Books: What are you reading? What do you recommend?

BoshnJonnie · September 2018

Hi, I introduced myself a while back and haven't been the greatest at participation- work schedule, plus new puppy, plus sleep.. but I want to to contribute more and be more active here, and I didn't see any specific threads about books and recommendations (FTM here, help please!), so I thought it would be fun to start one..

For fun, I am finally reading through The Lord of the Rings, and listening to Superpowereds by Drew Hayes. I want to read some pregnancy and child birth books, but I am thoroughly overwhelmed by all the many choices. What did you read? What did you love and what did you think was utter bulls***? What would you recommend for the dad to be?

What non pregnancy related books do you love and recommend?

batmama31 · September 2018

i have a VERY overdue copy of atlas shrugged sitting on my kitchen counter. i got about 5pgs in. when i finally return it, i’m hoping to find a copy of high rise. it’s been on my list for some time now. in the meantime, i’m reading random short stories out of my flannery o’connor complete works.

during my my first pregnancy, a friend gave me a copy of what to expect when you’re expecting. i actually thought about digging it out the other day. i found it useful & it eased some anxiety from time to time.

professormama · September 2018

My favorite pregnancy book, forever and ever, was Emily Oster’s “Expecting Better.” It’s a great review of the actual evidence on topics related to pregnancy and birth, instead of the usual rules and scare tactics.

My favorite parenting books are “Simplicity Parenting,” “unconditional Parenting,” and “how to raise a wild child.”

nonparenting my recent favorites are “you’ll grow out of it,” by Jessie Klein (literally cried laughing), “stardust” by Neil Gaiman, and “what she ate: six remarkable women and the food that tells their stories” by Laura Shapiro.

I really like to read!

BoshnJonnie · September 2018

professormama said:

My favorite pregnancy book, forever and ever, was Emily Oster’s “Expecting Better.” It’s a great review of the actual evidence on topics related to pregnancy and birth, instead of the usual rules and scare tactics.

My favorite parenting books are “Simplicity Parenting,” “unconditional Parenting,” and “how to raise a wild child.”

nonparenting my recent favorites are “you’ll grow out of it,” by Jessie Klein (literally cried laughing), “stardust” by Neil Gaiman, and “what she ate: six remarkable women and the food that tells their stories” by Laura Shapiro.

I really like to read!

I absolutely love Stardust.. Neil Gaiman is one of my favorite authors. I will have to check out out the Jessie Klien one. I need some more funny.

kaleesi93 · September 2018

Yay so happy to see this pop up!
I've been trying to make a list of books I want to get, I read hypnobabies and an Ina May Gaskin book years ago, so I'll probably get those again. There's a birth without fear book that just released which I'm stoked for.
Name books are super overwhelming tho

BoshnJonnie · September 2018

kaleesi93 said:

Yay so happy to see this pop up!
I've been trying to make a list of books I want to get, I read hypnobabies and an Ina May Gaskin book years ago, so I'll probably get those again. There's a birth without fear book that just released which I'm stoked for.
Name books are super overwhelming tho

I have heard good things about Ina's books. I will check out the birth without fear.. I am little scared of the pain that will happen in the future

professormama · September 2018

BoshnJonnie said:

kaleesi93 said:

Yay so happy to see this pop up!
I've been trying to make a list of books I want to get, I read hypnobabies and an Ina May Gaskin book years ago, so I'll probably get those again. There's a birth without fear book that just released which I'm stoked for.
Name books are super overwhelming tho

I have heard good things about Ina's books. I will check out the birth without fear.. I am little scared of the pain that will happen in the future

I also recommend “mindful birthing” by Nancy Bardacke to help with fear. I liked her philosophy that all childbirth is natural. It’s natural to get that baby out of you, whether it’s no medication, epidural, or c-section. The book is geared toward a no-medication philosophy but it’s 100% no shame and all about handling things calmly, no matter what happens.

kaleesi93 · September 2018

@professormama that's my jam! I will %100 go get that one too, thank you!!
@BoshnJonnie the BWF community is awesome, the founder has a podcast too if that's your thing, the Harshe Podcast

wildcosmiclove · September 2018

professormama said:

My favorite parenting books are “Simplicity Parenting,” “unconditional Parenting,” and “how to raise a wild child.”

