Books about motherhood populate more shelves at the bookstore than you might think. The following are some great books that can populate your shelves at home. They are great gifts for the new mothers in your life or for yourself.
Great Momoirs (Mom Memoirs) to Choose From:
Operating Instructions: A Journal of My Son’s First Year by Anne Lamott A pioneer of the genre, Anne Lamott is the writer of the first mom memoir. This wonderful book is a treat for moms of all calibers and stages of motherhood, whether you have one child or five – it’s a great read.
Mother Shock: Loving Every (Other) Minute of It: Tales from the First Year and Beyond by Andrea J. Buchanan – Imagine you have just moved to a foreign country. You have the worst case of jet lag ever. With this opening, Andrea J. Buchanan invites you into the trenches of motherhood where she dishes the dirt on everything from separation anxiety to sleep deprivation to the evil advice of well meaning friends and strangers alike.
Celebrating Motherhood: A Comforting Companion for Every Expecting Mother by Andrea Alban Gosline and Lisa Burnett Bossi with Ame Mahler Beanland – This pregnancy gift book is wonderful for new moms and expecting moms alike. It celebrates pregnancy and it is designed for you to enjoy throughout your pregnancy.
Mother Nurture: A Mother’s Guide to Health in Body, Mind, and Intimate Relationships by Rick Hanson, PhD, Jan Hanson, and Ricki Pollycove, MD – Depleted mother syndrome is the name for the feeling of running on empty that moms experience. You may be familiar with the sensation and this book addresses a lot of that exhaustion as well as how to overcome and feel better.
The Mother’s Book of Well-Being: Caring for Yourself So You Can Care for Your Baby by Lisa Groen Braner – With 52 essays on motherhood, this book addresses issues such as coping with sleep deprivation, body image and finding quality time with your partner after the baby is born. The book uses a confident and reassuring tone. In the book she writes: Adjusting to motherhood is a little like moving to a new town. It will take a while to feel at home here, but be patient. Slowly, you’ll become familiar again with your new surroundings.
What are your favorite books on motherhood?