We love reading and we especially love coming across brilliant books by female authors. What better way to inspire yourself ahead of International Women’s Day? This list could easily be longer than 5 – there are lots of great books by female authors out there – but we know your TBR list is already getting out of control. So here are 5 must read books by female authors guaranteed to empower and inspire you.
5 Empowering Books by Female Authors
Becoming by Michelle Obama
This book would probably be at the top of any ‘must read’ list in my eyes. It is fantastic. Michelle Obama is an absolute powerhouse and a beacon of inspiration and empowerment for womenkind. She writes candidly about her Chicago upbringing, race and life in the White House. Perhaps most pertinently she talks vulnerably about what it truly is to be a woman, a mother and wife. It’s raw, it’s funny and it’s one I’ll read again and again.
The Life Changing Magic of Not Giving a F*ck by Sarah Knight
On the surface Sarah Knight’s book has a title that will make you chuckle and it looks pretty on a coffee table. This isn’t fluff though. The fundamental principle is this: you have a finite amount of f*cks to give in any given day. Spend them wisely. F*ck wisely, as it were. Excellent advice. This book is a must for anyone who continually finds themselves over-stretched, under-appreciated and stressed out about the age old problem: what other people think. It’s not about being rude, not caring or skipping out on your niece’s Christening. It’s about prioritising your mental well-being. AND it looks pretty on a coffee table.
The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
Kristin Hannah’s The Nightingale is the best fiction book I’ve ever read. It tells the story of sisters Vianne and Isabelle as they navigate life in occupied France during WWII. It’s a tale of womanhood, sisterhood, motherhood. It is without a doubt one of the most empowering books and one that you feel privileged to read. Expect tears!
The Colour Purple, Alice Walker
Set in the Deep South, Alice Walker’s The Colour Purple tells the story of Celie. A young black girl born into poverty and separation. It’s a story of race, sex and oppression and ultimately courage. Multi-award winning, the book is now considered a classic and is a must read if you’re looking for empowering books by female authors.
My Thoughts Exactly, Lily Allen
Lily Allen’s My Thoughts Exactly is vulnerable, raw and incredibly candid. It doesn’t really matter if you like Lily, that’s not the point. It’s a brutal look at the media, a tumultuous family life and what it is to be a woman in the twenty first century. Lily empowers other women to share their stories loudly, clearly and unapologetically.
“So, this is me. Lily Allen.
I am a woman.
I am a mother.
I was a wife.
I drink.
I have taken drugs.
I have loved and been let down.
I am a success and a failure.
I am a songwriter.
I am a singer.
I am all these things and more.”
Which would you add to the list?
Pin 5 Empowering Books by Female Authors for later!
