7 Reads Every Feminist Needs On Their Bookshelf

Whether you are are an OG feminist or new to the club, there are hundreds of books out there that are sure to whet your appetite in the quest for equality.

However, to cut down your search for the best of the best when it comes to feminist reads we have compiled together a list of our faves that made us feel #empowered.

The Cows by Dawn O’Porter

“A piece of meat; born to breed; past its sell-by-date; one of the herd. Women don’t have to fall into a stereotype.”

One for the millennials, The Cows is a novel that follows the story of three women as they navigate the embattled landscape of modern womanhood. The three women live separate lives, however, are all faced with the same dilemma: whether to have children. O’Porter’s characters all showcase a different angle on the topic, meaning there is something in there for everyone to relate to.

Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert

It would be only wrong of us to not include a classic in our list. Madame Bovary is an old novel which explores very contemporary topics. The bad bitch protagonist in this novel spends her time gallavanting around Paris with men and doesn’t give a rats what 18th century society thinks of her actions. A true icon.

Asking For It by Louise O’ Neill

A harrowing novel on the issue of sexual consent. One of the darker reads on our list, it is not the kind of book you enjoy but more the kind of book you endure. However, topics like rape, sexual assault, and slut-shaming should and need to be spoken about, and this is exactly what Louise O’ Neill does here.

The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood

You may be familiar with the TV series, but have you read the book? Well if not, don’t worry, now is your time to do so. The dystopian novel follows the story of Offred, a young fertile woman (or handmaiden) assigned to bear children for elite couples who have trouble conceiving. The ultimate feminist read packed with drama and thought-provoking messages, a firm favourite on our list.

How To Be A Woman by Caitlin Moran

“Put your hand in your pants. a) Do you have a vagina? and b) Do you want to be in charge of it? If you said ‘yes’ to both, then congratulations! You’re a feminist.”

The only memoir on our list. Caitlin’s honest attempt to decode what it means to be female is the perfect book for anyone who is put off by the shifting parameters that define feminism. This light read taught us just how easy it is to be a feminist and we’re in looove!

The Help by Kathryn Stockett

Many of us will already be familiar with the story, but few of us would have considered it a feminist read. While the novel most explicitly deals with issues surrounding race, the story is also told through the eyes of three women – Aibileen, Minny, and Eugenia. Dealing with topics of rebellious independence, women’s rights, and sisterhood, it is hard to ignore the feminism that has grounded itself in the pages of this novel. You need to get your hands on this ASAP!

The Feminine Mystique by Betty Freidan

The most obvious ‘feminist’ read on the list, nothing quite screams ‘look at me I think women are great’ like having this on your bookshelf. Sparking the beginning of second-wave feminism in the United States, this educational book was important at its time of publishing in the 1960s and is still important now. It encourages women to re-evaluate both their lives and their social roles. Power to the ladies! Now go forth and conquer.

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