Books are pretty standard Mother's Day presents. I've certainly given them to my mom before, but here's the thing: I'm, like, 98 percent sure she hasn't read any of them. I don't know if it's because I picked bad books or she just wasn't in the mood to read, but facts are facts. The presents were worthless—and are now collecting dust.

I'm not ready to give up on books as a gift, though. The trick to giving your mom one for Mother's Day is to stop thinking, What books do parents like? and just ask, "What's a new, damn good book that I'd also read?" These 10 new-ish titles are exactly that. Not only will your mom love and read them; you'll want to snag her copy the second she's finished.