Are you giving flowers or books to Mom? Perhaps there is a special woman in your life you wish to remember/honor? In recognition of U.S. Mother’s Day, I have a book list for you!
Flowers or Books?
Is the Special Woman in Your Life a Reader?
Would your mom appreciate a book as a gift?
Are you looking for a book recommendation for your mom or for someone who has been like a mom to you? Maybe you’re looking for a discussable book for book club?
I scoured my recently read titles to find ten books that I would buy for my own mom and would feel comfortable recommending for yours.
I’m linking up today with That Artsy Reader Girl for Top Ten Tuesday.
I’m going rogue this week, and I’m spinning the topic to “flowers or books” because curating a book list for U.S. Mother’s Day feels fun! These are all newish releases that might appeal to your mom. I’d rather have a book than flowers. How about you? It would be extravagant to buy her both!
***Each book title is linked to my review which contains Amazon affiliate links
Light Women’s Fiction: Abigail and Alexa Save the Wedding by Lian Dolan
(especially fun for mothers of the bride and groom!
Biographical Historical Fiction: A Founding Mother: A Novel of Abigail Adams by Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie
(an amazing woman!)
Celebrity Memoir: Joan: Life Beyond the Script by Joan Lunden
(A trailblazer in many ways!)
Romance: Dolly All the Time by Annabel Monaghan
(Beach bag approved! pub date: 5/26/2026)
I realize this doesn’t come out for a couple of weeks, but you could preorder it!
Book About Books: This Book Made Me Think of You by Libby Page
(This one will be on my favorite of the year list!)
Essay Collection: Ordinary Time: Lessons Learned by Staying Put by Annie B. Jones
(Reflective, poignant, and thoughtful…..audio narrated by the author)
Narrative Nonfiction: Family of Spies by Christine Kuehn
(Astounding family history!)
Literary Fiction: The Correspondent by Virginia Evans
(Poignant, compelling,thoughtful, reflective, character-driven)
FREE Book Club Kit here.
Historical Fiction: The Harvey Girls by Juliette Fay
(1920s United States)
Author of Color: Where the Wildflowers Grow by Terah Shelton Harris
(A story of survival and healing.)
I think your mom or the special woman in your life would enjoy any one of these recently published titles!
***Edited to note that I lost my mom 10/2/2025
I hope you found a great title for gifting! Or maybe you found something for yourself!
Let’s Discuss!
I’d love to know if you’re buying a book for mom or a special woman this Mother’s Day.
Do you have a favorite recent title we can add to this list?
Happy Reading Book Friends!
“Ah, how good it is to be among people who are reading.”
~Rainer Maria Rilke
“I love the world of words, where life and literature connect.”
~Denise J Hughes
“Reading good books ruins you for enjoying bad ones.”
~Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
“I read because books are a form of transportation, of teaching, and of connection!
Books take us to places we’ve never been, they teach us about our world, and they help us to understand human experience.”
~Madeleine Riley, Top Shelf Text
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Some excellent choices. It’s funny how Mother’s Day is different UK v US but Father’s Day is the same!
Yes, that is strange! 🤔
Fab list, Carol!
Thanks! 🙌
I am hoping to read This Book Made Me Think of You soon!
I hope you enjoy it! 🙌
Great list. People rarely buy me books anymore, I guess they’re worried I already have it or have read it 😂
Yes, I have convinced my people to give Kindle gift cards!
The perfect gift 😂
Great picks. Have a good week and a good day. Here is my TTT. https://dmhoisington.wordpress.com/2026/05/05/top-ten-tuesday-30-authors-you-wish-were-still-writing-today/
Thanks for stopping by! 🌷
I’m sure looking forward to reading The Correspondent.
I wish I could read it again for the first time! 🌷
Great idea. I usually give my mother books for gifts. I am intrigued by This Book Made Me Think of You as a gift for her..
My TTT list: https://headfullofbooks.blogspot.com/2026/05/ttt-humorists-i-wish-were-still-writing.html
If she loves books about books, it’s a good one! 🌷
Ordinary Time was so good. Several good ones on here. My Mom is still a huge reader at almost 90 but doesn’t do Goodreads or an Amazon list so finding one she hasn’t read is tough! I give her a gift card and she tells me what books she bought.
A Founding Mother is out TODAY, and she might enjoy a biographical histfic! I miss sharing books with my mom. Now I send them to my dear aunt!
My Mom? NO! Me, YES!! But, like Eleanor Roosevelt and the royals I’ve read too much on Abigail and John Adams. I LOVED the play/film 1776–William Daniels IS John Adams to me. But Paul Giamatti [played Lady Grantham’s brother Harold in Downton] was darned good. Abigail is the original American feminist! I may give Founding Mother a try though.
A fascinating woman and I loved how she acquired her wealth right under John’s nose and then willed it to all her female relatives to empower them (with John’s blessing of course!) yes, a feminist!
She was the true GOAT!
Ordinary Time looks really good! My TTT (Confession: I accidentally did next week’s list haha)
Oops! Maybe next week you can do this week! Book problems are the best problems!
All of these look like great reads. I love the Mother’s Day spin on it!
My List:
https://thegentlechapter.blog/2026/05/05/top-ten-tuesday-authors-i-miss/
Thanks for stopping by Ashley! 🌷
I feel like Thie Book Made Me Think of You will be on a lot of favorites lists at the end of the year.
Here’s my TTT for the week: https://readbakecreate.com/my-most-read-authors-of-all-time/
Yes! 🌷
Well my mum received both this year. The book was Becoming by Michelle Obama
Both is the best option! 🌷📚
My mom and my mother-in-law were both avid readers, but now both of them have some degree of dementia or Alzheimer’s and can’t really read books anymore. Very sad. I always get my MIL flowers anyway, and I’m still undecided on what to get my mom. I better figure it out soon! LOL
Happy TTT!
Susan
http://www.blogginboutbooks.com
I’m sorry to hear your mom and MiL have dementia. My husband suffers with it also and stopped reading. It’s so hard. Can your mom do puzzles?
Lovely list! So many wonderful choices — This Book Made Me Think of You was one of my favorites this year. I love your wishes for people who may be struggling when mother’s day rolls around — beautiful and so thoughtful.
Thanks Lisa! 🌷I’m happy we share the love for This Book Made Me Think of You!
A very nice mix of books, Carol. I’m sure everyone would have found one for that special mother in their lives.
Thanks Carla! 🌷