m+culture: Three books on our radar right now
From the raw realities of motherhood to the search for identity and everyday calm, these three new reads offer thought provoking escapes in very different ways. Whether you're in the thick of parenting or simply craving a moment of stillness, there's something here that will stay with you long after you’ve finished reading.
Cry When the Baby Cries – Becky Barnicoat
Intimate, hilariously relatable, and the most honest book on parenting we have read in a while, Cry When the Baby Cries is Becky Barnicoat’s love letter to the impossible but also joy filled rollercoaster of early parenthood.
A cartoonist and writer whose work has appeared in The New Yorker, The Guardian and Grazia, she covers everything from the absurdity of hospital bag checklists to the hellish mantra “drowsy but awake,” which you will hear on loop as your baby refuses to co-operate on this front. She perfectly captures the all consuming, head spinning transition to life with a new born with wit and occasional dark humour. She reminds us that crying when the baby cries is not just normal but necessary. And so is laughing, snorting, lying on the floor in exhaustion, and wondering how on earth you got here, before realizing you wouldn’t want to be anywhere else. You will laugh, cry and definitely nod in recognition at the daily scenes. If there is one book every new parent should be handed when they leave the hospital, it’s this one.
Buy your copy here
The Names – Florence Knapp
Names are more than just words; they hold power, history, and expectation. Florence Knapp’s The Names considered “the best debut novel in years” by The Sunday Times explores what happens when a mother hesitates before giving her son the name his father has chosen, knowing that one small act of defiance could change everything.
Set in the aftermath of the Great Storm of 1987, Cora takes her nine-year-old daughter to register the birth of her son. The decision should be simple, but in that moment, she questions everything. Should she follow her husband’s wishes, continuing the legacy of domineering men before him? Or does she carve a new path for her son, shaping his future with a name of her choosing?
The novel unfolds in three versions of his life, shaped by three different names - Bear, chosen by his sister; Julian, the name Cora secretly loves; and Gordon, the name his father demands. Through these possibilities, Knapp weaves a moving and powerful exploration of identity, fate, and whether a name can define a life. If you love books that linger in your thoughts long after the last page, this one is a must read.
Released Tuesday, 6 May, available to pre-order here
Calm London – Christina Rose Brown
London could be described in many ways, be it vibrant, fast paced, and full of life. But calm? Not exactly the first word that comes to mind. Yet in Calm London, Christina Rose Brown makes a compelling case for the city’s quieter side.
This beautifully curated guide is a love letter to the hidden peaceful pockets of London. From tucked away gardens to dreamy lidos and secret spas, it’s an invitation to slow down and see the city through a different lens. Whether you’re in need of a silent retreat or just a quiet café to gather your thoughts, Calm London proves that tranquillity isn’t as far away as you think, it’s just about knowing where to look.
Buy your copy here