Answers to frequently asked questions
Have a question? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions Below. Still not finding what you need? Reach out to us. We would love to help.
FAQs
Do I have to be a biological mother to participate?
Well-Read Mom understands motherhood in the broadest possible sense - the generative capacity of all women to bring life to the world. The Well-Read Mom name reflects our origin - as an answer to the question, “Isn’t there a place after college where women can discuss the big questions of life?” We welcome women from all walks of life, regardless of whether or not they have biological children of their own.
What is Well-Read Mom’s religious affiliation?
We read together to create an openness through conversation and friendship where Truth can be encountered. We welcome women of all religious traditions. Each group has its own flavor which reflects the life experience of the members.
Because staff and many key volunteers are deeply committed Catholic women who strive to be faithful to the teachings of the Magisterium, the reflections, audios, and discussion questions view the literature through the lens of the Catholic intellectual tradition.
How do I purchase the books?
Members that choose our Sustaining Member level ($250) or higher receive all of the year’s books. Otherwise, you can find links to the recommended editions of the monthly selections on our website. Libraries and used book stores are great resources as well. We recommend purchasing your books early in the year to avoid shortages or price spikes.
Do all of my group participants need to be Well-Read Mom members?
Yes, every woman intending to participate signs up with Well-Read Mom, even if she does not read all of the books or attend all of the meetings. When you join as a member, you're not just purchasing a booklist, you are supporting this place for women to read more, read well. We strive to keep membership fees as affordable as possible, however there are business expenses in running a non-profit such as rent, utilities, legal fees, insurance, etc. Membership fees, grants, and donations all keep Well-Read Mom running.
Are scholarships available?
Yes, scholarships are available. It is our desire at Well-Read Mom that no woman is turned away due to financial hardship. We actively seek out funds for scholarships for this reason. If you are interested in receiving a scholarship, we ask that you reach out to us for more information about full and partial scholarships.
Why can’t I view the entire booklist before I register?
Due to the proprietary nature of our reading list and materials, we do not show the entire list to non-current members. Unfortunately, too many women were taking advantage of the list without registering, and our reading list is a fundamental part of the Well-Read Mom experience and the feasibility of our business. However, we’re happy to give you a sneak peek of three of our books on our Join Today page. Thanks for your understanding. We hope you’ll join us!
What if the moms are too busy to read all of the books?
Success looks different for each woman. It can be reading every page of every book for the year, choosing a few high-quality books to read along with us, or attempting a few chapters of each book. There is no one-size fits all. Our goal is to meet women where they are and guide them in developing a reading practice that increases their experience of deep reading.
How do I cancel auto-renewal on my account?
Log into your account on www.wellreadmom.com using the login button.
On your profile page, scroll down. You will see a big red button midway down that page that says "stop recurring payments"
Click on that button and follow the instructions.
Can I access book lists from past WRM years?
Current members can view the book lists from all of the previous years on the booklist page of our website. The first eight book lists are also available in Marcie Stokman’s book The Well-Read Mom. Read more. Read well.
Is your information copyrighted? Is it all right to share my materials with another woman?
All of the Well-Read Mom materials are copyrighted. There is no duplicating or sharing of materials allowed. Well-Read Mom requires that each woman purchase her own materials, and as such we do not permit the sharing of study materials (such as two women sharing the Well-Read Mom Reading Companion or sharing website usernames and passwords).
How do I find a group?
You can search our Find Your Community directory for open groups in your area and send a message directly to the group leader through the directory.
If you have difficulty finding an open group near you, we are happy to help you get a group of your own started.
I can’t log-in to my account to access monthly audios or other members-only resources.
Please make sure you are logging in to "https://wellreadmom.com" (not wellreadmom.wildapricot.org). Check your top browser bar to be sure you are in the right place. Sometimes the browsers make too many assumptions for us!
Make sure your cache is clear, and your site is refreshed so your updates will appear. You can do this by holding down Ctrl + F5 (for Mac users: Press Command + R).
Please make sure you are using the latest browser version, or try a different browser.
The site works best with a browser that enables cookies like Safari or Chrome. It will not work with DuckDuckGo. We recommend a mobile phone or desktop computer rather than an iPad.
Do you offer gift memberships?
Yes, we would love to help you gift a membership to someone. You can purchase a gift membership through our store. Just include her name and full contact information in the note section, and we will activate her membership. We will send her an email letting her know she has been enrolled in Well-Read Mom.
Can I read along on my own?
Yes, we do have women that participate on their own, although we encourage women to read with at least one or two friends as accountability partners. Discussion and friendship are key to the Well-Read Mom experience!
Where do I find the books?
The recommended editions of each book selection can be found on the Member Resources pages. Purchasing through the provided links helps to financially support Well-Read Mom.
How do I enable “cookies” on my browser so that I can access the website?
Please make sure you are using the latest version of your browser, or try a different browser.
Chrome
- Click the Customize and control Google Chrome menu button in the upper right-hand corner of the browser bar.
- Click "Settings."
- Scroll down to the Privacy and security section.
- Click "Site Settings".
- Click "Cookies and site data".
- In the Privacy and security section, click Content Settings.
- Click the slider to "Allow sites to save and read cookie data (recommended)."
For additional help with Chrome, click "Help" in your browser menu or please see Google's support.
Edge
- Click the Settings and more button in the upper right-hand corner of the browser bar.
- Click Settings.
- Click Privacy & security.
- In the Cookies section, click "Don't block cookies".
For additional help with Edge, click Help & Support > Help in your browser menu or please see Microsoft's Support.
Firefox
- Click the Open menu button in the upper right-hand corner of the browser bar.
- Click Options.
- Click Privacy & Security.
- In the "Enhanced Tracking Protection" section, select Standard.
For additional help with Firefox, click "Help" in your browser menu or please see Mozilla's Support.
Safari
- Click Safari > Preferences.
- Click on the Privacy tab.
- In the "Cookies and website data" section, make sure that "Block all cookies" is unchecked.
- Close the Preferences window.
Can my group meet virtually?
Our preference has always been for women to gather in person. However, meeting online can be a great blessing when this is not possible due to distance, illness, or some other factor.
Well-Read Mom is a 501c3 non-profit. A financial statement available upon request.