Recently I've been loving reading, whether it be fiction or non-fiction and I thought I'd share some of my favourite books involving midwifery, childbirth and strong women.
Here are some of my favourites and also what is on my summer reading list (while I'm on placement!)

1. Tales of a Midwife by Maria Anderson
I was bought this book when I received my unconditional offer to university by my best friend and it opened my eyes to training as a midwife and real life experiences of childbirth and midwifery. I absolutely loved it. It's a memoir, but inspiring for all midwives-to-be!

2. Call the Midwife by Jennifer Worth
I read the books after starting the television show. I love it. It captures real life midwifery in England and how it developed over the years. Love how well the TV adaptable took the story and ran with it. A 5 star recommendation.

3.Catching Babies by Sheena Byrom
Sheena is an inspiration to me. I didn't read this one until I was a year into my training and I'd already devoured ROAR! a few times. Reading about Sheena's life training as a nurse and then midwife was inspiring. Follow her on twitter @sagefemmeSB and @byromandbyrom and her website with her midwife daughter, Anna at byromandbyrom.com

4. The Handmaids Tale - Margaret Atwood
If you have been watching this on C4, then the book (which obviously came first) is also amazing. I have to admit I had not read this before becoming a student midwife, but now with the world being what it is (read: USA politics) this is far too close to comfort. 

5. The book of the Unnamed Midwife by Meg Elison
This is on my to read amazon wishlist. I've heard great things about it. Here is the blurb: In the wake of a fever that decimated the earth’s population—killing women and children and making childbirth deadly for the mother and infant—the midwife must pick her way through the bones of the world she once knew to find her place in this dangerous new one. Sounds epic!

6. The Power by Naomi Alderman (Winner of Baileys Women's Prize for Fiction 2017)
This is a strong feminist novel. I'm just starting it. Women rule the world and can inflict pain at the flick of a finger - men find they've lost control. How does a women-controlled world function? I can't wait to find out.

7. Small Great Things by Jodi Picoult
Another book on my summer reading list - a story focusing on a newborn baby who dies after a routine hospital procedure. Its about prejudice and power in American society. (Soon to be a movie starring Viola Davis and Julia Roberts!) Non-fiction but poignant looking at roles and responsibilities of midwives in society.

So those are a few of my summer reads and favourite books. Would you add any?

 Ruth x

twitter: @ruth_stmw
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