In honor of Women’s History Month, I’d like to recommend three books with stories that feature empowering women. March is the time of year that shines on the achievements and societal contributions made by women of all backgrounds (although it should be done every day), as well as honoring their resilience through challenges.
I deeply appreciate these books that serve as positive representations of women facing their struggles and coming out on top. Through their stories, we can be inspired and empower ourselves to pursue our dreams and break down barriers.
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“30 Things I Love About Myself” by Radhika Sanghani
In this fictional novel, Nina Mistry hit rock bottom when she spent her 30th birthday in jail alone in her pajamas after spontaneously joining a protest defending refugees. She was forced to survive one night without carbs, wine or Wi-Fi, and worst of all, she found herself devoid of anyone to celebrate with. Once she was out, still freshly separated from her fiancé, she now had to move back into her childhood home where her older brother battles depression and their high-strung, traditional Indian mother picks apart every decision she makes.
Her career as a freelance journalist was not going the way she anticipated, which made her feel inadequate compared to her friends who were too busy getting engaged and having successful lives of their own. While in her jail cell, she received a self-help book titled: “How to Love Yourself (and Fix Your Shitty Life in the Process).”
Having nothing left to lose, she applied some of its practices to her life, and she made it her mission to create a list of 30 inner attributes that she loved about herself, focusing solely on qualities unrelated to her appearance or other external factors, before her next birthday. She persevered through the humiliation that came from her career, broken engagement and other encounters with her list, consistently adding to it every time she gained insight about herself from these situations.
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“Does My Body Offend You?” by Mayra Cuevas and Marie Marquardt
This book is a collaboration between two women: Mayra Cuevas, an award-winning journalist for CNN, and Marie Marquardt, an award-winning author. Together, they write from alternating perspectives through the characters of Malena Rosario and Ruby McAllister.
Malena Rosario was displaced from her beloved Puerto Rico by Hurricane María and relocated to Florida with her mother. Going to her new school in Florida braless after a bad sunburn, the school administration shamed and pressured her into covering up.
Ruby McAllister is known as a feminist activist with a bold attitude. Now in a Florida high school, after being previously overshadowed by her sister in Seattle, she grapples with uncertainty about her future and doubts her abilities to change the world. So when she notices Malena being forced to cover up, she stands up for her.
These two teenagers join forces to lead a rebellion against the school’s dress code enforcement. In their journey together, they confront their insecurities, biases and privileges. These girls find strength in friendship, feminism and advocating for both their beliefs and themselves.
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“Buy Yourself the F*cking Lilies: And Other Rituals to Fix Your Life, from Someone Who’s Been There” by Tara Schuster
For anyone seeking a self-help book, I suggest giving this one a try.
Tara Schuster is an entertainment executive who advocates for mental health. In her late 20s, she had accomplishments in her career working with shows like “The Daily Show” and contributing to the viral success of “Key & Peele.” She appeared to have mastered adulthood; however, she struggled with depression, anxiety and shame stemming from her upbringing with little parental involvement.
In this nonfiction book, we follow Schuster’s journey in re-parenting herself and practicing self-love. Through daily rituals, she managed to change her mindset, body and relationships for the better. She offers advice on cultivating gratitude with a “fake it until you make it” mentality, eventually leading to genuine feelings of gratitude over time. She also guides healing emotional wounds, overcoming self-limiting beliefs to regain control of life and silencing self-criticism from the inner frenemy.
Schuster aims to empower readers to seize control of their own choices to create a life that they truly love. It also helps that her humorous approach makes the guide more relatable, almost like chatting with a close friend, making it the ideal book for personal growth.
These stories can not only have the power to move readers but also underscore the significance of highlighting women’s strength and perseverance. Celebrating Women’s History Month through literature is a meaningful way to honor women’s experiences and achievements. I hope these stories, and many others, continue to empower readers long after this month ends.
