Whether you’re a bookworm or only read when it’s required, there are a few game-changing women empowerment books that you need to check out at your local library or bookstore. In no particular order, we’ve racked up top 10 inspirational books for women.

 

1. Infidel by Ayaan Hirsi Ali 

Hirsi Ali discusses her life story of her traditional Muslim childhood in Somalia, Saudi Arabia, and Kenya and her culture-shock move to Europe in her book, Infidel . She opens up about her activist awakening, religious pressures,  and her celebration of diversity.

 

2. The Abramson Effect by Debora Spar 

If you can relate how people to the frustration of people reacting negatively to a woman in charge or a women with an opinion, the check out Spar’s novel, The Abramson Effect. Spar goes into an in-depth discussion of the reasons behind people’s uncomfortable behavior around a female boss. This thought-provoking book raises questions about society and the workplace.

 

3. For Today I Am a Boy by Kim Fu

Fu’s powerful writing captures the story of a young transgender woman in her debut novel, For Today I Am a Boy. From the beginning, the main character’s parents made it clear that she was their “long-awaited” son by giving her the Chinese name Juan Chaun—powerful king. Fu puts the transgender identity in the spotlight and explores the topics of race, class, gender, and sexuality.

 

4. Beauty Myth: How Images of Beauty Are Used Against Women by Naomi Wolf

Does “flawless beauty” even actually exist in reality? Wolf’s national best-selling novel Beauty Myth: How Images of Beauty Are Used Against Women discusses the connection between the female identity and beauty, societal expectations of women, and how that affects the females self-worth and esteem.

 

5. The Purity Myth by Jessica Valenti 

In today’s society, we are obsessed with the concept of virginity—especially for woman. Many people in America view it as if it determines your value or speaks for your character. In Valenti’s book The Purity Myth, she analyzes the social-constructed idea of virginity and why society puts so much value upon it.

 

6. #GIRLBOSS by Sophia Amoruso 

Amoruso talks about how she used her passion to work her way up from the bottom to build her multi-million dollar fashion business in her book #GIRLBOSS. Amoruso gets real about how not to let your fears get in the way of your dreams, making your voice be heard, and creating meaningful work. She encourages her readers to never loose their spark, sense of adventure, or qualities that makes them unique.

 

7. Bad Feminist by Roxane Gay 

Gay takes her readers on a humorous and insightful journey in her essay-format novel Bad Feminist. Gay discusses her experiences as a woman of color and comments on today’s culture and modern feminism.

 

8. Thrive by Arianna Huffington

Huffington—the chair, president, and editor-in-chief of The Huffington Post Media Group—takes an in-depth look of what it means to be successful in modern society. She gets personal and talks about her own struggles of prioritizing her time as a mother of two children while fulfilling the demands of her career. Huffington make her readers take a step back and analyze their own thinking, workplace, and lifestyles.

 

9. Why Not Me? by Mindy Kaling

Kaling, an actress, comedian and writer, takes the opportunity to talk about life’s turning points, the desire to seek new friendships and love, and the pressure in Hollywood her novel Why Not Me?” In an essay format, her book was rated to be highly inspirational and “laugh out loud” funny by Goodreads.

 

10. I Am Malala by Malala Yousafzai 

When the Taliban got out of control with violence in Sweet Valley, Pakistan, Yousafzai refused to be silenced and continued to stand for young girls’ education. At the age of 16, she has become known worldwide for her peaceful protests and the youngest person ever to receive a Nobel Peace Prize. Yousafzai tells her eye-opening story of her fight for girls’ education, her parents encouragement, and her life in a society that heavily values boys.

 

HelloFlo’s book There Will Be Blood will be out next year, but hopefully you’ve found a few new books to add to your reading list while you’re waiting.

 

Cover image courtesy of Shutterstock.

By Katlyn Tolly on February 15, 2016
Katlyn Tolly is a weekly contributor at HelloFlo and a student at Columbia College Chicago studying journalism and marketing. In addition to her work at HelloFlo, she's worked with The Prospect, Smart Girls Group, Dormify, and The Columbia Chronicle; the number one non-daily college newspaper. Feel free to message her on Twitter."