The literary world is a haven for avid readers who occasionally want to nestle their way into a myriad of stories. If you’re a feminist, longing to change the world, tell your stories or even hear stories of womanhood and other experiences alike, then books are your best friend.
For centuries, women have had tales of hardships and we still have to push our way through to be heard. In times like this, we turn to stories that aren’t much different than ours and these tales become our source of empowerment and resonance.
We’ve compiled a list of inspirational women-oriented books that will make you laugh, connect to you emotionally and maybe even help you start a revolution!
1. Purple Hibiscus by Chimamanda Ngozie Adichie
“He spoke so effortlessly, as if his mouth were a musical instrument that just let sound out when touched, when opened.”
Adichie’s characters and style of narration is not just relatable, but the story is thought-provoking as well. The protagonist Kambili belongs to a wealthy family and everything seems perfect. But as the story progresses, Kambili realizes that her world is extremely different from the one outside her home. This story of a simple girl from a staunch catholic household will persuade you to find your own voice.
2. Little women by Louisa May Alcott
“Watch and pray, dear, never get tired of trying, and never think it is impossible to conquer your fault.”
Little Women is a story based on the author’s early life in England during the civil war. The story is about the four peppy March sisters who share their dreams, happiness and struggles over time. It speaks about an age of women yearning for independence, money, happiness and most importantly-love. We recommend you to watch the film as well.
3. Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood
“We were the people who were not in the papers. We lived in the blank white spaces at the edges of print. It gave us more freedom.We lived in the gaps between the stories.”
Considered as a ground-breaking work of literature, Handmaid’s tale has been a bestseller for years. Margaret Atwood stunningly describes this dystopian novel of women who are reduced to domestic chores, identified with their ability to reproduce and are stripped of their individualism. The book not only shakes your gut but is considered a keeper for life.
4. Daisy Jones and the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid
“I think you have to have faith in people before they earn it. Otherwise it’s not faith, right?”
The 60’s were an age of Rock n Roll and people who lived through that time will be able to recollect that iconic age. The book describes the exhilarating lives of Daisy and her band members and how they wanted to change the world. The book is about self-exploration, heart breaks, scandals and addiction in a time when women wanted to create their own identities.
5. The Complete Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi
“I have always thought that if women’s hair posed so many problems, God would certainly have made us bald.”
If you’re looking for raw comedy, something that’s also eye-opening without being preachy, then this book is a must-read for you. The author talks about her early life in Tehran, through graphics that makes it a fun and insightful read. From being raised in a conservative Muslim family to finding her own identity, the struggle is absolutely real.
6. Becoming by Michelle Obama
“Your story is what you have, what you will always have. It is something to own.”
Michelle Obama has been an iconic figure since the world got a peek into the life of the Obama’s. We love them and this book written by Michelle Obama is straight from her heart. Glimpses of her childhood, her dreams, disappointments, marriage, raising her two daughters and how she dealt with being the First Lady of the United States. The book is more humanized than it can get.
7. Rules for Visiting by Jessica Francis Kane
“How can we live in a time when social media makes us friends with people all over the world, but our sense of neighbour is shrinking?”
Rules for Visiting is a quiet read that is profound in nature. The protagonist is on a sabbatical and decides to reconnect with her four friends. In a digital age of messages and calls, this book explores friendship and the need to speak to one another in person.
Here at One Page Spotlight, we have an active community of a book club called Bookworms that speaks pure books. From discussing book reviews to suggesting the best ones to read, you can follow this community to stay connected with the world of books.
