The books we're giving this Mother's Day
Emily Gale, Online Children’s Specialist:
For generations my family ran an art gallery in London – my late grandfather being the last in the line to do so – and their main associates were painters, sculptors and writers. The heyday of the gallery was the 1920s and 1930s when they exhibited Matisse, Pissarro, Picasso and Chagall, among others. My mum, born after this period in the late 1940s, would have been the only child at many arty gatherings; her needs often forsaken while the Gin and Its flowed and the next big thing was discussed. So I think she would love to read this year’s Stella Prize winner, The Strays. Inspired by the circle of artists and intellectuals who created the community at Heide, Emily Bitto’s story follows a girl drawn into the Australian art scene of the 1930s and observes the effect it had on a family.
Isobel Moore, Children’s Specialist at Readings St Kilda:
My mother has spent years reading nothing but bodice-ripping romance novels and then hiding them when people come over – Me: “Oh hey, what is this book doing under the couch?” Mum: Glares. Recently though, she’s started to ask for recommendations in other genres. She has fairly strict boundaries – nothing depressing or scary or gross –but I’ve still managed to share some of the books I love. This sharing is not without risk (I recently threatened to somehow get myself legally emancipated if she didn’t like I Capture the Castle) but its pretty great when she does get into one of my favourites.
For Mother’s Day, I thought I would give her Anita Diament’s The Red Tent, which is the story of Dinah, Jacob’s only daughter, and of her relationship with his wives. It’s a bittersweet and full novel about both being a daughter and a mother and it’s not at all depressing or scary or gross…
Bronte Coates, Digital Content Coordinator:
A friend of mine gave birth less than a month ago and it’s very exciting for me, the friend who remains blissfully unburdened by any of the responsibility that comes with such an event. Much of my excitement comes from the fact that I have a whole new reason to buy picture books and I’ve already passed on Marc Martin’s achingly beautiful A River to her and her son. But, I also wanted to buy her something fun and completely unrelated to parenting for her first official Mother’s Day. To this end, I’ve picked up a copy of Krissy Kneen’s new novel, The Adventures of Holly White and the Incredible Sex Machine. My friend is already a big fan of Kneen’s other books and this one sounds like it will be very funny.
Nina Kenwood, Digital Marketing Manager:
Since I began working at Readings, my mother has become a very avid online shopper on the Readings website (bless her). She and I discuss books a lot via email and on the phone. She reads widely, but her passion is for crime and thrillers. Some books she’s read and enjoyed lately include The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins, The Girl With the Red Coat by Kate Hamer, The Stranger by Harlan Coben and If She Did It by Jessica Treadway. Inspired by this list, I think she would enjoy new releases After the Crash by Michel Bussi and Disclaimer by Renee Knight.
Outside of crime and thrillers, she might like My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante (I can’t believe I haven’t pushed this on her yet!) and I’m also sure she and Dad would enjoy sitting down with a cup of tea and watching the TV series Un Village Francais during the upcoming winter months. (Hi Mum, if you’re reading this!)
Emily Harms, Head of Marketing and Communications:
My mum is a jeweller and has always been a lover of classic fashion and style – which brings me to the dilemma of what to buy her this Mother’s Day. Whenever I went shopping in the city with her as a kid, my mum would always have to buy something at George’s located at the ‘Paris end’ of Collins Street. When George’s began struggling financially, Mum somehow felt compelled to buy more there and more frequently in order to try and save it from closing. It did close unfortunately but I’m hoping the book Remembering George’s (about the history and fashion that made it an iconic Melbourne business) will hopefully bring back her fond memories and reacquaint her emotional connection to the brand.
I also want to buy her the stunning Liberty Style, which traces the story and timeless designs of Liberty. When I first moved to live in London straight out of school I used to visit the Liberty store in Great Marlborough Street whenever I felt homesick.
And as a mother myself, I am hoping that my family will buy me Anne Enright’s The Green Road (hint! hint! I hope my bloke is reading this).
Stella Charls, Marketing and Event Coordinator:
Stella Charls with her parents
I frequently (and perhaps selfishly) give my parents books that I hope will get passed on to me to read when they finish. At least, that was my intention in gifting my mum Robin Black’s Life Drawing last year. I’d heard only great things about this novel – an enthralling, provocative and tightly wound story about a couple dealing with the pain of betrayal – and luckily my mum loved it. She’s a psychologist, and not afraid of dark, uneasy stories or characters, as long as they’re compelling and honest.
This year I might try Dept. of Speculation, a similarly refreshing take on domestic fiction that everyone who’s read it can’t stop talking about.
