What’s the best gift you can give this Mother’s Day? Time spent together.
The beauty of books is that pages build bridges when communication is difficult to come by. Even the most strained relationships can find common ground in book discussion, and close relationships can cover new ground. These eight thought-provoking selections are certain to create great conversation.
When She Woke
Hillary Jordan
A modern-day “The Scarlet Letter,” Jordan’s futuristic Hester Prynne is Hannah Payne, bedded by the Rev. Aidan Dale and left to suffer the consequences of an abortion, illegal in this story’s future world. It’s a great read for mothers and older teen daughters willing to wade into a women’s rights debate.
Chasing Vermeer
Blue Balliett
Chicago-area authors, represent! Balliett’s series featuring three young mystery-solving kids includes Petra, a refreshingly smart character that blows away the dumb-but-cute stereotypes our tween girls often are spoon-fed on TV.
The Death of Bees
Lisa O’Donnell
Another book suited for older teens and adults, it’s the story of sisters Marnie and Nelly, navigating the world alone after the death of their parents—who, by the way, they buried secretly in the backyard. “The Death of Bees” is creepy, intense, and very well written.
If It’s Not One Thing, It’s Your Mother
Julia Sweeney
One of my favorite North Shore people published this memoir a short while back, and it’s the mother-daughter relationship discussed that could provide you with the opportunity to explore your own.
Fangirl
Rainbow Rowell
Great for moms to share with middle school and high school-aged daughters, Rowell’s story sends twin sisters Cath and Wren off to college for their freshman year—one determined to shed her past and go boldly into a future that includes a cool new roomie and frat parties, the other clinging to the past, including a decade-long grudge against the mother that left them behind.
The Snow Child
Eowyn Ivey
This book is all about the mother-daughter relationship—one that comes from the bottomless desire to love a child and the impact that has on a marriage. It’s simple, tragic, amazing, beautiful, and will make your heart swell.
The Love Song of Jonny Valentine
Teddy Wayne
A wickedly engaging story, Jonny Valentine is author Teddy Wayne’s answer to the Biebs, and Valentine’s rise and probable fall to mediocrity at the hands of an over-involved stage mom and manager almost make you want to offer an empathetic hug to Justin. Almost.
The Husband’s Secret
Liane Moriarty
A good read for moms with adult daughters, you will snicker and gasp together at what the truth reveals for the real housewives of suburban Australia. Do you know everything there is to know about your husband? Do you?
