Good reads during pregnancy

[leahmn12]

Anybody have any favorite books that they would recommend to read during pregnancy? I'm not talking about pregnancy and childbirth books here, but rather, books to induce a healthy (read: calm, confident, inspired) state of mind. During my last pregnancy I re-read The Red Tent. It was the perfect salve to ease my hormonally-induced anxious mind. Right now I'm reading Mutant Message from Forever, which has a wonderful message, but there's too much tragedy in it for me to deal with right now. Any ideas?

[RedOakMomma]

I find classics from my early years to be really, really soothing. Last pregnancy I re-read all my favorites: A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, To Kill a Mockingbird, the whole Anne of Green Gables Series. I'm not sure if I was drawn to stories told from a child's point of view of what, but they were wonderful to read again.

During our adoption wait, I was drawn to Jane Austen and all of her books.

What's pulling you?

[AmyKT]

I started reading the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency series by Alexander McCall Smith during my first pregnancy, and it was wonderful and soothing and funny and endearing. It's set in Botswana, and the characters are so genuine and warm.

[JessieBird]

Originally Posted by AmyKT

I started reading the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency series by Alexander McCall Smith during my first pregnancy, and it was wonderful and soothing and funny and endearing. It's set in Botswana, and the characters are so genuine and warm.

These are fantastic. Not my ususal fare at all but one was given to me after DS was born and I plowed through them as I sat on the couch nursing hour after hour after hour. The main character is very strong and no-nonsense. Some of the themes in the books are pretty dark but there is still a laugh on every page and that balance is wonderful for making you believe there is hope for this world after all.

Maybe not what you need right now but when I was pregnant with DS, I obsessed over the birth stories in the first half of Ina May's Guide to Childbirth. They were all the prep I needed.

[St. Margaret]

I second Smith's Africa books, and Jane Austen. I read all of Austen while my grandmother was dying and it was sooo soothing and reassuring. Smith while I moved away from home the first time-- same calming effect.

Barbara Kingsolver I think is great for pregnancy/postpartum, too. I'm saving a couple of her older books for that time. Ficition and nonfiction.

[mom2threenurslings]

I find myself reading "Mother Earth Father Sky" and the rest in the series by Sue Harrison, the Jean Auel books ... and young adult fiction by Celia Rees (strong female characters).

[leahmn12]

Thanks ladies! I've got nine eight months to read your suggestions. I like the idea of reading older classics. I've been meaning to re-read Mockingbird, thanks for the reminder. I did just read A Tree Grows in Brooklyn recently, and I was in love with it. There's something so soothing about reading stories from more "innocent" times that are still relevant in our contemporary lives. I'll also check out some Austen, the #1 series, Mother Earth Father Sky, and the others recommended. Birth stories will most certainly be on the docket as things progress. Great ideas!