It is hard to believe it’s been three years since I last shared a book report of my favorite books on motherhood (read that list here). So I thought in honors of Mother’s Day, I’d share a list of books that have stood out to me over the last couple years. Many of them have been featured in some form or another in this space but I thought it made sense to gather them here. In no particular order:
You Could Make This Place Beautiful by
: A stunning memoir that was a necessary companion for me as I decided to leave my marriage. But also a reflection on motherhood and how we can find ourselves erased. Featured in:
All Fours by
: Yes, I jumped on the bandwagon of women undeniably transformed by this novel of mid-wife awakening. I wrote about it below:
Mad Wife by Kate Hamilton: a heartbreaking, necessary memoir of why it’s so hard to leave a marriage.
Nightbitch by Rachel Yoder appeared on my original book report but I wrote about it again timed with the release of the movie.
Liars by Sarah Manguso: This unflinching novel about marriage I devoured in two days. It’s about not just the lies her husband tells the narrator, but the lies she must tell herself in order to remain in the marriage. My full reflections below:
Wifedom by Anna Funder: While ostensibly a biography of George Orwell’s wife, it also unpacks the role of a wife and how often their support and sustaining of a famous man is erased from his biography. A must read.
Mom Rage by Minna Dubin: An exploration of what happens when Moms rage (and why), including all the ways society leaves us completely alone, unsupported.
Touched Out by
: This thoughtful memoir explores how the expectation that women’s bodies will be available for the taking by men (sexually) is related to our expectation that their bodies will be endlessly available to their children. I also spoke to Amanda about sex as duty here.
Here are some recent books I’ve enjoyed and several I can’t wait to get to:
Mothers and Other Fictional Characters by
: This memoir in essays beautifully captures what motherhood feels like. Those quiet conversations snuggling before bed, watching your child branch out and discovery their identity, but also the inner work required to hang on to yourself as mothering attempts to consume you.Hum by Helen Phillips: This novel imagines motherhood in the future, where robots have taken over much of our lives. A taut, quick, propulsive read.
The Nursery by Szilvia Molnar. This novel felt like Nightbitch for the early infant days. Suffocating and yet so deeply relatable.
Woman on the Verge by Kim Hooper. Kim sent me an early copy of her novel because it covers so many of the themes of this newsletter. Finding yourself somehow a stay at home mom despite all your attempts to protect your previous identity.
. I talked with Amy about marriage here and her latest novel covers divorce and online dating during the pandemic. Yes, please!. I just started this memoir but it explores all my favorite themes… the pressure to be a mother, the loss of self required, and the legacy we leave as women, mothers or not.What have you been reading and enjoying lately?
I hope you had a restful Mother’s Day. Thank you, as always for being here.
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What an incredible list – I loved looking back on your past list as well. Thank you for including, The Mother Code! I am so glad you're loving it so far, Cindy!
So honored to have Mothers and Other Fictional Characters included, Cindy! And I love so many of these books as well.