5 Feminist Books That Will Stay With You

Looking for books that challenge your thinking and leave you feeling empowered? Feminist reads do just that. They're bold, honest, and hard to forget, spotlighting sharp minds, raw experiences, and big ideas that push boundaries.

These stories will make you think, laugh, maybe rage a little, and definitely see the world through a different lens. Consider this your invitation to dive into books that truly matter!

// Untamed by Glennon Doyle

It is a fierce, soul-stirring memoir that has resonated with millions of readers around the world. In this deeply personal and empowering book, Doyle shares her journey of breaking free from the expectations placed on women, as a mother, wife, Christian, and public figure, and learning to trust the voice within. Through candid storytelling and sharp insight, she explores themes like identity, motherhood, love, divorce, and personal freedom.

// The Moment of Lift by Melinda Gates

This book is an inspiring look at how empowering women can transform families, communities, and entire societies. Drawing from her work with the Gates Foundation, Melinda shares moving stories of women around the world, fighting for education, healthcare, and equality. She also opens up about her own journey as a mother, partner, and advocate. With compassion and clarity, this book makes a powerful case: when women rise, we all rise.

// The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood

This is a haunting dystopian novel that explores power, control, and the loss of women’s rights in an oppressive society. Set in the Republic of Gilead, it follows Offred, a Handmaid forced into reproductive servitude, as she navigates a world where freedom is a memory. First published in 1985, the story remains strikingly relevant, sparking renewed interest through its award-winning TV adaptation. A cornerstone of feminist fiction, it’s unsettling, unforgettable, and a powerful warning about where silence and complacency can lead.

// Bad Feminist by Roxane Gay

This is a sharp, funny, and deeply personal collection of essays that explore the complexities of feminism in today’s world. With wit and vulnerability, Roxane reflects on everything from pop culture and politics to race, body image, and her own contradictions as a self-described “bad feminist.” She challenges the idea that feminists must be perfect, making space for real, flawed people who still believe in equality. This book has struck a chord with younger readers and anyone who’s ever felt conflicted about living up to feminist ideals while loving problematic things. Bad Feminist is both entertaining and thought-provoking.

// I Am Malala by Malala Yousafzai

This inspiring memoir is of a young girl who refused to be silenced. Growing up in Pakistan’s Swat Valley, Malala was an outspoken advocate for girls’ education even as the Taliban tried to shut down schools and suppress women’s rights. At just 15, she was shot in the head for speaking out but survived, and her story captured the world’s attention. Co-written with journalist Christina Lamb, the book details her family life, her courage in the face of violence, and her journey to becoming the youngest-ever Nobel Peace Prize laureate.