I thought this was an enjoyable and interesting book. It wasn't quite what I expected in that it focuses much less on science and more on the author's experiences and stories, but I did find her writing engaging.

One particular part that I did not love was how the author idealizes Europe's Healthcare. I find American author's frequently do this with an incomplete knowledge of the countries they are referencing. For instance, she wrote of the Netherlands and having free postpartum help for various things. She specifically mentions circumcision wounds, which was a really odd choice since only roughly 5% of baby boys born there are circumcised. She goes on to say how this help would cost like $4,000 in the US. Ironically, they would pay much more than that in the Netherlands as the income tax rate is around 50% there compared to most Americans paying around 12%. Except, this tax burden is not only on pregnant women but everyone working, so they are paying for the extra time off and helper whether they realize it or not and whether they are pregnant or not. Of course, I'm not adverse for the US providing more help and/or options to new mothers, but the reality is that it is paid for, whether a mother chooses to obtain that service and pay for it or whether a country forces all members to pay for it via taxes. They both have pros and cons but it is really not comparable when tax rates and the government as a whole is just set up differently. I would just assume that before such things being referenced in a book, an author would do their homework and know what they are talking about. This case really made me doubt that and doubt previous references that were used as I wondered if they were equally as misleading and uninformed.

Despite that, I really did like the book and I found the author to be really relatable. The book was definitely more memoir and opinion based, not scientific like the cover led me to believe, however, it was fun and kept my attention.

Fascinating and hilarious book! It's been over 40 years since my daughter was born, but I still remember every moment. I have never laughed so hard reading about the authors own childbirth experience (sorry)! It mirrored my own. And other mom's know with their own nightmare experiences. I was surprised to learn that studies were done on mom brains. I knew the moment I held my daughter that she smelled uniquely like my baby! I still like her smell! The most interesting section of the book was the one on fetal stem cells and how they change a woman body and brain. I suspected a much. Pregnancy, childbirth, and raising children is the most amazing experience in the world. Absolutely nothing can compare to it. I still love reading and hearing about, It just never gets old! Wonderful book. Just so engrossing.

Pop-science of Momming! Alright, I am a mom AND I love science, so when I was given the chance to read this one it seemed like a good fit. Abigail Tucker released a pop-science book about house cats a couple years ago. (I also love cats!) I haven't read The Lion in the Living Room: How House Cats Tamed Us and Took Over the World yet, but I am definitely interested, because OMG my cats are definitely taking over my world.

So, Mom Genes follows Abigail as she participates and observes scientific studies that look at how mom brains work (from personal experience, they often don't) and how our genetics may set us up for mom-life. There are a number of different theories explored in this book, many of them more scientifically sound than others. There is a lot of exploration about what (scientifically) makes a person (or animal) a good mother. This definitely leans more towards popular science vs. being a serious scientific treatise, so I think of it as a good launching point to read up more on specific topics that may have piqued my interest. If you are looking for a deep dive about genetics this is not that. Tucker writes in a conversational tone and doesn't mind poking a bit of fun at herself. Now MY mom brain is shutting down, so... review over. :)

This extraordinary book explores surprising new discoveries about the neuroscience of motherhood. It's a book for everyone who is a parent or is considering becoming one. It's also a book for policymakers interested in building better, more productive, more competitive, and more compassionate societies.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

As a new mother, I was so excited to read this book and it did not disappoint! It wasn’t a quick read but I found it so informative and engaging that I loved coming back to it. The mix of scientific evidence and the author’s own personal experience with motherhood made it easy to digest and interesting to follow along with.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this free ebook in exchange for an honest review.

As a mom of 2 with a healthy love for all things related to genetics, I was very excited to read this book. Although the title is misleading, this book focuses less on the genetics of motherhood and more on current research trends regarding the anthropological side of maternal instinct along with a healthy dose of personal anecdotes.

I found the information included to be current, relevant, and refreshing. It is a great read for your everyday mother without getting too clinical or scientific, although I personally wouldn’t have minded a more in-depth look at some if the studies mentioned.

I recommend this book for any new or older mom who wants to understand why we parent the way we do and understand where some of our differences may have evolved from, both genetically and environmentally.

This book is set to prove that moms have different brains than anyone else, including their former selves. Tucker is smart, witty, and fills the book with antidotes from her life experience and an abundance of scientific research. Alas, some of the research cited seems weird and pointless. And they're all done to prove the same redundant point.
While I enjoy her writing style, it is taking me forever to get through this book. In fact, I'm not even finished yet but I think I may give up. This book is too dense for me to read as an ebook on my distracting cellphone. Maybe I would enjoy it better as an audiobook.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley.

As a new mom I have devoured mom books left and right trying to attain any and all insight out there for us. This book left me stumped. The author I can see thanks to her background in journalism is a relatable writer and storyteller. The book came off a bit part memoir part research paper. I sort of feel like I should of gotten more or less of either one. Perhaps the title is misleading as well since the entire book covered more on mom experiences, world statistics and at the end a blanketed mission statement for not sure who congress, America, or the medical industry.

Also, the author seemed to stay very surface level on issues discussed. Post Partum depression should probably have its own chapter. Even as the writer admits she’s white, educated and privileged perhaps diving more into the experience of the other side of that coin would bring a better understanding to how broken the medical system is for new moms. Also since the book is about the science of moms depression would be an obvious science highlight.

I did appreciate the insight she gathered from scientists and their studies. I’m just not sure I can ever get the image of blinded, mutilated and tortured mom mice out of my thoughts now especially how frequently the author kept writing and mentioning them .

There were many great things about this book. At the end it all felt sort of scatter-brained.