5 favorite books on motherhood

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May means Mother’s Day.

I’ve written before about the complicated nature of this holiday (and the need to remember all kinds of mothers on Mother’s Day). But it remains a beautiful time to celebrate the women who have mothered us—and the mothers that many of us are becoming.

In honor of this month’s celebration, I’ve gathered a few of my favorite reads on motherhood. (Check out the Mothering Spirit Facebook page for a great list of readers’ selections, too!)

What would you add to the list?

Mitten Strings for God: Reflections for Mothers in a Hurry by Katrina Kenison

Part memoir, part meditation, Katrina’s book might be my favorite on motherhood. Her writing offers such spaciousness and peace that you savor each sentence like a deep breath. I’ve returned to this book many times (clearly the subtitle continues to speak to my life!). Katrina offers stories from ordinary days at home, but weaves in wise perspectives and gentle suggestions that feel like invitations, never advice. I delight whenever she writes today, but this first book continues to be my favorite.

Momfulness: Mothering with Mindfulness, Compassion, and Grace by Denise Roy

A neighbor passed along this lovely collection of perspectives and practices to bring a calmer, gentler approach to mothering-in-the-moment. It’s a breath of fresh air, and I always loved that I learned of it from another mother. The author offers short, creative, and practical meditations on spirituality, compassion, embodiment, community, and finding the sacred in all things. It’s a book I love to pull out every few years and keep handy on my nightstand.

Random Moments of Grace: Experiencing God in the Adventures of Motherhood by Ginny Kubitz Moyer

My friend Ginny is one of my favorite writers on motherhood. She’s wise, honest, thoughtful, and funny. I dove deeply into this book when I first read it, and I came away grateful for how Ginny helped me to recognize the spiritual growth that has come from my own parenting. I love her perspectives on God, faith, and unexpected insights from life with kids. (Check out my interview with Ginny about the book!)

Motherhood Realized: An Inspiring Anthology for the Hardest Job You’ll Ever Love

Power of Moms is a great website for practical, smart perspectives on motherhood. So I loved when they turned a collection of favorite essays into this book. Each reflection is short enough to read quickly with kids underfoot, but it’s enough to keep chewing on a new insight. I’m honored to have an essay included in the collection (on what picking green beans every summer has taught me about gratitude!). But I love what the other essays have taught me—about savoring small moments, shifting perspectives, persevering through struggles, and growing through motherhood.

The Catholic Mom’s Prayer Companion

This daily reader from CatholicMom.com brings together so many of my favorite Catholic writers and bloggers on the subject of motherhood (and I was delighted to be part of the project, too). I keep my copy in the kitchen with our cookbooks, so whenever I need a moment’s refresher I turn to the day’s reflection. A saint, some Scripture, a short insight from a fellow mom—it’s exactly what I need to take a deep breath and get back to dinner (or dishes or homework help or sibling squabbles). A quick and easy addition to your daily prayer life.

And a giveaway too!

UPDATE: GIVEAWAY CLOSED. Thank you!

In honor of Mother’s Day, I’m giving away a free copy of my book Everyday Sacrament: The Messy Grace of Parenting. It’s full of my musings on motherhood and what everyday parenting teaches about God and faith. (Did you know the book has a free discussion guide for your book club or small group available for download here too?)

Simply leave a comment below to enter to win your own copy of Everyday Sacrament. (And feel free to share one of your favorite books that didn’t make my list!)

Entries must be completed by midnight CST on May 5, 2017. I’ll announce the winner on May 6—in time to get your book by Mother’s Day!

GIVEAWAY NOW CLOSED but feel free to grab a copy of Everyday Sacrament or get the free discussion guide here!