About the book: The more you read this book, the more you don’t believe that it’s a non-fiction, or at least you don’t want to believe that it is. Ebadi describes the atrocious reality of Iranian women and extensively talk about her fight as a human rights lawyer. Definitely a page turner!
About the author: Shirin Ebadi is an Iranian activist and a human rights lawyer. She received a Nobel Peace Prize in 2003 for her admiring work. She was threatened and attacked multiple times for her activism. Currently she is 72 years old and lives in London.
About the book: Atwood’s most famous novel ‘the Handmaid’s Tale’ has finally awaited its continuation. The sequel of one of the most-read novels was published 30 (!) years after the feminist literary sensation was written. Atwood’s fans have been expecting the story continuation for a long time, but it was worth it. The author doesn’t fail to please her readers and ‘The Testaments’ is harvesting outstanding reviews.
About the author: Margaret Atwood is a Canadian writer. She started to create at a very young age of six and has decided that she wants to be an author in the future. Most of her work is related to feminism, whether it’s by inventing strong, female characters or by creating dystopian worlds, which alarmingly seem to portray our reality.
About the book: It’s undeniable that it’s a beautifully written novel, however it’s very intense. The plot is quite disturbing yet absorbing, describing the lives of three young girls, who live in separation from the rest of the world in order to avoid diseases, who are supposedly spread by men. It’s not the easiest read, however, definitely a page-turner and a must on everyone’s reading list!
About the author: Sophie Mackintosh is a Welsh author. She’s published multiple short stories for which she received numerous awards, such as White Review Short Story Prize in 2016. “The Water Cure” is her first novel and it’s been longlisted for the 2018 Man Booker Prize.
About the book:Emma Gannon takes the ‘which career should I choose?’ question to a completely new level. Answer? Don’t choose. Do it all. If you are struggling to limit yourself to one job and feel that you have more to offer, but you don’t know where to start, this book will teach you how. Emma takes an innovative approach to fight with the stigma of having to define yourself by one profession. The author presents us with useful solutions and inspiration to make your life better.
About the author: Emma Gannon is a columnist, writer and published author. She works for many respected publications such as the Telegraph and COURIER. She also hosts a podcast ‘Ctrl + Alt + Delete’, where she discusses topics varying from politics, feminism to fashion. She recently announced that her first fiction novel will be published in 2020.
About the book: We are used to the fact that media coverage of the Arab world is rather dominated by Western journalists, usually leaving us with a very particular version of the news. If you would like to get to know the other, perhaps more reliable or at least more authentic perspective, this book will be of interest to you. ‘Our Women on the Ground’ is a collection of essays, written by Arab female journalists, who depict the reality behind the scenes of reporting from dangerous and conflicted places of the world. They talk about the bravery, challenges, advantages and breaking stereotypes of Arab women. A must-read not just for journalists. Also, the book contains a foreword by Christiane Amanpour which is already enough of a reason to take a look at it!
About the book: This book has revolutionized they way in which we perceive beauty and how we look in general. Wolf discusses the amount of focus we put on appearance and how it correlates with female identity. The author depicts the restrictive and controlling social regimes that beauty standards have become. An absolute must-read and an eye-opener!
About the author: Naomi Wolf is a bestselling author, who challenges the patriarchy and sexism around the world. She fights for gender equality not just with her books but with activism as well. She organizes various events and talks to raise awareness and fight for women rights. “The Beauty Myth” is one of her most important books.
About the book: With no doubt, this is the most iconic and important book in feminist literature. De Beauvoir analyses the notion of what it’s like to be a woman and the concept of “the other”. The most informative and in-depth book about gender inequality. It’s a definite must-read; don’t be discouraged by its length (750 pages!), it’s worth every minute of your time!
About the author: Simone de Beauvoir made a huge mark on feminism, not just through her writing but also her activism. She wrote multiple books as well as short stories. She is considered to be one of the most important feminist icons, who carefully examined women’s oppression throughout her work.
About the book: The novel is a mix of thriller and comedy, exploring a rather unconventional relationship between two sisters: Korede and Ayoola. The latter causes a bit more problems than a regular little sister would – she has a habit of…killing her boyfriends. The sisterly bond, the touch of dark humour and gripping plot are what makes this story unique and intriguing.
About the author: Oyinkan Braithwaite was born in Lagos, however, she spent her childhood in the UK, in London. She graduated from Kingston University, where she studied creative writing and law. She has been working as an editor and freelance writer since graduation. Her novel ‘My Sister the Serial Killer’ has won many prestigious awards, including 2019 LA Times Awards for Best Crime Thriller and being shortlisted for the Women’s Prize for Fiction 2019.
About the book: ‘Orlando’ is one of the most revolutionary books in the history of English literature. There is a certain level of complexity yet playfulness, in which the author depicts the issues of gender. It is the first English trans novel, innovative as well as gripping. Despite shifting and challenging gender standards, the book has also been called a love letter to Woolf’s best friend and lover Vita Sackville-West, who is supposed to be portrayed in the main character –Orlando. The plot and the ending leaves the readers hopeful for the promising future of women, which is very much needed now as it was in the 19th century.
About the author: Virginia Woolf was an English writer, considered to be one of the most important figures in feminist and modernist literature. She wrote a number of novels as well as non-fiction essays, touching on crucial issues regarding women and gender equality. Virginia suffered from severe depression and took her own life in 1941, at the age of 59.
About the book:“Ordinary People” is a multi-layered novel, which touches on various topics, from parenthood and relationships to love and the finding your own identity. It follows the lives of two couples, each struggling with their own problems and trying their best to cope with the challenges that life throws at them. It will make you laugh, perhaps even cry and it will definitely make you wonder. Not so ordinary story!
About the author: Diana Evans is an award-winning British author. Her novel “Ordinary People” was shortlisted for Women’s Fiction Prize in 2019. Apart from being an author, Diana is also a journalist and a critic. She wrote three novels as well as multiple short stories.
About the book: It’s not an ordinary love story. It depicts the issues of racism, immigrations, politics and much more. The author manages to write about difficult topic and maintain a moving love story. It’s not only beautiful, but it’s also important. It’s a book of great impact and definitely worth having a read!
About the author: Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie is a Nigerian author, who writes novels, short-stories as well as non-fiction. He most notable novels include “Americanah”, “Purple Hibiscus” and “Half of a Yellow Sun”. She also did a TED talk, which is now one of the most viewed TED talks. She is a feminist, who fights with inequality and in 2012 published “We Should All Be Feminists”, which became a multinational sensation.
About the book: “City of Girls” is a unique love story, told from the perspective of an elder woman, who is reminiscing her past. Set in 1940’s in New York City, it explores the struggles of being yourself, autonomy and true love. Very gripping and moving, definitely a page-turner. Perfect read for the holiday break!
About the author: Elizabeth Gilbert is an American author, who started her career as a journalist. Her short story “Pilgrims” was published in 1993 and brought her recognition as an author. She received numerous awards for her novels, as well as her memoir “Eat Pray Love”.
About the book: Boko Haram has been spreading terror in Nigeria and beyond it for a long time. However, when in April 2014 the members of the group abducted almost 300 young girls, the whole world was shook and outraged. The book consists of reports from Boko Haram survivors, who decided to share their stories. Moving, horrifying and incredibly important and eye-opening book.
About the author: Wolfgang Bauer is a German journalist and reporter, who has received multiple awards. He published multiple reportages and he spent weeks with survivors of Boko Haram terror and wrote down their experiences and what they have been through.
