The mother-daughter relationship can be interesting to navigate. After reading The Garden Within by Dr. Anita Phillips, I continued to think of the relationship zones in my life. One relationship I pondered was the mother/daughter relationship. If you don't have a biological daughter but impart your love, time, and energy into the lives of young females, you are a mother. This type of relationship is explored many times in literature.
Family Lore by Elizabeth Acevedo explores such connections. This book not only explores the mother/daughter relationship but exemplifies the bonds between sisters as well. I had the privilege of hearing Acevedo live at the National Book Festival held annually in Washington, DC, in September 2023. Aside from the fact Acevedo is one of my favorite authors, I had a chance to converse with her before she took the platform to discuss her book. In that brief interaction, I learned Acevedo has ties to Eastern North Carolina and mentions this town in her book. This is a huge connection for me because I am originally from Eastern North Carolina and work close to the city Acevedo mentions in the novel.
The relationships written about in this book illustrate how women within the Dominican culture relate. Reading this book is a great way to celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month!
Another great book that illustrates the mother/daughter relationship is Bright Red Fruit by Safia Elhillo. This book written in verse put the spotlight on the a mother/daughter relationship in the Sudanese community. The protagonist, Samira, feels like most teenage daughters- mothers don't understand. Despite their different viewpoints, the mother and daughter were able to repair their relationship to form a closer one.
This novel made me take notice of the relationship I have with my teenage daughter and the relationship I had with my mother when I was that age. This novel allows the different viewpoints of the mother and daughter to be explained and understood. Unfortunately, I was not able to attend the National Book Festival in 2024 and missed hearing the author discuss the book. However, when I finished reading this book and had time to process it, I would recommend this novel for a mother/daughter to read together and discuss.
The African-American mystery book, A Spicy Predicament by Tyora Moody, with amateur sleuth Eugenna Patterson involves a tumultuous mother-daughter relationship. This relationship was one of the major focal points in these page-turning mystery.
What I love about these books (and literature as a whole) is the illustration of how mothers from different cultures have the same relationship goals regarding their daughters. They want to provide, keep them safe, and see the daughters flourish into capable, independent women using the gifts and talents.
I highly recommend all three books for your next read!
Gardner's Garden
If you have been following my blog, you know I started a summer garden. Now that we are in the fall, I have decided to keep my garden for the fall. Below is a short video of what I expect to grow this season!
The mother-daughter relationship is one of the strongest bonds women experience. I am grateful to experience this from the daughter, mother, and grandmother perspective. The similarities between a mother and daughter are deeply rooted and strikingly revealed in future generations. My mother and I had a tight bond that death couldn't erase. I possess not only her genes, but her characteristics as well. I've noticed this with my daughter and granddaughter as well. I have loved seeing our relationship evolve and grow into a blossoming friendship. I'm reminded of just how significant our bond is when I look at the painting my daughter created for me with the phrase " First my mother, Forever my friend." I will read o…