12 Books That Make the Perfect Mother’s Day Gift

For the mom who loved My Sister, the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite...

This sly and darkly funny novel dives into the cutthroat world of real estate, where ambition, obsession, and morality blur together. It follows Margo Miyake, publicist and hopeful mother, as she seeks to buy the perfect home in the perfect neighborhood so she can finally get pregnant and build her perfect family. Author and former Washingtonian journalist Marisa Kashino brings a keen eye to a story about just how far people might get in their search for the perfect house. With its fast pace, clever twists, and unhinged behavior, Best Offer Wins is a deliciously entertaining read. Sometimes the fiercest competition isn’t for love or success—it’s for square footage.

For the mom who loved Becoming by Michelle Obama...

From the name, you might have guessed that she's Beyoncé's mom. In this powerful memoir, Tina Knowles finally steps into the spotlight to share the story behind one of the most influential families of our time—and finally claims her own. From her upbringing in the segregated South to raising and guiding daughters who would change culture, Knowles traces her life as she defines it with creativity, resilience, and unwavering love. Warm, honest, and wise, Matriarch is more than a celebrity memoir; it’s a tribute to motherhood, to legacy, and to the strength it takes to shape generations.

For the mom who loved The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy...

In her first ever memoir, the author of The God of Small Things and The Ministry of Utmost Happiness tackles her complex relationship with her mother. Introspective, complex, and searing, Roy's book both mourns her mother's death and reflects on their intense lives alongside one another. Combining the sweeping depths of her novels and the tense clarity of her essays, Mother Mary Comes to Me is a memoir about mothers and daughters for the ages.

For the mom who loved Yellowface by R. F. Kuang...

This sharp, addictive thriller takes a look at ambition, envy, and the price of telling a good story. When a struggling author-turned-professor outright steals the perfect novel plot from a deceased former student, his career finally takes off—but so does a creeping sense that something isn’t exactly right. As the professor's success builds, so does the threat of exposure, unraveling into a tense, twist-filled ride. Clever and compulsively readable, The Plot is a page-turner your mom won’t be able to put down.

For the mom who loved Save Me the Plums by Ruth Reichl or The Lost Kitchen TV series...

Erin French is the owner of The Lost Kitchen, a critically acclaimed restaurant in Freedom, Maine. In her inspiring new memoir, French recounts her life journey and the many challenges she faced along the way. French first fell in love with food and cooking while growing up on her family’s 25-acre farm. She was determined to fulfill her calling as a professional chef, but troubled relationships and an addiction to prescription pills threatened to upend her dream. Thankfully, French persevered, fueled by her love for her son and her dream of running her own restaurant. Finding Freedom is a moving testament to community and renewal.

For the mom who loved The Other Side of the Coin: The Queen, The Dresser, and The Wardrobe by Angela Kelly...

If your mom delights in all things British Royal Family, she’ll love Elizabeth Holmes’ HRH: So Many Thoughts on Royal Style. Holmes is a style journalist and the creative mind behind the popular Instagram series “So Many Thoughts.” This book focuses on duchesses Catherine and Meghan, Princess Diana, and Queen Elizabeth, style icons known for telling a story through their clothes. Together their sartorial biographies illustrate the subtle ways each woman asserts her individuality with the whole world watching.

For the mom who loved Tune In by Mark Lewisohn…

This richly detailed and endlessly fascinating biography takes a fresh look at one of the most iconic creative partnerships in music history. John & Paul explores the complex, collaborative, and sometimes contentious relationship between John Lennon and Paul McCartney, tracing how their bond shaped not only The Beatles but the sound of a generation. With new insights and a narrative that reads like a story as much as a history, it captures both the magic and the tension behind the music. Smart, immersive, and full of cultural resonance, John & Paul is a must-read for moms who still know every word to the songs.

For the mom who loved Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom...

This unforgettable true-life story of love and companionship makes the perfect gift for animal-loving moms everywhere. Martha Teichner, a CBS Sunday Morning News correspondent, lives with her bull terrier, Minnie. When Martha learns through the dog-park grapevine that a bull terrier named Harry needs a home, she offers to help. It’s at this point that Martha meets Carol, Harry’s human, who’s dying of cancer. What starts as a chance encounter turns into a heartfelt story of four souls finding true friendship and love when they need it most.

For the mom who loves the New Yorker...

Can we just admit that moms know nearly everything? This collection of hilarious life lessons, learned from New Yorker writer and author Patricia Marx’s mom, is both sharp and illuminating. Adding to the charm: Famed New Yorker cartoonist Roz Chast illustrates each lesson. Wisdom like “If you run out of food at your dinner party, the world will end” is something you’ll only get from a mom who has been there, done that. So on behalf of Marx’s mom: You’re welcome.

For the mom who loved The Guest List by Lucy Foley...

The Silent Patient is one of those propulsive thrillers that should be sold with a book light — there’s a good chance your mom will stay up way past bedtime to reach its shocking conclusion. And with the paperback edition coming out right before Mother’s Day, The Silent Patient is that perfect page-turner no-brainer. Theo, a criminal psychologist, stakes his career on finding out why Alicia killed her husband and is refusing to talk. As the case goes public, Alicia’s silence becomes a mystery within a mystery. In fact, it’s probably more dangerous than the original crime.

For the mom who loved Untamed by Glennon Doyle...

This New York Times bestselling, empowering rally cry will speak to the mom ready to take on the world — from the family room to the boardroom and beyond. Inspired by two-time Olympic gold medalist Abby Wambach’s 2018 commencement speech at Barnard College, Wolfpack helps women unleash their individual power, unite with their pack, and change the landscape of their lives and the world.

For the mom who loved When Harry Met Minnie by Martha Teichner...

This tender, wise, and unexpectedly funny novel is a celebration of friendship, love, and the messy beauty of a life well lived. When lifelong best friends Edith and Ashley find themselves facing an unthinkable diagnosis, they copy by leaning into humor, memory, and the deep bond that has shaped them both. Catherine Newman writes with warmth and sharp wit, capturing the small, luminous moments that make up a life even in its hardest seasons. Heartbreaking and life-affirming, We All Want Impossible Things is a story of friendship that your mom will carry with her long after the final page.