Everyday Sexism by Laura Bates

This is the book that made me an avid reader of Bates’ writing. This book made me not only know more about the gender discrimination and harassment that goes on around me, but after finishing this book, I am more passionate about this crucial issue. This book is more than just a list of facts and figures. It has real-life experiences, and those realistic events, really, I feel, put this book in perspective. All genders need to read this book.

Quiet: The Power of Introverts In A World That Can’t Stop Talking by Susan Cain

After reading this, I had a deeper understanding of myself and personality. The word “introvert” was foreign to me until I read this book. I learned to praise my quiet qualities and use them to my advantage. But not only that, Quiet is a passionately written and well-researched book that offers both insight and education.

A Vindication of the Rights of Woman by Mary Wollstonecraft

Wollstonecraft addresses an issue that will persist for centuries to come: women’s rights. Wollstonecraft’s social commentary on women’s rights is an inspiring and insightful work of historical literature. In this political climate, I felt it was necessary to read more political books, books that exemplified the importance of equal rights for everyone. Her words are eloquent, and I am not afraid to say, very ballsy. She spoke her mind, a rarity in the 18th century for a woman, and was not scared of what society thought of her but wanted to listen to her philosophical words.

Where Hope Comes From: Poems of Resilience, Healing and Light by Nikita Gill

This delightful book may be small, but it packs an emotional impact tenfold. I already know that this book is one of my favorites of 2021. Filled with inspiration, hope and love, this poetry collection is one that readers will return to over and over again.

A Jane Austen Education: How Six Novels Taught Me About Love, Friendship, and the Things That Really Matter by William Deresiewicz

Before Jane Austen, William Deresiewicz was a very different young man. A sullen and arrogant graduate student, he never thought Austen would have anything to offer him. Then he read Emma–and everything changed.

In this unique and lyrical book, Deresiewicz weaves the misadventures of Austen’s characters with his own youthful follies, demonstrating the power of the great novelist’s teachings–and how, for Austen, growing up and making mistakes are one and the same. Honest, erudite, and deeply moving, A Jane Austen Education is the story of one man’s discovery of the world outside himself. (Credit: Penguin Books)

I Am Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban by Malala Yousafzai with Christina Lamb

This was such a powerful and meaningful biography that is filled with determination and perseverance. This book has stayed with me since the day I finished it and it is one of my favorite biographies of all time.

Becoming by Michelle Obama

I already had a deep, profound respect for this woman, but when I finished reading this, my admiration for her increased tenfold. Her experiences and her life story were so relatable to me that I just wanted to read more and more. She has so much insight and wisdom that her intellect would be inspirational to the younger generation.

The Real Jane Austen: A Life in Small Things by Paula Byrne

With every biography that I read about Jane Austen, I always learn something new, and this book did not disappoint. Jane Austen has a mysterious life, and there is much we still need to know about her. The author examines various objects that may or may not have belonged to Austen and highlights their significance not only in her life but also in her novels. We may never know what Jane’s true personality or what she really looked like, but it is great to see different authors’ opinions and speculations about the real Jane Austen.

Invisible Women: Exposing Data Bias In A World Designed For Men by Caroline Criado Perez

Such an informative and eye opening book that I will return to again. It really made me look at all aspects of life in a different light. This title is something that everyone of both genders should read so that way they could understand and how wide the gender discrepancy really is. 

What White People Can Do Next: From Allyship to Coalition by Emma Dabiri

This was an insightful and well-researched nonfiction book on how white people can really provide allyship for minorities and conduct a true coalition that goes beyond the neoliberal agenda and focuses on how to really change the platform and the agenda to make it more coherent and workable. I found myself underlining and nodding at all the important and poignant statements Dabiri was making. The part of the note that I found to be relevant was that she didn’t want this book to be just another part of anti-racism literature or part of “diversifying your feed.”Allyship is more than just creating the booklists but actually putting in the work and Dabiri highlights that fact so well. This is a book that everyone definitely needs to read.