I recently read Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson. Historical Fiction but believable and what strength in the women in one family.
My mom’s untreated mental illness caused her and my sisters and I to miss out on so much. We did well despite our Mother but I wonder sometimes what if.
Love this so much. I frequently feel like moms aren't always well represented in literature or that when they do exist in literature it's as a side character or weirdly idealized or a "bad mom."
But this list proves that there is a wide range of mom representation out there and even someone like me, who reads a lot of books, needs to get out of my own specific reading preferences to see it.
Some of my favorites are: Our Missing Hearts by Celeste Ng (I actually think Ng writes about mothers with incredible nuance and insight), Circe by Madeline Miller (one of my top 5, all time), The Dovekeepers by Alice Hoffman -- really so much of Alice Hoffman is complex mother/daughter relationships. The entire Practical Magic book series is built on that.
I also love Kate Clayborn and Rebecca Serle for complex moms and interesting mother/daughter relationships. Serle's book One Italian Summer in particular is a really fascinating take on the mom we think we know and the real mom we don't usually get to see.
I just read The Berry Pickers by Amanda Peters which features a super overprotective mom and the impact that had on her daughter.
I know I'm writing a lot but lastly, Mrs. Everything by Jennifer Weiner has a really interesting take on motherhood.
Oh and if anyone wants a spicy romance about a mom getting it on, check out Meryl Wilsner's book Mistakes Were Made.
Share your own favorite books about complex mothers.
I recently read Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson. Historical Fiction but believable and what strength in the women in one family.
My mom’s untreated mental illness caused her and my sisters and I to miss out on so much. We did well despite our Mother but I wonder sometimes what if.
Black Cake has been on my list to read for awhile, I definitely need to move it up!
Love this so much. I frequently feel like moms aren't always well represented in literature or that when they do exist in literature it's as a side character or weirdly idealized or a "bad mom."
But this list proves that there is a wide range of mom representation out there and even someone like me, who reads a lot of books, needs to get out of my own specific reading preferences to see it.
Some of my favorites are: Our Missing Hearts by Celeste Ng (I actually think Ng writes about mothers with incredible nuance and insight), Circe by Madeline Miller (one of my top 5, all time), The Dovekeepers by Alice Hoffman -- really so much of Alice Hoffman is complex mother/daughter relationships. The entire Practical Magic book series is built on that.
I also love Kate Clayborn and Rebecca Serle for complex moms and interesting mother/daughter relationships. Serle's book One Italian Summer in particular is a really fascinating take on the mom we think we know and the real mom we don't usually get to see.
I just read The Berry Pickers by Amanda Peters which features a super overprotective mom and the impact that had on her daughter.
I know I'm writing a lot but lastly, Mrs. Everything by Jennifer Weiner has a really interesting take on motherhood.
Oh and if anyone wants a spicy romance about a mom getting it on, check out Meryl Wilsner's book Mistakes Were Made.
So many things to read, so little time. And thank you for all your thoughtful suggestions!
Definitely saving this list! I’ve already noticed a few I’m going to check out. Currently reading Madwoman.
Great, Amber. How are you liking Madwoman? It's definitely on my list to check out.