14 Reads For the Book-Loving Mama

Put a Ring on It by Beth Kendrick

For Brighton Smith, being an insurance actuary can be pretty mundane. Assessing risk and avoiding bad investments has crept into her pretty basic personal life. So when her fiancé confesses he’s married someone else, Brighton is left alone, in a bar, with a cocktail — and a hot, rich man named Jake. By midnight, they’re married, and Brighton is forced to assess her own life, with newfound excitement. Can Brighton finally take a risk and accept a potentially bad investment?

Fourteen by Leslie Johansen Nack

At age 14, Leslie is already a victim of a broken family and physical abuse and soon finds herself trapped on a 45-foot sailboat with her father, ready to sail around the world. This thrilling page-turner explores Leslie's journey to overcome traumatic obstacles and find the inner strength to fight back against the abuse that has haunted her for years.

The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt

We’ve all had experiences that we feel no one can relate to. For Theo Decker, surviving an accident that took his mother’s life is only the beginning of his social retreat. Abandoned by his father, Theo moves in with a wealthy family that struggles to understand his past, and the only thing that brings Theo comfort is a painting that reminds him of his mother. Soon Theo begins to find others that can relate to his story — in the mysterious and dangerous underworld of the New York art scene. Will this new circle help Theo grieve, or only lead him to more tragedy?

The Doctor and the Stork by K.K. Goldberg

Although our tech-savvy Apple computers run quite smoothly, high-tech, high-risk pregnancies unfortunately don't come with a troubleshooting guide. With over 150,000 twin births a year, more than five million IVF babies have come into the world since the birth of technology. Armed with her own IVF pregnancy experience, K.K. Goldberg has written a modern-day memoir that dives deep into the business of conception.

A Banquet of Consequences by Elizabeth George

We all love a foggy, London-based crime story that we can discuss over a steaming cup of Earl Grey. In Elizabeth George’s newest novel, A Banquet of Consequences, the mysterious and classic British setting dives into an ever-evolving and disturbing tale of desire, deceit, and deception. As Inspector Thomas Lynley takes on a dark criminal case with his partner Barbara Havers, they find that the peaceful English countryside may be more involved with the grimy streets of London than anyone could imagine.

Whistling Women by Kelly Romo

We all need a break from the complicated world that surrounds us sometimes, but eventually we’re forced to face reality. For Addie Bates, escaping her reality turned into a comfortable 15-year residency at the Sleepy Valley Nudist Colony. It's now 1935, and the World's Fair is premiering in her hometown of San Diego, and the entire colony is packing up to go on exhibit. As Addie is forced to return to the town she ran away from so long ago, her criminal past resurfaces and a reunion with her sister is more terrifying than she could imagine.

House Trained by Jackie Bouchard

They say dogs are the most loyal pets. For Alex Halstad, this statement could not be more true. After her husband’s long-lost teenage daughter shows up with a little girl of her own, Alex’s childless, simple, and organized life has been turned upside down. Attempting to get her life back on track as she avoids her unexpected guest, Alex can’t help but notice the unconditional love and acceptance her dog has shown everyone. Could Alex really learn life’s most valuable lesson from her own dog?

Dear Mr. You by Mary Louise Parker

From award-winning actress Mary-Louise Parker comes a literary work that explores the depth and complexity of relationships — her relationships with men, that is. Dear Mr. You holds personal letters to both real and imaginary men who have shaped the woman Mary-Louise has become today. From grandfathers to firefighters to former lovers, each beautifully written letter exposes a personal lesson that we can all relate to.

Wildflower by Drew Barrymore

Who hasn’t fallen in love with the frightened little girl from E.T., award-winning actress Drew Barrymore? Yet, the Drew we have come to know through films is a far cry from the real life Never Been Kissed star. Drawing on the experiences of her younger years, tales of doing laundry, getting stuck at gas stations, and accepting forced goodbyes, Drew opens up about her adventurous journey to a new and happy life.

Life and Other Near-Death Experiences by Camille Pagán

You wouldn't be a hopeless romantic if you haven’t dreamt of buying a one-way ticket to a tropical island, leaving your old life behind, and having a steamy love affair. For most of us, this fantasy is just that — a fantasy. But for Libby Miller, receiving shocking news leads her to abandon her life in Chicago for clear waters. Hoping to find solace in what could be her last attempt at seizing the moment, Libby tries to enjoy every last day in her tropical heaven, knowing it could actually all be leading to disaster.

See Me by Nicholas Sparks

We can’t help but cringe every time the good girl falls for the handsome bad boy, wishing we could scream through the book and tell her to run the other way. Yet in Nicholas Sparks’s new book, See Me, the tables are turned. Colin is a bad-boy-turned-good who falls for the beautiful Maria, a successful lawyer with a flawless career. Although her exterior may be enticing, being with Maria may be the thing that turns Colin’s new life upside down.

Fishing With RayAnne by Ava Finch

Although she may not be an outspoken and aggressive feminist, RayAnne is tired of the testosterone-driven world of pro fishing. Instead she has found a quaint home in Minneapolis, MN, with her clingy dog. After unexpectedly landing at the center of an all-women fishing talk show, RayAnne is thrust into a position of influence. As fame and egotistical producers are forced on her, RayAnne must decide whether she will stay true to her new life or fall back into the world she so decisively left.

Year of Yes by Shonda Rhimes

As the creator and producer of iconic characters such as Meredith Grey, Olivia Pope, and Annalise Keating, Shonda Rhimes might be expected to be as hardcore, witty, and strong as her protagonists. Unfortunately, Shonda is the opposite — a complete and utter introvert. Avoiding invitations to cocktail parties and on-air interviews, Shonda explains her life before and after her "year of yes." In this incredible and honest memoir, she reveals her transformation through the power of "yes" and how she finally allowed herself to be worthy of a personality as strong as her characters.