As a writer and book-lover, I spend hours wandering the aisles of the used bookstore down my street, perusing Goodreads, and even scrolling Amazon, weighing what book belongs between my fingers next with the same scrutinizing spirit I approach a showcase of flaky French macaroons. (FYI: The best one, no matter the bakery, is always pistachio. At the very least, save pistachio for last.) Meanwhile, strategic mass marketers have interrupted my organic book hunt, filling my laptop screen’s adspace with, “If you liked _____, then you must read_____!” But often the big-brother-robots don’t know me better than I know me, and I’m left with a stack of more misses than hits.
And if there’s ever an era of your life you’d like to avoid investing money and time on something that proves fruitless, it’s during pregnancy. There’s just too much to do. Too much to research. Too much to buy. Too much to plan. (Too much to already wear you down and piss you off.)
Ever the school girl type, during my first tri, I flew through What to Expect When You’re Expecting, The Healthy Pregnancy Book, and a random (spider-webby) prenatal medical textbook I found in a box in our basement. Soon after this read-a-thon, I grabbed lunch with some pals, and discovered that those pregnancy books (and ones like them) freak out A LOT of women. Also, admittedly, they’re dry, technical, and (dare I say) humorless.
In an effort to shed light on some less traditional, less earnest, less official pregnancy texts, I give you these great reads. Check ’em out, laugh, relate, then pass them along to a friend.
More for Pregnant Moms:
- Creative Ways to Tell Your Husband You’re Pregnant
- Celebrity Pregnancy Announcements We Love
- Baby Shower Games That Don’t Suck
4 Pregnancy Books That Won't Terrify You (+ 1 for Your Post-Baby Marriage)
-
From the Hips: A Comprehensive, Open-Minded, Uncensored, Totally Honest Guide to Pregnancy, Birth, and Becoming a Parent
As if that awesome subtitle doesn't say it all...! From the Hips provides straight-shooting, judgement-free advice from hundreds of parents, doctors, midwives, and more to help tackle the major (and many minor) pregnancy and prenatal decisions, including: work/life options, what not to eat, postpartum emotions, and prenatal testing.
Photo: Three Rivers Press
-
The Girlfriends' Guide to Pregnancy
Vicki Iovine, a prolific author, columnist, and mother of four, provides tribal and anecdotal wisdom from women of all different walks of life, with great candor and humor in the first book in her 'girlfriends' series.
Photo: Amazon
-
From Pea to Pumpkin: A Pregnancy Journal
Many mothers-to-be crack open a fresh journal to commemorate different milestones in their pregnancies -- only to find, soon after "entry one," that they're unsure what's really record-worthy. Because this journal is specially designed for pregnancy, it provides a rich array of easy fill-in questions and charming illustrations, so journaling feels fun, never like a chore. (And, this author has another journal coming out April 1 for after baby is born -- From Pea to Pumpkin: A Baby Journal!)
Photo: Source Books
-
Great with Child
With a keen wit, great heart, and not a shred of sentimentality, Beth Ann Fennelly writes to a newly pregnant friend, illuminating on what's to come in specific and sisterly ways. This is an especially fantastic read to share with a friend.
Photo: Amazon
-
Babyproofing Your Marriage
For most, welcoming a baby into your family, your hearts, and your home is an undeniably joyful and undeniably stress-producing major life change. Compiled by three "Babyproofing experts" (regular women who set out to maintain a happy marriage while becoming first-time mommies), Babyproofing Your Marriage diagnoses and remedies the most common relationship pitfalls of first time parents.
Photo: Amazon
