Books: the perfect gift for Mother’s day

My wonderful and much much-loved Mother has been dead for many years, but still when Mothers’ Day comes around, I wonder what I can buy her.

Recent research says forget the chocolates and flowers, the best way to a woman’s heart is a great book. Well, I won’t argue with that and Mum wouldn’t have either, although if a few chocolates happen to find their way into the book bag, they won’t go in the bin!

If you are among the 70% of Mums who say books are a great present, I’ve gone to the experts at Dymocks to learn their choices for our presents, or for us to give our Mums. Here is a list to go on the fridge for your kids to see when they visit or for Dad to pass on for you. For those like me without children, these are some suggestions for us to buy ourselves.

According to our friends at Dymocks, topping the list this Mother’s Day are The Good Life from sister team Sally Obermeder and Maha Koraiem and One with You, the final seductive chapter in Sylvia Day’s best-selling saga. (Karen Jones is reviewing this in May so watch this space.)

Alexandra Hammond, National Category Manager for Dymocks, says “Fiction is always a popular gift for mum and we predict The Beekeeper’s Secret by Josephine Moon and Return to the Little Shop of Kabul by Deborah Rodriguez will fly off the shelves this Mother’s Day. Mums also love a new cookbook and celebrity chefs have dished up some tasty treats with One Pot Favourites by Pete Evans, Dinner with Justine by Justine Schofield and It’s All Easy by Gwyneth Paltrow offering recipes to remember.“

Ms. Hammond said there is a lot of buzz around new fiction this Mother’s Day. “Eligible by Curtis Sittenfeld, is a modern, clever re-telling of old fashioned favourite Pride and Prejudice. mums will devour.”

“Stories set in romantic places are always a winner and two new novels – The Lover’s Guide to Rome by Mark Lamprell and Paris is Always a Good Idea by Nicola Berreau – offer passionate and magical tales set against a dreamy European backdrop,“ said Ms. Hammond.

While cookbooks and fiction titles have remained favourites amongst Dymocks Booklovers, it is anticipated that biographies will also be popular gifts for Mother’s Day this year.

“We predict Life as I Know It, the awe-inspiring journey of one woman’s journey to the top of a man’s game by Melbourne Cup winner Michelle Payne, will be popular. The remarkable memoir, How (Not) to Start an Orphanage by Tara Winkler follows the Young Australian of the Year’s mission to provide 14 impoverished Cambodian orphans with a new life.”

“Although these categories remain favourites, our knowledgeable and well-read staff can provide recommendations across all genres to suit every type of mum,” continued Ms. Hammond.”

Oh how I wish I hadn’t started this article – as if my “To Read” isn’t long enough, it is about to increase with Eligible, Life as I know it and How (Not) to Start an Orphanage – there would be more except I already have quite a few of the above.  

Best of the Best! (Dymocks Top 10 Recommendations across all genres):

1. The Good Life, Sally Obermeder and Maha Koraiem
2. One With You, Silvia Day
3. Life As I Know It, Michelle Payne
4. The Last Mile, David Baldacci
5. Eligible, Curtis Sittenfeld
6. Beyond Belief, Hugh Mackay
7. One Pot Favourites, Pete Evans
8. Fool Me Once, Harlan Coben
9. The Obsession, Nora Roberts
10. Return to the Little Shop of Kabul, Deborah Rodriguez

New Fiction:

1. The Obsession, Nora Roberts
2. One With You, Silvia Day
3. Eligible, Curtis Sittenfeld
4. Return to the Little Shop of Kabul, Deborah Rodriguez
5. Hitman Anders and the Meaning of it All, Jonas Jonasson
6. The Beekeeper’s Secret, Josephine Moon

 Cooking:

1. The Good Life, Sally Obermeder and Maha Koraiem
2. One Pot Favourites, Pete Evans
3. It’s All Easy, Gwyneth Paltrow
4. Australia Cooks, Kelli Brett
5. Dinner with Justine, Justine Schofield

Biographies:

1. Life as I Know It, Michelle Payne
2. Yassmin’s Story, Yassmin Abdel-Magied
3. How I Met Your Father, Aminah Hart
4. How Not to Start an Orphanage, Tara Winkler
5. A Sunburnt Country, Toni Tapp Coutts

Crime/Thrillers:

1. The Last Mile, David Baldacci
2. Fool Me Once, Harlan Coben
3. The Obsession, Nora Roberts
4. The Steel Kiss, Jeffery Deaver
5. The Waters of Eternal Youth, Donna Leon

Motivation/Inspiration:

1. Beyond Belief, Hugh Mackay
2. The Longevity Book, Cameron Diaz
3. True to You, Kyly Clarke
4. Penguin Bloom, Cameron Bloom
5. Mindfulness for Mothers

All these titles are currently available online from Dymocks.