My Mom, Style Icon by Piper Weiss
Based on the blog of the same name, this book is perfect for a fashionable mom. Filled with photos and stories of stylish women from the past several decades, it will take her on a trip down memory lane. All of the stories are grouped by theme—from wedding fashion to a mother’s “rebellious” choices—along with anecdotes from daughters (and sons!) who watched their mothers’ style evolve.
To buy: $19, chroniclebooks.com.
Balancing Acts: Three Prima Ballerinas Becoming Mothers by Lucy Gray
This book of photographs follows three ballerinas-turned-mothers over the course of 14 years. All three decided to have children in the midst of their already physically taxing careers, and award-winning photographer Lucy Gray captures a unique work-life balance as they parent behind the curtain and perform onstage. If your mother is into classical ballet or appreciates photography, she’ll love these stunning, intimate black-and-white photos.
To buy: $19, amazon.com.
Icebox Cakes by Jean Sagendorph and Jessie Sheehan
Now, she can bake her favorite childhood dessert from scratch. With more than 20 recipes for every taste—from lavender-blueberry to espresso chip—she’ll want to give each old-school cake a try. The cookbook also lists the essential tools she’ll need, so if you notice one that’s missing from her kitchen, buy it to complete the gift.
To buy: $15, amazon.com.
The Mystery Writers of America Cookbook by Kate White
This unconventional cookbook features breakfasts, appetizers, desserts, cocktails and more from your favorite mystery authors and their characters. The book also offers multiple sidebars that link the food to the fiction—like poisons people used to plant in their gardens, and an explainer about how “red herring” went from the plate to the page.
To buy: $19, amazon.com.
Mom’s One Line a Day: A Five-Year Memory Book
This journal makes it easy to keep track of everyday memories, and she can chronicle and compare special experiences, funny family quotes, or random thoughts for years. It’s a fun way to jot down even the simplest daily activities, and turns keeping a diary into a meaningful task for mom, too.
To buy: $10, amazon.com.
Diamond Head by Cecily Wong
Following a horrific tragedy, four generations of women are forced to deal with a long-kept family secret. The wives and daughters of the Leong family are haunted by a Chinese legend that says each person is bound to their beloved with an invisible string, but whenever they make a romantic mistake, that string gathers knots. This knotted string is passed through generations, and ends with Theresa—18 and pregnant—who is burdened with the Leong family secrets. The novel spans years and perspectives—chapters are told by sisters, daughters, and wives—as the women grieve, and eventually rebuild.
To buy: $20, amazon.com.
Capture the Moment by Sarah Wilkerson
This book is both beautiful to page through and a thorough instruction manual for beginning photographers. More than 100 contributors from Clickin Moms, the largest female-photographer social network, have included photographs and advice for capturing basic, understated moments in everyday life and beautiful ways to chronicle family in photos. She’ll be inspired to pick up her camera and finally use it—without having to attend an actual photography class.
To buy: $16, amazon.com.
The Legacy of Ruth Bader Ginsburg by Scott Dodson
A history-buff mom will want to curl up with this recently-released history of Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s legacy for hours every night. It discusses Ginsburg’s career as a lawyer, professor, appellate judge, and justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, focusing on her most influential cases. Many leaders from academic and political fields contribute to create a thorough picture of her impressive career.
To buy: $27, amazon.com.
Listen to Your Mother by Ann Imig
This collection of stories was born from a live event asking women to share their stories about motherhood—now the show happens in more than 20 cities across America. This frank, funny, and touching anthology puts many of those stories down on paper, and discusses the complex and diverse array of parenting experiences, from step-motherhood to infertility, and everything in between.
To buy: $20, amazon.com.
Everyone Loves Paris by Leslie Jonath
For the mom who loves travel, and specifically has a soft spot for Paris, this illustrated coffee table book highlights the city’s most memorable tourist destinations and charming streets with 85 full-color illustrations and interpretations of city life. Even if she isn’t an artist herself, she’ll appreciate this unique look at the City of Light.
To buy: $21, amazon.com.
Cookie Love by Kate Leahy and Mindy Segal
She doesn’t have to be a pro baker and decorator to make a batch of cookies, but she can be inspired to go beyond chocolate chip. This book contains almost 300 pages of unexpected cookie concoctions (with beautiful photographs) and expert baking secrets, as well as the pantry ingredients she’ll need to have in her kitchen at all times so that she can make a batch whenever she wants.
To buy: $19, amazon.com.
Enchanted Forest: An Inky Quest & Coloring Book by Johanna Basford
Coloring books are no longer just for kids—they can be a creative way for adults to relax and unwind, as well. While this book has childlike elements—like hidden objects for the artist to find—its intricate scenes and high-quality paper to prevent bleeding make it the perfect de-stressing activity for grown-ups—almost therapeutic.
To buy: $11, amazon.com.
Inspire: The Art of Living with Nature
This beautiful book offers up inventive tips for incorporating elements of the outdoors into entertaining and home décor. It’s divided by outdoor spaces—including sections on Flower Gardens, Beaches, and Vegetable Patches—with specific projects that help bring the outside in through vases, mantel décor, wreaths, and more.
To buy: $19, amazon.com.
This article originally appeared on RealSimple.com.
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