Mothers

With classics like J.M. Barrie's Peter Pan and contemporary hits like Min Jin Lee's Pachinko, this collection gathers texts that grapple with the complex and archetypal role of the mother.

Kaikeyi

by Vaishnavi Patel

Publication year 2022

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Conflict, Gender Identity, Sexual Identity, Friendship, Mothers, Self Discovery, Community, Nation, War, Good & Evil, Justice, Power & Greed, Religion & Spirituality

Tags World History, Fantasy, Historical Fiction, Mythology, LGBTQ+, Indian Literature

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Kin

by Tayari Jones

Publication year 2026

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Mothers, Siblings, Conflict, Perseverance, Grief, Loneliness, Love, Memory, Femininity, Gender Identity, Race, Sexual Identity, Coming of Age, The Past, Place, Family, Friendship, Self Discovery, Social Class, Community, Education, Safety & Danger

Tags Relationships, African American Literature

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Krik? Krak!

by Edwidge Danticat

Publication year 1996

Genre Short Story Collection, Fiction

Themes Femininity, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Grief, Mothers, Family

Tags Historical Fiction, Survival Fiction, Gender & Feminism, Women`s Studies, Education, Education, Modern Classic Fiction

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La Linea

by Ann Jaramillo

Publication year 2006

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Family, Immigration, Teamwork, Siblings, Safety & Danger, Coming of Age, Mothers, Daughters & Sons, Fathers, Perseverance

Tags Realistic Fiction, Action & Adventure, Coming of Age, Immigration & Refugeeism, Education, Education, Historical Fiction, Arts & Culture

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Lavinia

by Ursula K. Le Guin

Publication year 2008

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Perseverance, Forgiveness, Grief, Hate & Anger, Love, Memory, Regret, Shame & Pride, Femininity, Masculinity, Sexual Identity, Childhood & Youth, Coming of Age, Death, Animals, Appearance & Reality, Place, Daughters & Sons, Family, Fathers, Marriage, Mothers, Siblings, Self Discovery, Community, War, Fate, Good & Evil, Justice, Literature, Loyalty & Betrayal, Order & Chaos, Religion & Spirituality, Trust & Doubt

Tags Historical Fiction, Fantasy, Mythology, Military & War, Italian Literature, World History, Classic Fiction

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Leaf Storm

by Gabriel García Márquez

Publication year 1955

Genre Novella, Fiction

Themes Family, Conflict, Fear, Hope, Love, Memory, Femininity, Language, Masculinity, Mental Health, Aging, Childhood & Youth, Coming of Age, Midlife, Death, Future, The Past, Animals, Appearance & Reality, Objects & Materials, Place, Daughters & Sons, Friendship, Marriage, Mothers, Self Discovery, Social Class, Colonialism, Community, Beauty, Fate, Good & Evil, Justice, Loyalty & Betrayal, Order & Chaos, Religion & Spirituality, Trust & Doubt, Truth & Lies

Tags Magical Realism, Latin American Literature, Grief & Death

Leaf Storm and Other Stories is a collection of fiction by Colombian author Gabriel García Márquez. The collection includes the title novella, Leaf Storm (La Hojarasca), first published in its original Spanish-language text in 1955. When Gregory Rabassa produced the first English translation of the novella, it was published (originally in 1972) alongside six short stories representing García Márquez’s work between 1951 and 1968.The collection offers an early glimpse into the magical realism and rural... Read Leaf Storm Summary

Leaving Time

by Jodi Picoult

Publication year 2014

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Mothers, Grief, Memory

Tags Mystery & Crime Fiction, Animals, Modern Classic Fiction, Dramatic Literature, Religion & Spirituality

Leaving Time, the 2014 novel by Jodi Picoult, is the story of a young girl’s search for her missing mother. When Jenna Metcalf was 3 years old, her mother, Alice, went missing under mysterious circumstances. Jenna’s parents run an elephant sanctuary in New Hampshire. One night, an employee’s body is found trampled by an elephant. Jenna’s mother is taken to the hospital with a head injury, possibly caused by the same elephant, but checks herself... Read Leaving Time Summary

Lemons

by Melissa Savage

Publication year 2017

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Family, Friendship, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Perseverance, Gratitude, Grief, Love, Memory, Nostalgia, Mental Health, Coming of Age, Death, Grandparents, Mothers, Teamwork, Community, War

Tags Historical Fiction, Mystery & Crime Fiction, Grief & Death, Children`s Literature, Realistic Fiction, World History

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Let Me Hear a Rhyme

by Tiffany D. Jackson

Publication year 2019

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Music, Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Perseverance, Fear, Grief, Hate & Anger, Love, Joy, Hope, Guilt, Memory, Nostalgia, Regret, Revenge, Shame & Pride, Equality, Justice, Safety & Danger, Loyalty & Betrayal, Trust & Doubt, Truth & Lies, Power & Greed, Appearance & Reality, Environment, Daughters & Sons, Family, Friendship, Siblings, Mothers, Race, Language, Community

Tags Realistic Fiction, Mystery & Crime Fiction, Historical Fiction, Grief & Death, Modern Classic Fiction, World History, Music

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Liar & Spy

by Rebecca Stead

Publication year 2012

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Friendship, Mothers, Justice, Community, Self Discovery, Family

Tags Children`s Literature, Realistic Fiction, Bullying, Mystery & Crime Fiction, Modern Classic Fiction

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Lies He Told Me

by James Patterson

Publication year 2024

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Perseverance, Love, Memory, The Past, Appearance & Reality, Marriage, Mothers, Loyalty & Betrayal, Safety & Danger, Trust & Doubt, Truth & Lies

Tags Mystery & Crime Fiction, Horror & Suspense, Psychological Fiction, Dramatic Literature

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