Those are some of my favorite parenting books as well!

I've been rereading the Harry Potter series for a couple weeks, so nothing new or exciting there. I will be looking at this thread for when I finish those up!

My most recent library reads have been Fun Home by Alison Bechdel, the American Gods graphic novel, The Female Persuasion by Meg Wolitzer, and Commonwealth by Ann Patchett.

Aaaand I have Nurture by Erica Chidi Cohen and The Witch Doesn't Burn in This One by Amanda Lovelace checked out through Hoopla that I'm reading slowly.

I might have a problem.

thatbaintforbetty · September 2018

I read what to expect with DD, I haven’t touched it this time.

My my favorite blogger wrote a pregnancy book. 50 things to do before you deliver by Jill Krause. She’s really honest and funny about stuff. I have followed her sincer her first 10 years ago.

For non pregnancy if you like fantasy/mythical I highly suggest the October Daye series by Seanen McGuire. It’s so amazing and has like 12 or so of the series out and a new one every September. Book 3 could be difficult while pregnant though just as an FYI.

Also I super heart Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman.

lovelybabybumpz · September 2018

I remember checking out the book “baby 411” from the library a month before my due date. I was terrified because I realized I didn’t know how to change a diaper. Like do you put paste on every time?

currently I’m reading miss peregrines home for peculiar children. It’s alright. I’m usually reading 5 books at the same time but I’ve been in a lull recently. I’ll come back and update when I get home and see my stack and remember.

katj10 · September 2018

Love this topic!
@professormama, I also really liked Expecting Better! And Raising a Wild Child sounds totally up my alley so I am going to get that! Expecting Better was recommended to me by two different friends. As an economics major and data nerd myself, I completely relate to her approach and have been frustrated that my doctor just tells me what to do or not do instead of giving me evidence and allowing me to make my own choices. That said, I think Expecting Better has useful information, but it goes in depth on a narrow range of topics rather than giving a comprehensive overview so I need to supplement with other material.

My doctor recommended The Joy of Pregnancy, the Mayo Clinic Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy, and On Becoming Baby Wise. The Joy of Pregnancy is ok so far, but I'm can't say I've learned anything particularly novel from it yet. I do like that it includes a "Dad's Corner" in each chapter that basically instructs your husband to do nice things for you

The Mayo Clinic just released an updated guide to a healthy pregnancy a few days ago so I haven't gotten in to it yet. Also haven't started On Becoming Baby Wise, but will report back once I do.

A friend recommended Bringing up Bebe as an interesting analysis on different styles of parenting. I'll probably borrow it from her.

For non-pregnancy reading, I've been trying to get through Anna Karenina for months. It's one of those classics I never read so decided to give it a go. It is dense but the story keeps me engaged. I just picked up Lands of Lost Boarders about a woman's bike trip along the Silk Road so I'm excited to dig in to that.

angelob88 · September 2018

I haven't really read anything pregnancy related yet. I may pick up Ina Gaskin again, I loved her books with DD. I want to find a good natural childbirth/homebirth book since that's what we are doing this time around.

I'm currently reading "The Great Alone" by Kristin Hannah and I LOVE it so far. I also just finished "The Power" and enjoyed that one immensely as well. I'm a member of BOTM club so even though I can't keep up with a book a month with DD I have a laundry list that I can't wait to get to. This read is going pretty quick though so I may make some progress this month.

sheknows6 · September 2018

I second Expecting 411, Mayo Clinic Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy, and add Baby 411 for parenting/pregnancy books.

