The Hand that First Held Mine, Maggie O’Farrell. She gets postpartum *just right* and in such a beautiful way, although t’s not really a book specifically about babies. It is definitely about motherhood.
The Secret Life of Bees. I have always thought that August Boatwright would be an amazing mother. And she takes nurturing to new heights in this book. ( also a movie).
A Young Ladies Illustrated Primer by Neal Stephenson – excellent inspiration for raising independent kids. And lessons on the power of storytelling to kids.
No Biking in the House Without a Helmet by Melissa Greene because your house will probably not be this crazy, Bad Mother by Ayelet Waldman because she is funny and you will probably not be her, and Brene Brown’s Daring Greatly because she makes you look at life and parenting is part of that.
My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She’s Sorry by Fredrik Backman – so you’ll know how different a relationship is between a grandparent and an grandchild, and a parent and a child. (Says the woman who really, Really, REALLY wants to be a grandmother already!)
This is more of an ongoing suggestion. I try to read whatever my daughter is reading for school if I haven’t already read it. This year I read Wonder by R.J. Palacio and The Seventh Most Important Thing by Shelley Pearsall when she read them. Even if I don’t gain any personal insight, I know she appreciates me taking an interest in her school work. Plus I can help with assignments since I know the book.
The Power of One. I read it when my son was about 9 and I remember thinking a lot about how I was raising him while I was reading it. It’s not a parenting book, just a novel, but it really got me thinking.
Depends on what you are looking to get out of it. If you’re looking for reflections about being a mom, the first thing that comes to mind is Operating Instructions by Anne Lamott. I read and loved this book before I ever even planned to be a mom.
Kristin Lavransdatter by Sigrid Undset, an epic set in medieval Norway that traces Kristin’s life from her childhood to her own time as a mother and beyond.
Can parenting be a theme? Or do you want just general recommendations?
Books that would help with growth as a mother but not be about a certain parenting style
I really liked The Kids Will Be Fine Guilt-free Motherhood for Thoroughly Modern Women by Daisy Waugh. It’s more of a memoir.
Go Ask Alice – my friend read it and got her 3 kids to read it when they were older.
The Argonauts by Maggie Nelson
Operating Instructions by Anne Lamott. She cuts through all the bs about parenting and writes,about the truths involved. Very funny, too.
Almost anything my Anne Lamott might do you right, actually.
We Need to Talk About Kevin.
I imagine no one will have kids *after* reading it, or at least that’s how I felt after seeing the movie.
Erma Bombeck a bit dated but so funny
We Need To Talk About Kevin
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12000020-aristotle-and-dante-discover-the-secrets-of-the-universe
Loved this book!
And just because every mother needs more laughs to make it through the day – and it is the only book series to have its own (fabulous) playlist. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8041873-hold-me-closer-necromancer?ac=1&from_search=true
The Hand that First Held Mine, Maggie O’Farrell. She gets postpartum *just right* and in such a beautiful way, although t’s not really a book specifically about babies. It is definitely about motherhood.
The Secret Life of Bees.
I have always thought that August Boatwright would be an amazing mother. And she takes nurturing to new heights in this book. ( also a movie).
Roots of the Olive Tree
Bad Feminist by Roxane Gay
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/24694108-all-the-things-we-never-knew
A Young Ladies Illustrated Primer by Neal Stephenson – excellent inspiration for raising independent kids. And lessons on the power of storytelling to kids.
No Biking in the House Without a Helmet by Melissa Greene because your house will probably not be this crazy, Bad Mother by Ayelet Waldman because she is funny and you will probably not be her, and Brene Brown’s Daring Greatly because she makes you look at life and parenting is part of that.
Good question. I don’t want to read anything sad or bad happening to kids or young people. Or parents for that matter. :/ 🙂
My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She’s Sorry by Fredrik Backman – so you’ll know how different a relationship is between a grandparent and an grandchild, and a parent and a child. (Says the woman who really, Really, REALLY wants to be a grandmother already!)
I loved this book so much. It made me laugh and cry.
Did you read Britt-Marie was Here as well? (I’m a Backman addict…)
Please Understand Me, Kiersey & Bates
I’m not a mother, but this is useful and potentially sanity saving for everyone.
This is more of an ongoing suggestion. I try to read whatever my daughter is reading for school if I haven’t already read it. This year I read Wonder by R.J. Palacio and The Seventh Most Important Thing by Shelley Pearsall when she read them. Even if I don’t gain any personal insight, I know she appreciates me taking an interest in her school work. Plus I can help with assignments since I know the book.
My thoughts, too!!
I love this idea!
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25690958-year-of-yes?ac=1&from_search=true
The Power of One. I read it when my son was about 9 and I remember thinking a lot about how I was raising him while I was reading it. It’s not a parenting book, just a novel, but it really got me thinking.
Cheaper by the Dozen by Gilbreth. Not the Steve Martin movie, but the original book published in the 1940’s. It’s a hoot!
Follow it up with the sequel, Belles on Their Toes.
Agree!
I loved this book as a kid!!!
Depends on what you are looking to get out of it. If you’re looking for reflections about being a mom, the first thing that comes to mind is Operating Instructions by Anne Lamott. I read and loved this book before I ever even planned to be a mom.
The Language of Flowers.
@Naomi
Seduction and Snacks by Tara Sivec
This may be my catch all answer for every request except “books without crude humor”
Raising Demons by Shirley Jackson. Hilarious memoir.
My Dad gave me Mama’s Bank Account by Kathryn Forbes when I became a mother.
Kristin Lavransdatter by Sigrid Undset, an epic set in medieval Norway that traces Kristin’s life from her childhood to her own time as a mother and beyond.
There’s a new English translation too. Tiina Nunnally.
Yes, well, newish at this point. That’s the one I read.
At my age, anything in the last 20 years is new. 😉
The 10 year Nap. Good for remembering life outside of parenthood.
please don’t eat the daisies. up the down stair case. dated but you can laugh at motherhood
Sweet Potato Queens’ Guide to Raising Children for Fun and
by Jill Conner Browne
Angle of Repose by Wallace Stegner
Whatever relaxes you
Bingo! Just deciding now that you get reading time is the thing.
The Grownups Guide to. Running.Away From Home
What a great title! I can relate lol.