Editorial Director Sarah Gelman’s Mother’s Day picks, as seen on ‘CBS Mornings’
As Amazon’s Editorial Director, my team and I read a LOT of books to find the ones we think readers will love. Every month I go on CBS Mornings to talk about some of the team’s favorites. If you didn’t catch me today, here’s the list of books I recommended for Mother’s Day and why! If you want to see what I’m reading every month and be part of the discussion, join my Amazon Book Club, Sarah Selects. And of course, check out our team’s picks for the Best Books of the Month and all of our recommendations on the Amazon Book Review.
Sarah’s Take: There are few things I love more than starting a book and realizing that it’s Literary Fiction with a capital L. This book tackles so many topics—racial identity, love, families, wealth and privilege—yet manages to never feel preachy or bloated. I fell in love with the three main characters of this book and am still pining for them.
Editor’s review: As I read the last words, I sat back, eyes wide, and took a deep sigh as my mind put together the puzzle of complexities that make this book breathtaking. Immersive and deep, a perfect book for the armchair traveler who loves family sagas and doesn’t mind a bit of magical realism mixed in. This story spans three generations and takes the reader from New York City to the Pacific Northwest to Beijing, China, and many other places. Three coming-of-age stories that are connected not only by lineage, but also ancestral decisions, circumstances, and baggage. The characters wrestle with the good and bad of privilege, and the impact of secrets while navigating the shifting world around them. After reading, I pondered how my own life has been shaped by elements outside my control, and the decisions I have made not only for myself, but for my child and future generations. A truly thought-provoking read that will result in endless discussions. —Kami Tei, Amazon Editor
Sarah’s Take: I am not a crafty person (and that’s not fake modesty, just fact), but I do love plants. And this book is like the equivalent of the “how to make a perfect cheeseboard” books, but for plants. I love the beautiful photos and different styles depicted in this book.
Editor’s review: There’s a smorgasbord of cool planters, and plant combinations to fill them with, in this book—and now I want nearly every one of them on my porch. I really like the wide range of container styles, materials, and sizes, as well as the artful collections of flowers and greenery, and each project covers everything you need to know to make your own amazing container garden. My favorite section is unconventional containers, which includes a hollow log and a pumpkin, but whatever style you like, I’m confident you’ll find what you’re looking for here. —Seira Wilson, Amazon Editor
Sarah’s Take: If this book hadn’t been based on a historical figure’s life, I would never have believed the difficult and interesting childhood that the “Queen of Jazz” had. Perfect for historical fiction and music fans.
Editor’s review: Before she was the “Queen of Jazz,” Ella Fitzgerald was orphaned and homeless. In Diane Richards’ captivating fictional take on Fitzgerald’s young life, readers will come to appreciate the career path of this iconic star even more. Whether she is working as a numbers’ runner for the mob in Harlem or striving to survive in a “reform school” infamous for poor treatment of Black students, you’ll completely forget this story is based on real life. —Sarah Gelman, Editorial Director
Sarah’s Take: I just can’t stop cooking out of this book, and am even using one of the suggested menus in the back of the book to cook for my mother on Mother’s Day. In case you’re curious, it’s the Fancy Spring Lunch (or Dinner) of Slow-Roasted Salmon with Lemony Leeks & Asparagus, simply cooked Farro, Arugula & Romaine Salad with Radish, Shaved Parm, Pistachios & Mint, and a Strawberry Rhubarb Shortcake.
Editor’s Review: Lidey Heuck landed the dream job right out of college – she was hired to take on Ina Garten’s (aka The Barefoot Contessa) social media. But over the seven years that followed, Heuck became more of an official apprentice. Call it a crash course in culinary and hospitality school, and the result is a modern take on classic recipes. Whether you want a fresh take on a crab dip (Baked Crab Dip with Sweet Corn & Old Bay), a new signature roast chicken recipe (Roast Chicken with Cipollini Onions, White Beans & Lemon), or an elegant but easy dessert (Roasted Pears with Brandy & Brown Sugar), this book delivers. Let’s hope Heuck is as prolific as her mentor! —Sarah Gelman, Editorial Director
Sarah’s Take: Besides being a genre-bending, boundary-pushing gift of a book, the small moments and observations captured in words in this book nearly broke my heart. If I had to use one word to describe it, I would say, “surprising.”
Editor’s Review: How do I even describe this book? It’s a time travel-spy thriller-government conspiracy-love story, and it’s also so much more. I’ve never read anything like it, and I loved every second. It's a near-future London, and a time travel device has been discovered by a top-secret government agency. They bring back "expats" from different times in history when they would not have survived (to avoid disrupting the future) and pair them with "bridges”— people to help them acclimate to current times. The story follows Arctic explorer Graham Gore and his bridge over the course of a year as he adjusts to modern-day life. This genre-bending novel explores humanity in all its frailty and potential, and how love can alter the course of history in ways we never expect. It’s a fantastical debut that’s funny, riveting, heartbreaking, and unputdownable. I want everyone to read this book. —Abby Abell, Amazon Editor
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