10 Books by Inspiring Contemporary Female Authors

Commemorating Women’s Equality Day: 10 Books by Inspiring Contemporary Female Authors

Posted on by Shravani Sawant

Let us raise a toast to the works of 10 inspiring contemporary female authors and their exceptional prose this Women’s Equality Day.

“The question isn’t who’s going to let me; it’s who’s going to stop me.” – Ayn Rand, author of “The Fountainhead” (1943)

10 Books by Inspiring Contemporary Female Authors: With the above quote in mind, let’s begin our foray into the world of inspiring female writers. The 26th of August is celebrated in the United States as Women’s Equality Day, commemorating the adoption of an amendment that granted American women the right to vote. A pivotal milestone in the (unfortunately) still ongoing pursuit of gender equality, it serves as a reminder of the women who fought bravely for such opportunities to make things easier for generations to come.

This year, we shall dive into books written by female authors that serve as a beacon of inspiration and hope to us all, irrespective of who we identify as. Whatever your gender and sexual identity, literature is here for you. We have curated a list of such books that everyone should read and help pay homage to the countless voices from a legion of racial backgrounds. Let’s raise a toast to these unmistakable trailblazers and delve into one of their most popular works!

Table of Contents

1. The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood [1985]

The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood [1985]
The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood [1985]
Considered a genre-defining dystopian modern classic, The Handmaid’s Tale is a story of power, politics, women’s rights, and so much more. Set in the totalitarian society of Gilead, in a parallel USA, the book begins with the story of Offred, a handmaiden at the house of a high-ranking commander named Fred. They live in a society where women’s rights are restricted in a crippling manner, and they solely are treated as property of the state and the man to whose house they are assigned. Through Offred’s first-person perspective, we take a horrifying look into her oppressive world, the situations and rituals she is subjected to, her ultimate yearning for freedom, and the revolution that follows. As we watch the seemingly meek, submissive women from diverse sets of Gilead households rebel and stand up for what they rightly deserve, the book sets the stage for political drama, hope, and close-knit relationships.

Margaret Atwood is a Canadian author and poet who has published several books, poetry collections, and graphic novels. She is a staunch environmentalist and believer in women’s rights. Along with weaving intricate webs of intriguing storylines and inspiring a hit web series of this book, she is also an activist, recently helping with the publication of information about the Ukraine war on the internet.

2. Becoming by Michelle Obama [2018]

Inspiring Female Authors: Becoming by Michelle Obama [2018]
Becoming by Michelle Obama [2018]
Written by the former First Lady of the United States, Becoming is a poignant memoir of Obama’s life. It chronicles her journey from her childhood at the South Side of Chicago, her young adulthood as a college student at Princeton and then Harvard, her work as a lawyer and eventually as the First Lady. It beautifully describes her experiences as someone who had grown up surrounded by encouragement to education and independence and ended up as someone striving to serve the community with public service and a firm motto of giving back in whatever project she picks up.

In the book, she provides a never-seen-before view of what happens behind the scenes at the White House and how she went out of her way to ensure that she and everybody working with her makes a positive impact wherever they go. She writes about familial bonds, her relationships growing up, how she met her husband of 20-something years, and the journey behind elections and campaigns, along with the dark side of politics. Throughout the book, there is an undertone of warmth, persistence, and empowerment. The reflective and candid tone of her writing makes you feel like you know her personally and would like to be included in her close-knit ties.

3. Hunger: A Memoir of (My) Body by Roxane Gay [2017]

Hunger: A Memoir of (My) Body by Roxane Gay [2017]
Hunger: A Memoir of (My) Body by Roxane Gay [2017]
Hunger is a memoir documenting professor and writer Roxane Gay’s relationship with her body, past trauma, and societal expectations. It revolves around her struggle with her body image, rooted in a childhood traumatic event. She shares how she has been dealing with the aftermath of the incident and how it led to using her own body as a defense mechanism. She also describes the complexities in how society views and judges various body types, especially those bodies that don’t fall under the so-called “normal” spectrum. Expanding on how it has affected her sense of self and shaped her identity, she continues to be vulnerable and raw with her stories. She opens up about the emotional toll it took and is taking in the ongoing journey towards self-acceptance and self-love.

