9 Feminist Books You Need To Read Right Now

Whenever a new movement arises there’s always those couple of books that define, and sometimes, redefine it’s meaning to adapt to the current social situation. It would be no exaggeration to call a selected number of volumes the “pillars” which hold the temple of our beliefs standing tall. Some books are so quintessential for an ideology that calling them “our bible” is in no way inaccurate.

Every intellectual movement has a couple of books at its roots that continue to give clarity to the basis of their ideological struggles. Regardless of how many years since they were published, their influence is still echoed largely. Feminism has many such books, make sure you know your way around the wisdom of their pages.

#1 The Second Sex, by Simone De Beauvoir

The book is a classic today, but it caused a scandal when first published in 1949. No one discussed the issue of female freedom like this before, fighting for gender equality and women economic independence. A must-read for those misinterpreting the concept of feminism, calling it nothing but man-hating.

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#2 Men Explain Things to Me: And Other Essays, by Rebecca Solnit

It’s a collection of essays on rape scandals, mansplaining, sex scandals, and other issues most followers of patriarchal culture don’t consider issues at all.

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#3 Sister Outsider, by Audre Lorde

This book is another collection of essays, where the author ponders on problems like sexism, ageism, and homophobia. A black lesbian poet and feminist writer, Lorde shares insights and is hopeful of a change for the better. Thought-provoking, indeed.

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#4 We Should All Be Feminists, by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

This book is an adaptation of the same-name TEDx talk, the essay on what feminism means today and what it’s like to be a feminist in the world where sexism and misogyny are often masked and euphemistically described as phony issues.

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#5 Grit and Grace by Quotabelle

Grit & Grace is a collection of quotes, stories and sage advice from female trailblazers, creatively designed to inspire modern-day leaders. This book is a showcase of the brilliant minds, innovative careers, and fascinating backstories of female leaders. You’ll find world-famous and less-visible changemakers, including Nobel winners, CEOs and pop stars…plus, an artisan ice cream maker, police chief, bishop, orchestra conductor and cruise ship captain.

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#6 So Here I Am by Anna Russell

Discover the inspiring voices that have changed our world, and started a new conversation. The first dedicated collection of seminal speeches by women from around the world, So Here I Am is about women at the forefront of change – within politics, science, human rights and media; discussing everything from free love, anti-war, scientific discoveries, race, gender and women’s rights.

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#7 Power in Numbers by Talithia Williams

Prepare to be inspired. Power in Numbers: The Rebel Women of Mathematics is a full-color volume that takes aim at the forgotten influence of women on the development of mathematics over the last two millennia. This book is an affirmation of female genius and a celebration of the boundless applications of mathematics.

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#8 Come As You Are by Emily Nagoski

It is, hands down, one of the most well-written, evidence-based and accessible books on women’s sexuality. She uses science to outline desire and response. critiques of the lenses through which women’s sexuality is viewed and how to approach them differently, solo and partnered. I have many clients that have wept when reading this book in response to finally feeling normal and understood.

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#9 How Not To Hate Your Husband After Kids by Jancee Dunn

A provocative title that doesn’t necessarily reflect its contents fully, this book offers the science on a variety of gendered aspects in parenting and the differing roles that women and men take while doing the job. The author also bounces from expert to expert- including several therapists and a hostage negotiator- in order to find some solutions in balancing duties and feeling fulfilled.

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