We’ve curated a list of books on motherhood, heroines, girlhood, and female anatomy through memoirs, poetry, novels, non-fiction, and children’s books to read with little ones. This list is an ode to mothers, grandmothers, and the strong women in our lives. Whether you’re wanting to find a thrilling memoir, a comedic novel on the realities of motherhood, a guide through postpartum depression, or a journey through the season of one’s life we’ve got you covered. Pick a book for yourself or the perfect Mother’s Day gift.
Memoirs
Wilderness Mother (30th Anniversary Edition): A Memoir of 13 Years Off the Grid by Deanna Barnhardt Kawatski (Ronsdale Press)
Revised and updated 30th anniversary edition of the wilderness classic of raising a young family in the remote wilds of northern Canada.
Out now
The Mother: A Graphic Memoir by Rachel Deutsch (Douglas & McIntyre)
A raw and honest, harrowing and humorous journey into the dualities of modern motherhood in graphic memoir form.
Out now
Bloom: Letters on Girlhood by Nicole Breit and Claire Sicherman (Caitlin Press)
Bloom: Letters on Girlhood is a candid memoir-in-letters in which Claire and Nicole explore the awkwardness and confusion of adolescence, delving into everything from periods, first bras and body hair to desire, sexuality and consent. As they reflect on their silent struggles as girls, women, and mothers from the perspective of mid-life, the true impact of patriarchy and misogyny on their lives becomes increasingly apparent.
Out now
Afterlight: In Search Of Poetry, History, And Home by Isa Milman (Heritage House Publishing)
A haunting memoir of war, genocide, displacement, and a daughter’s search for the literary works of her mother’s murdered twin.
Out now
Outspoken: A Journey from Olympic Athlete to Activist by Betty Baxter (NIghtwood Editions)
An Olympian recounts her experiences as a young gay athlete and coach in the 70s and 80s, turning discrimination into celebration.
Out now
Poetry
Pearl by George Bowering (Talonbooks)
Pearl centres around a promise Bowering made to himself that one day he would write a poem about his mother, Pearl Bowering–a hillbilly, athlete, and champion bridge player. This promised poem anchors a book about the grit of life and what poetry can make from it. Touching, ribald, and cheeky, Pearl reflects on a life well-lived and well-written.
Out now
The Fifth Season by Cori Howard (Caitlin Press)
In The Fifth Season, award-winning journalist, essayist and poet Cori Howard explores the seasons of a woman’s life, from marriage and motherhood to divorce, what she aptly names “disaster dating” and reinvention. Through the arc of midlife, these poems offer a map back to the self and a return to longing and new freedoms.
Out now
Nonfiction
Bloomsbury to Barkerville: The Life of Florence Wilson by Marion Mckinnon Crook (Heritage House Publishing)
From the literary circles of Charles Dickens to gold-rush saloons in the Cariboo, this remarkable true story chronicles the fascinating life and intrepid spirit of Florence Wilson (1823–1902).
Out now
Pear-Shaped: The Life Story of Your Uterus by Marlies Bongers and Corien van Zweden, translated by Alice Tetley-Paul (Greystone Books)
It gives life to humankind, billions of people have one, and yet the uterus is still mysterious to many. And talking about it can feel taboo. But when you don’t talk about it, you don’t discover what’s normal and what’s not—or what questions to ask at the doctor’s office. The reality? This versatile, pear-shaped organ is worthy of everyone’s attention. In Pear-Shaped, a gynecologist and a science communicator join forces to tell the life story of your uterus.
Out now
Beyond Blue: Stories of Heartbreak, Healing, and Hope in Postpartum Depression edited by Christina Myers, Oga Nwobosi (Caitlin Press)
A significant percentage of mothers experience depression, anxiety, or other psychological impacts that go well beyond the “baby blues.” For many, their postpartum depression goes undiagnosed, often due to embarrassment, lack of access to resources, and the stigma associated with trying to get help. Editors of Beyond Blue, Oga Nwobosi and Christina Myers met in a postpartum support group almost two decades ago. There, they found grief, joy, wisdom, and the lifelong connections that keep us afloat during the most difficult times.
Out now
Fiction
Most Grievous Fault by Meg Todd (Nightwood Editions)
A startling story of a young mother desperate to deny her complicity in intergenerational trauma.
Out now
Do It Yourself: A Novel by Emer O’Toole (Douglas & McIntyre)
A sharp, funny novel about a single mom who reinvents herself as a DIY influencer, only to find her online life dragging up old ghosts and sparking new chaos.
Coming September
Children’s Illustrated
Abalone Woman by Teoni Spathelfer (Heritage House Publishing)
Abalone Woman is the third book in the Little Wolf series, which presents themes of racism, trauma, and family unity through relatable, age-appropriate narratives. In this instalment, a vivid dream teaches Little Wolf about courage and acceptance of those who are different, and inspires her to show her daughters their classmates how to be proud of their diverse cultural backgrounds.
Out now
Hamburger Soup by Kelsey Fitzgerald, Samantha Beynon (Harbour Publishing)
A young Nisg̱a’a boy, Simgan, learns to cook hamburger soup and fry bread with Grandmother on a crisp fall day. As they gather ingredients, chop vegetables and stir the pot, Grandmother remembers coastal fishing trips and community with friends—blending Nisg̲a’a vocabulary into her stories of food, family, and tradition to create cultural memory and document everyday life.
Out now
To My Irniq: To My Son by Nadia Sammurtok, illustrated by Hsulynn Pang (Strong Nations Publishing)
This tenderly told follow-up to the acclaimed To My Panik: To My Daughter highlights the unique beauty of a mother-son bond. In this lovingly told book, a mother recounts for her son all the things she loves about him, connecting each attribute to an element of the Arctic landscape or Inuit traditional life.
Out now