Breakfast in bed, a cup of tea, and a page turner to dig into. What more could a mother ask for? We've picked out some great reads, ranging from intriguing biographies to in-depth novels.
Source: ewedit
Genre: Fiction, Drama, Comedy
Why it's worth a read: Segal's second novel is grounded in real family issues. Her protagonist, single-mother Julia Alden, falls in love five years after her husband's death, and her new man, James Fuller, has a teenage son. James and his son move in with Julia and her daughter in her home in London, and the Alden-Fuller alliance strains until it snaps. The Awkward Age makes funny, poignant observations on exactly how much of their lives parents owe their children, and vice versa.
Source: npr
Genre: Parenting Advice
Why it's worth a read: The authors go deep into the dangers of over-sterilizing your child's environment, and what kind of health effects it can have on them. Although it's controversial, Dirt is Good offers a lot of pragmatic, well-rounded advice that you might learn from whether you agree with the authors or not. It's a fun, light-hearted look into an unorthodox shift in how we view child safety.
Source: food and wine
Genre: Historical biography
Why it's worth a read: Culinary historian Laura Shapiro, author of Perfection Salad, details six well-wrought portraits of famous women and the relationship between their food and their attitude. Shapiro's selection of subjects is fascinating (see: Eva Braun, wife of Adolf Hitler, pictured above), and her knowledge of food offers tremendous insight without straying into esoteric territory. Trust us, if you're at all interested in history and/or food, What She Ate is right up your alley.
Source: h-cdn
Genre: Mystery
Why it's worth a read: Heller's story about an inquisitive old-lady-turned-master-detective crackles along at an addictive pace. Some parts of the plot are a little unsound, but if you don't read too closely, Celine is definitely good time. The protagonist is a revelation for anyone looking into a career change, and her story will appeal to "anyone who ever wondered what happened to Nancy Drew after she grew up," as described by NPR's Jason Sheehan. If that's not you, Celine is also for anyone who wants to "read about what happens when a senior citizen gets into a shooting match with a SEAL team sniper."
Source: h-cdn
Genre: Memoir
Why it's worth a read: Stott describes, with admirable vulnerability, the hardships of growing up in a cult. Her father, a high-ranking minister, looms over every aspect of Stott's life as she grows up in "The Exclusive Brethren." But he's more complicated than the "abusive, dictator father" stereotype. He's overbearing and wholly patriarchal, but there's an earnesty to him. And despite his position in the cult, Stott's father is the one to orchestrate her family's escape from The Brethren. When Stott's father asks her for a favor as his dying wish, she is forced to reconcile his impact on her and The Brethren on him. Stott's memoir is a bizarre yet relateable undertaking, and there's plenty to ponder here.
Source: Barnes and Noble
Genre: Collection of essays
Why it's worth a read: Somebody with a Little Hammer is a challenging mix of strange, thought-provoking essays on a wide range of taboo: "from the explosive date rape debates of the '90s to the ubiquitous political adultery of the '00s, from Anton Chekhov to Celine Dion." Gaitskill brushes right up on the edge of memoir, but dips back out to keep the scope wider than her own personal experiences. But the memories she does draw on are powerfully laden throughout Somebody with a Little Hammer, and Gaitskill isn't afraid of using her past to help you get a new perspective. It's a brave, ambitious, yet lean selection of talking points. And if you like to read in short bursts, stopping to digest before jumping into the next chapter, then Somebody with a Little Hammer might be for you.
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