Mother’s Day is just around the corner, and whether you’re buying a gift for a first time mum, a mum and grandma, or a gift for yourself to celebrate all your amazing mahi - we’ve got some books (and extras!) to make this Mother’s Day a little special. Written by a mum, for the mums, here are some helpful tips for your Mother’s Day shopping this year.
For the mum who’s still having sleepless nights:
Looking for a gift for a new mama who is in the thick of sleepless nights and busy days? I can’t recommend Jessica Urlich more. I remember picking up a book of her poetry in the first few months of being a mum, and feeling so seen in the beauty and challenge of motherhood.
They Bloom Because of You
By Jessica Urlichs
Jessica Urlich’s newest book of poetry is just as special as her others. She writes so gently about the magic of motherhood, and every page is a comfort to read. Consider gifting a box of tissues along with this one.
You Hung the Moon
By Jessica Urlichs
This small book is perfect as a gift because it’s a beautifully illustrated poem between children and their mothers (chuck in some chocolate and you’ll be the best gift giver around).
You'll Always Be My Baby
By Jessica Urlichs
This stunning picture book is perfect for not just parents, but also grandparents, and great for reading aloud to children. It’s adapted from one of Jessica’s poems, and articulates so beautifully how the love in a family is forever, not fleeting.
For the mum who just wants a little (temporary) escape:
Sometimes us mums just want a wee break from reality. Here are a few options for helping to escape - best read alongside a cup of tea or a glass of wine (or an ice cold coke - sometimes there’s nothing better).
In Her Defence
By Philippa Malicka
Recently chosen for the Reese Witherspoon Book Club, this new courtroom drama will be too gripping to think about anything else. It’s a psychological thriller about a spectacle of a trial, perfect for those who enjoyed Gone Girl or Lisa Jewell and don’t mind things a little obsessive and toxic.
American Fantasy
By Emma Straub
This novel is about a cruise ship full of (mostly) women and the boy band they are all obsessed with. It’s like Taylor Jenkins Reid meets Below Deck, and just a really excellent and fun read that you might not have already come across.
Mistakes Were Made
By Lucy Score
Look, sometimes we just need a nice little romance with a sprinkling of spice. Mistakes Were Made is a story about unexpected attraction, and a read that is as easy to slip into as a warm bubble bath someone else has prepared for us. There’s a six-foot tall landlord and a literary agent who is NOT after anything serious, aka just what the Dr ordered for a little rest and relaxation.
The Other Catherine
By Lauren Keenan
For anyone who loves escaping into historical fiction, this new release about two women who are sep9781776951253arated not just by the Tasman, but also by a century between them, is an ambitious and layered story about ancestry and whakapapa that would be a perfect read for people who enjoy a narrative that weaves together love and loss, place and people.
For the mum who loves non-fiction:
Maybe she loves learning, maybe she just loves her entertainment served with a bit more realism, but for the non-fiction mama, we have some perfect picks.
Every Second Counts
By Charlotte Glennie
This memoir is a fast-paced account of award winning NZ journalist Charlotte Glennie, who worked across the world reporting on huge world events. It’s fascinating, exhilarating, and a really well written account of journalism and its many challenges.
Betrayal
By Tom Bower
There is no better non-fiction escape than reading about rich, important people and their scandals. This book (as well as the next!) ticks that box. Betrayal is a biography about the Royal Family and the explosive relationships often hidden from public view.
Careless People
By Sarah Wynn-Williams
I would buy this book for almost anyone - it’s incredibly hard to put down and a disturbingly intimate insight into life for a mother (from New Zealand) who worked for Facebook for 8 years and saw the terrifying reality of the decision makers impacting on us all. It's a quick read, perfect to pick up over a weekend and demolish.
For the mum who’s read everything:
We have three of the latest reads on the block, one local Kiwi romantasy, one popular new philosophical fiction title, and one unhinged translated novel. Surprise her with a book she didn’t even know existed yet!
Malachite
By Ashley Andersen
For the romantasy reader, this is a brand new dark academia romantasy with everything we love in our books - enemies to lovers, slow burn romance, forced proximity, found family, and a healthy dose of spice. Written by a New Zealand author and mum who, when not writing, is busy wrangling two lovely children, this is a highly anticipated new read and perfect for surprising the busy romantasy loving mother in your life.
