The only books most new mums get the chance to read are either made of thick cardboard or full of advice on nap-times and nappy rash. After having a baby, the formerly simple act of reading for pleasure suddenly seems like a self-indulgent luxury, like taking a bath or going for a walk on your own.
As a result, the mind-numbing act of scrolling through social-media too often takes the place of tucking into a gripping read.
But not all books require lengthy spells of concentration. There are plenty out there that can be read in short naptime-length bursts – and we’re not just talking about the ‘toilet’ books and ‘stocking fillers’ they stack by the counter in bookshops.
From inspirational autobiographies and intelligent, common-sense self-help guides to short stories from some of Britain’s best aspiring writers and the modern woman’s feminist manifesto – these (strictly non-parenting) books will give you a well-earned break from motherhood, albeit for just a few minutes a day.
