35+ Books for Busy Moms That Love to Read

More Than 35 Books for Busy Moms That Love to Read

If you used to love to read but find yourself unable to find the time for a good book, you are not alone! As a busy mom, it can be difficult to find the time to devote to activities solely for yourself. 

From romance to fantasy, from self-help to fiction that covers the realities of motherhood, I’ve got a pretty broad range of book types that I like to indulge in. Whether you are looking for something that can grab your attention (and keep it!) or something you can put down and come back to later, there is something on this list that will fit your needs.

PS: Be sure to save this post so you can find it later!

Why is Reading Important?

I always loved reading as a child. I have fond memories of going to dinner with my parents and then my brother and I being let loose in a Barnes and Noble to pick any book we could possibly want. 

Reading exposes young children to new worlds, different viewpoints, and a larger vocabulary. As we get older, reading can help us escape, learn, develop skills, and just plain have fun. As an adult, reading is a hobby that can be enjoyed whether you have a little or a lot of free time. 

By indulging in your hobbies, you are allowing your children to know that you are a person outside of them, and that their own interests are important and worth pursuing. You can check out my post on losing yourself in motherhood for more on how important it is to make time for yourself. 

How to Find the Time to Read

Finding time to read as a busy mom is challenging, to say the least. Below are a few ways to carve out time for yourself. 

Keep a Book on Yourself at All Times

If you’ve got littles, you’ve most likely got a bag on you at all times. Whether it is a diaper bag, a cross-body, or something else, you need a place for all those diapers and snacks. If you are like me ,then a physical book is just better than a digital book.

Make a point to keep the book you are currently reading in your bag. That way, wherever you are, you’ll have a chance to pick it up and start reading. If you happen to find time to read at home, be sure to return the book to your bag when you stop reading so that it doesn’t get left behind. 

Use an App or E-Reader

Although I love a physical book in my hands, it’s not always practical if your goal is to actually read. Some books are too large for your purse. Some covers are too suggestive to have out in public (I’m looking at you, Romantasy book covers). And sometimes you just plain forget to bring it with you. 

Enter: The E-reader. My dad swears by his Kindle. After reading paperbacks my entire life, he almost solely uses it now. In fact, my mom makes a point to make sure it’s charged for him and even upgraded him when a newer version came out last year. 

You may use an app like I do. I use Libby in conjunction with my local library, and the Kindle app as well through my amazon account. 

By utilizing digital books, I am able to read a lot more books than I would be able to purchase, and I read more consistently. 

Use Small Windows of Time

Waiting in line at the DMV? Instead of scrolling social media, read your book. Have ten minutes before the baby gets up? Read your book. Your husband taking an extra long time in the bathroom before date night? Read your book. 

These little pockets may not give you a chance to read multiple chapters at one time, but they will keep you engaged and eager to continue reading when you get the chance. 

Make it Part of Your Routine

If you get up before the kids to drink your coffee, take that time to read a little bit. When you are winding down before bed, choose to read instead of watching another episode. Choose to read during nap time instead of cleaning. I know, a hot topic! 

If you want to read more often, you will need to make a conscious effort to do so. It will not fall into your lap; you will have to make time for it. Prioritize what is important to you, because there will always be another load of laundry, another thing to clean, another thing to do. 

Where to Get Books for Cheap

If you have spent any time here at all, you may be aware that I like to save money. While you can always buy new books (and you should, if it’s a new release, by a local or up and coming author, or a long-anticipated sequel!) I prefer to buy them discounted when I can.

Used Book Stores

Used bookstores are a diamond in the rough that are often overlooked. Many have much more than just books. Games, Educational supplies, CD’s, and even collectibles can be found at used bookstores. 

You can find great prices and even venture into genres you would usually avoid due to the cost-prohibitive nature of some new books. Learn a new language or dabble with homeschooling, the possibilities are endless!

Get a Library Card

Libraries are a cornerstone of modern civilizations and I will die on this hill! Your local library is a stay at home moms best friend. Aside from books, you can rent movies, attend classes, or take your little to events. Get yourself a library card and you can read SO much more. 

Trade With Friends

Got a friends who is into the same genre as you? Trade books so that you both save money. If you aren’t sure if any of your friends read what you do, strike up a conversation. Ask them if they’ve read anything good lately. 

When my esthetician and I got to talking, we realized our reading styles overlapped quite a bit. We’ve recommended several books to each other and my TBR (to be read) list is a little longer, which makes my heart happy!

Free Little Libraries

I absolutely love Free Little Libraries and whoever invented them is a genius. This is a great way to circulare books you are finished with and to find something new to read. 

If you are unfamiliar, a free little library is exactly that: a covered box (usually with a door to keep out the elements) with a sign stating the rules. These tend to include keeping the library clean and possibly suggest what books may be acceptable. For instance, if it is located in front of an elementary school, it may ask that you not deposit adult-rated material). Just google ‘free little library in (your area)’ and some may pop up. 

35+ Books for Busy Moms That Love to Read

This list is not exhaustive, I have a TBR that is hundreds of books long and I add to it regularly. For every book that I read, there are probably 5 more that I haven’t gotten to yet. 

