The Mothers

By Brit Bennett,

Book cover of The Mothers

Book description

From the Sunday Times bestselling author of The Vanishing Half.

The Mothers is a dazzling debut about young love, a big secret in a small community and the moments that haunt us most.

All good secrets have a taste before you tell them, and if we'd taken a moment to…

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Why read it?

4 authors picked The Mothers as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

Brit Bennett writes with a steady hand as she immerses us into the minds and lives of three people. Nadia and Aubrey are haunted to womanhood by maternal abandonment. They are friends as well as rivals for the affection of the same man. Luke would have made a mother out of Nadia had they chosen to parent, and he eventually makes a wife and mother of Aubrey. His mother is the first lady of the church that plays a prominent role in their lives. The mothers in Bennett's exceptional novel are hurt and betrayed by callous men and by each…

From Roy's list on Black family dynamics.

In a certain light, Nadia Turner has much to apologize for. Pain, grief, and alienation throb in the background of some of her teenage decisions, which are rife with consequences that ripple through generations. Though various characters try to shame Nadia, box her in, and wield their judgment, they don’t quench her spirit as she forges ahead–imperfectly, messily–to find her way and finally break free of secrets and the sickness they bring. The way The Mothers collectively narrate sections of this story makes clear how the actions of individuals reverberate in a community, for better or worse.

From Kristina's list on unapologetic women.

A young couple of star-crossed lovers: the son of the minister, and the daughter of a woman who committed suicide. And at the helm of their relationship is the church community, steering their path. This book brings up a lot of questions of who gets a say, and who is worthy, all brought to you by Bennet’s gorgeous writing.

From Jeni's list on secrecy and denial.

The Birthright of Sons: Stories

By Jefferey Spivey,

Book cover of The Birthright of Sons: Stories

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Jefferey Spivey Author Of The Birthright of Sons: Stories

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Why am I passionate about this?

Author

Jefferey's 3 favorite reads in 2024

What is my book about?

The Birthright of Sons is a collection of stories centered around the experiences of marginalized people, namely Black and LGBTQ+ men. Although the stories borrow elements from various genres (horror, suspense, romance, magical realism, etc.), they are linked by an exploration of identity and the ways personhood is shaped through interactions with the people, places, and belief systems around us.

In each of these stories, the protagonists grapple with their understanding of who they are, who and how they love, and what is ultimately most important to them. In almost every case, however, the quest to know or protect oneself…

The Birthright of Sons: Stories

By Jefferey Spivey,

What is this book about?

The Birthright of Sons is a collection of stories centered around the experiences of marginalized people, namely Black and LGBTQ+ men. Though the stories borrow elements from various genres (horror, suspense, romance, magical realism, etc.), they're linked by an exploration of identity and the ways personhood is shaped through interactions with the people, places, and belief systems around us.

Underpinning the project is a core belief - self-definition is fluid, but conflict arises because society often fails to keep pace with personal evolution. In each of these stories, the protagonists grapple with their understanding of who they are, who and…


In The Mothers, Nadia is seventeen, pregnant, and closely scrutinized by the church women of her community. The novel focuses less on the pregnancy and more on the repercussions of it as Nadia and those involved grow older. The many layers of this book—mothers, daughters, infertility, suicide, secrets—made it one I wanted to read in one sitting. The writing is incandescent, with a gorgeous melody to the sentences. This book stayed with me; long after the last page, I was still lost in the story.

From Jennifer's list on unplanned pregnancy.

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