Mothers around the world all deserve more than a single day every year to celebrate all of their selfless acts and neverending kindness. As a result, we’re kicking off the warm summer months with these 10 books about motherhood and all of its ups and downs.
1. Flood by Melissa Scholes Young
Laura Brooks has just shown up in her hometown in Missouri and everyone who knows her can’t help but wonder why she’s back. Having run away from Hannibal once, the brave young woman will be met with drama, complicated first loves and her dreaded past as she makes the best of her visit home. As the Mississippi river rises and threatens to flood the town once again, she’ll have to decide between running away or staying and weathering the dreaded storm that has its sights set on Mark Twain’s hometown of Hannibal.
2. The Seasons of My Mother by Marcia Gay Harden
This new memoir from actress Marcia Gay Harden deals with the tough reality of losing your mother before you’re ready. Now having to face the fact that her mother is losing her memories due to Alzheimer’s disease, Harden can’t help but remember the good times she shared with the remarkable woman. In addition to telling her mother’s story, she comes to realize that no matter how bad her sickness may get, there’s still so much beauty to be admired within the woman. This is the year’s Mother’s Day read that will have you a bit teary-eyed from beginning to end.
3. The Summer of New Beginnings by Bette Lee Crosby
USA Today bestselling author Bette Lee Crosby is back with a story about a newly single mother and her responsible yet seemingly lost sister. Tracy can’t deal with her most recent heartbreak and decides to take on single motherhood in her own way. Meghan on the other hand, tries her best not to form a connection to anyone or anything despite the lost dog and handsome vet who are seemingly winning over her heart. As both women arrive in the place where they grew up, they will come to learn that the town has changed and so have they.
4. Whiskey & Ribbons by Leesa Cross-Smith
Evi never thought she would lose her husband at such a young age and she never anticipated that she would lose him while nine months pregnant. After his death, the young mom finds adjusting to life as a widow and single mother to be very difficult but she soon finds help in the unexpected form of her late husband’s adopted brother. Raising her young son together, the two will learn to accept the tragedy they have both lived through in this multi-perspective story about family and the ability to rebuild your life in the wake of sadness.
5. It Never Ends: Mothering Middle-Aged Daughters by Nan Fink Gefen and Sandra Butler
There’s undoubtedly an intense bond between mothers and daughters and in It Never Ends, Nan Fink Gefen and Sandra Butler pull together a collection of interviews that look into these important relationships. This unique read looks at the mother-daughter bond from a new perspective as both have grown and experienced life for themselves. This insightful read will be unlike anything else you read this Mother’s Day.
6. The Best Cook in the World: Tales from My Momma’s Table by Rick Bragg
Rick Bragg may be one of the biggest names in the music industry but he has never lost sight of where he comes from. In this April release, Bragg recounts the heartwarming days he spent in the kitchen with his mother as she prepared for special family gatherings. In honor of the tremendous woman, Bragg recorded the recipes that have been passed down from generations, making them public for the first time ever. This nonfiction book is perfect for mothers who want to step up their cooking game and appreciate stories about family.
7. Just Like February by Deborah Batterman
Deborah Batterman’s latest release centers around one family and the secrets they keep. Rachel has always admired her uncle Jake because he’s so unlike her parents who never seem to quit fighting. But young Rachel is also good at keeping secrets and refuses to tell anyone about Jake’s sexuality or his battle with AIDS. As her uncle continues to lose his battle with the illness, Rachel’s strained relationship with her mother and father turns their home into something resembling a prison. This heartbreaking novel tackles difficult families and the dark consequences of secrets.
8. After Anna by Lisa Scottoline
Maggie Ippolitti never thought she’d see her only daughter Anna ever again but in this new release from Lisa Scottoline, she’ll get the chance to reunite with her once again. However, Maggie never anticipated Anna’s brash behavior or her unexpected death. Now, Maggie must face the idea that her husband potentially killed Anna and as she begins to look deeper into the case she’ll find that there’s a much more sinister force at work. This twisted family story is the perfect Mother’s Day read for fans of intense thrillers.
9. No One Is Coming to Save Us by Stephanie Powell Watts
This Sarah Jessica Parker book club pick about an African American family and the true reality of the American Dream is newly out on paperback this Mother’s Day. JJ has returned to his hometown only to find that his high school sweetheart is in a tense marriage and struggling to get pregnant while dealing with an overbearing mother who thinks she knows best. Determined to make sure his past lover’s life turns around, he moves back home and builds a mansion, inspiring the rest of the community to go after what they’ve always dreamt of.
10. The Perfect Mother by Aimee Molloy
A group of unlikely mothers has one thing in common: they all had their babies in the same month. Now, the women meet two times a week to catch a break from their children but when one of their normal outings turns into a nightmare for one of the mothers, they’ll no longer find comfort in their usual routine. This psychological thriller follows the dramatic and twisted hunt for a missing child and all the damaging secrets that are exposed during the search. For moms who enjoy a little scare, this highly-anticipated novel will be the perfect gift for Mother’s Day.
All In-Text Images Via BookSparks. Featured Image Via sensacine.com