15 Books for Mom That You’ll Want to Gift Yourself Too
It’s a time-old tradition to get Mom a book for Mother’s Day. Not only does your hardworking mom deserve some undisturbed R&R (helped along by this DIY spa-in-a-box), but giving your mom the right book can also say wonders about your relationship. For anyone looking to give their mom that extra special page-turner that will reveal just how much you love her, check out these 15 books that are all about our mommas. They’re so good, you might even consider borrowing them yourself after she reads them — books are meant to be shared, right?
1. Maggie Smith: A Biography by Michael Coveney ($17): From Downton Abbey to Harry Potter, Maggie Smith is the quintessential matronly badass that’s been rocking the big screen for years. But did you know that she was also a West End comedy star? In this must-read biography, Maggie’s best secrets are revealed, including an exclusive look at her life as a mother.
2. The Name Therapist by Duana Taha ($32): Have you ever wondered what’s really behind the name your parents gave you? In this hilarious dive into the stereotypes and traditions behind names, we get an inside look at what exactly our parents secretly meant when they named us.
3. She Walks in Beauty: A Woman’s Journey Through Poems by Caroline Kennedy ($21): From the trials of maturity to the glowing joys of childhood, Caroline Kennedy explores what it really means to be a woman in this fascinating collection of poetry.
4. Unbecoming by Jenny Downham ($11): When an estranged grandma pops into town, Katie and her mother’s already complicated relationship is put to the test. With secrets and drama aplenty, this multigenerational literary fiction will have you and your momma up all night with anticipation.
5. First Women: The Grace and Power of America’s Modern First Ladies by Kate Anderson Brower ($17): Have you ever wondered what it would be like to raise children under the watchful eye of everyone in America? In this fascinating look at America’s first women throughout history, we get a candid first-hand account of what really goes on in the most powerful house in the country.
6. Balancing Acts: Three Prima Ballerinas Becoming Mothers by Lucy Gray ($19): Becoming the prima ballerina of an internationally renowned dance company is no joke. But having children at the peak of your career? Well, let’s just say the women in this beautifully documented photo essay — spanning an expansive 14 years — are definitely fighting to have it all.
7. Listen to Your Mother: What She Said Then, What We’re Saying Now by Ann Imig ($19): Based off the national performance movement under the same name, this collection of stories about motherhood from across the country will make you belly-laugh, weep and, of course, run and call your mother.
8. The Knackered Mother’s Wine Club by Helen McGinn ($25): From kids’ birthday parties to a long day at work, every event can use a bit of wine. This cheeky and oh-so-relevant guide tries to steer moms away from the nicest looking label and the clearance rack (we’re guilty of both), and give them real red and white options for everyday situations.
9. The Traveling Tea Shop by Belinda Jones ($10): Traveling the world looking for the perfect tea and treat combo seems like a dream job in the making. But when Laurie’s boss invites her difficult little daughter, let’s just say that things prove to be a little more complicated.
10. White Oleander by Janet Fitch ($10): A bestselling contemporary novel by rockstar author Janet Fitch, this beautiful tale of a mother and daughter’s separate but intimate hardships will leave you breathless.
11. The Opposite of Everyone by Joshilyn Jackson ($18): After a childhood of chasing stories with her hippie mother, Paula Vauss has to put her family back together after some odd circumstances tear them apart.
12. The Birds of Opulence by Crystal Wilkinson ($20): The strength of love and familial bond is tested in a small southern black community, featuring seven generations of strong women, when they are forced to tackle subjects like mental health, illegitimacy and death full-on. Praised for its lyrical expression, this book is so rich with wisdom, you just might want to read twice.
13. Golden Girls Forever: An Unauthorized Look Behind the Lanai by Jim Colucci ($19): Whether you classify yourself as a Dorothy or a Rose, there’s no denying that the cult classic The Golden Girls was one of the best sitcoms that ever aired. In this behind-the-scenes read, we get never-before-seen interviews with the cast, hundreds of black and white photos and enough LOLs to last us until at least next Mother’s Day.
14. The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan ($10): In this classic, beautifully crafted tale from Amy Tan, four mothers and four daughters explore their relationships through intertwined stories from the past — all while sharing a meal during their San Francisco mahjong club.
15. We Love You, Charlie Freeman by Kaitlyn Greenidge ($18): When the Freeman family gets picked to participate in a research experiment that means they have to move to rural Massachusetts, they jump at the opportunity. But the experiment is more than they originally realize — not only will they be teaching a chimpanzee sign language, but they’ll be diving into their complicated family dynamic, exploring and releasing their own personal demons and learning just exactly how we’re supposed to talk about race in America.
What is your favorite Mother’s Day read? Tweet us your picks by mentioning @BritandCo.
(Featured image via Getty)
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