Ina May's Guide to Childbirth

This book is rad. If you're planning to give birth, either imminently or hypothetically, or if you know someone who is, or if you're just curious because the whole situation is freaking mysterious and kind of taboo to talk about, read this book! It's got a ton of practical knowledge and information by midwife Ina May Gaskin herself, the reigning monarch of natural childbirth in the US—she inspired the whole homebirthing movement that is growing today—plus a whole lot of first person birth stories from women who have gone through it, each one completely different from the last. Even if you don't end up embracing natural, drug-free birth and end up having a c-section or going with the hardcore painkillers, or running as fast as you can for the birth control clinic, this is definitely worth a read. It's the ultimate human experience. And it's awesomely gnarly.