A wealthy couple, Mr. & Mrs. X, recruit an NYU student to care for their toddler. A pretty basic job transforms into a season in hell in "The Nanny Diaries" by Emma McLaughlin and Nicola Kraus. The primary conflict is between Mrs. X and Nan. The head of the household is an interesting and very complex character that evokes a range of emotion from sympathy to rage. She fights hard to save her marriage and to find some self-esteem beyond the clothes and jewels. Nan and Mrs. X's direct and indirect battles add tension to the tale. Their son, Greyer, is also fascinating. While completely spoiled by his parent's riches, he greatly suffers from their neglect. Greyer clings to Nan. This only adds to his mother's anxieties. The reader roots for the boy and we are left wondering about his future. Did he grow from his positive nanny experience or does he grow cold, like his parents? Nan is a bit of a disappointment. Initially, she is thrilled to be in the elite environment - eagerly observing the brands on the labels. She evolves into a masochist -- accepting the unreasonable tasks and poor treatment despite her parent's warnings. There is no logic for her to accept the demands of Mrs. X. Nan's family appears to be in the upper class. She is close to a PhD and appears to have a positive future. Unfortunately, she only begins pushing back because of a small Christmas gift from Mrs. X and some pay issues. This reader hoped the poor treatment to she and Greyer would have pushed her to fight back. Despite that disappointment, this book is a though-provoker. Serfdom survives. The very rich are very sad people. The reader tries to imagine the future of each main character. Mary Poppins - not really. Nan is more like Burt -- looking down the chimney.
Rating:
Summary: Extremely Hilarious
Review: This book was incredibly well written, especially considering it was written by two authors. I laughed so hard during the Halloween scene...that part alone makes the book wonderful, but then they add so much throughout the rest of the book that it is truly an amazing and fun novel.
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