From Bookworm to Mom-to-Be: My New Library Adventure

My bookshelf has always been a reflection of my life's phases. There's the “teen angst and fantasy” section, the “early twenties self-discovery” stack, and of course, the “I’m a grown-up now but still love YA” corner. But now, a new chapter is beginning, both in my life and on my bookshelf. I’m going to be a mom!

And with this new, exciting, and slightly terrifying news, my reading habits have shifted dramatically. Gone are the days of leisurely losing myself in a complex thriller or a sweeping historical saga. My brain, it seems, has entered a new mode: information-gathering. I've become a seeker of knowledge, a hunter of wisdom, and a very, very tired future mom.

So, I’ve set my sights on a new challenge: conquering the parenting section of my local library. I’ve heard about the classics, the must-reads, the "baby bibles." But I'm also looking for the hidden gems—the books that make you laugh, the ones that make you feel seen, and the ones that don't just tell you what to do, but help you understand the beautiful, messy, and sometimes bewildering journey of motherhood.

I'm starting with a few titles that have been recommended to me:

• "Expecting Better" by Emily Oster: As an economist, Oster uses data to debunk common pregnancy myths. I love the idea of approaching this whole thing with a clear, rational mind, even if I know I'll probably still end up having a few irrational moments!

• "The First Forty Days" by Heng Ou: I’m a big believer in the "fourth trimester" and the importance of nourishing the mother. This book, with its focus on recipes and self-care, sounds like the perfect guide to a restorative postpartum period.

• "Bringing Up Bébé" by Pamela Druckerman: The idea of a French-inspired approach to parenting—one that supposedly leads to kids who sleep through the night and eat what's served to them—is either a brilliant fantasy or a life-changing reality. I'm excited to find out.

But this is just the beginning. I know there are countless other books out there, from the heavily researched to the lighthearted and anecdotal. I'll be sharing my thoughts and discoveries here on the blog as I navigate this new literary landscape.

Wish me luck (and send me your recommendations)! Because if I can't get the baby to sleep, at least I'll have a good book to read while I'm up all night.