Let’s kick off Women’s History Month with a feminist reading guide! Here are some recommendations, courtesy of English and Gender Studies teacher Erin Walsh. Whether you are looking to learn about intersectional feminism, get inspired by stories of women breaking boundaries, or check out some sci-fi written by women, these books are worth reading.
The Handmaid’s Tale
“Set in a dystopian, religious totalitarian state known as Gilead, The Handmaid’s Tale explores a world in which women are seen only for their reproductive abilities. It forces you to consider in what direction our world is headed. It also pairs well with 1984.”
Kindred
“A Black woman in the world of science-fiction, Octavia Butler broke barriers with her books that feature powerful women of color and themes surrounding racism, motherhood, and femininity.”
I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter
“It follows the story of a girl navigating high school and her Mexican-American parents’ strict expectations, all in the wake of her sister’s death. This book features themes surrounding mental health, gender roles, and cultural expectations and is being made into a movie!”
Circe
“A retelling of The Odyssey from Circe’s point of view. Did you like The Odyssey in ninth grade, but felt like it was too focused on men? Then this is the book for you!”
The Queen’s Gambit
“This novel follows Beth Harmon, a chess prodigy, from childhood into adulthood. Beth finds solace in chess as she navigates a life of abandonment and drug use, but she finds it difficult to be taken seriously in a male-dominated field.”
Their Eyes Were Watching God
“This is a coming-of-age story that explores gender roles, freedom, liberation, and race. It is one of Zora Neale Hurston’s most popular books and is also a pillar of the Harlem Renaissance. Some students already read this in 9th grade.”
The Awakening
“Definitely an older text, but it’s a classic for a reason! This novella tells the story of a young woman who is in an unhappy marriage, and struggling with motherhood. It’s considered one of the early feminist texts in the US.”
The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants
“This series was really popular when I was in middle school. It follows four friends who miraculously fit into the same pair of jeans, so they each wear them for a few weeks over the summer, then mail them to the next person, complete with updates on their lives. This book celebrates the importance of close (and diverse) female friendships, especially while growing up and navigating the teenage years.”
Nancy Drew: The Secret of the Old Clock
“I had to put this one in here! Although it’s definitely meant for younger readers, I feel like it is a truly feminist series (at least for its time). I read almost all of them as a kid, and I think it made me the feminist I am today!”
