Something you may not know about me, but I'm happy to share because I am an "open book": My family has a Little Library in front of my house. My dad lovingly made it for me for my 30th birthday and my girls and I painted it purple and blue to match our shutters. As it's steward, I stock it with thrifted classic titles, favorite children's books, pulp fiction I've read and don't feel the need to keep on my dining room book shelves (ahem...all eight of the Outlander books), and any and everything written or translated into the Spanish language that I can find. I truly believe that everyone should have access to the written word and am delighted when I see my neighbors stop and peruse our selection of titles while walking their dogs or with their children to the park.
You may be familiar with the nonprofit organization, Little Free Library. Its mission is to inspire readers, build community, and provide freely accessible books to all. Some of my family's favorite playgrounds have their own lending libraries; there is one, hidden away in a fairy circle, at the Enchanted Forest at Winterthur; one in the picnic grove at Ashland Nature Center, and even a little library just off our favorite trail in Brandywine Creek State Park. I just love the fact that anyone can stop and have a look, maybe read a quick story to their child, and of course that anyone is welcome to take a book, share a book, (or both!). Here is a map to find Little Free Library's near you: Map Here!
Over the course of my four pregnancies, I read many books on childbirth preparation. So many that I've got a whole pregnancy and childbirth shelf! If any of my mamas wish to borrow one of my books on birth listed below, please let me know. I would be happy to lend it to you! Even though my childbearing is probably over, these books have been too dear to me to be put out in my Little Free Library (unless I find an extra copy at the Goodwill, of course). I would love to share them with you!
Here are some books on pregnancy and childbirth that I highly recommend. I've kept them handy on my shelves and have referenced them time and again. They each have a message and insight that inspired me, or gave me strength when I needed it most:
Ina May Gaskin
Ina May Gaskin
Pam England and Rob Harowitz
Elizabeth Davis and Debra Pascali-Bonaro
Penny Simkin
Peggy Vincent
Susan S. Weed
Elly Teman
I would also appreciate recommendations for books on childbearing that you found helpful/inspirational that I haven't listed here. I could read about birth all day long!