Do you know the sigh of relief I released when I finished dropping my copies of Love, Mom and True Mom Confessions in the mail yesterday, completely confident that the package and enclosed loving card would arrive in New Jersey with days to spare? Hell hath know fury like the mom who gets her card and present on the Monday after Mother’s Day (and, yeah, it’s happened). This year I was taking no chances.

And you shouldn’t, either. Which is why I should be doing a million other things, but none of them is more important than helping you solve that yearly question: What to get Mom? Here are some suggestions, all books that should be available at your closest brick-and-mortar bookstore, or arrive by Saturday via the online seller of your choice.

Love, Mom: Poignant, Goofy, Brilliant Messages from Home by Doree Shafrir and Jessica Grose
An Amazon review: “It’s a perfect gift for a mom (or grandmother, even), but what’s genius about it is that even the most tech-savvy blogger type will also get a chuckle or five out of these motherly mash notes. You’re very likely to recognize your own mom in these emails…or be grateful you were spared some of these probing “I’ve been reading your blog” type notes.” —Rachel Kramer Bussel

True Mom Confessions: Real Moms Get Real by Romi Lassally
An Amazon user review:“This book made me laugh and cry. I didn’t expect it. As I read some of the confessions I wondered how did they get those quotes from me! I have said those things - especially the ‘gas station’ statement. …Moms need friends and other moms to confide in. Mostly I need someone to laugh and share my ‘crazy’ mom moments with…and that is what this book is, moms processing the unspoken truths…Sometimes it feels good to know we are all in the same boat.” —Kimberley Clayton Blaine

Bad Mother: A Chronicle of Maternal Crimes, Minor Calamities and Occasional Moments of Grace by Ayelet Waldman
An Amazon user review: “Waldman takes an honest look at how moms make each other feel like failures, question our decisions, and jump at the chance to berate another mom for being ‘bad.’ Many times, I laughed out loud while reading this book. Sometimes I wanted to cry. Waldman is brutally honest, very funny, and very clever. I read this book in under 24 hours, and already know a few moms who I’ll be happy to loan it to.” —PCG CrazyX3

It Sucked and Then I Cried: How I Had a Baby, a Breakdown, and a Much Needed Margarita by Heather Armstrong (Dooce.com)
An Amazon review: “I’m not a reader of Dooce.com, so I can’t comment on whether this is regurgitated blog material, but I have to say, I found this an enjoyable, honest and quick read. I’ll admit I hadn’t heard of Heather Armstrong until a few weeks ago and while I am suspicious of blog to book deals, I was pleasantly surprised by how enjoyable I found the book.”

The Six-Word Memoir books by SMITH Magazine
Our first book of six-word memoirs has many stories of about moms, from “I’m my mother and I’m fine” (that’s a good one to bookmark for her) to “This is aggression in pink, Mom” (best to let her find that six-worder on her own), and just makes a sweet little gift, anyway. Toss in a Six-Word Memoirs on Love & Heartbreak while you’re at it….all for under $20. Feeling a touch creative, but still kind of lazy? Make your mom a personalized six-word memoir T-shirt. Check out our Six-Word MOMoir project for all sorts of inspired six-word thoughts for your mother, or any mom you love.

And don’t forget: Mother’s Day is our deadline for both the Six-Word MOMoirs and What’s Your Pregnancy Story? contests. Spread the word to moms across your world.

Tags: Ayelet Waldman, Dooce, mom, mother's day, Postcards From Yo Mamma, true mom confessions