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8 Books for Your Mother-Daughter Book Club

Mother-Daughter Book Club
Design: theSkimm | Photos: Simon & Schuster, Penguin Random House
May 4, 2022

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Sometimes the best book clubs are with just two people: you and your mom. Whether it started back when you were a kid with Judy Blume books or you kicked it off later in life with some historical fiction that made you and Mom cry — there’s nothing like a fam group chat that’s all about good books. So in honor of our favorite reading partners, we rounded up some new trendy reads both you and Mom will love. Good convos and wild hot takes guaranteed. Wine and cheese sold separately.

Penguin Random House

“The Maid” by Nita Prose

When a wealthy, famous guest winds up dead at a posh city hotel, Molly Gray, a member of the cleaning staff, is cornered as the prime suspect. And with the help of a new group of friends, she takes solving the hotel mystery into her own hands…dun, dun, dun. It’s giving Eleanor Oliphant with a “Clue”-like whodunit vibe that makes for a fast-paced read. Plus, it has Florence Pugh attached to the movie adaptation. Lights, camera, read, read, read. (Amazon, Bookshop)

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Simon & Schuster

“Anna” by Amy Odell

This is the definitive (and dishy) biography about the Queen of Condé we’ve been waiting for. Odell’s work is based on extensive interviews with Wintour’s inner circle and charts how Vogue’s longtime editor-in-chief got to where she is today (in riveting, can’t-put-down detail, may we add). She weaves Anna’s story into a larger narrative about the dynamics of the fashion industry and the complex world of one of the biggest publishers in the game. It’s perfect for the mother-daughter duo who wanna know how accurate a certain Meryl Streep movie is… Sips tea. (Amazon, Bookshop)

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Penguin Random House

“Black Cake” by Charmaine Wilkerson

This enriching family story jumps between present-day California and the Caribbean in the '60s. After the mother of two estranged siblings passes away, she leaves behind a puzzling final gift for her two adult children: a mysterious cassette tape, a slice of her special black cake, and the request they dig into them together when the time’s right. It’s a beautiful story about family bonds, secret histories, and love and reconciliation…aka the perfect kind of book to read alongside your mama. (Amazon, Bookshop)

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Little, Brown and Company

“Left on Tenth” by Delia Ephron

Cloudy with a chance of love, loss, and redemption. In this touching memoir, Delia Ephron recounts life after losing her sister, Nora (yep that Nora), and her husband, Jerry, in the span of a few years. After his death she wrote a New York Times op-ed, which led her to meeting Peter, a Bay Area psychiatrist, who also happens to be her next great love. Casual. Her story’s filled with highs, lows, and whoas. And perfectly mixes the joie de vivre and charm you know and love from Ephron movies with relatable passages on grief and second chances. (Amazon, Bookshop)

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Simon & Schuster

“Bomb Shelter” by Mary Laura Philpott

Anxious brain? Same. Ever wondered how to keep on when you don’t know what’s coming next? Also same. Philpott (the author behind “I Miss You When I Blink”) wrote this collection of memoiristic essays about the emotional two-plus-year aftermath of waking up to her son in the middle of a violent seizure. She opens up about what it's like to jump between anxious and optimistic mental states —  all while tackling the big questions in life like: death, existential fear, and the small joys in between. A comforting and bright essay collection? That’s something we can always get behind. (Amazon, Bookshop)

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HarperCollins

“Dress Code” by Véronique Hyland

From millennial pink and French style to influencers and “it” girls, Elle magazine’s fashion features director explores how clothing affects our everyday lives. She tackles ideas like: What does it mean to dress for yourself? And how has social media changed it all? Whether you love a simple tee with jeans or a full-fledged power suit, what you wear means something, and Hyland wants to talk about it. It’s perfect for the moms and daughters who always send each other their OOTDs. (Amazon, Bookshop)

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HarperCollins

“Finding Me” by Viola Davis

Icon alert. Award-winning actress Viola Davis bares her soul in this breathtaking memoir. Reflecting on defining hardships and building her career, Davis takes readers through her difficult childhood, racism in Hollywood, and how she channeled her own healing in her work. Plus, she narrates the audiobook herself. So for anyone who prefers to listen to their reads, 10/10 would recommend scooping this up. (Amazon, Bookshop)

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PS: Love a celebrity memoir? Same. Check out our faves here.

Simon & Schuster

“Love Marriage” by Monica Ali

Exploring sex, class, and drama, this beautiful, literary read follows a couple who are attempting to bond their two families before their wedding. There’s Yasmin, a 26-year-old doctor-in-training. And her fianc​​é, Joe, a medic and son of a famous feminist author. As Yasmin and Joe’s big day comes closer and closer, they’re forced to navigate betrayal, culture clashes, and relationship strains. Phew. It’s a relatable and thoughtfully written novel that’ll make you think twice about any struggles you’ve had in your relationships with your partner or your family. (Amazon, Bookshop)

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