My Top 3 Must-Read Books So Far This Year (June 2025)
We’re halfway through the year, and I’ve been reflecting on the books that have inspired, educated, and supported me the most, both personally and professionally.
If you’re looking to deepen your understanding of your body, your hormones, or your experience of motherhood, these are my top three recommendations.
The Fifth Vital Sign by Lisa Hendrickson-Jack
This is the book I wish every teenage girl, and really every woman, would read. It’s a clear, empowering guide to understanding your menstrual cycle as a vital sign of health and an introduction to the Fertility Awareness Method. Even though I’ve been familiar with FAM for many years, I gained so many new insights into my own cycle and hormone balance, and I often recommend this book to clients who are trying to conceive. It complements the work I do in my Fertile Foundations nutritional therapy packages beautifully, especially if you want to understand the signs your body is sending and how nutrition and lifestyle can help you regulate your cycle and conceive naturally.
Matrescence by Lucy Jones
A fascinating and beautifully written exploration of the transition into motherhood and what it does to our identity, our bodies, and our minds. I recommend this to every “newish” mama who wants to feel seen and validated in the profound shifts that come with becoming a mother. It’s the kind of book you’ll want to discuss and share with friends.
The First Forty Days by Heng Ou
The First Forty Days is part cookbook, part gentle guide to preparing for and honoring the early postpartum season. The recipes and rituals are rooted in nourishing the new mother, and I have reread it this year, as many of the concepts inspire the way I help my clients prepare for postpartum recovery. If you’re in the second half of your pregnancy or supporting someone who is, this is an absolute must-read.
If you pick up any of these books, I’d love to hear what you think.
And if you’re feeling inspired to get more personalized support for your fertility, pregnancy, or postpartum journey, you can always reach out to learn more about my nutritional therapy services.