I also don’t pay super close attention to trends, so some of these books are super relevant and popular right now, and some are not. Some were popular ten years ago and some have never been all that popular. I will touch on several genres, so don’t be scared to step out of your comfort zone and try something new! 

Series

This section lists the first in a series of books. I love each series as a whole, but read on to find out my favorites from each! Be aware that the series are heavy on the fantasy, so if that is not what you’re into, scroll down to the standalone section.

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve at least heard of Sarah J. Maas and/or ACOTAR in passing. Short for A Court of Thorns and Roses, this is the first of five in this series, with more to come! If you want intense world building, fantasy, and some spicy romance scenes, this series delivers.

Also by Sarah J. Mass, the Throne of Glass Series has some intense world building. Written over 8 thick books, I have never been so wrapped up in a made up world as this one. And this is coming from a die-hard, went to the book premiers, waiting-on-my-Hogwarts-letter, Harry Potter fan.

For those of you looking for interconnected romances, the Pumpkin Spice Café and its companion books in the Dream Harbor series is so much fun! It follows the love lives of the residents of a made up town in New England. You can read each book as a standalone, but they all work together. And I’m willing to bet that if you like one, you’ll enjoy the others. My favorite so far is the Christmas Tree Farm.

For my dragon fantasy girlies, the Fourth Wing (Empryean) Series also has some serious world building. There are some spicy scenes so if that is not your thing, you may want to skip this one. If it is, this romance series is action packed and full of surprises. I particularly enjoy the amount of military planning and the academic setting.

For those that enjoy something a bit higher-brow, The All Souls Trilogy is super interesting. It even has a tv show ( A Discovery of Witches) that follows pretty closely to the books. The final book, The Book of Life, is my favorite of the series!

For those that enjoy a good mystery, Susan M Boyer’s Lowcountry series is is really captivating. This series follows a private detective who returns to her hometown to solve crimes. It is written so that it is easy to digest, but keeps you guessing. One book is perfect for a beach read! My favorite is probably Lowcountry Bombshell.

Last on my list of bingeable series is Outlander. Made even more popular by the TV series of the same name, this series is full of intrigue and games of wit. It follows a woman from the 1940’s that gets transported back in time to the Jacobite rebellion in 1700’s Scotland.

The author is incredible at remaining accurate and true to the time periods, while engaging the reader at the same time. Love, lust, and learning abound in this series!

Stand-Alones

Following 3 generations of a Vietnamese-American family, Banyan Moon makes you feel like you’re reading about your friend. It is full of family secrets and hard decisions while simultaneously being nostalgic.

Life and Other Inconveniences was thought-provoking and had several twists I didn’t see coming. About a woman reconnecting with her grandmother after decades and swapping family secrets, this book is sure to leave you hooked.

When I started reading The Unmaking of June Farrow, I didn’t know what to expect. I purposely avoided reading the description and just dove in based on the internet saying it was good. Let me tell you, the internet was right. About a woman who has a family history of hallucinations and disappearing mothers, this book includes time travel, mystery, and love of family. Definitely worth a read!

If you want a sweet, bookish romance, Meet Me in the Margins is a great choice! It follows a book editor who secretly writes romances as well. She accidentally shares her secret manuscript, and finds it edited in the margins. Adorable, clean for those who like romance without sex scenes, and a fun read!

Boy, was I unprepared for the twist towards the end of The Hotel Natucket. The book centers around an aging hotel with a secret ghost, a general manager nursing romantic wounds, and several employees with secrets of their own.

I. Absolutely. LOVED. Oona Out of Order. Oona, who wakes up each year in a different year of her adult life, tries to piece together what’s going on with the information available to her. One year shes living as a 19 year old and the next, she is 32. The following year, she is 51, continuously jumping to a random age as time passes. It is full of heartbreak, understanding, and personal growth. If you haven’t added it to your TBR, do it now!!

Colleen Hoover is the queen of modern psych thrillers, and Verity is no exception. This book follows a writer who has been tasked with finishing a book series for another famous author who is incapacitated. While staying at the writer’s home, she discovers an unfinished autobiography full of secrets. I bit all of my nails down to the quick while reading this book because it kept me SO captivated.

I read The Lost Apothecary while I was pregnant with my son. It follows two different women, one in modern day, and one in the 1700’s. I love books that talk about herbs and ancient remedies, so this was definitely interesting. It intertwines a story of giving women the ability to protect or defend themselves against men who have wronged them, as well as highlighting the resilience of women throughout history.

This was my latest read; it was so silly and fun! Tress of the Emerald Sea is set in a world where water is the enemy and a young girl must use her wit to blend in with pirates and rescue her loved one. This book never goes in the direction you expect it to and I love it all the more for it.

Warning: If you read Firefly Lane, prepare to have your heart ripped out through your nose. You know, in a really good way. It follows the lives of two best friends from age 14 to mid forties, and I ugly cried so hard. Absolutely worth it. This book has been adapted into a Netflix series as well, although I haven’t had a chance to watch it yet.

