Girl, Woman, Other by Bernadine Evaristo
This fictional novel is an exploration of women’s empowerment through the interconnected stories of twelve main characters, primarily black British women of different ages, backgrounds, and experiences. With themes of identity, sexuality, race, and feminism throughout, the novel celebrates the diversity and resilience of women. Amongst the stories of the twelve women, there’s challenging of societal norms and expectations, there’s highlighting the importance of self-discovery and solidarity, and emphasis on womens’ shared experiences through life. Each character’s journey intertwines with others, sharing female experiences that uplift and empower through their stories. This book is a powerful portrayal of the complexity, and the beauty, of women.
Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano
Hello Beautiful explores the bonds of sisterhood, coupled with trauma, resilience, guilt, strength and the power of female relationships. The story follows sisters June and Elizabeth as they navigate life after a terrible accident. Through the sisters’ individual journeys, the author delves into strength, and the power of connection, highlighting how the support and understanding of other women can empower individuals to overcome adversity and embrace their true selves. This is a great novel for inspiring you to embrace life’s challenges and allow healing and self-discovery to guide you through the rough to a fulfilling life.
Yellowface by Rebecca F Kuang
Yellowface, released in 2023, was described as “a satire of racial diversity in the publishing industry as well as a metafiction about social media,” by the publishing industry. Tackling long-standing issues of white privilege and cultural appropriation by following the story of an author releasing a stolen novel. This unfolds into themes of online abuse and the role of social media in the harassment of women and women professionals. This novel will raise a lot of questions in your mind and give you a personal perspective of a woman’s experience in a man’s world.
The Invisible Women’s Club by Helen Paris
This is another novel that champions the female bond and the power of women’s friendships. The Invisible Women’s Club follows the lives of four women from different backgrounds who come together to form an unexpected bond. As they individually work through the challenges of love, loss, and self-discovery, they find solace and support in each other’s company. Their shared experiences and intimate conversations lead them to challenge societal norms and redefine their roles in the world. It’ll make you want to message the group chat immediately.
The Island of Missing Trees by Elif Shafak
Set in beautiful Cyprus, this novel follows the lives of Ada and her granddaughter, Leyla, as they uncover family secrets spanning several generations. Through Ada’s recollections and Leyla’s discoveries, the story delves into the complex history of the island and the impact of conflict on its people and environment. This is a tale of storytelling, cultural heritage, and a gorgeous portrayal of the interconnectedness of women through generations.
Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid
Such A Fun Age is absolutely about women’s empowerment, but it also quite openly tells of how women are taught to manipulate each other and use others. It follows the story of Emira, a young Black woman, and Alix, a white woman who employs her as a babysitter. Through Emira’s experiences navigating her early adulthood and Alix’s attempts to project her own aspirations onto her. Through their journeys and the dynamic between Emira and Alix, the book highlights issues of class and social justice in America, looking at the complexities of race and power dynamics in today’s society.
The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood
Originally published in 1985, many years before being adapted into the hit TV series, The Handmaid’s Tale is a tough read (which you may expect if you’ve seen the TV series). Set in a future society where women are assigned roles based on their fertility and societal status. The story is narrated by one of the “stolen” women who is allocated the role of Handmaid, where her purpose is now solely to bear children. The narrator struggles against the regime, constantly seeking ways to find freedom for herself and her enslaved friends. The novel covers the intricacies of power, control, gender, and the consequences of extreme political ideologies, as well as highlighting the importance of human rights and individual freedoms.
Black Butterflies by Priscilla Morris
Although a fiction novel, this book is inspired by real-life accounts of the Siege of Sarajevo. Set in South Africa’s tumultuous apartheid era, the novel follows the lives of three women – Thandi, Nomvula, and Lindiwe – whose paths intersect in unexpected ways. As they navigate the oppressive political climate and confront societal expectations, each woman must find her own strength and resilience to overcome the challenges they face. It’s a novel of hardship, but also triumph, resilience and the desire for women to reclaim their voices.
Featured photo by Seven Shooter on Unsplash
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