Currently getting through a friend's novel, "A Tear in the Veil" and after that I want to finish Neil deGrasse Tyson's latest release "Astrophysics for People in a Hurry"- I started it last year and got sidetracked.

Gaiman is a staple! I love his writing style "Norse Mythology" was wonderful

professormama · September 2018

@katj10 I liked bringing up Bebe, though I definitely don’t fully agree with some of the strategies described. Another one I liked even better, but along the same lines, was “How Eskimo’s Keep Their Babies Warm at Night,” in which each chapter looked at a different cultural parenting practice.

@sheknows6 I read Astro Physics for people in a hurry. Mixed feelings. Honestly, I felt like I understood about 2/3rds, but I’m not sure I actually remember any of it after the fact. Still, it was nice to read something outside of my usual genre

kosmo86 · September 2018

I didn't read that many pregnancy books with my first but Baby 411 and Baby Bargins are my go to. Baby bargins is great for product reviews when you start look at your registry!

elmich3 · September 2018

I'm currently sitting here reading Howls Moving Castle.. I like it lol

BoshnJonnie · September 2018

@elmich3 I loved Howl's Moving Castle!

kaleesi93 · September 2018

@angelob88 we are totally looking for the same books, that's neat, I'm going to ask my midwife tomorrow for recommendations, my brain is fuzzy now on the homebirth books my moms midwife was always talking about, blech

kaitykins · September 2018

I am honestly just reading the bump and Facebook. Haha. I’m a big reader usually, not enough umph right now.

Smith7000 · September 2018

I definitely relied on Mayo Clinic Guide to Healty Pregnancy and then their guide to Baby’s First Year after that last time.

ashtuesday · September 2018

I also liked the Mayo Clinic Healthy Pregnancy book - it made me feel like I had a reliable source to turn to.

Pleasure-wise, I'm just rereading books with my AP Lit students this year - and sadly, I'm having trouble keeping up with my own reading schedule!

@angelob88 If you like Kristin Hannah and you haven't read it yet, pick up The Nightingale! It makes you sob and feel triumphant at the same time, and it's my go-to book recommendation for friends. I do BOTM too - and am also months behind 😊

angelob88 · September 2018

@ashtuesday I'm glad I'm not the only one! I am loving her so far, I love when I can find an author I enjoy no matter what book is written by them. I'll have to add The Nightingale to my list now

gollygeeitsamy · September 2018

I want to read Baby Wise and Precious Little Sleep before having #2, we struggled with scheduling and sleep with #1 for the first few months which I think made my PPD/A worse.

I'm in a reading lull right now but two books I read this year that I liked was The Butterfly Garden by Dot Hutchinson and Attachments by Rainbow Rowell. Two completely different genres but I thought the writing was very good in both.

Piccola1988 · September 2018

I haven't had the mental capacity to sit down and read a book since I was pregnant with my son, and even then I couldn't get through anything as dull as What to Expect. If you're looking for a light pregnancy-related read, I did enjoy Girlfriend's Guide to Pregnancy. It's definitely not chock full of clinical knowledge, but it's funny and relatable!

RainNFyre · September 2018

Bringing up Bebe was good. I firmly believe in “le pause”. Love and Logic is another good one.

I read 4-5 books at a time.... current pleasure reading:
When Breath Becomes Air
This Child Will be Great: Memoir of a Remarkable Life by Africa’s First Woman President
Behind Her Eyes
Tomorrow
Interpreter of Maladies

HGRich · September 2018

For fun I’ve recently read Crazy Rich Asians and Station Eleven. Station Eleven was a good book with a little more depth. When I’m tired and just want something super simple and escapist, I’ll read a good fantasy or sci fi series. I enjoyed the Illuminae Files earlier this year. I just read the Red Queen and it was ok. A little predictable.

