Today, 8th March, is International Women's Day; a day to recognise women globally, to recognise how far we have come in terms of women's rights, but also how far we still have to go in order to be truly equal to men. As part of the celebrations, here at The National Student, we have put together a booklist of feminist reads to inspire you this International Women's Day.
1. Asking For It-Louise O'Neill
Louise O'Neill has made her name as a feminist writer and in the current political climate, with the Time's Up movement gaining momentum, I can think of no more important book to read this International Women's Day. Asking For It deals with rape culture, slut shaming, victim blaming, consent, so many important issues that are hot right now, even more so than when the book was originally published three years ago.
2. The Exact Opposite of Okay-Laura Steven
I was lucky enough to read an early copy of this book (which very appropriately releases today, so run out and get yourself a copy) and it's definitely an incredibly timely book, dealing with issues of slut shaming, revenge porn and the friend zone. If you like your feminism with a healthy dose of humour and pop culture references, I would definitely recommend this one.
3. Bygone Badass Broads-Mackenzi Lee
For history nerds like me, Bygone Badass Broads is definitely the feminist read that you need this International Women's Day. Based on Lee's popular Twitter series of the same name, Bygone Badass Broads is a non fiction book, looking at forgotten trail blazing women throughout history, who paved the way for the rest of us and what better time for looking back on the women who shaped our history than International Women's Day?
4. Everyday Sexism-Laura Bates
Another non-fiction read, Laura Bates' book is a compilation of experiences of everyday sexism from both genders, showing the sexism that is endemic in our society.
5. Moxie-Jennifer Mathieu
Moxie follows a group of teenage girls in small town Texas, the casual sexism and harrasment they face at their high school and the feminist 'Zine that they create in order to fight back. In today's environment of girls fighting back against the system which tries to oppress them, Moxie is the empowering feminist novel that we all need.
6. The Handmaid's Tale-Margaret Atwood
A classic feminist novel, it's likely there are very few who haven't read this since the TV show aired last year, but if you haven't, then International Women's Day might be the perfect time to do so.
7. I Am Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up For Education and Got Shot By The Taliban-Malala Yousafzai
What better book to read on International Women's Day than the autobiography of a feminist activist who believed so passionately in her right to an education that she almost died for it? If you're looking for some feminist inspiration, then you need look no further than Malala's book.
8. Things A Bright Girl Can Do-Sally Nicholls
Given that 2018 is the 100th anniversary of some women getting the vote, Things A Bright Girl Can Do is the perfect feminist read for this year, as it follows three teen girls in the 1900s joining the fight for the vote. Showing both the suffragettes, suffragists, upper class and working class, Things A Bright Girl Can Do examines all sides of the fight for the vote, whilst also exploring LGBTQ+ relationships during a time when such relationships were illegal. Definitely one to have on the list for your International Women's Day reading.
9. Code Name Verity-Elizabeth Wein
Not explictly advertised as a feminist book as such, but Code Name Verity centres female friendship above all else and follows two women in WWII performing traditionally masculine roles, one as an SOE operative and one as a pilot, and the challenges that both face, so this book definitely earns it's place as a feminist read for International Women's Day.
10. The Gender Games: The Problem With Men and Women, From Someone Who Has Been Both-Juno Dawson
Trans author Juno Dawson's exploration of gender via her memoir, is the perfect read for International Women's Day because it explores society's expectations of gender and all the pitfalls that come with it for both men and women and what we should be doing to change it.
