The book list of Marion Pauw

Now that you all know why reading is so good for you, it's time to expand your book collection. Because if you buy a Dutch-language book for at least 12 euros during the Book Week from March 23 to 31, you will receive the gift booklet by Jan Siebelink for free. And if that’s not reason enough, this book has a barcode that allows you to travel for free by train on March 31.

The theme of this Book Week is ‘The mother the woman.’ The mother as a strong woman who is at the helm. That’s why I have specially selected a number of books for you in which mothers play a special role.

Lost Ground – Murat Isik

This book is not necessarily about mothers, but since Isik wrote the Book Week essay about his headstrong mother who grew up in conservative Turkey, I think it’s allowed. In his debut Lost Ground, Isik describes his family history. After an accident, Selim decides to return with his family to his birthplace in Eastern Turkey where his family still owns a piece of land. However, the current villagers are not planning to give up the land. This engaging book won the Bronze Owl Public Prize for best debut.

Mrs. My Mother – Yvonne Keuls

Keuls is a writer who has somewhat fallen into oblivion, and that is a shame. With a lot of humor and liveliness, she writes about her stubborn mother who is slowly deteriorating. The book is a composition of stories about her mother and also her grandmother, mostly set in Dutch East Indies. You get completely drawn into the family, and when you finish it, you love everyone.

Ronald Giphart – I Embrace You with a Thousand Arms

Another golden oldie that you absolutely must read. Just before Giph goes on vacation to La Palma with his hedonistic group of friends, his mother commits euthanasia. His beautiful girlfriend Samarinde is just pregnant. During this vacation, Giph is tormented by memories of his mother. This rollercoaster of emotions gets even worse when it turns out that a friend of Giph has released confidential images of him to the press. The vacation ends in a big fight. This book has also been adapted into a film starring Carice van Houten, Halina Reijn, and Johnny de Mol.

The Experiments – Marion Pauw

May I also engage in shameless self-promotion? My latest book The Experiments is about Charlie, who is confronted at a young age with her new stepmother, Alma. At first, everything seems very nice; they always eat the desserts first and she gets new clothes. Soon, Alma's love turns into a stifling, traumatic regime. When Charlie is eighteen, she leaves the house. Now that both ladies are old, Alma suddenly starts talking about her time in Block 10 in Auschwitz. Can this chilling testimony bridge the gap between them?

I hope you all buy a book this week. And then take a photo of you and your book for social media with #eenboekkanzoveeldoen.