This book follows a woman going through all of the emotions in the year following her divorce. It is heart-wrenching, and sad and uplifting, cringey and poignant all at once. Really Good Actually is definitely worth the read.

Lessons in Chemistry is a fantastic weekend read. Following a female chemist in the 1960’s who becomes a cooking show host, this book has drama, wit, and a main character that will make you want to Go Get it, Girl.

When I first began learning about real estate investing, this was the very first book I read. Robert Kiyosaki gives you a bite sized portion in each chapter to really understand, and this book truly made me want to learn more about personal finance. Rich Dad Poor Dad is easy to follow and super informative!

A book about a woman who travels to Italy after her mother’s death, One Italian Summer has all of the romantic beauty of a summer spent in Europe, as well as mystery, friendship, and a teensy bit of magic thrown in.

Secretly Yours by Tessa Bailey is a quick RomCom read about a professional gardener and the mysterious college professor she’s had a crush on since her school days. Tessa Bailey has a ton of other books that I flew through just as fast, but there is something extra sweet about this one. Forewarning: this book does have spicy scenes, so if that’s not your thing, move along.

What a fun book! Addie LaRue made a bargain 300 years ago to live forever, but she was cursed to be forgotten by everyone that meets her. Until one day, she meets a man who remembers her name. This book has magic and mystery in spades.

The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up was a huge hit a few years back, but it is a book I come back to often. Usually when I am overwhelmed by the state of my home #toddlerlife.

Most people are aware of Elizabeth Gilbert through her smash hit Eat, Pray, Love, which was turned into a movie staring Julia Roberts. I can tell you that that book is amazing, but don’t sleep on Big Magic. Gilbert explores her creative depths and shortcomings in this book about how creative ideas evolve. It’s been sitting on my shelf for over a decade and I reread it every couple of years.

About twin black women in the 1950’s who choose wildly different paths, The Vanishing Half is a moving tale about choices, racial identity, and pressing on. When I tell you I couldn’t put this down, I’m not kidding. Definitely worth the read!

The Millionaire Next Door is an interesting book that shows the correlation between the actions and wealth of the average millionaire. Originally written in 1996, it has been updated to reflect society today and is definitely worth the read.

Back to our beloved romances, Beach Read is a classic opposites attract story about two writers living next door to each other and both having cases of writer’s block. It’s fun, witty, and the perfect (pun intended) beach read.

Recently made into a major motion picture, Where the Crawdads Sing is a coming-of-age story that is beautifully written. It combines nature, intrigue, murder, underdogs, and a poignancy that keeps you hooked. The main character, Kya, is an outcast in her small town and when she is accused of murder, the story unfolds in unexpected ways.

My husband and I actually listened to The Five Love Languages on a CD while driving to visit family a million years ago. This book gives you insight into how best to communicate and support your partner, not just how you think they should be shown love and affection, but in the ways that best suits their needs. I think this book is a great way to better understand your spouse.

The Alchemist follows a shepherd that travels through the desert in search of a lost treasure after having a dream. He discovers himself over and over again while on his journey. This book highlights the importance of following your dreams and recognixing pitfalls along the way.

Following a woman in the depths of grief, Wild by Cheryl Strayed is a book that will have you feeling ALL of the emotions. Following the death of her mother and the implosion of her marriage, Cheryl decided (with little to no physical preparation) to hike the Pacific Crest Trail. This journey of healing broke her down mentally and physically so that she could rebuild her life anew. It has also been turned into a major motion picture starring Reece Witherspoon.

Zen and the Art of Happiness is a quick read that will have you rethinking the way you perceive your personal happiness. It teaches the reader to cultivate a positive mindset and adapt to changes, rather than becoming ‘stuck’ in their own unhappiness.

In this reimagining of Jane Eyre, The Wife Upstairs is a thriller set in Alabama with many twists and turns. I like to go into books ‘blind,’ meaning I don’t know much besides the small excerpt on the back cover. Having not read Jane Eyre, I didn’t know what was coming, and it made this book even more entertaining.

I first found Water for Elephants on a dusty shelf while volunteering at a Salvation Army as a teenager. With no background knowledge about the book, I dove right in. If you’re thinking that its a lovely book about circus elephants ,you’d be 95% wrong. A story about a young man who joins a traveling circus during the Great Depression, this book paints a vivid picture of cruelty, love, and survival.

Books On My List

These are books I haven’t gotten to yet, but am very interested in reading. If you have read these books, drop a comment below and tell me what your favorites are.

• Onyx Storm – Rebecca Yarros
• Freakonomics – Steven Levitt
• The 4 Hour Work Week – Timothy Ferris
• Zodiac Academy
• A Lady Cyclists Guide to Kashgar – Suzanne Joinson
• The Joy of Less – Francine Jay 
• On the Road – Jack Kerouac
• Along the Infinite Sea – Beatriz Williams
• How to Win Friends and Influence People – Dale Carnegie
• Girls in White Dresses – Jennifer Close

Have you read anything on this list? Comment and let me know what you would add. Be sure to save this post on books for busy moms so you can come back to it later. Happy reading!