RELATED: Top-rated ebook readers<\/a><\/p>\n RELATED: 53 best books to read in 2026<\/a><\/p>\n As an avid reader myself, I\u2019ve curated six standout titles below that make exceptional Mother\u2019s Day gifts. Spanning literary fiction, thrillers, classics and nonfiction, there\u2019s something to suit every reader\u2019s taste.<\/p>\n One of my top recommendations is Almost Life<\/a> by Kiran Millwood Hargrave<\/a>. This literary fiction novel, released earlier this year, is already generating significant buzz<\/a> on BookTok and within literary circles. Five-star reviewers praise the author\u2019s ability to \u201ctwist intense desire and passion together <\/a>with melancholy,\u201d with many saying they \u201ccan\u2019t stop thinking about it.\u201d<\/a> It\u2019s the kind of book that lingers long after the final page.<\/p>\n For historical fiction lovers, The Chateau on Sunset <\/a>by Natasha Lester <\/a>offers a sweeping reimagining of Jane Eyre <\/a>set against mid-century Hollywood glamour.<\/p>\n And acclaimed journalist Lisa Wilkinson <\/a>has made her debut in historical nonfiction with The Titanic Story of Evelyn<\/a>, uncovering the untold story of Australia\u2019s only Titanic survivor.<\/p>\n Read on for my full selection.<\/p>\n OUR TOP MOTHER\u2019S DAY BOOK PICKS<\/p>\n Almost Life by Kiran Millwood Hargrave, $26.99 (down from $34.99) at Dymocks<\/a><\/p>\n What You Need To Know<\/p>\n Set initially in Paris in 1978, this novel spans decades exploring love, friendship, marriage and the secret lives people lead beneath the surface. <\/p>\n Fair warning: this one will wreck you emotionally. Reviewers universally praise the writing, but everyone agrees it hits hard.<\/p>\n \u201cThis was absolutely wonderful, but I feel like an open wound after finishing it,\u201d wrote one five-star reviewer on Goodreads. \u201cLike this book reached inside me and ripped something vital out. This is one of those rare times where I\u2019ll be returning my library book and buying my own copy.\u201d<\/p>\n If your mum appreciates literary fiction that really digs into the human experience (think Sally Rooney or Rachel Cusk), she needs to read this.<\/p>\n SHOP HERE<\/a><\/p>\n The Chateau on Sunset by Natasha Lester, $24.99 (down from $34.99) at Dymocks <\/a><\/p>\n What You Need To Know<\/p>\n Natasha Lester, best-selling Australian author of The Paris Secret and The Three Lives of Alix St. Pierre, is back with another sweeping historical epic. Set in Hollywood from the 1950s through the 1970s, this novel offers a brilliant reimagining of Charlotte Bront\u00eb\u2019s Jane Eyre against the backdrop of old Hollywood glamour.<\/p>\n If Lessons in Chemistry or Malibu Rising captivated your mum, this will no doubt do the same.<\/p>\n Kristina McMorris, New York Times best-selling author of Sold on a Monday, called it a \u201cpropulsive tale\u201d with \u201crichly drawn characters, crackling dialogue, and a tightly woven plot\u201d that kept her up late into the night.<\/p>\n SHOP HERE<\/a><\/p>\n Hooked by Asako Yuzuki, $26.99 (down from $34.99) at Dymocks<\/a><\/p>\n What You Need To Know<\/p>\n From the author of the critically acclaimed Butter comes this psychologically complex look at female friendship and what happens when it tips into obsession. Translated by Polly Barton, Hooked explores that uncomfortable space where admiration becomes something darker.<\/p>\n Yuzuki\u2019s writing is sharp and unsettling. If your mum loved My Year of Rest and Relaxation by Ottessa Moshfegh or The Perfect Nanny by Le\u00efla Slimani, this will be right up her alley.<\/p>\n \u201dNo one writes about the lurking monstrosities of womanhood quite like Asako Yuzuki,\u201d wrote Alice Slater, author of Death of a Bookseller.<\/p>\n SHOP HERE<\/a><\/p>\n The Ending Writes Itself by Evelyn Clarke, $24.99 (down from $32.99) at Dymocks<\/a><\/p>\n What You Need To Know<\/p>\n This Sunday Times best-selling thriller tells the story of six struggling authors who are invited to a remote Scottish island to compete for the chance to write the ending to a famous deceased author\u2019s unfinished final novel. Naturally, secrets, rivalries and danger ensue.<\/p>\n The isolated setting and competitive tension make this an addictive read.<\/p>\n Highly praised by critics and readers alike, this is one of the standout thrillers of the year.<\/p>\n SHOP HERE<\/a><\/p>\n Sense & Sensibility by Jane Austen, $29.99 at Dymocks<\/a><\/p>\n What You Need To Know<\/p>\n Jane Austen\u2019s writing has transcended centuries, and for good reason. Her wit, social commentary and unforgettable characters continue to captivate readers generations later.