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Teaching the Alienated Maternity of Faulkner's As I Lay Dying

As I Lay Dying presents complicated relationships to maternal identity. Here are some suggestions for sparking discussion.

11 New Books to Read in 2022

We highlight 11 new highly anticipated books that center mothering themes.

Read Our Interview with 'Nightbitch' Author Rachel Yoder

Rachel Yoder answered our questions about her acclaimed and wholly original novel Nightbitch.

Why You Should Read Honorée Fanonne Jeffers’ ‘The Love Songs of W.E.B. Du Bois’

The Love Songs of W.E.B. Du Bois is a remarkable debut novel from Jeffers, capturing Ailey Garfield and 200 years of her maternal ancestors.

Why You Should Read Gabriela Garcia's Of Women and Salt

In Of Women and Salt, Gabriela Garcia examines mother-daughter relationships that span decades and countries.

Two Poems: The Male Gaze Fixes on the Maternal, and the Maternal Speaks

I examine how "Mary Bly" by James Wright and "Summer in the suburbs: 6:00 A.M." by Jane Kenyon interact with the male gaze and the maternal.

Take a Look at Our Syllabus for Reading Motherhood at Georgetown University

Reading Motherhood is also a course at Georgetown University. Here's our syllabus, including the titles of readings that guide our class.

Read Luster by Raven Leilani

Luster is a striking departure from that somewhat tired Millenial/Gen Z storyline about ‘finding oneself’ in the big city.

The Latest Trend in Popular Fiction: The Missing Mother

There’s something about a mother who deserts her children that is uniquely disturbing to the popular imagination.

Teaching Lucille Clifton's "wishes for sons"

The first time I taught this poem at Georgetown, most of the young men in the class were outraged.