Book Reviews
Yvette O’Dowd has been a passionate reader since childhood. Her first pregnancy in the early 1980s saw her consuming the local library collection of books about pregnancy, childbirth, child development and child care. Having ignited a life-long interest in these subjects, Yvette went on to work at Merrily Merrily Enterprises [the retail arm of the Nursing Mothers’ Association of Australia (now known as The Australian Breastfeeding Association)] from 1995 - 2000. This included the recommendation and sale of books on breastfeeding and human lactation, parenting and related titles to both parents and health professionals.
From 2008 - 2013, Yvette ran The Breastfeeding Centre In Dandenong, Victoria - the Victorian Branch Office of the Australian Breastfeeding Association. Here she curated and maintained an extensive library of books available to both members and volunteers. When establishing the Southern Natural Parenting Network in 2014, Yvette had a vision of a collection of books available to members and the wider community, establishing a community library on wheels available at meets and events. Yvette’ family are resigned to her extensive personal collection! (Thank goodness for the digital revolution!)
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Browse Yvette’s recommendations:
Ourselves As Mothers: The Universal Experience of Motherhood
In this deeply reflective work, renowned anthropologist and birth advocate Sheila Kitzinger explores the emotional terrain of motherhood. Drawing on personal stories and cross-cultural perspectives, she weaves a narrative that honours the complexity of becoming and being a mother—beyond the practicalities and into the realms of identity, loss, love, and transformation.
Rediscovering Birth
In Rediscovering Birth, Sheila Kitzinger calls for a return to birth as a transformative, embodied, and empowering rite of passage. Drawing from global traditions, historical practices, and women’s lived experiences, she critiques the medicalisation of birth and advocates for respectful, woman-centred care that honours autonomy and cultural wisdom.
Untamed
This bestselling memoir explores the process of unlearning cultural conditioning and embracing one’s true self. Through stories of motherhood, identity, relationships, and personal transformation, Doyle challenges expectations placed on women — especially around being a “good mother” — and invites readers to trust their instincts and inner knowing.
The Politics of Breastfeeding
This powerful and meticulously researched book reveals how global politics, economics, and marketing have shaped — and often undermined — breastfeeding practices. Gabrielle Palmer exposes the deep influence of the formula industry, challenges the myth of choice in feeding decisions, and calls for systemic change to protect and promote breastfeeding worldwide.