<\/p>\n If your mum adores Pride and Prejudice but hasn\u2019t explored Austen\u2019s other works, Sense & Sensibility is the perfect next read. It\u2019s Austen\u2019s debut and follows the Dashwood sisters (sensible Elinor and passionate Marianne) as they navigate love, heartbreak and societal expectations with all of Austen\u2019s trademark sardonic humour.<\/p>\n Plus, there\u2019s a new film adaptation starring Daisy Edgar-Jones as Elinor Dashwood hitting screens in September 2026, so now\u2019s the perfect time to revisit (or discover) it.<\/p>\n SHOP HERE<\/a><\/p>\n The Titanic Story of Evelyn by Lisa Wilkinson, $29.99 (down from $34.99) at Dymocks<\/a><\/p>\n What You Need To Know<\/p>\n In her first foray into historical nonfiction, acclaimed Australian journalist Lisa Wilkinson tells the previously untold story of Evelyn Marsden, the only Australian survivor of the Titanic disaster.<\/p>\n Drawing on extensive research and personal archives, Wilkinson brings Evelyn\u2019s extraordinary life to vivid detail, from her harrowing experience aboard the doomed ship to her life in the decades that followed.<\/p>\n For mums who love true stories of resilience and Australian history, this is an unmissable read that combines meticulous research with compelling storytelling.<\/p>\n SHOP HERE<\/a><\/p>\n You can also sign up to our newsletter<\/a> to get all the best shopping tips, guides and sales delivered straight to your inbox (it\u2019s free!)<\/p>\n Philippa started her career at Vogue Australia before joining the news.com.au checkout team in 2022. She specialises in finding fashion that actually lasts: pieces you’ll reach for again and again, not just wear once and regret. From the perfect pair of jeans to everyday staples that earn their place in your wardrobe, she’s tried it all so you don’t have to. Her love of beauty came from years of battling acne-prone skin and working through what felt like every product on the market. Now, she’s all about honest reviews and recommendations that are actually worth your time and money, whether that’s a dress that’ll take you from desk to dinner or a serum that finally delivers on its promises.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"When it comes to Mother\u2019s Day, finding the perfect gift is often the hardest part. How do you…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":655910,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[8],"tags":[317123,2095,64,63,10845,317136,485,96694,317134,317119,134,2057,317130,273157,2592,317132,317124,22206,317122,1973,317125,19022,317131,317139,55416,317118,317127,143877,317138,317135,317133,317129,317128,173456,2041,2067,317120,2591,317121,317137,22363,3413,317126,2614,2062],"class_list":["post-655909","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-entertainment","tag-alice-slater","tag-america","tag-au","tag-australia","tag-australian-survivor","tag-beauty-exploration","tag-california","tag-charlotte-bronte","tag-cult-sequel","tag-dymocks-mothers-day","tag-entertainment","tag-europe","tag-final-novel","tag-five-star-reviewers","tag-france","tag-friendship-turns","tag-heard-positive-reviews","tag-historical-fiction","tag-historical-fiction-book","tag-hollywood","tag-jane-eyre","tag-jane-austen","tag-kiran-millwood-hargrave","tag-kristina-mcmorris","tag-lisa-wilkinson","tag-literary-fiction-novel","tag-lives-people","tag-mother-figure","tag-movie-hitting-screens","tag-mum-loves","tag-mum-needs","tag-murder-mysteries","tag-natasha-lester","tag-new-york-times-company","tag-north-america","tag-northern-america","tag-novel-spans-decades","tag-paris","tag-polly-barton","tag-shopping-tips","tag-stephen-king","tag-top-picks","tag-top-rated-ebook-readers","tag-united-states-of-america","tag-western-europe"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/655909","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=655909"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/655909\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/655910"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=655909"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=655909"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=655909"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}![\"Philippa](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/b8678b7d-0df2-4614-a57c-196750fb1213.png\")
<\/a>Philippa Tonkin<\/a>Senior Shopping Writer<\/p>\n