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There are books that remind us of the woman we are: flawed yet powerful, ambitious, courageous, fearless, independent, and ultimately, beautifully human. Reading allows us to live vicariously through the characters, widening our perspective about the world inside and around us.
If you’re reading this on Women’s Month, consider it as your invitation to get to know yourself and the parts of you that you didn’t know you had. Add these reads to your never-ending TBR (To-Be-Read) list and flip those pages like your life depends on it!
Little Women
There’s nothing like the classics, and Little Women by the feminist Louisa May Alcott perfectly fits the criteria. It has never been out of print since its initial publication, a testament to how well-loved it is by generations of readers. The reason? The March girls represent all of us. From their mother to the youngest of the daughters, they have distinct personalities, making them as relatable as possible.
They were courageous enough to weave their own paths, from choosing to build a family to refusing a marriage proposal when she felt she wasn’t ready. In a world that continues to force its ideals and expects women to follow society’s mold, Little Women is an empowering and comforting read for all ages.
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo is a historical fiction written by the American novelist Taylor Jenkins Reid. It narrates the namesake’s life from her humble beginnings to her luxurious Old Hollywood career and the people she made connections with — including her seven husbands and a secret lover.
As she nears the end of her life, Evelyn decides to “come clean” and honor her truth while secretly tying up loose ends. Her story would make you realize how corrupt Old Hollywood can be in the way it has shaped her life in the most profound ways. You’ll be left thinking about the price of dreams and how women, at the time, had to fight “tooth and nail” for it.
Ultimately, the book is a nod to the realities of the entertainment industry in the 1990s — its glamors and horrors — as told from the perspective of a woman who has experienced it all.
My Year of Rest and Relaxation
Who doesn’t want a year of rest and relaxation? In this novel, Ottessa Moshfegh tells the story of a 24-year-old woman who decided to “hibernate” for self-preservation. She attempts to find meaning and purpose in her life by withdrawing from society and spending her days in a haze of sleep, prescription drugs, and dysfunctional relationships.
While this book can be dark and unsettling for some, it is a close inspection of someone grappling with mental health problems and trying to save her life the best way she knows how. The narrator may be unlikeable at times, but she reminds us how we can redeem ourselves even in the most unlikely situations.
Convenience Store Woman
Convenience Store Woman by Sayaka Murata is the story of Keiko, who dedicated the last 18 years working in the same convenience store. Now in her mid-thirties, she doesn’t have a proper career or plans for marriage despite the constant prodding of the people around her. Even with the pressure to conform, she knows what she wants and refuses to let others control her life.
The novel reminds us that we don’t always have to fit in to feel happy and content. It also touches on the experiences of workers in seemingly thankless jobs and the Japanese workforce culture. Overall, it is a commentary on the fine line between stagnancy and contentment and how our lives can be shaped by the decisions we make.
Anne of Green Gables
Anne of Green Gables is a cozy coming-of-age classic by Lucy Maud Montgomery set in the 19th century. Eleven-year-old Anne was orphaned at a young age and had to transfer to different shelters before being adopted by the Cuthberts. Although there were misunderstandings at first, she ultimately wins their heart, leading to a life full of color and love.
This book provides much “scope for the imagination” as the author illustrates Anne’s experiences with the Cuthberts and the people she met at Avonlea. It perfectly captures the idealism of childhood, the awkwardness of growing up, and the importance of having “kindred spirits” for life.
The Mango Bride
Written by the Filipina author Marivi Soliven, The Mango Bride explores the Filipino experience as immigrants dreaming of a better life. The two women in the story came to America for different reasons and led different lives, but they became entangled in unexpected ways.
This novel tackles migration, intergenerational trauma, class conflict, and the need for belongingness, among others, as the characters deal with the impact of their decisions and those of others.
I Am Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban
Malala is a role model for many around the world, inspiring countless individuals with her courage, passion, and sense of justice. She fought for her right to an education — and those of her fellow wome — at a time when conforming would be the easier choice.
Earning her second life after being shot in the head, she became even more committed to the cause. At sixteen, she was declared the youngest-ever Nobel Peace Prize laureate, a recognition that symbolizes her remarkable determination to fight for what she believes in. This memoir will make you realize the importance of education and freedom — privileges some take for granted and others sacrifice their lives for.
Group
Group by Christie Tate highlights the magic of group therapy in transforming lives. In this book, Christie narrates her long and harrowing journey to finding healthy, meaningful relationships. She’s at the top of her law school class and has a promising career, yet she feels alone more than ever. That was until she met an eccentric therapist and a circle of strangers who ended up saving her life in so many ways.
This memoir destigmatizes mental health problems and demystifies group therapy as we take our front-row seat to countless sessions. It is an empowering read for women who want to take control of their lives and are willing to commit to what it takes to find love within themselves and others.
Where the Crawdads Sing
A thought-provoking novel by Delia Owens, Where the Crawdads Sing tells the tale of Kya, a woman struggling to survive in a society that shuns the vulnerable. She was forced to grow up in isolation after everyone in their family left her in their run-down home by the North Carolina marshlands.
Despite the lack of support and the rumors perpetuated by the townspeople, she built a peaceful life outside of polite society. But when one man suddenly shows up dead, she immediately becomes the suspect, and she has to prove her innocence. This story of longing, courage, survival, redemption, and the laws of nature would make you flip the pages nonstop.
Circe
There’s a reason why Circe by Madeline Miller is a crowd favorite. This modern retelling of Circe’s story perfectly captures the essence of her character — so different from the gods and goddesses we have come to know yet divine in her own right. She strived to be her own person and conquered the challenges that came her way, ultimately creating the life she wanted for herself.
Circe is an invitation for all women around the world to live authentically, claim their power, and forge a life they love, regardless of where they came from. – Rappler.com
