If you ever wanted to gain more insight on gender equality and feminism, there's no better way to get inspired, informed and educated than by checking out a book from the library. Here are a variety of thought-provoking reads that expose the stories and inequalities experienced by women for your feminist reading journey:
The Awakening by Kate Chopin, A Room of One's Own by Virginia Woolf and The Second Sex by Simone de Beauvoir are classic feminist titles that are still as eye-opening and relevant as ever. These controversial works about women’s journeys to independence and creativity demonstrate how limited women’s options were at their times of writing, and are now considered revolutionary.
For modern works on feminism, try reading We Should All Be Feminists by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and Bad Feminist by Roxane Gay. These expressive and impassioned books are approachable introductions to feminism that enlighten readers on issues that women face today.
The library also has many books that celebrate the strength and spirit of women and girls breaking barriers and being unapologetically themselves.
Try Strong is the New Pretty by Kate T. Parker, a beautiful collection of photographs of diverse girls breaking stereotypes, Women who Read are Dangerous by Stefan Bollmann, a compendium of artwork depicting women reading throughout the ages, or Wonder Women by Sam Maggs, a showcase of women who made significant contributions to science, technology and more.
Finally, some fiction titles featuring powerful and unconventional female characters include Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë, The Colour Purple by Alice Walker, Lucy by Jamaica Kincaid, The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath and Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi. All involve strong female protagonists who did not conform and who are considered some of the most compelling female characters in literature.
For more suggestions, call 604-527-4666, email [email protected] or visit the New Westminster Public Library in person.
