My mom handed me Cristina Crawford's book Mommie Dearest when I was 12, saying it was a great book. As I read it I wondered, Is this a test? Unfortunately, Joan Crawford sounded like (a much more famous version of) my own mother. It made me nervous, even as it fascinated me. It was the first memoir I had read ... the first time I realized how, when an author shares their personal journey, it can help readers feel a little less alone.
Now that I've been a mom myself, I realize mine did the best she could with what she knew at the time. I enjoy books that show the many shades of being a parent - the ones that have encouraged me on my own mom journey, and the ones that remind me I'm not doing such a bad job after all.
In honor of Mother's Day, here are a few great mom reads, inspiring and cringe-worthy both.
The book you might not want to read in front of your own mom:
Two books about unconditional love and support:
This book nudged me to become a more whimsical, magical parent:
A book about a most courageous mom:
The twist at the end of this book made me want to read the whole thing again:
Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine
I grow hollyhocks in every garden because of the mom in this masterpiece:
This mom breaks my heart:
Hard to read, but oh so good:
A book with a thread of forgiveness throughout:
And the book that reminds me that we don't get to keep our mothers forever:
