International Women’s Day Bibliotherapy
International Women’s Day snuck up on me this year. Like most of the women I know, I am feeling stretched thin between work and home. (What a shock.) Here’s a list of books that have resonated with me when I need a girl power boost. Let me know what your favorites are!
I Never Called it Rape by Robin Warshaw. While I’m not wild about the term “date rape,” I think we all know what it really means. This book is really a report on statistics related to these violent crimes committed against women and the factors that contribute to underreporting.
A Room of One’s Own by Virginia Woolf. Most of us aren’t living the equivalent of Virginia Woolf’s privileged life at the time, but this (long) essay is surprisingly accessible for something written by her and offers some interesting insights into what feminism means that were far ahead of their time.
The Second Shift by Arlie Hochschild. I can’t say enough about how relevant this book is now. The disproportionate amount of household and caregiving work women perform returned to the spotlight during the pandemic. This might be a depressing read in how little has changed since the 1970s, but it’s an insightful read.
The Feminine Mystique by Betty Friedan. Yes, this focuses on the identity crisis of white educated middle class housewives in the suburbs, but if you can get past that part, it’s chilling. Also, keep in mind that she wrote this in the 1960s, not now.
Ain’t I A Woman by bell hooks. She addresses the tough stuff in here. I actually need to give this book a reread. It’s heavy, but it’s good.
Manifesta: Young Women, Feminism, and The Future by Jennifer Baumgardner and Amy Richards. Are you puzzled by what people are referring to regarding what wave of feminism is what? (Maybe you don’t know there have been waves. That’s ok!) This book will clear all that up and blow your mind.
Men Explain Things to Me by Rebecca Solnit. Solnit is a brilliant essayist and I have yet to read a book by her that I don’t like. This one happens to be particularly relevant to International Women’s Day because F mansplaining.
The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath. Purists might argue that this is not Sylvia Plath’s best work. Let’s be real though: poetry isn’t everyone’s favorite thing and in terms of a brutal reality check on how great it is to be a bright, pretty young woman, this book nails it.
The Second Sex by Simone de Beauvoir. This one is long and not particularly fun, but it is a landmark work and it’s a must read if you’re interested in doing a deep dive into feminism.
Sex and the Single Girl by Helen Gurley Brown. Can you imagine a civilized society without consistent sex education and limited access to safe birth control and family planning resources? Oh wait. Nevermind. I just described our current reality. This cult classic is ancient and still revolutionary.
