Is it winter already? Looking for some cosy books to read but can’t decide which ones? Well, it turns out you’ve come to the right place. Women have been icons of resilience and temperament for centuries, and to celebrate that, let’s talk about some stories of resilience: Books that celebrate women’s strength.
We’ll take a look at some key literature aimed at providing us a brief peek through the vast sea of women’s strength. Let’s get right to it.
I Am Malala: The Girl Who Stood up to the Taliban and Was Shot
Written by Malala Yousafzai, this book presents us with a unique perspective of a girl pursuing her ambitions in the face of adversity. She describes the story of her childhood and the way she was brought up under Taliban rule.
After being shot, she did not let her aspirations die but continued to advocate for education and received a Nobel Peace Prize for her efforts.
She has put forward all her experiences in a nutshell and presented us with this masterpiece.
Amazon Link: https://www.amazon.com/Am-Malala-Stood-Education-Taliban-ebook/dp/B00CH3DBNQ
We Should All Be Feminists
The author Adichie argues that we must challenge the stereotypes of society. She actively advocates for the equality of women and raises her voice for equal representation of women and feminism.
She insists on breaking the common misconceptions on female sexuality and urges women to stand up for themselves and have their voices heard efficiently. This book might not be a fable or a novel of some sort, but it certainly does a great job in putting a big question mark on societal norms.
Amazon Link: https://www.amazon.com/We-Should-All-Be-Feminists/dp/110191176X
The Handmaid’s Tale
The handmaid’s tale is written by the Canadian author Margaret Atwood. It is a dystopian novel of the futuristic genre. It is set in a near-future New England in a patriarchal state named the Republic of Gilead.
It explores the theme of powerless women in a male-dominated patriarchal society. and the loss of female independence and identity. It equally shows the resistance by women to gain individuality.
This book is a prime example of women’s strength and struggle to stand up for their rights and the importance of female identity and self-assurance.
Amazon Link: The Handmaid’s tale
Women and Power: A Manifesto
In this book, Mary Beard attacks the misogynists who demean women and sometimes focuses the attack on herself too. She takes the historical route starting from Medusa and Philomela. She draws parallels about cultural assumptions regarding women.
This book also acts as a beacon for all the women who want to pursue the path of strength. Mary Beard focuses on the correlation of power and women’s role in it.
Amazon Link: https://www.amazon.com/Women-Power-Manifesto-Mary-Beard/dp/1631494759
A Woman is No Man
This book is written by Etaf Rum. It focuses on a Palestinian girl who is married at a young age and moves to Brooklyn. She bears immense pressure from her father-in-law and husband, especially after having kids. This makes her life hell, as she is forced to live under pressure.
The same calamity lands upon her eldest daughter when she is forced to marry, but she chooses to fight back and stand up to the oppressors. The story of her eldest daughter is a thought-provoking one and continues to be an aspiration for a million other girls.
This unintended pressure forces her to question the past of her parents and her own future. She brings out her strength as her biggest weapon and fights back in the face of adversity.
Amazon Link: A woman is no man
Know My Name
Know My Name is written by Chanel Miller and comes out as a universally acclaimed book. It is a book that lets the audience know the artistic and fighter nature of Chanel Miller.
Her story of trauma illuminates a culture biased to protect criminals, indicating a criminal justice system designed to fail and, ultimately, the courage required to move through suffering and live a beautiful life.
This in itself is a beautiful depiction of women’s resilience and strength.
Amazon Link: https://www.amazon.com/Know-My-Name-Chanel-Miller/dp/0735223726
Good for a girl: A woman running in a man’s world
Authored by Lauren Fleshman, a pro athlete growing up in the world of running dominated by males. She shares her perspective on her story and inspires and shows the way to the younger females who want to pursue athletics.
She gives a voice to all the female athletes and their silent experiences in this field and argues to rebuild competitive sports with women at their centre.
Amazon Link: https://www.amazon.com/Good-Girl-Woman-Running-World/dp/0593296788
My life on the road
This extraordinary piece of literature is written by Gloria Steinem and focuses on the stunning story of Gloria’s growth.
She also started a revolutionary movement for gender equality and the story of how the road shaped her career and personality. This is indeed an inspiring book for the young readers out there looking for stories of courage and resilience.
The book contains countless stories of social activism and her travels in India. Her career in journalism was also a product of her experiences during her travels.
Amazon Link: https://www.amazon.com/My-Life-Road-Gloria-Steinem/dp/0345408160
Conclusion
Women have always been icons of courage, and they have always inspired countless others through their actions and through their works. Giving their experiences the shape of literature is an art, and they have equally painted the best pictures possible.
Their writings are an embodiment of the way they lived. This being said, certain books are written while keeping a broader idea in mind. Like the fables and some novels, written by keeping the idea of fighting spirit in mind. These books celebrate women’s strength and capabilities like none other.
What books do you read when you are in the zone? What other suggestions do you have in regard to these books? Let us know.
