One of my favorite questions my mom-friends ask me is “What should I read?”
We all know how challenging and sometimes isolating motherhood can be. Reading a great book can be such an uplift and needed escape amidst the diaper changes, tantrums and other non-glamorous parts of young motherhood.
Here are some favorite books (both fiction and non-fiction) I find myself telling fellow mamas they have to read:
The Forgotten Garden, by Kate Morton: This book is among my top three all-time favorite novels. A beautifully woven tale of mystery, love and self-discovery.
Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Bronte: My favorite classic romance. This love story is a touch dark and heartbreakingly attractive—just how I like them. (Any other Wuthering Heights fans out there?) I love Jane’s character. How she keeps her confidence despite a tragic childhood.
Present Over Perfect, by Shauna Niequist: Shauna so powerfully and authentically shares a message every mom needs to hear about saying no to good things to have the most important things. Read more about what I learned from this book here.
Big Magic, by Elizabeth Gilbert: This normally wouldn’t be categorized as a mom book, necessarily, but I feel strongly about moms not putting their dreams and identities on hold during the young motherhood years. I love how this book beckons the creativity and big-dreaming in all of us. It wipes away the excuses we give ourselves not to follow our creative urges. It adds a sense of magic, wonder and power to those urges, which are not to be dismissed. I have always loved the way Elizabeth Gilbert thinks, and this might be my favorite book of hers (I loved “Eat, Pray, Love” too).
The Nightingale, by Kristin Hannah: I won’t ever forget this book. It is one of the most moving historical fictions I have read in my life. Kristin Hannah tells the heart-wrenching stories of the realities of World War II masterfully. A must, must, must read.
Caraval, by Stephanie Garber: This is the perfect page-turner escape. A clever, creative story with all the romance and intrigue you’d hope for. In fiction form, any way. 🙂 Plus, it’s being made into a movie!
Gift from the Sea, by Anne Morrow Lindbergh: Anne Morrow Lindbergh wrote this memoir during a solo trip to the beach. (Sounds amazing, right, moms?) I didn’t realize until after I read it that she’d written this book in the 50s, because the content is so relevant to modern-day moms. I also wasn’t aware until later of Anne’s history as the wife of the famous aviator, Charles Lindbergh and the tragedy of their infant son being kidnapped and murdered. The book, however, is an uplifting collection of insights on youth, motherhood, love and the beauty of solitude. A must-read for every mom.
Mittenstrings for God, by Katrina Kenison: A beautiful memoir about finding more balance, peace and presence in motherhood.
Edenbrooke, by Julianne Donaldson: A clean, happy romance that will have you wanting to put on a Jane-Austen style dress and twirl in the nearest orchard. (Or was that just me?)
Daring Greatly, by Brené Brown: This book teaches an important lesson on embracing vulnerability instead of labeling it as weakness or shying away from it out of fear, as we tend to. Brené sheds light on shame and why it’s such a destructive thing to use on ourselves and our children. She teaches us how to live wholeheartedly as an individual and as a parent. I think everyone needs the perspective shift this book provides.
Absolutely love Mitten Strings for God and a few others you said. Going to check out the ones I’m not familiar with. Always looking for a good book to read. Thanks Kim!!
Ok, we were born to be friends. I love ALL these books and have very similar feelings about them! You HAVE to read Mr. Rochester since you love Jane Eyre as much as I do. Caraval is on my list for this summer! So happy to have a book friend like you! 🙂