This March (like every March) we’re celebrating Women’s Month! It's the perfect time to celebrate and amplify the voices of women from all walks of life. And what better way to do so than by curling up with a good book and a cozy blanket?
We’re sharing our top picks for feminist fiction, non-fiction, and poetry that will inspire, educate, and empower you. Whether you're looking to learn more about women's history, dive into intersectional feminist theory, or simply escape into a captivating story, these books are sure to keep you warm and inspired all month long. So grab a cup of tea, snuggle up with your favorite blanket, and let's start exploring!
1. bell hooks - “Ain’t I a woman: Black women and feminism”
This classic text from 1981 teaches us about the history of black women in America. It follows black women from the 17th century, after emancipation and through to modern times. hooks addresses intersectionality in feminism and the overlooked oppression of marginalized black women, reflecting on academic texts as well as her own personal accounts. Essential reading!
2. Zadie Smtih - “Swing Time”
“Swing Time” takes place in Northwest London, New York and West Africa, and is a brilliant work of fiction following the divergent lives of two dance-obsessed childhood friends. Smith masterfully weaves a story about coming of age, the false promises of philanthropy, and the many twists and turns life can take over several decades.
3. Tove Ditlevsen - “The Copenhagen Trilogy”
Following the life of renowned Danish author Tove Ditlevsen, this confessional memoir takes us on a journey of art, escapism, and the ambition of a young woman making her way in the literary world. Brilliant and raw, Ditlevsen tells it like it is, in a stunningly addictive voice.
4. Bernardine Evaristo - “Girl, Woman, Other”
Bernardine Evaristo’s polyphonic novel of modern Britain and womanhood, "Girl, Woman, Other" won the 2019 Booker Prize (one of the most prestigious awards in literature) and follows several generations of British women interlinked by family, love, loss, and diaspora, interrogating the intersections of identity.
5. Ada Limón - “The Carrying”
In this book of poems, current U.S. Poet Laureate Ada Limón explores acceptance, adulthood, parenthood and infertility struggles. Through it all, her voice persists as one of hope, love and courage. Limón doesn’t shy away from the imperfections of life - she examines them and tries to accept them.