Immersing yourself in a great book can be joyful so why not try one of these eight tomes inspired by the theme of motherhood, specially selected for Mothering Sunday
Mother’s Day is traditionally celebrated on the fourth Sunday of Lent, with the day’s roots dating back to ancient Greece and Rome. Back then, the occasion saw the goddesses of fertility and motherhood celebrated and nowadays, women around the country are given card and gifts to recognise the impact a mother, grandmother or carer can have on our lives.
Flower sales rise 70 percent at this time of year, with the carnation the bloom traditionally associated with Mothering Sunday, while millions are cards are exchanged. We asked eight independent traders from The Booksellers Association, a membership organisation which represents over 95 per cent of bookshops in the UK and Ireland, to suggest the perfect book to mark the occasion…
The Book of Katerina (Auguste Corteau)
The Book of Katerina is about motherhood and bipolar disorder; it is also a biopic about the author’s own mother. You wouldn’t know that her son Petros is the author, if you were just reading the book without any context about him (an acclaimed author and translator from Thessaloniki, also open about the bipolar disorder he developed.) Katerina tells us of her own tale, through Auguste Corteau’s artful pen, from her young years to the end of her life, but most of the book focuses on her presence as a mother, overcritical, homophobic, struggling with her mental health illness and family stigma. But Katerina also loves immensely and in all her doom and glory, Katerina is relatable in her abrasiveness: she just about navigates the unknown, and balances on a tightrope. Many of us may have known the Katerinas of the world or may (wonder if we) have been Katerina herself. The book is a candid, unembellished yet captivating account of Katerina’s ‘disease’, thoughts and life, a sharp, intelligent, at times unforgiving roller-coaster of an uncanny, very human darkness – it’s a humbling exercise and a tribute to empathy and family trauma. Just one of those books that left me grateful for the healing power of storytelling, of both the reader and the storyteller.
The Nature Seed (Lucy Jones)
For this Mother’s Day what better book than The Nature Seed by Lucy Jones! This charming book is filled with uplifting, poetic prose that celebrates the beauty of nature and the joy of nurturing. This book, with its beautiful prose and deep connection to the earth, serves as a reminder of the strength and resilience of mothers, and its vibrant imagery and light-hearted tone remind us of the simple pleasures in life. Whether she enjoys gardening, walks in the woods, or simply cherishes the beauty of the earth, The Nature Seed will bring a smile to the face of mothers who finds peace and happiness in the natural world.
Breaking Dawn (Stephenie Meyer)
Breaking Dawn (Twilight, Book 4) might seem like an unexpected Mother’s Day pick, but for me, it’s a meaningful one. I first read the Twilight Saga when it originally came out, and now my daughter and I are re-reading it together. Beneath the fantasy and paranormal elements, Breaking Dawn is ultimately about the transformative power of motherhood. Bella’s decision to become a mother – and the physical and emotional sacrifices she makes – reflects the profound and life-changing journey so many of us go through. Her transformation into a vampire can be read as a metaphor for the rebirth that comes with becoming a parent. My daughter and I have had long, thoughtful conversations about agency, maternal love, and how different characters view Bella’s choices. It’s sparked connection, introspection, and lots of lively debate—everything a good book should do.
Nesting (Roisin O’Donnell)
Roisín O’Donnell’s Nesting is a powerful exploration of motherhood, survival, and the instinct to protect. When Ciara Fay flees an unsafe home with her two daughters, she faces homelessness, a broken system, and the relentless pull of her past. Through evocative prose, O’Donnell captures the raw vulnerability of a mother fighting for stability while navigating fear, sacrifice, and resilience. The novel beautifully portrays the emotional weight of motherhood—the unwavering love, the impossible choices, and the struggle to start over. Tense yet hopeful, Nesting is a deeply moving story of a woman’s determination to create a safe future for her children, no matter the cost. O’Donnell’s debut lingers long after the final page—a stunning testament to the strength of mothers everywhere.
American Dirt (Jeanine Cummins)
I would highly recommend American Dirt by Jeanine Cummins. Perhaps not a conventional choice, this book follows the nail-biting journey of a mother and her young son fleeing Mexico for the US whilst pursed by a dangerous cartel who have murdered the rest of her family. This work of fiction conveys precisely just how far a mother will go to protect her child and also provides much needed context around the subject of illegal immigration. Full of twists and turns, this is a book you will not be able to put down and is the perfect gift for a mother who loves a gripping story.
Mama: A World of Mothers and Motherhood (Hélène Delforge and Quentin Gréban)
If you’re looking for a keepsake book which is perfect for mothers on all stages of their mothering journey – new through to grandmothers – you’ll not find a more beautiful choice than Mama: A World of Mothers and Motherhood. This collaboration between Hélène Delforge and Quentin Gréban combines poetry, prose and exquisitely illustrated portraits of mothers from around the globe, reflecting on the unifying experiences of mothers from different times and diverse cultures. Every aspect of mothering is reflected here – from the exhaustion and overwhelm, through to the fiercely protective instincts, the pride, the joy, and the unbreakable bonds of love. It is both deeply moving (as my own children will testify, having watched me weep over certain pages), and deeply comforting. The rightful inclusion of mothers who have lost a baby or child is also so wonderful to see included with the pages of very special book.
Spilt Milk (Amy Beashel)
My life is a tight knot I would like to undo. And, yes, there’s no use crying over spilt milk but, the truth is, I’d rather die than spill any more… Amy Beashel’s Spilt Milk is a bold exploration of the complexities of motherhood, identity and, ultimately, sacrifice. Following Bea, a married mother, who, after a positive pregnancy test, has to decide if she’s ready to tackle motherhood a second time around. Spilt Milk confidently navigates what it means to be a parent in 2025, as well as the more insidious challenges that women still face. It’s the perfect read for anyone who loves introspective, character-driven fiction with a focus on female agency.
The Vorkosigan Saga (Lois McMaster Bujold)
Recommended by Jo Zebedee, The Secret Bookshelf (Carrickfergus)
My favourite representation of motherhood comes from a Hugo and Nebula award winning science fiction series by Louis McMaster Bujold, called the Vorkosigan saga. In the book, Miles Vorkosigan’s mother, Cordelia, not only represents a terrific maternal figure, supporting a son who presents as physically different in a culture that has ingrained repellence to any form of disability, but also a terrific role model to women. She is a scientist, a diplomat and a woman who manages to lead in a society that is actively patriarchal. She takes everything in her stride – war, illness, grief – and supports others when doing so. It’s easy to dismiss science fiction as a genre not focusing on characterisation and relationship, but that does a great injustice to the genre, which has many more nuanced explorations than often recognised. For me, as a lover and writer of the genre, in Cordelia Vorkosigan we see a fully rounded, nuanced, and inspiring mother figure, from conception right up the adult-child relationship (she even manages to parent her son’s clone in admirable fashion).