As for babies, I read bringing up Bebe and enjoyed it, though I don’t agree with some of the practices. I’m a little more attachment parenting than that, but not fully. I did like what she had to say about behavior and teaching toddlers patience. Though I’m not sure it’s working yet on my 18mo. 😂

shineysasha · October 2018

When my semester is over and I can put away text books for a few months I’ll be back 🤣 can’t wait to read for fun

saraleigh2 · October 2018

If you lean crunchy and want to try for “natural childbirth” and breastfeeding then I have read and highly recommend:
-The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding (the stories of early motherhood are relatable and the advice is spot on)
-If you intend to bedshare read Sweet Sleep or at a minimum research the ‘safe sleep 7’ outlined in this book but available at the LLL website.
-Birthing from within (a wonderful read during pregnancy with helpful artistic exercises to help you prepare for child birth and birthing in awareness, I think this one is helpful for everyone)
-Ina May’s guide to child birth (please keep in mind that the author was in her prime during the 70’s so hippy vocabulary is big in this book but the advice and information is still very relevant and much has been updated, the birth stories are truly inspiring!)

ashtuesday · October 2018

It's 4 AM and I stupidly misread @saraleigh2 's last suggestion as Ina GARTEN'S Guide to Child Birth. Simultaneously thought "Why does this exist?" and "IT IS SO GOOD THAT THIS EXISTS!"

saraleigh2 · October 2018

@ashtuesday bha ha ha ha!

laurainoakland · October 2018

I just read the Call the Midwives trilogy- the series the tv show was based on; and really enjoyed it. Even though it’s a memoir it reads a lot like fiction because of the fascinating characters and events. The times were harder then- so some of it is sad; but I found it made me feel grateful for some of the advances today (like contraception!).

laurainoakland · October 2018

Also just started reading First Man by James Hansen. Saw the movie last night and loved it so got the book and started reading right away!

sheknows6 · October 2018

Just finished "Small Animals: Parenthood in the Age of Fear" by Kim Brooks- very quick read and I couldn't put it down. Highly recommend.

mrs_nadinek · October 2018

I finished "Husband Coached Childbirth" by Dr. Bradley, and am currently reading "The Mama Natural - Week by Week Guide to Pregnancy and Children."

lin0442 · October 2018

Nthing the Mayo Clinic Guide to Pregnancy. What are people’s recommendations for a non-crunchy guide to natural/non-epidural birth? I’m thinking of (hopefully) taking advantage of my hospital’s offer of laughing gas over an epidural, but a lot of the crunchy/non-medical language of natural resources kind of puts me off.

Non-pregnancy, I recently I read the books in The Stormlight Archive series by Brandon Sanderson. If you’re looking for a fun, well-paced epic fantasy, these are a really good bet. They’re very long, but easy to read a short chapter or two at a time so it doesn’t feel like a huge commitment lol.

saraleigh2 · October 2018

The less crunchy ones I’ve read (in that I find the language to be a bit more technical) are: ‘orgasmic birth at guide to safe, satisfying birth experience’ and ‘birthing from within’
tho it’s not completely gone. I think that the ‘crunchy terminology’ sneaks in when either the experience of childbirth being described (many of these books include birth stories) or when the author finds clinical terminology lacking in describing the emotional experience or that the clinics terminology may give lay folks the wrong idea about what happening. For example contractions ( some people think of muscle contractions as painful, also something that gets smaller vs muscles pulling back the neck of the uterus and opening the cervix) so many books refer to this differently etc. Also the experience of being in active labor where time disappears and you are no longer actively thinking with your mind, between endorphins and the intensely of the situation many books refere to this as ‘labor land’.

This is might be a hard combo to find. I wish I could be more helpful!!! Ina May Gaskins guide to child birth is wonderful but the first half of the book are birth stories that use lots of hippy language, the second half is much more technical/clinical. Perhaps read the second half first then consider the birth stories in that context or skip them... I personally love the birth stories but I can see how the way it’s presented may not be for everyone. Take what you need and leave the rest; also be open minded. You may not be able to forecast what will work for you in labor -have as many tools as possible to take with you.

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