What Kind of Mom Is She? We’ve Got a Book for That
A Mother's Day gift guide to match her vibe—and a last-minute present she'll love.
Every mom is one of a kind, so her gift this Mother’s Day should speak to her unique interests, talents, and personality. Find the book that’s right for her with this guide to nonfiction for every type of mom.
Can’t pick just one? Consider giving her a membership to the Next Big Idea Club, and she’ll get great books all year long. This week only, use code 20MOM at checkout to receive 20% off on all gift subscriptions.
Science Mom
The Elements of Marie Curie: How the Glow of Radium Lit a Path for Women in Science
By Dava Sobel
A luminous chronicle of the life and work of the most famous woman in the history of science, and the untold story of the many young women trained in her laboratory who were launched into stellar scientific careers of their own. Listen to our Book Bite summary, read by author Dava Sobel, or View on Amazon
Tired Mom
The PLAN: Manage Your Time Like a Lazy Genius
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A practical time management book for people weary of productivity but eager to live a good life. Listen to our Book Bite summary, read by author Kendra Adachi, or View on Amazon
Funny Mom
Raw Dog: The Naked Truth About Hot Dogs
By Jamie Loftus
Part travelogue, part culinary history, all capitalist critique―comedian Jamie Loftus’s debut, Raw Dog, will take you on a cross-country road trip and reveal what the creation, culture, and class influence of hot dogs says about America now. Listen to our Book Bite summary, read by author Jamie Loftus, or View on Amazon
Overwhelmed Mom
No New Things: A Radically Simple 30-Day Guide to Saving Money, the Planet, and Your Sanity
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From award-winning sustainability expert Ashlee Piper, a witty, no-nonsense guide to regaining control over your time, consumerist impulses, and financial and mental wellness. Listen to our Book Bite summary, read by author Ashlee Piper, or View on Amazon
Brave Mom
Wild Courage: Go After What You Want and Get It
By Jenny Wood
A bold, empowering, and energizing guide to embracing your ambition and chasing after what you want from an executive who spent nearly two decades climbing the ranks at Google. Listen to our Book Bite summary, read by author Jenny Wood, or View on Amazon
Artistic Mom
Get the Picture: A Mind-Bending Journey among the Inspired Artists and Obsessive Art Fiends Who Taught Me How to See
By Bianca Bosker
An award-winning journalist obsessed with obsession, Bianca Bosker’s existence was upended when she wandered into the art world—and couldn’t look away. Intrigued by artists who hyperventilate around their favorite colors and art fiends who max out credit cards to show hunks of metal they think can change the world, Bosker grew fixated on understanding why art matters and how she—or any of us—could engage with it more deeply. Listen to our Book Bite summary, read by author Bianca Bosker, or View on Amazon
Health & Wellness Mom
Good Energy: The Surprising Connection Between Metabolism and Limitless Health
By Casey Means with Calley Means
A bold new vision for optimizing our health now and in the future. Listen to our Book Bite summary, read by author Casey Means, or View on Amazon
New Mom
Mother Brain: How Neuroscience Is Rewriting the Story of Parenthood
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Health and science journalist Chelsea Conaboy explodes the concept of “maternal instinct” and tells a new story about what it means to become a parent. Listen to our Book Bite summary, read by author Chelsea Conaboy, or View on Amazon
Athletic Mom
Up to Speed: The Groundbreaking Science of Women Athletes
By Christine Yu
Sports and health journalist Christine Yu disentangles myth and gender bias from real science, making the case for new approaches that can help women athletes excel at every stage of life, from adolescence to adulthood, through pregnancy, menopause, and beyond. Listen to our Book Bite summary, read by author Christine Yu, or View on Amazon
Stylish Mom
Die Hot with a Vengeance: Essays on Vanity
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Journalist and former Allure editor Sable Yong debuts with a sharp-toothed and hilarious essay collection about beauty and vanity, examining their stigmatization in the cultural zeitgeist, and how to shift the focus to use both for powerful tools for self-exploration, interpersonal connection, and cultural change. Listen to our Book Bite summary, read by author Sable Yong, or View on Amazon
Philosopher Mom
Parenting on Earth: A Philosopher’s Guide to Doing Right by Your Kids and Everyone Else
By Elizabeth Cripps
Environmental catastrophes, pandemics, antibiotic resistance, institutionalized injustice, and war: in a world so out of balance, what does it take—or even mean—to be a good parent? This book is one woman’s search for an answer, as a moral philosopher, activist, and mother. Listen to our Book Bite summary, read by author Elizabeth Cripps, or View on Amazon
Adventure Mom
Tough Broad: From Boogie Boarding to Wing Walking―How Outdoor Adventure Improves Our Lives as We Age
By Caroline Paul
A funny, inspiring, deeply researched exploration into the science and psychology of the outdoors and our place in it as we age. Listen to our Book Bite summary, read by author Caroline Paul, or View on Amazon
History Mom
Mother Tongue: The Surprising History of Women’s Words
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An enlightening linguistic journey through a thousand years of feminist language—and what we can learn from the vivid vocabulary that English once had for women’s bodies, experiences, and sexuality. Listen to our Book Bite summary, read by author Jenni Nuttall, or View on Amazon
Nature Mom
Earthly Bodies: Embracing Animal Nature
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Examining the cultural belief that our animal instincts are to be corrected or corralled, nature advocate and rewilding facilitator Vanessa Chakour explores our inner and outer landscapes through the lens of wild animals. Listen to our Book Bite summary, read by author Vanessa Chakour, or View on Amazon
Ambitious Mom
Ambitious Like a Mother: Why Prioritizing Your Career Is Good for Your Kids
By Lara Bazelon
In this captivating and radical look at “work-life balance,” Lara Bazelon reframes our understanding of working women—and shows how prioritizing your career benefits mothers, kids, and society at large. Listen to our Book Bite summary, read by author Lara Bazelon, or View on Amazon
Social Mom
Talk: The Science of Conversation and the Art of Being Ourselves
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A groundbreaking book that reveals the hidden architecture of our conversations and how even small improvements can have a profound impact on our relationships in work and life—from a celebrated Harvard Business School professor and leading expert on the psychology of conversation. Listen to our Book Bite summary, read by author Alison Wood Brooks, or View on Amazon
Business Mom
Unforgettable Presence: Get Seen, Gain Influence, and Catapult Your Career
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Are you an ambitious hard worker and high-achiever―but feeling stuck, unseen, and struggling to move up in your career? Listen to our Book Bite summary, read by author Lorraine Lee, or View on Amazon