This fall, start a book club for two with your mom–these 9 novels will give you plenty to talk about during your standing phone date.

Saint Anything by Sarah Dessen

Suggested discussion topics: The many meanings of family, and how to find the strength to figure out who you really are.

I Was Here by Gayle Forman

Suggested discussion topics: How to deal with grief and loss, and the healing power of forgiveness.

I’ll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson

Suggested discussion topics: The complexities of sibling relationships, art as a form of self-expression, and the aches and pains of growing up.

Blythewood by Carol Goodman

    

Suggested discussion topics: The spooky lushness of the world of Blythewood, theories about what will happen to the characters in the rest of the series, and how you’d both totally jump at the chance to attend a school for magic, in spite of how dangerous they always seem to be.

Mosquitoland by David Arnold

Suggested discussion topics: The lengths you would go to reach out to the people you love, how we all feel a little strange sometimes (just like Mim), and your favorites among the fascinating kaleidoscope of characters you’ll meet on this 1,000 mile journey.

Paper Towns by John Green

Suggested discussion topics: The ways in which we idealize people, and how important it is to see them for who they really are as human beings, not just who we want them to be. Also, how you definitely need to go on a road trip ASAP.

Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson

Suggested discussion topics: This memoir in verse explores not only the author’s experiences growing up, but also the stories we pass down through generations and how important it is to give voice to our past. It’s a great opportunity to ask your mom about her childhood and see if you learn something you never knew before.

Belzhar by Meg Wolitzer

Possible discussion topics: The fundamental importance of the written word and that fuzzy grey area between truth and fact.

Still Life With Tornado by A.S. King

Possible discussion topics: The complexities of divorce and the implication it has on the children, whether parents choose to stay together or separate.

Also be sure to check out these 11 books that make great mother’s day gifts!