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As a mother, reading keeps me (somewhat) sane. Here are
my personal reading picks:
Full Disclosure: As you
may have noticed, I don't make money via this site. And
honestly, I don't want to. However, as readers of my
blog may know, I love to read, library books make me
itchy and I'm on a debt diet. So when Amazon.ca offered
me the promise of free books if I link to them and
publishing houses offer to send me review copies of
certain things, well, hell, who can resist that!
Magazines (Print)
Brain, Child.
I hate mainstream parenting magazines. They make my
teeth itch with their advertorials and hidden biases.
What I read is Brain, Child magazine. It's a parenting
(mothering) magazine which is thought-provoking, is
never guilt inducing, and doesn't try to sell you crap.
Magazine (Online)
Literary Mama.
Literary Mama, an online literary magazine, features
writing by mother writers about the complexities and
many faces of motherhood. We publish fiction, poetry,
creative nonfiction, literary criticism, book reviews,
columns, and profiles about mother writers. Named
Forbes.com Best of Web. Oh ya, and I'm their
resident blogger and copy edit the Reviews section.
Philosophical Mother. Where the personal is still
political. Another great online literary journal (and
not just because they've published me).
Hip Mama. Brain
child of Ariel Gore.
Mamazine. If Mama
ain't happy, ain't nobody happy. Another dynamic online
journal.
Mamaphonic.
Founded by Bee Lavender.
Mothers Book Bag.
Reviews of the latest books on mothering.
The Whole Mom.
An online magazine for mothers.
Mothering Books
Mother Shock by Andrea
J. Buchanan. OK, folks, this is the book that started it
all for me. Without reading Andi's truthful account of
her experiences as a new mother, I would be sitting in a
padded room somewhere. This book is funny and heartfelt
and beautiful. I recommend it for every new mother. And,
not that it matters, I suppose, but the author is truly
lovely.
Dispatches from a Not-So-Perfect Life
by Faulkner Fox. This is a wry, no-holds barred account
of a feminist mother's foray into (pretty much
full-time) parenting. Faulkner Fox is one of the
funniest people I have ever heard speak.
The Price of Motherhood
by Ann Crittenden. This is a wonderful book about the
opportunity cost of raising children. There is a US
focus but I still recommend that Canadian mothers give
it a read.
Show Me the Way
by Jennifer Lauck. This is a gorgeously written memoir
by Jennifer Lauck. Don't let the Publisher's Weekly
blurb distract you - this book is filled with hope and
light and joy. Read my review
here.
Operating Instructions
by Anne Lamott. This is a raw, funny, and
heart-wrenching book about motherhood and mothering by
the always wonderful Anne Lamott.
The Mother Trip
by Ariel Gore. Funny, fast and important. Do not pass
go, do not collect $200 until you've read the essay
"Children need interesting mothers."
Misconceptions
by Naomi Wolf. When I read this, I decided to have
natural childbirth. After nasty fertility treatments, I
opted for an early epidural. But this book still has
some important points to make from the always enjoyable
Naomi Wolf. US focus (or what will happen here if we
don't keep Mr. Harper on a tight leash).
The Mommy Myth
by Susan Douglas and Meredith Michaels
The Bitch in the House
edited by Cathi Hanauer. This is a must read for all
mamas.
Hello, My Name is Mommy
by Sheri Lynch. Funny memoir by a self-proclaimed
dysfunctional girl. One caveat -- it is VERY
pro-breastfeeding.
It's a Boy: Women Writers on Raising Sons
edited by Andrea Buchanan. A wonderful anthology about
mothers and sons. Read my review
here.
Area Woman Blows Gasket
by Patricia Pearson. Very funny collection of Pearson's
essays from the National Post. Many of the essays focus
on motherhood. See my review
here.
Literary Mama: Reading for the Maternally Inclined
edited by Andrea Buchanan. This is a gorgeous anthology
which includes the best of poetry, creative non-fiction
and short fiction from
Literary Mama.
Read my review
here.
The Big Rumpus
by Ayun Halliday. A funny memoir from a hip New York
mama. Read my review
here.
The Truth Behind the Mommy Wars
by Miriam Peskowitz. There is a lot of chatter out there
about the so-called Mommy Wars between SAHMs and
"Working Moms". This thoughtful book sets the record
straight. See my review
here.
Toddler
by Jennifer Margulis. A wonderful anthology of essays
about toddlers and the toddler years. It was banned in
parts of Oregon which makes it even better in my book.
Confessions of a Naughty Mommy
by Heidi Raykeil. A new mother's search for her lost
libido.
 Me
and My Two Sons: A Journal of healing. A memoir by
Quebec author Karen Rooney about her two sons who
survived serious heart and lung problems at birth.
Parenting Books
Sleep Solutions for Your Baby, Toddler and Preschooler
by Ann Douglas. A great survey book on sleep which
includes 'from the trenches' comments from real-life
parents. Ann book (just like her Mother of All series)
does not have a bias towards any one approach (Ferber,
AP) and is guaranteed to not make you feel guilty. Plus
Ann is Canadian and just a fantastic (and funny) person
who shares my penchant for handbags.
The Mother of All Baby Books
by Ann Douglas. Not preachy. Well-researched. Good solid
advice. Did I mention not preachy? The parenting book
for people (like me) who generally hate parenting books.
Fiction (By or About
Mothers)
Playing House
by Patricia Pearson. A funny read about unexpected
motherhood. It's set in Toronto.
Little Earthquakes
by Jennifer Weiner. I have never connected with any of
the characters in her single girl seeking books but I
enjoyed this book about mothers. Read my review
here. If you enjoy this, you might also enjoyother
mom-lit books like
Babyville,
AmandaBright@Home
(warning: Crittenden does use her book to forward
her women should be at home conservative views),
My Life on a Plate
(read my review
here),
Don't You Want Me,
Diary of a Mad Mom-To-Be and
I Don't Know How She Does It (which is billed as THE book for working
outside the home mothers but has a strangely
romanticized notion of staying at home).
Admissions
by Nancy Lieberman. Think getting your child into
preschool is tough? Just be thankful that you do not
live in New York. Read my preview
here.
Nursery Crimes
by Ayelet Waldman. I'm not a big mystery fan but the
premise of mommy P.I. is not a bad one. Read my preview
here.
Little Children
by Tom Perrotta. I did not think
I would like this book. As it turns out,
I was right.
Other Books Worth a Look
Bird by Bird
by Anne Lamott. The best book about writing I've read.
And wonderful life advice too. I highly recommend.
The Diviners
by Margaret Laurence. This is my favourite novel -- and
probably always will be. If you read it in high school
and didn't like it, read it again.
Prep
by Curtis Sittenfeld. Anybody else go to private school
in the 1980s? Starts out very strong although the ending
is a bit of a let-down. Read my review
here.
Not Buying It
by Judith Levine. I really enjoyed this book. It will
make you think hard about the way we consume. Read my
review
here.
Rachel's Holiday
by Marian Keyes. Marian is my favourite 'chick lit' writer
of all times and this is my favourite novel.
Under the Duvet
by Marian Keyes. Yup, Keyes writes fantastic essays too.
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