123: 19 new books on motherhood & family
Guides to healthier homes & more rights at work; novels to get swept up in; poetry to punctuate this season of parenting; explorations of motherhood & matrescence...and much more.
Welcome to Two Truths—a best-selling newsletter by health journalist Cassie Shortsleeve and Motherspeak creator Kelsey Haywood Lucas. Two Truths explores the many facets of maternal health and living well in today’s world. It’s been named a “best parenting Substack” by Motherly, recommended by The Skimm, and featured in Today, Fast Company, The Bump & more.
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Today’s letter is written by Kelsey Haywood Lucas.
When I fell back in love with books a few years ago—reading as a hobby, aka purely for my personal enjoyment, for the first time since entering motherhood—I read over 100 books in the course of a single year; in 2025, I managed 55. (Here’s exactly how I did it and continue to do it, although not always at that initial intensity.)
2026 is off to a slightly slower start—I blame the news cycle—but my shelves, my book tote, and my #tbr (aka “to be read”) list are filled with titles I’m excited to tell you about.
Ahead you’ll find fascinating non-fiction covering everything from healthier homes to parental rights at work; a sweeping history of motherhood, plus essential examinations of postpartum and matrescence. There’s poetry that reminds us to look for the joy and the beauty in every experience; and there’s fiction so captivating and compulsory, you might just forget to check your notifications for a few hours.
But first, here’s a quick peek at what’s been happening lately:
All subscribers… learned how Cassie is balancing big-picture health headlines with the hum of everyday life (including four recent reports on women’s health, plus winter must-haves for kids and grown-ups), and received our deep dive on gestational diabetes (including what you might need to do next). Plus, Kelsey shared details on the foot product for cracked heels she was almost embarrassed to talk about…and a grown-up tote for kids that’s perfect for carrying books and art supplies.
Paid subscribers… got a look behind some of the biggest headlines in women’s and maternal health, got access to the seven journaling techniques Kelsey uses for memory-keeping in motherhood, and got links to soups for sick days, keep-the-stomach-bug-away probiotics and more.
Special thanks to our sponsors:
Ritual, a female-founded traceable supplement company. Ritual’s support recently unlocked our deep dive on gestational diabetes; click here to read it and stay tuned for more from the Two Truths x Ritual Reporting Grant. 📰
Bobbie, a mom-founded infant formula company that our co-founder Cassie has used to feed her babies and was one of Two Truths’ first partners. Click here for learnings from Bobbie’s recent study on combo feeding. ❤️
What I’m reading now & next
Ahead, a non-exhaustive list of (mostly) motherhood-adjacent titles on my radar—including current reads I’m loving & highly anticipated titles coming soon.
Non-fiction
As we all hit peak digital overwhelm, I’m endorsing a return to well-researched, beautifully narrated non-fiction. In search of interesting info and advice—without having to doomscroll to find it? Start here…
I loved Cleaning House: The Fight to Rid Our Homes of Toxic Chemicals (out now) so much that I recently interviewed its author, advocate Lindsay Dahl, for this newsletter. Our full conversation—part essential information, part therapy session—will be coming to subscriber inboxes soon. [Amazon | Bookshop]
In Four Mothers: An Intimate Journey Through the First Year of Parenthood in Four Countries (out now), Abigail Leonard weaves a deeply personal, page-turning narrative following the postpartum journeys of four real women from Finland, Japan, the U.S., and Kenya. Eve Rodsky says it’s “eye-opening and cathartic…a love letter to parents and a clarion call for better policy.” [Amazon | Bookshop]
Bottle Service (out now) is an empowering, educational, and judgment-free guide to formula feeding from @theformulamom, as you might know her on Instagram—aka infant feeding technician and Bobbie education lead Mallory Whitmore. [Amazon | Bookshop]
Moms in Labor: An Employment Lawyer’s Secrets to Protect Your Baby and Your Career (That HR Won’t Tell You) is out today from our friend and colleague Daphne Delvaux, Esq.—the fierce advocate known for sharing essential, often family-focused legal breakdowns as @themamattorney. Her guide empowers parents with scripts and easy-to-digest breakdowns to advocate like a lawyer on everything from negotiating leave to securing more flexibility. A must-read for every parent in the workforce. [Amazon | Bookshop]
In A Woman’s Work: Reclaiming the Radical History of Mothering (out March 17), British historian Elinor Cleghorn (author of Unwell) offers a narrative history that traces motherhood and mothering from ancient times through present day, “showcasing the mothers, othermothers, midwives, activists, community leaders, and more who have shaped the course of history.” [Amazon | Bookshop]
Ready to let go of impossible parenting standards? The Myth of the Perfect Mom (out April 7) is an invitation to embrace a more joyful, authentic postpartum from Erin Schlozman (who you might know as @4th.trimester.wellness). Consider it required reading for new moms and dads alike. [Amazon | Bookshop]
You may have read thoughtful reflections and reminders from “The Tired Dad” on Instagram; soon, Jon Gustin will share his wisdom in The Tired Dad: 100 Reflections On Showing Up for What Matters Most (out May 5). Keep an eye out for our interview with Gustin coming this spring. [Amazon | Bookshop]
Poetry
Because few things nourish my soul like a poem that rips my heart out and pieces it back together…
The official description of Elise Powers’s debut collection, The Size of Your Joy (out April 21), will tell you that it’s “for every woman who’s ever held joy and sorrow in the same breath,” but I will tell you what I told Elise—unofficially—when I wrote an early review of her book: “screaming/crying/throwing up (complimentary). I’m truly in awe.” From the emotional gore of girlhood to the “series of soft failures, survived with love” that is early motherhood, Elise reminds us that we are never alone—not in our joy, and certainly not in our grief. Perfect for lovers of Kate Baer’s What Kind of Woman. [Amazon | Bookshop]
For slowing down, noticing more, celebrating seasons, and honoring the passing of time—check out Quietly Wild: Poems, Photographs, and Rituals to Mark the Seasons (out now) from Alix Klingenberg. [Amazon | Bookshop]
Can’t wait to get my copy of Jillian Stacia’s forthcoming collection Set the Bone (out May 1)—touching “motherhood and marriage, anger and tenderness, breaking cycles and claiming space.”
