Just like in many workplaces, this holiday season, my colleagues and I will be engaging into a little secret santa fun. To make it easier for everyone, we had to write down three things we like for the person picking our name out of the santa hat. What do you think I wrote?
1. Feminism 2. Books 3. Books 4. Baking
Doesn’t that scream “buy me a book about feminism, with a feminist character, or written by a feminist”?
Because not everyone is obsessed with having the perfect feminist bookshelf like me, I thought I would pull together a feminist books gift guide for those wanting to please their feminists at home. Not only is it kickass, but a book is a perfect gift in my eyes. It’s easy, usually reasonably priced and always fun!
A feminist books gift guide in 10 books:
1. Any book by Chimamanda Ngozie Adichie
Most people will know her for We Should All Be Feminists (word), but she has other fiction work including Purple Hibiscus (her debut) and her most recent, Dear Ijeawele, or a Feminist Manifesto in Fifteen Suggestions.
2. My Life on the Road – Gloria Steinem
Steinem is a famous American feminist and spokesperson and her book follows her on the road as a journalist, activist and woman. I asked for this book for Christmas.
3. Lean In – Sheryl Sandberg
For the career focused woman, this book will be perfect. Not only is it powerful to read regardless of your background and aspirations, but it opens your eye on growing a career as a woman and also how to use your voice once you get there.
4. A Room of One’s Own – Virginia Woolf
This one is a classic of feminist literature in which Woolf discusses the way women can be independent. It’s perfect for those who love Woolf already or those who are still to discover her.
5. Who cooked Adam Smith’s Dinner? – Katrine Marçal
For those interested in history and economy this is an interesting book to pick up. Not only to give a new way of seeing the worth we put on work depending on gender, but also house work and care.
6. How to be a heroine – Samantha Ellis
For younger women who love reading, or for those who have already devoured everything, this book delves into the great literary heroine one book at a time. It’s great inspiration!
7. Nasty Women – Various
Nasty Women is a collection of non-fiction work discussing the experience of being a women in the 21st century, especially as a pushback to the normalisation of ‘intolerance and inequality’. This is a perfectly relevant read, from women mostly based in Scotland.
8. Homegoing – Yaa Gyasi
This is a beautiful debut novel by Gyasi, following the lineage of two incredibly strong and courageous women in what would later become Ghana. It’s a great read that tackles slavery, history, heritage and belonging.
9. Yes, Please – Amy Poehler
Despite her humorous background, Poehler’s book really touched me. Yes it was funny, but I also thought it was empowering and very self-aware. It’s a good one to read to get inspiration to own up to what you want and where you want to go.
10. Wide Sargasso Sea – Jean Rhys
This is traditional English literature meets modern postcolonial world. This is set as a prequel to Charlotte Bronte’s Jane Eyre, which explores and challenges the idea of the ‘madwoman in the attic’ trope.
If you’re looking for more inspiration, Amanda from Rhyme and Ribbons wrote a kickass gift guide for your favourite feminist.
What’s the book you would like to get for Christmas?xx
