10 books by women that helped me write Unmaking Mary

This is an exciting week. Today is World Book Day, and tomorrow is International Women’s Day. Today also marks exactly ONE WEEK until my new book Unmaking Mary: Shattering the Myth of Perfect Motherhood is launched. (If you’d like to have it in your hands on publication day, then I’d love you to consider pre-ordering it!)

During my research, I read so many wonderful books by women. I went down rabbit holes of academic papers and books in which women had held the pen, detailing their own revelations and frustrations about the maternal experience. Women theologians who had explored the nature of God and the nature of Mary’s motherhood. Historians who had painstakingly researched the truth about the constructions of womanhood and motherhood both in and outside the Church.

To mark World Book Day, International Women’s Day, and the countdown to my new book, I’m sharing some of the books by women that shaped Unmaking Mary.

Of Woman Born – by Adrienne Rich

Almost every book about motherhood I read that was written in the past 30 years or so referenced Of Woman Born by feminist poet and writer Adrienne Rich. The 1976 book examines the institution of motherhood and its historical, social, and political implications. Rich distinguishes between the experience of motherhood as a personal, intimate reality and the institution of motherhood as a system that has been shaped by patriarchal control. She critiques how women’s reproductive and nurturing roles have been used to oppress them while also exploring the potential for motherhood to be a source of strength and autonomy. Blending personal reflection, historical analysis, and feminist theory, Rich challenges traditional narratives, urging women to reclaim agency over their bodies, choices, and identities. Rich’s description of ‘the institution of motherhood’ became a framing for me to describe the ways Mary, the mother of Jesus, has been constructed as an embodiment of this ‘institution’.

This Here Flesh – by Cole Arthur Riley

I love this book so much, and was proud to host a conversation with Cole online for the UK launch of the book a few years ago. It is just the most beautifully written exploration of bodies and spirituality. For me, motherhood gave me a new insight into my ‘embodied-ness’. Pregnancy and childbirth, and the subsequent physicality of the early years of looking after another person, made me feel more like a ‘body’ than I had felt my whole life. I explore these themes in the chapter in Unmaking Mary called This Is My Body Broken for You. Written by Cole Arthur Riley, the creator of Black Liturgies, This Here Flesh delves into themes such as dignity, belonging, lament, and joy, drawing from her own experiences and the stories of her ancestors. Here Riley challenges oppressive structures while affirming the sacredness of Black embodiment and existence. The book serves as both a spiritual meditation and a call to embrace the fullness of one’s humanity, offering readers a profound and intimate journey toward healing and justice. I was so delighted to receive an endorsement from Cole for Unmaking Mary, which she described as “vital reading for all who were once born”.

Matrescence – by Lucy Jones

I am evangelical about this book, and refer to it time and time again. Matrescence: On the Metamorphosis of Pregnancy, Childbirth and Motherhood (2023) by Lucy Jones is a deeply personal and scientific exploration of the profound transformation that occurs when a person becomes a mother. Drawing on neuroscience, anthropology, psychology, and her own experiences, Jones examines how motherhood reshapes the body, mind, and identity in ways often overlooked by society. I was also particularly fascinated by her exploration of motherhood as an existential and spiritual turning point – something that is rarely talked about. She challenges the cultural narrative that views motherhood as solely instinctual or self-sacrificial, instead presenting it as a complex, evolving process similar to adolescence. It is a beautifully written and rigorously-researched book, and advocates for greater recognition and support for this life-changing transition. We’re looking forward to working closely with Lucy Jones in an upcoming project on motherhood, and I was delighted to interview her for our new four-part documentary podcast Motherhood vs the Machine (also being launched on 13 March).

The Oldest Vocation – by Clarissa W. Atkinson

The Oldest Vocation: Christian Motherhood in the Middle Ages (1991) by Clarissa W. Atkinson explores the historical and religious construction of motherhood in medieval Christian thought. Atkinson traces how motherhood was idealised, both biologically and spiritually, as a sacred vocation shaped by theological, social, and cultural forces. She examines how the Virgin Mary became the ultimate maternal model, influencing expectations of women’s roles in family and society. The book also highlights contradictions within these ideals, revealing the tension between reverence for motherhood and the restrictive norms imposed on women. Through historical analysis, Atkinson uncovers how medieval Christian views on motherhood continue to influence contemporary gender roles and expectations.