In addition to her personal narrative, Gay also writes about issues concerning body image, fatphobia, identity, and societal expectations. She advocates for the media portrayal of “fatness” to change as it is harmful and potentially life-altering for many young people. Through this book, she aims to raise awareness of such issues and empower others to embrace their bodies and self-image.

4. Song of Solomon by Toni Morrison [1977]

Inspiring Female Authors: Song of Solomon by Toni Morrison [1977]
Song of Solomon by Toni Morrison [1977]
Song of Solomon is a novel by Nobel Prize-winning author Toni Morrison that delves into identity, family, and self-discovery as its major themes. The book follows the life story of a Macon “Milkman” Dead III, an African-American living in Michigan. He embarks on a quest to discover his family’s history and meets with flavours of race and cultural heritage. He learns the significance of his African roots, understands societal constraints on him and his family, his ancestry, and yearns to liberate himself from his confining circumstances and find his own path. It is turned into a metaphor in the book where he dreams of flying. He desires to escape and wants to experience the taste of freedom. The story also explores strained relationships with family, addressing conflicting views with your loved ones, and navigating tensions within the house.

Following Toni Morrison’s usual style, this masterpiece explores her lyrical prose and psychological insights that define her unique attributes as a writer. She often weaves historical and cultural elements into her writing, thus incorporating commentaries on the contemporary affairs around her. Song of Solomon has appeared in multiple lists of “Best English language novels” and is often cited as one of the reasons why Morrison won the 1993 Nobel Prize in Literature.

Also Read: 20 English Classics to Enrich Your Literary Journey 

5. The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy [1997]

The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy [1997]
The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy [1997]
The Booker Prize for Best Fiction winning book, The God of Small Things, is a novel by Arundhati Roy that is based in India and intertwines social hierarchies, forbidden love, and childhood innocence in the backdrop of the impact of colonialism. The book portrays the ingrained caste system in the country, with a clear bias against ‘untouchables’. Despite what we think about modern India, the caste system largely prevails in rural areas and prominent characters in the book, like the servant Velutha, suffer due to it. An untouchable, Velutha faces scandal and condemnation for having a relationship with an upper-caste woman. Their love defies norms but carries serious consequences for both families, and the book illustrates the issues they face in a way that makes you feel strongly about them both. Multiple storylines are knitting together different timelines in this poetic masterpiece, which will leave you at times longing, fuming, pining, and smiling.

Arundhati Roy is an Indian author and activist. She often addresses social and political issues, both within and without her writing, often through the lens of personal storytelling. Her evocative prose calls for action by the stagnant reader or listener, and she is known to be open with expressing her views even today. While they may be controversial from time to time, she majorly stands up for women’s rights, peace talks, and the general well-being of the public.

6. The Heart of a Woman by Maya Angelou [1981]

The Heart of a Woman by Maya Angelou [1981]
The Heart of a Woman by Maya Angelou [1981]
Maya Angelou, an American author and civil rights activist, published a series of autobiographical titles, The Heart of a Woman being the fourth of seven. It chronicles her life from 1957 to 1962 and touches upon various topics like motherhood, civil rights, and personal growth. The book evolves with her own evolving sense of identity as a woman while navigating the challenges of being an African-American woman during the 1950s and 1960s. Her experiences as a single mother and her various relationships are explored, underlining their roles in her ultimate pursuit of the arts and the way they have influenced everything she’s produced. It also provides a first-hand account of her involvement in the Civil Rights movement, including her interactions with Martin Luther King Jr and Malcolm X and her participation in the equality struggle. Throughout the book, her passion for the movement and love for her son and other close bonds are splashed across the pages.

Maya Angelou is celebrated for her powerful voice in general, whether in poetry or prose, writing or speech. She was a natural performer and a thought-provoking influence of the 20th century. She always highlighted the importance of artistic expression as a means for channelling emotions and overcoming adversities in life. She has left behind a legacy that is hard to fill – a call for social justice, combined with powerful writing, is hard to come by. This and other books in the series are a must-read.

7. Educated by Tara Westover [2018]

Inspiring Female Authors: Educated by Tara Westover [2018]
Educated by Tara Westover [2018]
Tara Westover is a historian and memoirist born in a Mormon survivalist family, which did not believe in formal education and did not subscribe to the typical ways of rural living. She records herself growing up and breaking free from these restrictions to provide herself with a Cambridge education and promote individualism and empowerment for all in Educated. Despite her upbringing, her determination to teach herself and hide her ambitions from the family until gaining admission into a top university is commendable. She thirsts for self-discovery and believes strongly in the potency of a good education. While she traverses through her ambitions, she has to contend with her father’s extreme religious beliefs, her mother’s traditional role in the household, and the dynamics she has with her various siblings. The tensions between her and her family are eventually propelled into contention for growth and estrangement.

