Infamous Mothers Must-Reads: 100+ Books for Women's HERstory Month
Writing HERstory
Introduction
In celebration of Women's HERstory Month, we've curated a compelling list of books that delve into the multifaceted experiences of Infamous Mothers—crafted by us, for us, or about us. This selection spans across a variety of genres, including fiction, nonfiction/memoir, feminist/women's studies, and sci-fi/fantasy, offering a rich tapestry of motherhood in its myriad forms.
It's important to note that what renders these stories "infamous" is their departure from conventional representations of motherhood as inherently "good" or traditional. These narratives challenge prevailing norms and showcase the complexity of mothering—the messiness, brokenness, and heroism often found within the same individual. Through these books, readers are invited to explore the nuanced reality of maternal life, where love, struggle, and resilience intersect in unexpected ways.
A mother breaking the mold
From speculative futures and magical realms where mothers navigate extraordinary challenges, to real-life stories of endurance and transformation, this list celebrates the indefatigable spirit of women through the prism of motherhood. These selections offer insights from diverse cultural and historical contexts, illuminating the struggles, joys, sacrifices, and triumphs of mothers across the globe and beyond.
As we honor Women's HERstory Month, let us immerse ourselves in these narratives to appreciate the pivotal role mothers play in shaping our individual stories and societal frameworks. This collection highlights our contributions, resilience, and profound influence on both personal and collective narratives, encouraging a deeper understanding of the intricate dynamics of motherhood that defy simplicity and uniformity.
Gaining freedom
Fiction
"Little Fires Everywhere" by Celeste Ng
"The Joy Luck Club" by Amy Tan
"To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee
"Sugar: A Novel" by Berniece L. McFadden
"The Darkest Child" by Delores Phillips
"Winter’s Bone" by Daniel Woodrell
"Ain’t Understandin’ Mellow" by Michelle Davis
"Push" by Sapphire
"Perfect Peace" by Daniel Black
"The God of Small Things" by Arundhati Roy
"So Long A Letter" by Miriam Ba
"How Stella Got Her Groove Back" by Terry McMillan
"Mrs. Dalloway" by Virginia Woolf
"Neecey’s Lullaby" by Cris Burks
"Annie John" by Jamaica Kincaid
"Beloved" by Toni Morrison
"The Bluest Eye" by Toni Morrison
"Sula" by Toni Morrison
"Corregidora" by Gayl Jones
"Sophie’s Choice" by William Styron
"The Street" by Ann Petry
"Something Like Beautiful: One Single Mother’s Story" by Asha Bandele
"Wench" by Dolen Perkins-Valdez
"The Farming of Bones" by Edwidge Danticat
"Mama" by Terry McMillan
"God Don’t Like Ugly" by Mary Monroe
"The Book of Night Women" by Marlon James
"The Color Purple" by Alice Walker
"Maud Martha" by Gwendolyn Brooks
"The Coldest Winter Ever" by Sister Souljah
"Single Mom" by Omar Tyree
"The Secret Life of Bees" by Sue Monk Kidd
“Black Girls Must Die Exhausted” by Jayne Allen
“The Twelve Tribes of Hattie” by Ayana Mathis
"Red at the Bone" by Jacqueline Woodson
"The Mothers" by Brit Bennett
"Girl, Woman, Other" by Bernardine Evaristo
"Mama Day" by Gloria Naylor
“The Book of Night Women” by Marlon James
“Someone Knows My Name” by Lawrence Hill
"Sing, Unburied, Sing" by Jesmyn Ward
“Quicksand” by Nella Larsen
“The House of Eve” by Sadeqa Johnson
“Just As I Am” by Cicely Tyson
Women, books and wine
Nonfiction/Memoir
"Life Will Be the Death of Me:...And You Too!" by Chelsea Handler
"Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl" by Harriet Jacobs
"Infamous Mothers: Women Who’ve Gone through the Belly of Hell and Brought Something Back” by Sagashus Levingston
"No Disrespect" by Sister Souljah
"Running a Thousand Miles for Freedom: Or, The Escape of William and Ellen Craft from Slavery" by William and Ellen Craft
“Worthy” by Jada Pinkett Smith
“Walk through Fire: A Memoir of Love, Loss and Triumph” by Sheila Johnson
“Around the Way Girl: A Memoir” by Taraji P. Henson
“We're Going to Need More Wine: Stories That Are Funny, Complicated, and True” by Gabrielle Union
"The Mother of Black Hollywood: A Memoir" by Jenifer Lewis
“Finding Me” by Viola Davis
“My Life in Full” by Indra Nooyi
“Be Fearless” by Jean Case
“Year of Yes” by Shonda Rhimes
“PHD to PhD: How Education Saved My Life” by Elaine Richardson
“We Shoud All Be Millionaires” by Rachel Rogers
“Please” by Black Girl Bliss
