My mom, although not a “cool mom” in the Mean Girls sense, has always been loved by my friends for her book recommendations. Being an avid reader from a young age, she always had wonderful taste in books. She and my grandma still share book recommendations. I was lucky she passed on her bookworm nature to me; luckily, she would give me some of her old books when I was younger. She would randomly give me books she enjoyed or go through her bookshelf and give me a stack of books she loved. She would also give my friends books she really enjoyed as gifts. My mom is like the best personal shopper librarian. Here is a list of some of my favorite books she has recommended:
- All the President’s Men by Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodward – A thrilling true crime book revolving around the Watergate scandal. It was written by the reporters who uncovered the scandal.
- Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen – When my mom gave me this, I wasn’t aware it would become my most reread book ever. This is an absolute comfort read for me, and do not be daunted by its classic status; it is relatable and funny. Elizabeth and Darcy are both wonderful characters that achieve great character development. Their love story inspired so many pieces of media for a reason.
- When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi- An absolutely crushing memoir, the author writes a beautiful memoir of his cancer diagnosis as a neurosurgeon.
- Educated by Tara Westover – Another memoir of the author growing up in a survivalist family and learning the power of education.
- Oh William! by Elizabeth Strout – A heartfelt story about a middle-aged woman who has had children and two marriages. After her husband died the year before, she spends time with her ex-husband, for whom she has truly always had feelings. This book explores the dynamics of family and the differences between being in love and loving.
- Killers of the Flower Moon by David Grann – A true-crime tale on the beginning of the FBI and the murders of Native Americans in a town that goes covered up.
- A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles – One of my favorites, this book spans decades, following Count Alexander Rostov, who is subjected to house arrest in Russia during the time of the Soviet Union. During a tense time in Russian history, the story follows him and his relationships with different people while living in the grand hotel. It is an emotional and wonderfully written novel.
- Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents by Isabel Wilkerson – This nonfiction book discusses the origins of the caste system and delves into the structures in different societies: India, America, and Nazi Germany.
- Anxious People by Fredrik Backman – This one she gave to my best friend, who later recommended it to me. It is the story of different people during a bank robbery and explores people’s relationships. This book feels very modern and incredibly emotional.
These are just the beginning of my mom’s book recommendations. I appreciate that these books always have compelling characters, emotion, and strong writing. Hopefully, someday, I will convince her to start a Goodreads account, so everyone can steal her good taste.