The Midnight Train
By Matt Haig
In 2020, amid lockdowns, a lot of us picked up a little book called The Midnight Library and found a sense of solace and ease in its story about life and its many different iterations. The Midnight Train is Matt Haig’s latest addition, and it's another beautifully simple story about a life looked back on. It's comforting, life affirming, and one that many readers are going to find easy to pick up, and even easier to love.
Mrs Shim is a Killer
By Kang Jiyoung
For fans of literary crime, twisted characters you can’t help but root for, and excellent translated fiction - Mrs Shim is a Killer is a funny and unsettling Korean novel about love, food, and the lengths one woman will go for her family. It’s a little gritty and gruesome, but it's also endearing and quirky, and perfect for the literary mum who doesn’t mind things a little dark and unhinged.
For the mum who never stops -
Books can be the perfect invitation to take a step back and find a bit more ease and calm in our lives, and a lovely way to show that you can see how much mum’s carry on their shoulders.
Happy Mind, Happy Life
By Dr Rangan Chatterjee
This brand new release by Dr Rangan Chatterjee would be perfect for someone who likes a bit of health and wellness in their reading, and wants to implement strategies that are easy and impactful on their everyday life. I love Rangan’s approachable and informative podcast, and so this has gone straight onto my own TBR.
Mum's Busy Work
By Jacinda Ardern
If anyone understands the juggle of work and motherhood, it might be Jacinda Ardern. Her beautiful picture book about life as Prime Minister and as Mum is inspiring and heartwarming, and based on the real conversations she had with her daughter.
Why Has Nobody Told Me This Before?
By Julie Smith
Dr Julie Smith offers advice on everything from stress and anxiety management, to low mood or lack of motivation. Everything is bite sized and practical, and it’s a book readers can refer back to when needing a little bit of support with a certain area of life.
All Of This Is For You Special Collector's Edition
By Ruby Jones
Illustrated and written by the very talented Ruby Jones, this little beautiful hardback book makes a stunning gift for anyone, with gentle reminders and resonating observations about the beauty in the everyday and the hope in the moments of challenge. A taonga of a book.
For the mum who’s also a grandma -
Add something special to Mother’s Day for the grandmothers, nanas, kuia, and grannies out there by getting them a little gift to acknowledge their role, not just raising their own children but playing a role in the lives of their grandchildren too.
A Special Picture Book:
For a brand new Grandma, a cute picture book to read together can be such a special little gift. I recommend either I Love Grandma with The Very Hungry Caterpillar, Just Grandma and Me (one of the classic Little Critter picture books!), or the beautiful hardback What’s in a Dumpling, Grandma, which is a lovely story about passing down our culture and stories through the generations.
A Guided Journal:
Your Story, Grandma and Grandmother I Want to Hear Your Story are two beautiful options that encourage Grandma to share her life and capture her memories. It’s a beautiful reminder that the experiences of our parents are treasured and such a meaningful gift to receive. We also have versions in stock for mums too, as well as all the other family members with memories to share. Check out the full range here.
For the mum who is not a reader -
Mum not into books? Don’t panic. We have you covered with everything from beautiful puzzles, to family board games, or some gorgeous affirmation cards.
Find the Perfect Puzzle:
Whether it’s Taylor Swift, Winne the Pooh, beautiful Disney movies, cosy wildflower escapes, or even Murdle mysteries - there is a stunning puzzle out there for everyone.
Buy a Board Game:
We have a whole collection of family friendly board games, but some of our favourites are What Do You Meme (Family Edition) and Guess the Gibberish, which will guarantee a night of laughter, or Sushi Go which is fast paced and super cute.
Pick out a piece of Kiwiana:
We have a brand new range of gorgeous bookmarks, keyrings, and home signs thanks to the beautifully crafted items from, Ian Blackwell. My picks would be the stunning Yellow Kampa Storybox, or the Middle Earth key sign, which would add such a cute dose of character to our home.
Being a mum can be the most rewarding and difficult job in the world, so to all mothers, grandmothers, and other caregivers out there, we see you and we hope you get treated (or treat yourself) to something lovely this Mother’s Day! If you’re in Tāmaki Makaurau, pop in to our bookshop and get yourself something 🙂
Need more inspiration? Check out our Mother's Day Gift Guide or shop our Mother's Day Sale!