10 Best Feminist Books Every Woman Must Read

Maybe you have a passion for activism, or perhaps you’re just looking to get empowered. It’s easy to lose confidence in yourself these days, but it feels so good to take control of your womanhood and thrive as the goddess you really are. If you’re not a big fan of reading, most of these are also available in audiobook format.

1. We Should All Be Feminists

Adichie’s book is titled We Should All Be Feminists, and no truer words have ever been spoken. Although considered provocative by many, this book is a must-read and a New York Times bestseller. This definition of feminism is definitely one you haven’t read before. It’s an inclusive and self-aware anthem about what it means to be a woman today. Some of the stories are tough to read, but absolutely necessary.

2. The Awakening

Kate Chopin’s writing spans back to the 1800s, showing that feminism had roots long before, even when men were calling women hysterics and we were stuck in the prisons known as corsets. The Awakening is set in new Orleans and presents extremely unconventional views on motherhood and femininity, presented by the protagonist Edna Pontellier.

3. Bad Feminist: Essays

There’s no such thing as a “bad feminist” but many women feel like one. Maybe you don’t understand your womanhood, or perhaps the theories around feminism puzzle you. Either way, questions are always good, and Roxane Gay helps out with her hilarious but thought-provoking essays that are presented in this book. If you like your feminism with a dose of humor, this is the book for you.

4. Hood Feminism: Notes from the Women that a Movement Forgot

Often times, many groups of women are left out of the feminism discussion, simply due to the color of their skin. The subtitle appropriately reads “notes from the women that a movement forgot” and is a tough critique on mainstream feminism. This insightful book examines white feminism and makes sure that no voices are left out from the conversation.