It’s Mothers Day in the U.K.! Which seemed like the perfect day to recommend these five amazing books, that all focus around motherhood in very different ways. I am always drawn to a great parent/child dynamic in stories, and these five stand out amongst my favourites:
The Light Between Oceans – M.L. Steadman
This beautiful, but heart breaking story focuses on the sheer desire to become a mother, and the anguish that comes with difficulty conceiving and miscarriage. When a boat washes up on Isabel and Tom’s island, carrying a dead man and a living baby, they’re forced to choose between their heads and their hearts. This book has since been made into a film, and it is just as stunning.


This unique read combines thriller and a mysterious sense of magical realism to tell the story of Jess, and her unborn child. When she logs into Facebook to find her feed is 18 months in the future, she’s horrified to see she is set to die, leaving friends and family behind. Worst of all, she also finds she’s leaving a young boy, the son she doesn’t even know she’s due to have. Though certainly a strange concept, it works really well, and I devoured this unforgettable story.

After The End – Clare Mackintosh
A story of a choice no parent should ever have to make. Max and Pip have always been a strong and happy couple. But now, they are forced to make an impossible decision regarding their poorly child. When the couple disagree, the story takes a turn, and in this unique telling of both outcomes, you will find yourself crying and hoping all the way through.

How far would a mother go to protect her child? This novel explores the aftermath of murder, and how Emma, mother of two boys, copes with the accusations fired their way. Her boy, Jacob, is constantly misunderstood due to having Asperger’s Syndrome, while other son Theo is often left in the shadows. A real gripping read by a bestselling author.


The Child On Platform One – Gill Thompson
This stunning read explores motherhood in two very different aspects. In one, is a mother’s sacrifice, the giving up of a beloved child in the hope they will escape violence and live a better life. On the other side, we see how a child can be accepted into a family, and embraced as one of their own. A beautiful book, with heart jerking themes, and an important message.

A huge Happy Mothers Day to all mothers out there! Especially the amazing writer-mummies I know through this blog – you are inspiring!
If you’ve any favourite mother/child books, share the title below, I’m always on the look out for new reads.
Until then,
Keep writing,
M
x
Michelle, thanks for sharing. I have read one of Jodi Picoult’s books and she is excellent. I will need to pick this one up for my wife (with the pandemic, we have been shopping on our book cases for new reads which is how I came to read the first Picoult book). Keith
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Thanks Keith! She is fab, and House Rules is one of her best in my opinion. Happy reading!
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The type of books I read don’t have a mother-child relationship often – or maybe I had poor luck on my choice in that regard and I’ve been reading books with both male and female leads (and co-leads). But I admit there’s something in parent-child relationships in books that I love – just as I admit I really ejoyed writing those scenes myself.
On a side note, I’m quite surprised that you don’t have mother’s day in May…
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Always March in the U.K., when I see the Happy Mothers Day posts in May I get so confused haha!
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I saw the movie version of The Light Between Oceans and it devastated me. I can only imagine the book is even more heartbreaking.
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It is heartbreaking, but so beautiful. The writing is stunning, but yes, a tough read for sure. ❤
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Great round-up. it’s interesting how much children’s fiction gets rid of the parents – through untimely death, boarding school residence, various other circumstances. it means we get so little of the child’s-eye view of mothers.
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You’re so right! I read somewhere the reason for this is because having parents around creates boundaries to adventures…I wonder how true that is?
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A beautiful selection of books. 💙💙💙 I think is a fantastic post for Mother’s Day.
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Thank you Rainy ❤ xxx
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Amazing Quotes and Books… Happy Mothers Day ❤
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