Being a mom is hard work. It takes grit, guts and overall bad-assery. In honor of Mother’s Day, our editors have put together a list of inspiring, entertaining, humorous and emboldened books for the bad-ass moms in your life. From heart-warming memoirs about women changing the world, to inspirational how-tos for moms just trying to muddle through, we’ve got you covered.
Tough Mothers: Amazing Stories of History’s Mightiest Matriarchs by Jason Porath
Porath gathers stories of 50 of history’s most bad-ass moms into an insightful, inspiring collection. With stunning, full-color illustrations and meticulous research, you’ll feel like you hit the bad-ass mom motherlode as you flip through the pages of Tough Mothers.
Why We’re Hooked
We can’t wait to crack this book with our daughters and gift a copy to all the bad-ass moms in our lives.
The Electric Woman: A Memoir in Death-Defying Acts by Tessa Fontaine
This dual story is really two memoirs in one: the story of Fontaine, who traveled the world as a snake charmer and escape artist with the world’s last traveling carnival, and a deeply intimate portrait of her relationship with her mother. Packed with light, love, and even a brush with death, The Electric Woman is an exhilarating rumination on mother-daughter relationships, packed with meditations on accepting change and overcoming fear.
Why We’re Hooked
It’s equal parts running-away-from-the-circus and discovering the power of a mother’s unconditional love.
Four Mums in a Boat: Friends Who Rowed 3000 Miles, Broke a World Record and Learnt A Lot About Life Along the Way by Janette Bennadi
Four mothers with full-time careers, children, mortgages and bills unite at their local rowing club and decide to embark on a grand adventure: crossing 3,000 miles of treacherous ocean in the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge. This rollicking adventure story of 40-something moms living their dreams — and breaking a world record along the way — proves that anything is possible.
Why We’re Hooked
Four fierce moms achieve the impossible — we’re ready to grab our oars and start rowing.
Amateur Hour: Motherhood in Essays and Swear Words by Kimberly Harrington
Sometimes, as moms, we need to step back and get a good laugh at motherhood. Essayist Kimberly Harrington makes that happen with her hilarious, heartfelt collection of essays on motherhood and womanhood.
Why We’re Hooked
In Amateur Hour, Harrington’s climbed through the trenches of motherhood and managed to come out the other side with a smile on her face (and a few swear words on her lips.)
Tiny Beautiful Things: Advice on Life and Love from Dear Sugar by Cheryl Strayed
The empathetic author of Wild offers wisdom, warmth and honesty for anyone who’s suffering. This collection of essays and advice, from Strayed’s Dear Sugar column, shines a light on readers struggling through the darkness of life, from infidelity and miscarriage to drug-addiction and despair. In Tiny Beautiful Things, Strayed weaves in her own struggles as she unpacks the lives of letter-writers, imploring them to trust themselves and put in the hard work it takes to be their best selves.
Why We’re Hooked
This is the type of empathetic and life-changing advice we strive to provide our own children, or sometimes need to hear ourselves.
Mom Life: A Snarky Adult Coloring Book
When the kids are asleep, it’s time for mom to grab a glass of wine, colored pencils and this fierce, funny book and color away the stress. Printed on high-quality, white paper, these snarky illustrations celebrate all the highs and lows of motherhood.
Why We’re Hooked
Mom Life is gleeful, giggly and creative fun we can pair with a glass of wine. Yes, please!
Women in Science: 50 Fearless Women Who Changed the World by Rachel Ignotofsky
An illustrated, educational celebration of 50 notable women who’ve rocked the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields. Featuring profiles of heroines like primatologist Jane Goodall, this book will inspire the next generation of female doctors, astronauts, physicists and more.
Why We’re Hooked
Women in Science is an enlightening read for mothers and daughters who dare to dream big.