5 Books Featuring Strong Mothers
By Hannah Dendas of naptime book review
What better time to read a book featuring a strong mother than during the month of May.
Here are my top 5 books all available now that resonated with me as a mother and a daughter.
1. Conjure Women by Afia Atakora
Set in the south during the Civil War and Reconstruction, this book follows the lives of a mother and daughter and their work as midwives and healers on a plantation.
Incredible prose, heartbreaking characters, and a nuanced perspective on the lives of enslaved people in the early days of freedom.
It’s not an easy read, with some horrific atrocities at the hands of the white plantation owners, but those scenes are integral to the story. This is an incredibly powerful book by a debut author.
Historical Fiction
Price: $17
2. Northern Spy by Flynn Berry
Recently a Reese’s Book Club selection, Northern Spy, is set in Northern Ireland in the aftermath of The Troubles and follows two sisters as they get tangled up with the IRA.
Berry excels in her beautiful and atmospheric descriptions of the villages and nature of the countryside (you’ll want to visit after reading!) and in her spot-on portrayal of a new mom cherishing the joys and weathering the challenges of motherhood.
My stomach was in knots for most of the second half while I eagerly waited to see how things would unfold.
Mystery/thriller
Price: $24
3. What Kind of Woman by Kate Baer
I’ve always thought of poetry as a bit intimidating, but this short collection is accessible and relatable.
Her poem “Deleted Sentences'' was me basically every day for the first month or so after my first baby was born. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, and then you might buy a copy for your sister/mom/daughter/friend (it was my sister in my case).
I’m already looking forward to Baer’s new collection coming out later this year.
Poetry
Price: $16
4. Becoming by Michelle Obama
This may not seem like an obvious choice for a book about a strong mother, and while it may not be the focus of the book, it is evident throughout.
Obama describes her supportive family, beginning with her childhood and continuing through college, and starting her career as a lawyer. Once she meets Barack and starts a family with him, you can see how she wrestles with the values she holds important while in the spotlight of a presidential campaign.
I read the book first and then listened to it on audio, read by Michelle herself, and loved both versions.
Memoir
Price: $18
5. The Red Tent by Anita Diamant
This is the fictional account of Dinah, daughter of Jacob from the Book of Genesis, of her mothers (the four wives of Jacob) and her childhood surrounded by brothers.
Don’t be deterred by the bible reference if you are not religious. I promise this reads like a very engrossing, modern novel. The story is filled with well-researched, rich historical detail and beautiful relationships between the women.
I read it several years ago, and it has stayed with me.
Historical Fiction
Price: $17
I’m always looking for new books to discover - are there any you like featuring strong mothers?
Hannah Dendas is a Postpartum Doula and Certified Lactation Counselor but since the pandemic, mostly a stay at home mom to her two young kids.
Always an avid reader, Hannah recently started sharing book reviews on her Instagram page @naptimebookreview. She has a book stashed in nearly every room of her house, is a frequent visitor to her local library, and loves historical fiction.