15 books to read this year, as recommended by mums

Is your new year’s resolution to read more in 2018? I used to be such a bookworm before I had children – I was in a book club and everything. However that all went to pot when I became a mum. With three young children and being self-employed, I really struggled to find time to read for a few years. But over the last year or so I’ve really started to get more literature back in my life and am looking forward to discovering some new books in 2018. I asked my parent blogger friends for their recommendations plus there’s a couple of my own.

Have you read any good books recently? I’d love to hear your recommendations either in the comments section below, on the Cardiff Mummy Says Facebook page or by tweeting me on @cardiffmummy

You might also like this article: 16 books to read this summer as recommended by mums

If you like the sound of any of these books then the links to buy them are at the end of the article *contains affiliate links 

Nobody Told Me: Poetry and Parenthood by Hollie McNish

As recommended by Hannah a mum of one toddler from Belfast. She blogs at http://hibabyblog.co.uk

“It’s pretty timeless and a must-read for new mums in my opinion. It’s a memoir really, of Hollie’s pregnancy and first two years of parenthood scattered with her poems. She articulates the highs and lows of having a child so well it could be a novel. I feel like so many of our experiences during that stage in life are very universal – a great unifier. It’s really uplifting but doesn’t shy away from talking about the difficult stuff.”

Tips for Living by Renee Shafranksky

As recommended by Emily a mum of five-year-old twins from Cardiff. She blogs at www.twinmummyanddaddy.com

“Tips for Living is about a woman named Nora who discovers that her husband had an affair and got another woman pregnant. Nora moved from the area only to find that her ex-husband and pregnant mistress later moved to the same area, so Nora keeps bumping into them. Nora gets a new job and things are looking up, until her ex-husband and his new wife, the pregnant mistress, are shot to death in their home, and Nora can’t account for the night of the murder. She openly admits she fantasies about killing them to her shrink, but now she’s the prime suspect in the crime.” (Published as an e-book on 1st February) 

Leaving Time by Jodi Picoult

As recommended by Amy, a mum of two aged 6 and 3, from Surrey. She blogs at www.allaboutamummy.co.uk

The book captures the bond between a mother and a daughter perfectly while keeping a clever twist a surprise until the very end. The writing style also flows beautifully. You don’t feel like you are reading, more floating alongside the characters. It’s an excellent read.

Small Great Things by Jodi Picoult / Keep You Safe by Melissa Hill

As recommended by Jenni, mum of one age 2 from Lancashire. She blogs at https://chillingwithlucas.com

“I would recommend Small Great Things by Jodi Picoult which explores issues around race and prejudice and Keep You Safe by Melissa Hill which explores issues and consequences of childhood vaccinations. They are both incredible stories, highlighting important issues in interesting stories making them easy to read and enjoyable.”

Friend Request by Laura Marshall

As recommended by Vikki mum of two age 11 and 6 from Kent who blogs at www.familytravelwithellie.com

It’s a twisty, physiological thriller with a modern theme. It’s easy to read, thought provoking, and had plenty of excitement to keep me gripped until the end!

The Power by Naomi Alderman

As recommended by Naomi, mum of two age 5 and 2. She who blogs at https://theorganisedlifeproject.com

“It’s a feminist dystopia – described as The Handmaid’s Tale meets The Hunger Games and has won the Bailey’s Prize for Women’s fiction. It’s the kind of novel which makes you think – and I’m definitely ready for that after a few too many chick-lit novels! It’s part science fiction and part feminist dystopia.”

Naomi helps run the Bookish Mamas Book Group and The Power is the choice for January.

Final Girls by Riley Sager

As recommended by Vicki, mum of two age 3 and 1, from near Wrexham. She blogs at Www.tippytupps.com

This is perfect for anyone who loves a strong woman lead. It’s a thriller that keeps you guessing until the very end. It’s about the sole survivors of three separate killing sprees – Lisa, Sam and Quincy – linked by their shared trauma. The media calls them the Final Girls. But then one of them dies in mysterious circumstances…

Read more about Vicki’s book challenge for 2018 here.

Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman

As recommended by Rachel Murray, mum of two, from Cumbria. She blogs at https://thedaisypages.com

“It’s rare that I’ll make space in my day to read, and to look forward to that – but I did for this book. It contains moments of deep sadness at times, and at others it’s just laugh out loud funny. It’s one woman’s journey, and recovery, from a difficult time in her life. I don’t want to say more, to give it away, but the writing style and characters are written with warmth. By the end of the book, I was rooting for Eleanor and I can’t wait to read another novel from this new author.”

Eyes To The Wind by Catherine Wiltcher

As recommended by Catherine Wiltcher, mum of two aged 6 and 4, from near Bath. She blogs at www.kidsversuscopy.com

“This is a bit of an alternative offer here but I actually write romance books and I wrote my latest whilst undergoing chemo for bowel cancer. I turned down the usual publishers because I wanted to self-publish it myself and raise money for Bowel Cancer UK. It’s out now on Amazon. It’s not total tripe – honest! It was shortlisted for a romance book award!”

Two Kinds of Truth by Michael Connolly

As recommended by Jen Dixon, mum of two age 10 and 7, from Manchester. She blogs at http://www.mymummyspennies.com

“I love reading crime fiction. I really enjoyed it and ended up reading it in just two sittings! It brought back the relatable detective Harry Bosch and smoothly wove two storylines together in a fast paced story mixing in modern day issues.”

Can You Keep A Secret? by Karen Perry

As recommended by Carol, a mum of one from Lincolnshire. She blogs at https://virtuallyallsorts.com

“It’s a psychological thriller about a school reunion. I’m finding it very difficult to put it down!”

Billy & Me / Some Kind of Wonderful by Giovanna Fletcher

As recommended by Amelia, a mum of one age 2, from Somerset. She blogs at www.anothermummyblog.com

“I really enjoy Giovanna Fletcher’s books. They are really well written and I always feel like I know the characters so well by the end of the book.”

Vanishing Girls by Lisa Regan

As recommended by Nicola Parkinson, a mum of two age 13 and 3, from Bradford, West Yorkshire. She blogs at Www.ablogs-life.co.uk

“This book had me hooked. I finished it in two days it was that good. If you like your thrillers then this is a must read. I sack them off if no one dies in the first five chapters. I even tweeted the author at 2am with my jaw dropping reaction, which she found hilarious and apparently made her night.”

Have you read any good books recently? I’d love to hear your recommendations either in the comments section below, on the Cardiff Mummy Says Facebook page or by tweeting me on @cardiffmummy

You might also like this article: 16 books to read this summer as recommended by mums

If you like the sound of any of these books then the links to buy them are at the end of the article *contains affiliate links

*I am a member of Amazon Associates affiliate scheme and will receive a small fee if you make any orders via these links. It won’t affect the price you pay.