Women in Books Pt. 2
Words by: Maggie Laubscher | Music by: Abby Yemm
Image credit: Radu Florin
Happy spring! We have a new round of book recommendations for you, in honor of last week’s World Book Day.
As always, our book picks lean female, empowerment, and eye-opening. We also try to pick books with a range of publishing dates; that way, they aren’t all new bestsellers with long library waitlists.
With spring finally around us, we are ready for fresh perspectives and book friends. Keep scrolling for our new favorites…
1) Bad Feminist
Author: Roxane Gay
Debut Year: 2014
Vibe: Unabashed female thought | nonfiction essays
Bad Feminist was an instant classic when it debuted in 2014. It was a New York Times Bestseller, Best Book of the Year at NPR, and on and on. The book is composed of a series of essays by Roxane -- an American writer, professor, editor, and social commentator. In the essays, she dives into politics, criticism, and feminism. Roxane’s writing is funny and poignant and sharp.
2) Godshot
Author: Chelsea Bieker
Debut Year: 2020
Vibe: Fast-paced female resilience | fiction novel
Godshot has been described as haunting, moving, and resplendent, all at once. It’s a novel about girlhood and religion, a story that unfolds smoothly and powerfully. It has a page-turning plot and at its heart, is about female friendship and resilience.
3) Girlhood
Author: Melissa Febos
Debut Year: 2021
Vibe: Societal commentary | nonfiction essays
Another collection of stories, Girlhood confronts the forces that shape women from girlhood to old age. It’s a wise and beautifully written guide to transforming the self and our society. Author Melissa Febos is a critically acclaimed writer who combines reporting and memoir into a flowing narrative that is both a textbook on society and an anthem for women everywhere.
Author: E. Lockhart
Debut Year: 2018
Vibe: Smart teen mystery | fiction novel
We Were Liars is a quick read and a fun one at that. It’s a modern suspense story involving young friends on a private island and too many secrets. Written by E. Lockhart, who is a National Book Award finalist, the novel is thrilling and deep.
Author: Cathy Park Hong
Debut Year: 2021
Vibe: Cultural criticism meets memoir | nonfiction essays
Minor Feelings has seemingly won all the awards for nonfiction writing this year, and it’s only April. So you know it’s a good one. The nonfiction book of essays is part memoir, part criticism and all about race in America -- specifically, the Asian American experience in America. Cathy Park Hong is already a celebrated poet and in this book, she writes in her signature honest, witty, and fearless tone.
Author: A. H. Kim
Debut Year: 2020
Vibe: Juicy fun drama | fiction novel
A Good Family is a soapy story of an all-American power family as it implodes under the weight of secrets, lies and the unchecked desire for wealth and power. It’s a fun break of a read in between heavy hitters, while still being smartly written.
An Abby Yemm playlist for you…
A playlist created by Abby Yemm
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