Welcome friend! March 8th marks International Women’s Day, a day dedicated to celebrating the achievements and ongoing struggles of women worldwide. While it wasn’t until 1977 that the United Nations officially recognized March 8th as International Women’s Day, its roots trace back to early 20th-century movements for women’s rights. It’s been some years since I posted about it on the blog and since, I have read and come across many remarkable works on womanhood, gender equality, and self-empowerment. Today, I am excited to spotlight the best of the best: books that have inspired me, challenged my perspectives, and opened my mind to new possibilities in all aspects of being. From exploring the hidden biases in data to embracing our authentic selves and setting healthy boundaries, these books offer a diverse range of perspectives that will enrich your understanding of womanhood and being. Let’s get started:
Must-Read Books on
this International Women’s Day from my Forever Shelf
Book 1 : Invisible Women: Data Bias in a World Designed for Men by Caroline Criado Pérez
Why This Book Matters:
Once you read this book, you will not be able to stop thinking about it and I promise, you will get a few other people to read it. It is addicting.
Invisible Women: Data Bias in a World Designed for Men by Caroline Criado Pérez sheds light on the pervasive gender bias in data and questions the practices through which this data has been collected as well the data itself, highlighting the many areas in our society that do not have gender segregated data. It does a fantastic job of analyzing the far-reaching consequences of such practices and the importance of addressing systemic inequalities to achieve gender equality.
Synopsis:
Data is fundamental to the modern world. From economic development, to healthcare, to education and public policy, we rely on numbers to allocate resources and make crucial decisions. But because so much data fails to take into account gender, because it treats men as the default and women as atypical, bias and discrimination are baked into our systems. And women pay tremendous costs for this bias, in time, money, and often with their lives.
Celebrated feminist advocate Caroline Criado Perez investigates the shocking root cause of gender inequality and research in Invisible Women, diving into women’s lives at home, the workplace, the public square, the doctor’s office, and more. Built on hundreds of studies in the US, the UK, and around the world, and written with energy, wit, and sparkling intelligence, this is a groundbreaking, unforgettable exposé that will change the way you look at the world.
Add to your Goodreads shelf.
Book 2 : Untamed by Glennon Doyle
Why This Book Matters:
Doyle’s memoir challenges traditional expectations placed on women and encourages readers to embrace their authentic selves, advocating for self-trust, boundary-setting, and personal empowerment. It is provocative, honest and inspirational. You can get a companion journal with this book and it has so many quotes that I marked in Untamed. At the time of writing this article, there were 50k people reading this book.
Synopsis:
Soulful and uproarious, forceful and tender, Untamed is both an intimate memoir and a galvanizing wake-up call. It is the story of how one woman learned that a responsible mother is not one who slowly dies for her children, but one who shows them how to fully live. It is the story of navigating divorce, forming a new blended family, and discovering that the brokenness or wholeness of a family depends not on its structure but on each member’s ability to bring her full self to the table. And it is the story of how each of us can begin to trust ourselves enough to set boundaries, make peace with our bodies, honor our anger and heartbreak, and unleash our truest, wildest instincts so that we become women who can finally look at ourselves and say: There She Is.
Add to your Goodreads shelf.
Book 3 : First and Only Women: History’s Female Trailblazers by Lynn Santa Lucia
Why This Book Matters:
What better way to celebrate the achievements of history’s female pioneers than a compilation from all walks of life around the world? First and Only Women is one of the oldest books I have in my collection. I remember being captivated by Pharaoh Hatsheput, Amelia Earheart, and Indira Gandhi. Seeing an Indian woman in this book was quite awe inspiring.
Empress Wu Zetian is mentioned here. She is the only woman in the history of China to assume the title of Empress Regnant. I recently read Kylie Lee Baker’s The Scarlet Alchemist where The Empress is a formidable character! I never imagined that a book about her would make its way to my reading list. How fun to link something I read in 2010 to 2024!
