Happy International Women's Day!
Whether you're a long-term, proud feminist or someone who isn't sure where to even start with feminism, this reading list is for you. Each book offers a lesson in important women's issues and a load of inspirational women to learn from. They are essential reading.
1. On the Front Line with the Women Who Fight Back by Stacey Dooley
A harrowing collection of stories about some of the women Stacey has met on her travels across the world making documentaries. She shares their struggles and their fight, highlighting the injustices women continue to face, but she also talks about the wonderful people she's met who are working on the ground to help these women.Available here.
2. Roar by Cecelia Ahern
A beautiful collection of short stories about thirty different fictional women. You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll relate to most of them.Available here.
3. Feminists Don't Wear Pink (& other lies) curated by Scarlett Curtis
An inspiring collection of essays, poems, stories and lists about feminism. Written by many names you'll recognise - and many you should get to know - this book will make the perfect gift to any feminist.Available here.
4. Men Explain Things to Me by Rebecca Solnit
The first titular essay is funny and relevant to so many women who have had men start 'mansplaining' to them, but the other essays are more shocking. Packed with important, and often horrifying, statistics, this book explores the war on women.Available here.
5. Herland by Charlotte Perkins Gilman
In a fictional land made up of only women, this story unfolds when three men stumble across their haven. Originally published in 1915, this book has stood the test of time and is just as relevant today.Available here.
6. Women & Power: A Manifesto by Mary Beard
Not quite a manifesto, this is a fairly short book where Mary traces the routes of misogyny and hatred against women.Available here.
7. The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood
One of the best dystopian novels out there, this follows the story of a handmaid named Offred. In a world where women are property of the state and fertility is rare, handmaids live as sexual servants. A follow up novel is imminent and I can't wait to see what happened next. There's also a binge-worthy television adaptation, which I highly recommend.Available here.
8. My Life on the Road by Gloria Steinem
One of the biggest names in feminism, this biographical story starts from her early childhood and jumps around as she recounts important life events around her activism. It's like sitting in conversation with her as she fills you in on it all.Available here.
9. How to Be a Woman by Caitlin Moran
This is for those that want a light start to the feminist reading list. Caitlin is fantastic at bringing the humour and I laughed out loud - a lot. I also really related to a lot of it and had many "that's exactly how I feel" moments.Available here.
10. Half the Sky: How to Change the World by Nicholas D. Kristof and Sheryl Wudunn
I can't recommend this book enough. It's the book that changed my life and sent me on my feminist adventure. I learned so much about the struggles of women and girls around the world, and how serious gender inequality continues to be.Available here.
11. Misogynation: The True Scale of Sexism by Laura Bates
If you still don't think we need feminism in the UK then read this collection of essays, written by the author, that highlight the sexism she and women across the country face. Laura started a project called Everyday Sexism for women to share their stories, from the seemingly trivial to the truly shocking - and these stories prove that we do, in fact, still need feminism.Available here.
How many have you read from the list?
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