Reading has always been one of my absolute favorite pastimes. I used to be monogamous to one book at a time, but these days, I’ve got at least two or three books going at once. Usually only one novel, but I’m always in the middle of a nonfiction book as well- generally a parenting, writing, or wellness book, if not more than one! I’ve also begun to read anthologies, and I keep one next to my bed for those times when I only have fifteen minutes or so and want to enjoy a quick essay without getting sucked into a complicated storyline or diving into something heavy.
In fact, the warmer the weather gets, the pickier I am about my reading material. I usually ditch the weightier subjects during the summer months, and I have absolutely no interest in reading a book that feels like work to me. Spring and summertime means more hours spent outdoors, more time together as a family, and generally less time reading inside. So when I do read a book, I want it to be something that is easy, enjoyable, and entertaining. Mother’s Day is just around the corner, and it’s a great opportunity to buy a book for the mama in your life! In fact, I have a great suggestion for you- are you ready for it? Drumroll…. The HerStories Project book! (You knew I was going to say that, didn’t you?) And here’s why:
- Books make great Mother’s Day gifts, and this is the perfect kind of book to give. Flowers are okay, but a great book lets her know that you have put the effort into getting her something you think she’ll enjoy. Since this book is a collection of essays, as I mentioned above, it is so easy to pick up and put down as you like, reading an entire section or just one essay at a time. It’s easy reading– relatable, enjoyable, engaging, and affirming–and filled with a beautiful diversity of styles and voices.
- A book about friendship lets her know that you value her as more than just a mom. Mothers are complex- we are wives, daughters, sisters, friends, and individuals. A book that celebrates the uniqueness and importance of women’s friendship lets her know that you appreciate her as a whole person.
- Pair it with a “gift certificate” for a girlfriend date, and you’re in for the rest of the year. Present your wife/sister/friend with her book and then send her off to dinner with her friend while you watch the kids. Best gift ever.
- The section on motherhood will resonate with her no matter what stage of parenting she’s in. The essays in the Motherhood part of the book share themes of loneliness, isolation during infancy, and the bonds developed during this delicate and powerful life transition.
- The contributors include some of the most talented freelance writer moms and parenting bloggers. Jill Smokler of Scary Mommy wrote the foreword, and some of our contributors include Allison Slater Tate, writer of the viral post, “The Mom Stays in the Picture,” Huffington Post Parent bloggers Alexandra Rosas and Lindsey Mead, Monica Sakala of Wired Momma, Brain, Child Magazine bloggers Nina Badzin and Lauren Apfel, and way too many more to mention. (OK, fine, I’ll mention just a few of my favorite bloggers- Kristi, Kate, Katia, Carisa, Sarah, Jean, and Deb all have beautiful essays in the book.) In fact, 50 amazingly talented writers contributed to this book.
Here are some of the most inspiring quotes from the book:
As a parent, friendships are perhaps the only thing keeping us sane.~Jill Smokler, Scary Mommy
Those first few friendships I forged in the fire of new motherhood saved me from losing my mind, and my sense of humor.~Dana Schwartz
They were the sisters who kept my head above water with encouraging words and even a swift kick in the ass when necessary. They were my late night phone calls, the deliverers of coffee and the childcare providers I so desperately relied on. ~Vicky Willenberg
Now this isn’t just a suggestion for husbands with no clue what to buy for a Mother’s Day gift. What about your best friend who just had her first baby? Or your crazy-busy sister whose hands are full with three kids? Moms love getting special treatment for Mother’s Day, so don’t forget about all the mamas you love, whether or not they’re your own!
- So please help spread the word! Share with all the hubbies you know who are searching for something special- it never hurts to drop a few hints (or email a link!) to your own husband! And pass it on to all the women in your life that you are grateful for- books are a great way to remind them how much you love them. You can buy the book right here.
My co-editor Jessica Smock and I are also excited to announce our next book, My Other Ex, to be published in September 2014! We are sifting through submissions at this very moment! Read more about that project here.
