10 books every new mum should read
I have to confess that in the truly early days of motherhood, I didn’t read a word. I barely knew if it was day or night and stringing a sentence together, let alone reading one, was beyond me.
Once I got through those dog days, I craved stories about other women experiencing this new frontier. I wanted to know that the way I was feeling wasn’t just me and that I was normal. Anything too raw was a bit much then, but honesty was vital; I wasn't interested in soft-focus depictions of mothers staring adoringly at their newborns, but in the truth of what it was really like to be wholly responsible for another life.
Slowly I built up a library of novels and memoirs that helped me cope and then thrive in this new role I found myself in. Some are perfect for dipping into when you haven’t the energy to focus on much more than a page or two, others are comforting reads for when you need a boost.
My Wild and Sleepless Nights by Clover Stroud
My Wild And Sleepless Nights by Clover Stroud
Clover Stroud is one of the very best writers on the light and dark of motherhood and if you enjoyed her debut, The Wild Other, you’ll love this memoir. The book follows the first year of her fifth child’s life as she juggles looking after a newborn with dealing with her teenage son’s problematic behaviour. The writing is sublime and honest and there’s no one better on the actual joy of the chaos of being a parent.
Matrescence: On the Metamorphosis of Pregnancy, Childbirth and Motherhood by Lucy Jones
Matrescence: On The Metamorphosis Of Pregnancy, Childbirth And Motherhood by Lucy Jones
This fascinating book looks at the physiological, psychological and social metamorphosis women go through when they become mothers. This is game-changing stuff and draws on lots of research – the author is known as a science and nature writer. It isn’t a dry book, though, and there’s something here for everyone, whatever your experience has been.
Soldier Sailor by Claire Kilroy
Soldier Sailor by Claire Kilroy
This blistering novel about early motherhood was on every prize list when it was published, and with good reason. Raw, funny and moving, it’s the story of Soldier, a mother, who recounts the highs and lows of her son Sailor’s childhood. If you’re feeling resentful of how little your partner’s life seems to have changed – while yours has seen a cataclysmic change – this will resonate.
The Book You Wish Your Parents Had Read (and Your Children Will Be Glad That You Did) by Philippa Perry
The Book You Wish Your Parents Had Read (And Your Children Will Be Glad That You Did) by Philippa Perry
For a frank, insightful guide to parenting (with a side order of humour) look no further. Perry’s focus is on creating connections with your child, from pregnancy through to adulthood, but the advice given here could just as well be applied to other relationships. Perry’s approach isn’t about quick fixes or tips and tricks, it’s about making long-term changes. A big part of it is looking at your own behaviour and what baggage you bring to your role as parent, as well as treating your child as more of an equal and apologising if you get it wrong (which we all do sometimes!).
Nobody Told Me: Poetry and Parenthood by Hollie McNish
Nobody Told Me by Hollie McNish
If your concentration if shot thanks to lack of sleep and the thought of reading a book is beyond you, a collection of poetry might be the secret. A friend gave it to me when my little boy was about six months old and it was such a solace. It’s a mixture of memoir and poems, written by the poet in real time as she lived through pregnancy and the early days of motherhood, and it’s the perfect combination of raw and relatable.
The Light Years (Cazalet Chronicles) by Elizabeth Jane Howard
The Cazalet Chronicles by Elizabeth Jane Howard
When you’re breastfeeding, the hours between 2am and 5am are long and lonely. As my little boy fed, I found comfort in this series of five novels, which begins in 1937 and covers a decade in the fortunes of an upper middle-class family. Although the books aren’t without heartbreak, there’s something very soothing about reading about the daily rise and fall of their lives. The fact that there are three more books after the first, The Light Years, just adds to the appeal.
The Republic of Motherhood by Liz Berry
The Republic Of Motherhood by Liz Berry
Another book of poetry, as they’re so perfect for dipping into during quiet moments. Each is a searingly beautiful, and sometimes painful, depiction of new motherhood and will resonate with anyone in the throes of it.
Hey Yeah Right Get A Life by Helen Simpson
Hey Yeah Right Get a Life by Helen Simpson
This witty collection of short stories holds up a mirror to real life and the frustrations and fatigues of being a parent while also juggling careers and other commitments.
Making Babies by Anne Enright
Making Babies by Anne Enright
The Booker Prize-winning author wrote this memoir when her two children were small, as a way of documenting their early days. It’s a joyful read, full of the mess and love and humour of early motherhood.
Don't Forget to Scream: Unspoken Truths About Motherhood by Marianne Levy
Don’t Forget To Scream: Unspoken Truths About Motherhood by Marianne Levy
This no-holds-barred look at pregnancy and motherhood is reassuring in its honesty. Journalist Levy captures the duality many feel: utter love for this tiny creature they’re now responsible for, matched by a claustrophobic sense of being trapped.
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