Milk – by Joanna Wolfarth

Milk: An Intimate History of Breastfeeding (2023) by Joanna Wolfarth is a cultural and historical exploration of breastfeeding, motherhood, and the societal forces that shape our understanding of both. Blending personal narrative with research spanning anthropology, art, history, and science, Wolfarth examines how milk has been revered, politicized, and commodified across different cultures and time periods. She challenges idealized notions of motherhood and the pressure placed on women’s bodies, highlighting the complexities and struggles many face with breastfeeding. Through this deeply personal yet widely researched account, Milk sheds light on the intersection of biology, culture, and gender, offering a fresh perspective on one of humanity’s most fundamental experiences. I’m excited to be doing an event themed around Unmaking Mary with Joanna at the National Gallery on 23 May (more information here). We’ll also be joined by the author of the next book I want to celebrate…

Women in the Picture - by Catherine McCormack

Women in the Picture: Women, Art and the Power of Looking by Catherine McCormack explores how women have been portrayed in Western art history and the impact of these representations on cultural perceptions of femininity. McCormack critically examines the ways in which male artists have often objectified, idealised, or diminished women in visual culture, reinforcing gender stereotypes. She contrasts these traditional depictions with alternative narratives that reclaim women's agency in art. Through analysis of classical paintings, contemporary media, and feminist theory, Women in the Picture challenges the viewer to see beyond the dominant male gaze and reconsider how women’s stories are told through imagery.

Alone of All Her Sex - by Marina Warner

Alone of All Her Sex: The Myth and the Cult of the Virgin Mary (1976) by Marina Warner is a groundbreaking exploration of the Virgin Mary’s role in Christian tradition and Western culture. Warner examines how Mary has been venerated throughout history, analyzing the ways in which her image has shaped and reinforced ideals of femininity, purity, and motherhood. She traces the evolution of Marian devotion, from early Christianity to the present, highlighting how the cult of the Virgin has both empowered and restricted women. Through a blend of historical, theological, and feminist analysis, Alone of All Her Sex critiques the ways in which Marian ideology has contributed to limiting women's roles, while also recognizing Mary’s enduring influence as a spiritual and cultural symbol.

Women and the Gender of God - by Amy Peeler

Women and the Gender of God (2022) by Amy Peeler is a theological examination of the gendered language used for God and its implications for women in Christian faith. Peeler, a New Testament scholar, challenges patriarchal interpretations that have historically excluded women from positions of spiritual authority. She argues that while God is often described using masculine terms, the biblical narrative also presents maternal and feminine imagery, offering a more inclusive understanding of the divine. Peeler explores how the incarnation of Jesus, born of a woman without male involvement, highlights the significance of women in God’s redemptive plan. Through scriptural analysis and theological reflection, Women and the Gender of God seeks to affirm the dignity and spiritual authority of women in Christian tradition.

God Is A Black Woman – by Christena Cleveland

God Is a Black Woman (2022) by Christena Cleveland is a powerful exploration of theology, race, and gender, challenging the dominant perception of God as a white male. Cleveland, a social psychologist and theologian, embarks on a deeply personal pilgrimage to dismantle the oppressive religious narratives that have shaped her faith and identity. Drawing on history, spirituality, and her own experiences, she reclaims the sacred image of the Black Madonna, presenting a vision of the divine that is nurturing, liberating, and deeply connected to the experiences of Black women. Through this journey, God Is a Black Woman offers a radical reimagining of faith, inviting readers to break free from white patriarchal theology and embrace a more inclusive, healing spirituality.

The Making of Biblical Womanhood – by Beth Allison Barr

The Making of Biblical Womanhood: How the Subjugation of Women Became Gospel Truth (2021) by Beth Allison Barr is a historical and theological critique of complementarianism—the belief that men and women have distinct, divinely ordained roles in the church and home. As a historian and pastor’s wife, Barr examines how patriarchy was not a biblical mandate but rather a cultural construct reinforced by centuries of church tradition. She traces how women in early Christianity held significant leadership roles, only to have their authority diminished over time. By blending personal narrative with historical scholarship, Barr challenges the notion that female submission is God-ordained, arguing instead that it is a product of human power structures. Ultimately, The Making of Biblical Womanhood calls for a re-examination of gender roles in the church, advocating for women’s full inclusion in Christian ministry. I was absolutely delighted when Beth agreed to write the foreword for Unmaking Mary and even more delighted when I read what she had written. Beth absolutely got what I had been trying to say, and it was so fun chatting over breakfast with her a couple of months back when she was in London. 

To pre-order your copy of Unmaking Mary: Shattering the Myth of Perfect Motherhood, and receive it on publication day (13 May), you can pre-order here.