First and Only Women deserves a mention on International Women’s Day as it honors women who have broken barriers and paved the way for future generations, emphasizing the importance of recognizing women’s contributions throughout history. There is so much achievement in these pages!
Synopsis:
First and Only Women is a fascinating account of some of history’s most inspiring women. Among the female firsts are Pharoah Hatshepsut, a woman who ruled as king, not as queen; Christine de Pisan, Europe’s first professional female writer; and Valentina Tereshkova, Russian astronaut and in 1963 the first woman in space.
Adventurers and athletes, politicians and scientists, artists and educators, revolutionaries and criminals — First and Only Women celebrates some extraordinary women who have singularly and collectively cleared a path for other females to follow.
Add to your Goodreads shelf.
Book 4: Strong Like Her: A Celebration of Rule Breakers, History Makers, and Unstoppable Athletes by Haley Shapley
Why This Book Matters:
There are certain preconceptions around what women should look like and muscular is definitely not one of them. This is a beautiful informative book with photos of today’s most exciting athletes by Sophy Holland has captivating stories of female athletes throughout history, going as far back as Ancient Greece.
Strong Like Her celebrates women’s strength and power. It explores their journeys, challenges, and contributions to sports and society, looking into the lives of athletes such as Serena Williams, Simone Biles, and Billie Jean King, among others. I learned so much from Strong Like Her and am excited to share my thoughts in the Non-Fiction Feature next month.
Synopsis:
Beautiful and powerful, Strong Like Her presents the awe-inspiring account of women’s athleticism throughout history.
Journalist Haley Shapley takes us through the delightful untold history of female strength to understand how we can better encourage—and celebrate—the physical power of women.
Part group biography, part cultural history, Strong Like Her delves into the fascinating stories of our muscular foremothers. From the first female Olympian (who entered the chariot race through a loophole) to the circus stars who could lift their husbands above their heads and make it look like “a little light housework with a feather duster,” these brave and brawny women paved the way for the generations to follow.
Filled with Sophy Holland’s beautiful portraits of some of today’s most awe-inspiring athletes, Strong Like Her celebrates strength in all its forms. Illuminating the lives and accomplishments of storied female sports stars—whose contributions to society go far beyond their entries in record books—Shapley challenges us to rethink everything we thought we knew about the power of women.
Add to your Goodreads shelf.
Book 5: Lies Our Mothers Told Us: The Indian Woman’s Burden by Nilanjana Bhowmick
Why This Book Matters:
I often forget the hardships that women faced societally in my home country and what led to the freedoms I enjoyed. My upbringing in the 1990s is very different from my grandmothers in 1940s India. While we may have succeeded in letting women into the workplace, maternity leaves, career progression are two of many challenges that have not yet balanced with new opportunities. This book explores the discrepancies between societal expectations and the reality of women’s lives in India, challenging cultural norms and advocating for gender equality and women’s rights.
Synopsis:
Savitribai Phule, Mahasweta Devi, Amrita Pritam, Medha Patkar, Kamla Bhasin, and countless others have, since the nineteenth century, fought for and won equal rights for Indian women in a variety of areas—universal suffrage, inheritance and property rights, equal remuneration, prevention of sexual harassment at the workplace, and others. Pioneering feminists believed that due to these hard-won rights, their daughters and granddaughters would have the opportunity to have rewarding careers, participate in the social and political growth of the country, gain economic independence, and become equal partners in their marriages. On paper, it would appear that the lot of Indian women in the twenty-first century has vastly improved but, in reality, the demands of capitalism and the persistence of patriarchal attitudes have meant that they continue to lead lives that are hard and unequal, especially when compared to their male counterparts.
Add to your Goodreads shelf.
