The Complete Book of Mothers-in-Law: A Celebration

Luisa Dillinger (Faber and Faber, £8.99)

This is a light-hearted book which would make a good wedding present for anyone with a sense of humour. Men have joked about their mothers-in-law for at least two millennia: “Give up all hope of peace,” wrote the Roman poet Juvenal in the first century, “As long as your mother-in-law is alive.” Daughters-in-law – who have more to put up with, on the whole – have usually just ground their teeth. But nowadays they can go on the web, if they like, and tell the world how much they hate their mother-in-law.

The loathing may be mutual. “He is nothing and has nothing,” said the mother of Grieg’s wife, “And he writes music which no one wants to hear.” But some men (Edgar Allan Poe) have been deeply attached to their mothers-in-law, and some women (Livingstone’s wife’s mother) have bravely defended their daughters from crazy husbands. You can’t generalise. The book is packed with interesting stories and gives some wise advice, too.

The Modern Grandparents’ Guide Jackie Highe (Piatkus, £8.99).

This is a helpful guide for anyone who has, or is hoping to have grandchildren. Today’s grandparents are younger and more active than ever before, the blurb says. Actually, it’s my impression that middle-class people are now having children very late, and expect to continue with their careers while their own aged parents take charge. But this book covers almost every possible situation.

The main message is that you should not interfere with your grandchildren’s upbringing, unless things are desperate. Also, you have no legal right to see them, and this is a shame, because children are usually much happier and safer if there are grandparents around. And, as the book acknowledges, young couples are constantly meeting and splitting. So, if you are the parent of a son, make quite sure you stay on good terms with his girlfriend or wife.