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This post is part of Finish the Sentence Friday.
This week’s sentence was, “I have absolutely no interest in…”
Next week’s sentence is, “Dear Mom,…” (You KNOW you want in on that one!)
Your hosts:
Kelly McKenzie is joining us as a co-host!
Janine at Janine’s Confessions of a Mommyaholic
Kristi at Finding Ninee
Kate at Can I Get Another Bottle of Whine?
Link up with us below, and share your favorite posts with #FTSF!
I did see you were doing a second book and seriously so proud of you, Stephanie and can’t say that enough. I loved the first book and can’t wait to read the second now. And you are right definitely a perfect Mother’s Day gift 🙂
Thanks, Janine!
You know I love the book! BTW, I think we have similar reading habits (drives the hubby nuts) – I’ve always got more than one book I’m reading.. Are you on Good Reads?
Yes! We should find each other… 🙂
Brilliant finish to the sentence prompt. I shall alert the troops about the book! With regards to reading I remember that summer I got to complete a full book over just a few days. We were away at a very shallow lake. My two were in and out of the water and more than happy for me to sit at the shore. And read. Oh man. Pure heaven. I’ll never forget it.
That is my very definition of pure heaven. 🙂 Thanks for such a great prompt- thrilled to have you as co-host this week!
I was gonna be sad if you mentioned the famous people and not me, so thank you. I mean for realz. And awesome Mama Day gift. Truly.
Someday YOU will be the famous person. Wait and see. 🙂
wow…go you, another book…how exciting. I try to have one book that I’m listening to in the car and paperback that I can read…our library is closed for renovations…and I’m going mad.
That would be rough- good luck!
Great gift idea! I didn’t know about the book, but will definitely check it out! Happy Mother’s Day!
yup, I am also a fan of books and would prefer that over flowers cause they will just wither away…the book will make a memory that I was gifted something for my work…lol
So true! 🙂
Thanks for the mention, lady. I remain extremely proud to have been part of this project!
We were proud to have you!
This book sounds like something I need in my life. I’m going to get a copy for my best friend, too. Congratulations on being part of such a great project!
Thank you so much, Kate! We really hope you like it! Thanks for helping to spread the word! xo
totally agree with you about not having time for reading a book that feels like work when reading… I will give a good amount of ‘chance to engage me’ but if I don’t start ‘looking forward to the next chance I will get to read a particular book, I will throw it down on the ground’.
(but then again, I am one of those people who will read favorite books many times more than once.)
I love re-reading my favorite books… right now I love reading my favorite childhood books again out loud with my daughter. So cool. 🙂
I am so glad I bought this book – and may I add, proud of you? It sounds silly since I had nothing to do with it, but there it is. You did an amazing thing and that makes me happy. 🙂
First of all, I admire you for juggling 2-3 books! Ever since I’ve started blogging I read so much less than I used to. Is it too late to make a New Year’s resolution? 🙂
I think the book is the perfect gift for a mom. I find reading about friendships strangely uplifting and I agree with the quotes in this post about the added value female friendships have during early (and not so early, ahem) motherhood. They are most definitely a sanity and I’d say even identity preserver.
And finally on a personal note, there is no one more fitting to promote the topic of female friendship than you. I’m sure I’ve told you this before, but when I was stumbling around, trying to identify my way through the blogging maze as a new blogger, you were the first genuinely friendly voice I’ve heard in that maze. I still remember your comment on my miscarriage post on Honest Mom’s hop. Happy upcoming Mother’s Day to a great mom and friend!!! xoxo
I am with you, summer is for easy reading, it is so hard for me to bring my mind to the book when there are so many outside projects and fun to be had! Thanks for the review of the book, and congrats for it coming to fruition! I now have it on my “must purchase soon” list! Thanks! Cannot wait to get it.
I LOVE giving books for presents, but I can’t say I’ve ever given a book for Mother’s Day. But this is definitely a great one! Enough of the flowers and candy that will be gone in a few days!