Book 6: The Book of Boundaries by Melissa Urban
What This Book Matters:
While this book may not directly focus on feminist theory, I had to include it on this list because of how liberating an experience it was to read it! The Book of Boundaries addresses the importance of setting boundaries in relationships, a topic that is particularly relevant to women who often face societal pressures to prioritize others’ needs over their own. Communication is key to relationships and boundaries have to be communicated. One of the most impactful and memorable chapters in this book goes into the many situations that parenting opens up couples to and it was such a learning experience to get Melissa’s scripts on them.
By promoting self-care, assertiveness, and healthy boundaries, this book empowers women to advocate for themselves and prioritize their well-being, aligning with the goals of gender equality and empowerment.
Synopsis:
Set the limits that will set you free. From the beloved co-founder of the Whole30, this straightforward and practical guide to setting boundaries will revolutionize your relationships.
Do your relationships often feel one-sided or unbalanced? Are you always giving in just so things will go smoothly? Do you wish you could learn to say no—but, like, nicely? Are you depleted, overwhelmed, and tired of putting everyone else’s needs ahead of your own? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you need to establish some boundaries.
Since launching the mega-bestselling wellness program the Whole30, Melissa Urban has taught millions of people how to establish healthy habits and successfully navigate pushback and peer pressure. She knows firsthand that boundaries—clear limits you establish to protect your energy, time, and health—are all that stand between you and feelings of security, confidence, and freedom.
Now, in The Book of Boundaries, she shows you how boundaries are the key to better mental health, increased energy, improved productivity, and more fulfilling relationships.
In her famously direct and compassionate style, Urban offers:
• 130+ scripts with language you can use to instantly establish boundaries with bosses and co-workers, romantic partners, parents and in-laws, co-parents, friends, family, neighbors, strangers—and yourself
• actionable advice to help you communicate your needs with clarity and compassion
• tips for successfully navigating boundary guilt, pushback, pressure, and oversteps
• techniques to create healthy habits around food, drink, technology, and more
User-friendly and approachable, The Book of Boundaries will give you the tools you need to stop justifying, minimizing, and apologizing, leading you to more rewarding relationships and a life that feels bigger, healthier, and freer.
Add to your Goodreads shelf.
Book 7: How to Keep House While Drowning: A Gentle Approach to Cleaning and Organizing by K.C. Davis
Why This Book Matters:
I rave about this book any chance I get so here we are. In three hours of listening time, K. C. Davis shares wisdom about the tasks that we all have to do as we move out of our parents’ home and have our own independent space. Whether we share it with a partner and kids or not, it does not matter. The tasks still remain. This book touches on themes of self-compassion, self-care, and overcoming feelings of shame and overwhelm. Women, who often bear the brunt of household chores and caregiving responsibilities, can benefit from adopting a gentler approach to home care and learning to prioritize their mental and emotional well-being. It certainly benefited me.
Synopsis:
How to Keep House While Drowning will introduce you to six life-changing principles that will revolutionize the way you approach home care—without endless to-do lists. Presented in 31 daily thoughts, this compassionate guide will help you begin to get free of the shame and anxiety you feel over home care.
Inside you will learn:
- How to shift your perspective of care tasks from moral to functional
- How to stop negative self-talk and shame around care tasks
- How to give yourself permission to rest, even when things aren’t finished
- How to motivate yourself to care for your space
Add to your Goodreads shelf.
~~ Concluding Thoughts ~~
The celebration of International Women’s Day extends far beyond a single day. Every time I come across a book that appeals to me as a woman, fiction or non-fiction, I make a note. From shedding light on systemic biases to celebrating women’s achievements and resilience to taking actions to make our lives better, each book I have mentioned here offers valuable insights and perspectives that inspire, educate, and empower. There are many more out there that I don’t know of.
Wishes
As we continue to strive for a more equitable world, may these books serve as a reminder of how women have shaped, and in turn, been shaped, by society.
Do you have books you would recommend adding to this list? I want to hear from you! Tell me in the comments.
Happy International Women’s Day!
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