Westover describes the physical and emotional abuse hurtled towards her based on the tumultuous family environment and the neighborhood. She confronts her past and is determined to say goodbye, not let past incidents hinder her progress in the future. The theme of education is central to her narrative as she moves on to excel in academics and transforms what her future would have looked like had she stayed with her family.

8. We Should All Be Feminists by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie [2014]

Inspiring Female Authors: We Should All Be Feminists by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie [2014]
We Should All Be Feminists by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie [2014]
We Should All Be Feminists is a TEDx-talk-turned-book by Nigerian writer Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. The talk, given at TEDxEuston in London in 2012, has now been viewed more than 8 million times on YouTube and led to the publication of this book in 2014. Despite its short length as a book, it explores a wide array of themes of gender equality, feminism, and the impact of patriarchy on daily lives. It stresses the pivotal role of feminism in achieving gender equality and describes what it means in detail. She highlights these definitions with anecdotes from her childhood, where she wasn’t allowed to perform certain activities because she was a girl. She recognises intersectionality in feminism, with subjects of race, class, and other ways to identify yourself. For example, she discusses how a poor woman’s experience of feminism differs from that of a wealthier woman and the contrast between the challenges and opportunities they face. She also challenges harmful gender stereotypes and their repercussions on men and women.

Adichie discusses how these stereotypes and pre-defined roles limit personal potential and advocates for freedom to express ourselves in ways that feel authentic to each of us. Her usual writing style addresses feminism and the African experience and has garnered critical acclaim worldwide. It is straightforward and compelling, with clear calls to action and the restlessness of urging to make a change.

Also Read: 20 Must-Read Short Books Under 250 Pages

9. Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead by Sheryl Sandberg [2013]

Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead by Sheryl Sandberg [2013]
Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead by Sheryl Sandberg [2013]
Lean In is a book by one of the top business professionals in the world, Sheryl Sandberg. She has previously worked at Meta as COO and is the founder of LeanIn.org, the latter based on the book and its supporters. In the book, she writes about gender equality in the workplace, leadership, and women’s empowerment. She addresses the persistent gender disparities in the corporate world, discusses challenges faced by women in attaining promotions and leadership positions, and the various factors (internal and external) that contribute to this imbalance. She urges the need for change across professional landscapes everywhere, highlighting self-doubt and self-obstruction as important hurdles to overcome. Lean In also encourages women to embrace ambition with open arms and cultivate a sense of confidence. It destroys myths that one mustn’t ask for rewards for the work one has done and promotes conversations with managers, peers, and others.

“Imposter syndrome” is one of the key issues addressed in the book, with an emphasis on the importance of supportive partnerships and shared responsibilities between partners in achieving work-life balance. As a successful woman in the professional world, she outlines her struggles, acknowledges the privileges she enjoys, and urges everyone to address issues and resolve them as soon as possible.

10. Yes Please by Amy Poehler [2014]

Inspiring Female Authors: Yes Please by Amy Poehler [2014]
Yes Please by Amy Poehler [2014]
Yes Please is a memoir written by actor and comedian Amy Poehler of Parks & Recreation fame. An eclectic mix of comedy, career, family, and personal growth with a healthy touch of drama thrown in, the book is an adventure in storytelling. Poehler combines introspection with humor as she reflects on her life and comedy career. She shared personal insights into the world of entertainment. She recalls her rehearsals and long nights of writing for Saturday Night Live and the various challenges of performing live comedy. She also shares her journey learning improv herself and the equal dose of failures and successes she got from it. 

The book also dives into her experiences as a working mother in the entertainment industry and offers valuable insights to anyone reading. She highlights the significance of deep-rooted friendships and healthy collaborations, peppered with anecdotes about her relationships with fellow comedians and partners, e.g., Tina Fey. If you happen to get the audiobook, it features cameos from her various friends in the industry, like Seth Meyers, Mike Schur, etc. While her comedic talents have already swept up the industry, which partly believes that “women can’t be funny,” maybe it’s time we notice her writing as well.

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