“The Body Is Not an Apology” by Sonya Renee Taylor
“Dreaming in Spanish: An Unexpected Love Story” by Sara Alvarado
“Mama Sutra: Love and Lovemaking Advice to My Son” by Natasha Ria El-Scari
“Unapologetically Ambitious: Take Risks, Break Barriers, and Create Success on Your Own Terms” by Shellye Archambeau
“Black Woman Millionaire - Hot Mess Edition: An Insurrection of Personal Power as Profit” by Dr. Venus Opal Reese
“Where You Are Is Not Who You Are: A Memoir” by Ursula Burns
A garden of gifts
Feminist/Women’s Studies
"The Joys of Motherhood" by Buchi Emechete
"’Abortions’ and other poems" by Gwendolyn Brooks
"Mothers and Other Monster Stories" by Maureen McHugh
"I Stand Here Ironing” by Tillie Olson
"Mama’s Baby, Papa’s Maybe” by Hortense Spillers
"Of Woman Born: Motherhood as Experience and Institution" by Adrienne Rich
"Myths of Motherhood: How Culture Reinvents the Good Mother" by Shari Thurer
"Mother Reader: Essential Readings on Motherhood" by Moyra Davey
"Maternal Theory: Essential Readings" by Andrea O’Reilly
"The Mermaid and the Minotaur" by Dorothy Dinnerstein
"Changes" by Ama Ata Aidoo
"Black Feminist Thought" by Patricia Hill Collins
"Womanhood a Vital Element" by Anna Julia Cooper
"Feminism Is for Everybody" by bell hooks
"In Search of Our Mothers' Gardens" by Alice Walker
"The Coupling Convention" by Ann Ducille
“Moms Gone Mad: Motherhood and Madness, Oppression and Resistance” by Gina Wong
“Mothering in Hip-Hop Culture: Representation and Experience” edited by Maki Motapanyane
“Home Girls Make Some Noise: Hip Hop Feminism Anthology” edited by Gwendolyn D. Pough, Elaine Richardson, Aisha Durham and Rachel Raimist
“When Chickenheads Come Home to Roost” by Joan Morgan
“Reclaiming Our Space” by Feminista Jones
“Sister Outsider” by Audre Lorde
“Killing the Black Body” by Dorothy Roberts
“Rest Is Resistance: A Manifesto” by Tricia Hersey
“Mother Outlaws: Theories and Practices of Empowered Mothering” by Andrea O’Reilly (Editor)
One representation of Doro and Anyanwu
Sci-Fi/Fantasy
"Wild Seed" by Octavia Butler
"Harry Potter Series" by J.K. Rowling
"Brown Girl in the Ring" by Nalo Hopkinson
"Anywhere But Here" by Mona Simpson
"Kindred" by Octavia E. Butler
"Who Fears Death" by Nnedi Okorafor
"The Broken Earth" trilogy by N.K. Jemisin
"My Soul to Keep" by Tananarive Due
"Everfair" by Nisi Shawl
"The Year of the Flood" by Margaret Atwood
"Dawn" by Octavia E. Butler
"The Space Between Worlds" by Micaiah Johnson
"Adulthood Rites" by Octavia E. Butler
“Children of Blood and Bone" by Tomi Adeyemi
Conclusion
As we journey through these narratives during Women's History Month, let us remember that the stories of Infamous Mothers are not just tales to be read and forgotten. They are powerful reflections of the multifaceted nature of motherhood and womanhood. These 100 books offer us windows into the lives of women who defy expectations, who navigate the complexities of life with courage and resilience, and who remind us of the strength and vulnerability inherent in being a mother. From the speculative realms of sci-fi/fantasy to the poignant truths found in nonfiction and memoirs, from the rich landscapes of feminist and women's studies to the intimate stories of fiction, each book invites us to recognize, celebrate, and critically engage with the diverse experiences of mothers around the world.
By highlighting these narratives, we not only honor the contributions of women throughout history but also inspire ongoing conversations about the roles, challenges, and triumphs of mothers in our societies. Let these books serve as a beacon for readers seeking to understand the complexities of motherhood, the strength of women, and the profound impact that Infamous Mothers have on our lives and our world.
P.S. — It’s Covet Season
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Photo Credit: Chris Charles
ABOUT THE BLOGGER
Dr. Sagashus Levingston is an author, entrepreneur and PhD holder. She has two fur babies, Maya and Gracie, six children (three boys and three girls), and they all (including her partner) live in Madison, WI. She loves all things business, is committed to reminding moms of their power, and is dedicated to playing her part in closing the wealth gap for people of color and women. She believes that mothering is a practice, like yoga, and she fights daily to manage her chocolate intake. The struggle is real, y’all…and sometimes it’s beautiful.
Follow her on Instagram: @infamous.mothers