35 Books Every Woman Should Read
Books help us discover our goals. They allow us to learn new things. And ultimately, they enable us to grow.
No matter what our professional or personal aspirations, books are there to support us. Here are just 35 of the many every woman should read at some point in her life.
1. On the Come Up by Angie Thomas
Thomas returns to the same neighborhood where her debut, "The Hate U Give," is set. It's about a 16-year-old aspiring rapper trying to fill the shoes of her father, a successful rapper. She has to make it in music in order to survive and help her mother come out of poverty.
2. Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
A classic novel about women supporting other women? Sign us up! The way Jo challenges society’s expectations of her is an inspiration to women everywhere.
3. Grit by Angela Duckworth
What is grit, anyway? Duckworth writes that it is a special combination of passion and perseverance that anyone can use to drive success. Any effort you make towards your goal ultimately counts twice, and “Grit” will show you why.
4. The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood
Yes, you can also watch the Emmy-nominated television adaptation on Hulu, but the book’s firsthand account of this dystopia hits close to home. Margaret Atwood’s writing reminds us of the importance of female agency.
5. The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo
Admit it — who doesn’t need to declutter their life every now and then? This step-by-step guide on how to declutter your home can be directly applied to your lifestyle, and it can help you determine your career goals.
6. Outliers: The Story of Success by Malcolm Gladwell
If you haven’t read this book yet, you’ve still no doubt heard the 10,000-hour rule: that it takes 10,000 hours of practicing something the “correct” way to become a world-class expert. Whether you agree with it or not, the questions this book raises will make you think about your own habits.
7. Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg
Even though this book is just a few years old, it’s already a classic for women at work. It’s chock full of inspiring stories of women leaders and how you can "Lean In" to join their ranks.
8. Girlboss by Sophia Amoruso
For a totally different perspective on female empowerment, read Sophia Amoruso’s memoir and entrepreneurship guide hybrid. It’s a great read for anyone who is testing out the waters of the business world, and it’s also incredibly entertaining.
9. Nice Girls Don’t Get the Corner Office by Lois P. Frankel
It’s sad but true! This book covers all of the subconscious ways that women accidentally sabotage themselves within the workplace and strategies they can use to eliminate these mistakes. Some of what this book addresses? Social media use, negotiating and multitasking.
10. This Will Be My Undoing by Morgan Jerkins
This is an essay collection that explores the question, “What does it mean to ‘be’ — to live as, to exist as — a black woman today?” Jerkin writes about sexuality, disability and body image as a black woman.
11. The Color Purple by Alice Walker
Perhaps one of the most important books on this list; the emotional weight of the story will stick with you forever. The contrasting narratives of Celie and Nettie highlight how women are oppressed in a multitude of ways, but also how we can thrive together.
12. You Are a Badass by Jen Sincero
For when you’re too distracted to remind yourself of how great you are, this book is here to do it for you. "You Are A Badass" will teach you how to choose your goals and then reach them so you can create a life you love.
13. Thrive By Arianna Huffington
When was the last time you saw a book from an entrepreneur about how sleep and self-care can lead you to greater success? Arianna Huffington’s book will convince you that there is more to a successful life than just having the corner office and that that fulfillment starts with you.
14. See Jane Lead by Lois P. Frankel
Another book by “Nice Girls” author Frankel, this one focuses on finding your natural leadership abilities and how to utilize them in whatever environment you choose.
15. Own It by Sallie Krawcheck
A Wall Street executive turned entrepreneur, Krawcheck’s book focuses on gaining the power to accomplish what you want at work, whether it's pursuing a non-traditional career path or learning how to invest.
16. We Should All Be Feminists by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
This quick read is an essay adapted from Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s acclaimed TEDx talk. It provides an updated version of feminism for the 21st century and draws from her own experiences to explain why everyone (not just women) should be feminists.
17. Freakonomics by Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner
Sure, you might not be an economist, but that doesn’t mean you should avoid this insightful book on how economics powers the world around us. By focusing on incentives and using real-world scenarios to explain the world, Levitt and Dubner will change the way you see everything.
18. Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic by Alison Bechdel
Though you might recognize the name from its Tony-winning musical adaptation, you should recognize the author from a film criticism technique she invented: the Bechdel test. Though that particular anecdote isn’t depicted in this coming of age story, it’s a beautiful memoir of a beautiful feminist that highlights the bittersweet nature of life.
19. Year of Yes by Shonda Rhimes
What happens when one of the world’s best storytellers says yes to everything for a year? A lot. Thankfully, we can learn from Rhimes’ experiences through this entertaining book.
20. Eloquent Rage by Brittney Cooper
This book explores the ways in which black women are scrutinized for expressing rage. Brittney Cooper argues that eloquently expressed anger — like that of Beyoncé, Serena Williams and Michelle Obama — can be a force for positive change.
21. Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë
Yes, it’s a classic romance and suspense novel, but it also exemplifies how to persevere in times of great distress. In her own way, Jane Eyre is a survivor and her journey to independence will inspire you.
22. This Is Water by David Foster Wallace
David Foster Wallace’s famous commencement speech is perfect for an afternoon read. It asks (and answers) the question of how one can live a fulfilling life with compassion with Wallace’s trademark humor and practicality.
23. The Diary of Anne Frank by Anne Frank
This personal account of one of the most trying times in history is a devastating but eye-opening read. It’s worth revisiting once you’ve hit adulthood to remind yourself of the importance of understanding different perspectives.
24. Never Eat Alone by Keith Ferrazzi
25. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
This beloved novel is one of the most popular English novels ever written. Aside from providing incredible insight of men and women’s roles in society, Pride and Prejudice makes some important points about expectations, reality and the relationships that serve as the foundation of both.
26. The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell
This book is a crucial reminder that even the littlest actions make a difference; it’s just a matter of having those actions lead up to the “tipping point,” the moment where they cross the threshold and become something bigger.
27. Originals by Adam M. Grant
Once you find yourself in a leadership position, it’s important stay true to yourself once you’re there. Grant writes about how leaders can balance the challenge of improving the world while also originating new and potentially risky ideas. There’s a way that it can be done, but you’ll need to reject conformity along the way.
28. Milk and Honey by Rupi Kaur
A must-read poetry collection, Rupi Kaur’s work is about healing and hope. When you’re struggling to move forward, turn to this book to help you self-reflect and to feel enlightened.
29. Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret by Judy Blume
This YA novel is a quintessential story about growing up and discovering who you are. While it will resonate with you when you’re 12 (a.k.a. Margaret’s age), the themes of self-discovery will continue to resonate during adulthood.
30. Invisible by Michele Lent Hirsch
This book explores young women with serious illnesses, who an overlooked population in American society. It weaves together patient interviews, research on gender and illness and the author's own harrowing medical history to show just how much sexism prevails in the medical world.
31. Bad Feminist by Roxane Gay
Witty, insightful and poignant, Bad Feminist is a collection of essays exploring news, politics, popular culture and everyday life — all from a "bad feminist's" perspective, that of a preeminent scholar and writer.
32. My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante
The first in the Neopolitan Novels quartet, this sweeping saga explores the complicated nature of female friendship, following two young women growing up in Naples, Italy in the 1950s.
33. The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot
How did one woman unknowingly save countless lives for more than half a century after her death? Henrietta Lacks, the woman whose tumor was the basis of HeLa, cells that have been used in treatments for a vast range of illnesses and conditions, from polio to in vitro fertilization. But until this book, her story was never truly explored.
34. Bossypants by Tina Fey
The creator of shows like 30 Rock and longtime SNL writer tells stories from her life, exploring motherhood, career highs and lows, middle school and much more — all with a healthy dose of humor.
35. Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail by Cheryl Strayed
At age 22 Cheryl Strayed thought she had lost everything — her mother, her marriage and her family. That's when she decided to overhaul her life, hiking more than a thousand miles alone — and finding herself again.
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