Best Feminist Books

This powerful essay by an award-winning author explores the meaning of feminism today. Drawing on personal experiences, the author provides a nuanced definition of feminism rooted in inclusion and awareness. Her witty and clever prose sheds light on the often masked realities of sexual politics and highlights the harmful effects of gender discrimination for both men and women. A rallying cry for a more just and equal world, this book is a must-read for anyone interested in the fight for gender equality.

This feminist dystopian novel explores life in the Republic of Gilead - a future United States where a monotheocracy takes the Book of Genesis literally, leading to bizarre consequences for the population. Follow the story of Offred, one of the unfortunate Handmaids living under the new social order, as she reveals dark corners behind the establishment's calm facade. With scathing satire, a dire warning, and poignant prose, this unforgettable classic is Margaret Atwood at her best.

Celebrate the resounding voice of black lesbian poet and feminist writer Audre Lorde through this charged collection of fifteen essays and speeches. Tackling sexism, racism, ageism, homophobia, and class through incisive, unflinching, and lyrical prose, Sister Outsider proposes social difference as a key to action and change. This commemorative edition includes a new foreword by Lorde scholar and poet Cheryl Clarke, highlighting the enduring relevance of her brave philosophies today. A writer, activist, and mother of two, Lorde's writing offers messages of hope in the face of struggle, urging us to never close our eyes to the terror and chaos of the rejected and the messy.

Discover a witty and insightful collection of essays that explore the journey of a woman of color navigating modern culture. Delving into the state of feminism today, this book offers a sharp commentary on how the media we consume shapes our identity. With humor and honesty, the author inspires readers to do better and be better.

This book explores the frustrating phenomenon of men who talk down to women and wrongly assume they know everything. With a comic and scathing approach, the author delves into why this problem arises and the silencing of women as a result. Included are six complementary essays on subjects such as marriage equality and violence against women. A must-read for anyone interested in gender dynamics and feminism.

This haunting American classic by Sylvia Plath delves into the psyche of Esther Greenwood, a brilliant, successful, and beautiful woman who slowly falls into the grip of insanity. Plath's intense and realistic writing draws the reader into Esther's breakdown, making her madness palpably real. A deep exploration of the darkest corners of the human psyche, The Bell Jar is a masterpiece of literature that leaves a haunting impression.

This timeless classic delves into "the problem that has no name" - the societal beliefs and institutions that kept women confined to the home and doubting their own intellectual capabilities. Published in 1963, it captured the frustrations and thwarted ambitions of a generation of women, and offers insights that continue to inspire today. With fascinating anecdotes, interviews, and a powerful message of reclaiming one's life, this is a must-read for anyone interested in women's empowerment.

This extended essay delves into the feminist ideal of providing women with a literal and figurative space in the male-dominated literary world. Based on Virginia Woolf's lectures at two women's colleges in Cambridge, she explores the role of women as writers and characters in fiction through a fictional narrator and narrative. A thought-provoking and poignant read for anyone interested in gender and literature.

A groundbreaking analysis of the Western concept of "woman," this powerful text explores inequality and otherness. This long-awaited new edition features significant portions reinstated from the original French text. Simone de Beauvoir's masterwork remains as thought-provoking and relevant today as it was 60 years ago.

Discover the nature of feminism and its positive promise to eliminate sexism, sexist exploitation, and oppression in this accessible primer. With clarity and directness, the author encourages readers to see how feminism can touch and change their lives, emphasizing that it is for everybody.