Fiction
Because I’ve found that my mental health is wildly improved when reading something I’m obsessed with…
Just finished Lightbreakers (out now) by Aja Gabel—you might have caught it in this list—and…wow. It’s a book about time travel that is actually a book about child loss and partnership and grief and nostalgia and healing. [Amazon | Bookshop]
Yesteryear (out April 7) from Caro Claire Burke follows a mega-popular influencer who flaunts her pioneer-inspired lifestyle as a beautiful mother of six…but suddenly awakens in the brutal reality of 1855. [Amazon | Bookshop]
» Related: If you want more tradwife reads, check out Everyone Is Lying To You, Jo Piazza’s hit thriller from last summer that explores the dark side of social media.
I’m steeling myself for the emotional devastation of Hamnet (Maggie O’Farrell’s acclaimed novel) before watching the Oscar-nominated film adaptation (out now), which center on William Shakespeare and his wife as they grapple with the loss of their young son. I’m told to bring tissues. [Amazon | Bookshop]
I love a dual POV when it comes to romance; No One You Know (out now) employs the structure in a mother-daughter narrative. Kate is a realtor/momfluencer in the Hudson Valley; her teenage daughter, Indie, is searching for meaning in the aftermath of a friend’s death. The story uncovers unsettling truths about marriage, motherhood, and the stories we tell ourselves to survive. [Amazon | Bookshop]
Sending a special shout-out to the ladies of my neighborhood book club, who recently welcomed me into their group with open arms. Our schedule for the next few months includes a few reads that aren’t exactly new so much as new-to-me—and acclaimed by many. (Translation: These are all bangrs!
I’m only a third of the way into Theo of Golden by Allen Levi—a tale that follows one man’s journey to reunite a wall of portraits with their subjects—but I’m already shedding tears over the compelling characters we meet along the way. [Amazon | Bookshop]
I’ve
readinhaled everything Charlotte McConaghy has written, but Wild Dark Shore—with all its promises of shocking twists and breathtaking love—is on track to top my list. It follows a father and his three children living on a remote island; when a huge storm hits, a mysterious woman washes ashore. [Amazon | Bookshop]I actually have no idea what The Correspondent by Virginia Evans is about—I just know it’s a woman’s life story told exclusively through letters, and many people I trust are saying it’s one of the best things they’ve ever read. [Amazon | Bookshop]
In Broken Country by Clare Leslie Hall, a love triangle unearths dangerous secrets from the past. It sounds tragic and gripping and is described as “a sweeping love story with the pace and twists of a thriller,” so sign me up. [Amazon | Bookshop]
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ICYMI: A few fun, bookish finds
Pretty paperclips, book protectors, antique-inspired Kindle cases, pen holders that spark joy, the ideal tote for a young reader/artist (or yourself), and more…
Tired of your book getting beat up in your bag? These clear
pencil casesbook protectors are currently trending in my algorithm.I’m also into fabric book totes like this and this (I remember my mom using one when I was little, and I’m bringing them back!).
I wish I needed a new Kindle case, because I would order this so fast—it looks like a beautiful, antique tome.
I’m obsessed with these clips for attaching a pen or highlighter to your book (an annotator’s dream!).
Related: These stone-embellished paper clips for bookmarking and journaling bring me so much joy.
My daughter is at the age where she wants to haul everything she loves everywhere she goes. Since most kids’ purses can’t carry her books, notebooks, art supplies and babydolls, we’re trying this cute canvas tote filled with pockets. (I added this bag charm, too.)
Want to make more time for reading?
Here’s exactly how I do it…
Recent reads…
📝 Seven journaling techniques I use for memory-collecting in motherhood
🕊 “I would have tried to drive away, too,” or solidarity in the wake of a tragedy
✨ Nostalgia in motherhood, plus: How to sleep better in every stage of parenthood
👶🏻 No more mom guilt, the push to breed super-babies & the gift of childfree friends
🧴 Easy kids’ snacks, $6 tees & the best sunscreen we’ve ever used
🤰🏽 The FDA met to discuss SSRIs in pregnancy; chaos & confusion ensued. Here’s what to know.
😴 “Sleep when the baby sleeps”: Maternal gaslighting or essential advice?
💭 Maternal desire: The missing element of mental health for mothers
😴 13 ways we’re making bedtime better
💯 How I read 100+ books in the last year as a work-from-home mom (part 2, free with no paywall!)
📚 18 brilliant books about motherhood & 25 questions to bring you closer to your mom
🤰🏽 70 affirmations to use in labor and birth
✨ Thanks for reading & thank you for supporting independent journalism that supports women and mothers. Hit the heart button to tell us you enjoyed this issue, share it on social media (don’t forget to tag @twotruthsmotherhood on IG), or forward it to a friend. We appreciate you. —Cassie and Kelsey
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Thank you for all the book recs! I was taking notes! 🤓📚
Just seeing this - thank you so so much ❤️❤️❤️