Sometimes when you’re out there in the real world, fighting the good fight, doing your best not to buckle under the weight of the sexist hate the world so often throws at women who are trying to live out loud, you can get discouraged. No matter how staunch of a feminist you are, no matter how much you firmly believe that men and women deserve equal rights and are willing to do all you can to make that happen, the sad truth is that sometimes it can seem like progress is standing still when it comes to these things. The wage gap still exists. Rape culture is alive and well. Sexual harassment in the workplace remains a paralyzing fact for many modern day women. All you have to do is click on a YouTube video prominently featuring a woman and scroll down in the comments to see horrible things screamed at her and the gender as a whole.
With all of this negativity, sometimes us feminist fighters, whether male or female, just need some positive energy. Some encouragement, some love from those funny individuals who are fighting similar battles, who get it and, even better, can make us laugh about even as we feel heard maybe for the first time all day. My answer to this need for encouragement is simple; books. Namely, books by fierce feminist icons I would love to grow up to be. So here, for all my fellow feminists out there who just want to read a book by someone who understands and who can make it funny, are five of my favorite feminist books. Happy reading and always remember, your efforts to maintain and achieve gender equality do matter. We can’t do this without brave people like you, so keep on fighting.
1. "Bossypants" by Tina Fey
Who’s the author? Tina Fey is a powerhouse of talent in the entertainment industry with credits as a comedian, producer, actor, and writer. She’s well known for serving as a writer for "Saturday Night Live" for many years, and has since gone on to produce and star in several awesome TV shows such as "30 Rock" and "Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt," and is also a well-known face in movies such as "Sisters," "This Is Where I Leave You," "Whiskey Tango Foxtrot," and "Mean Girls."
Why does it matter? Tina Fey uses this book to discuss her own experiences with taking charge in the entertainment industry and the ups and downs she’s faced as she’s struggled to step up in an industry and culture that would probably prefer it if she sat down and shut up. This is a very honest and funny book with a lot of great content, and definitely worth a read!
Favorite quote: “So, my unsolicited advice to women in the workplace is this. When faced with sexism, or ageism, or lookism … ask yourself the following question: ‘Is this person in between me and what I want to do?’ If the answer is no, ignore it and move on. Your energy is better used doing your work and outpacing people that way. Then, when you’re in charge, don’t hire the people who were jerky to you.”
2. "How to Be a Woman" by Caitlin Moran
Who’s the author? Caitlin Moran is an English author and journalist both in print media and in broadcasting. Her honest and witty style of writing have enchanted thousands and her books have sold extremely in both the UK and the US, earning her an almost immediate spot on the New York Times Bestseller list for her first book, "How To Be A Woman."
Why does it matter? Caitlin Moran writes about her experiences growing up as a chubby, poor confused girl in bad need of some guidance on how to grow up and successfully become a woman while simultaneously drawing on her experiences and relating them to larger feminist issues. The anecdotal style of the book will keep you interested and laughing so hard you cry, while the more hard-hitting portions of the essay on gender inequality will make you think and give you pause.
Favorite quote: “Any action a woman engages in from a spirit of joy, and within a similarly safe and joyous environment, falls within the city-walls of feminism. A girl has a right to dance how she wants, when her favourite record comes on.”
3. "Not That Kind of Girl" by Lena Dunham
Who’s the author? Lena Dunham is an actor, writer, producer, and director. She is the driving force behind the smash hit HBO show “Girls” and has also written for the "New Yorker," published her own book, and collaborated on a project known as "Lenny letters," a website and newsletter published for like minded modern women.
Why does it matter? Lena Dunham is a young woman writing about her experiences in the entertainment industry, as well as her thoughts on her education, her past loves, her OCD, and the many, many other stories she has stored up in her life. Each chapter is a carefully woven tale that also teaches a lesson halfway through, lessons about respecting yourself and your body, and standing up for what you want and being as strong as you always hoped you could be.
Favorite quote: “There is nothing gutsier to me than a person announcing that their story is one that deserves to be told, especially if that person is a woman. As hard as we have worked and as far as we have come, there are still so many forces conspiring to tell women that our concerns are petty, our opinions aren’t needed, that we lack the gravitas necessary for our stories to matter. That personal writing by women is no more than an exercise in vanity and that we should appreciate this new world for women, sit down, and shut up.”
4. "Yes Please" by Amy Poehler
Who’s the author? Amy Poehler is often recognized by many as Tina Fey’s partner in crime and vice versa. She’s an actress, writer, and producer who is perhaps most famously known for her time on SNL, as well as her iconic and beloved role as Leslie Knope, a well-meaning and high energy local government official, in the highly praised mockumentary style comedy show, "Parks and Rec." Poehler, however, is also the producer of the incredibly popular TV show "Broad City," and can be seen in such movies as "ACOD," "Mean Girls," "Sisters," and "Baby Mama." She is also the creator of the online community "Smart Girls at the Party" a website and online video series where young girls can receive encouragement and advice and see examples of strong women and girls making a difference around the world.
Why does it matter? Poehler writes with honesty and a disarming humor about her rise to the top, as well as give solid advice both to growing girls and grown women. Not only is she a brilliant, funny writer but she’s not afraid to grapple with intense or complicated issues, such as divorce, raising children, failure, and sexism. Her gentle humor, outrageously funny stories and wit will keep you turning the pages compulsively until you reach the end.
Favorite quote: “Saying ‘yes’ doesn’t mean I don’t know how to say no, and saying ‘please’ doesn’t mean I am waiting for permission.”
5. "Why Not Me?" by Mindy Kaling
Who’s the author? Mindy Kaling is an actress, writer, and comedian, known for her role as Kelly on the American version of "The Office," as well as her more recent starring role in the Hulu series "The Mindy Project." She can be seen in the movies "The Night Before," "No Strings Attached," and "The Five-Year Engagement." Her voice talents have also been used in "Wreck It Ralph" and the smash Pixar hit "Inside Out."
Why does it matter? Mindy Kaling is the smart, fabulous, funny fashionista we have all been waiting for. In her second book, Why Not Me? Kaling expands on the lessons she sharedin her first book Is Everybody Hanging Out Without Me? telling stories about her brief sorority days, the glory and insanity of running her own TV show, her attempts to balance a dating and professional life, and her struggles and triumphs when it comes to body confidence all through a distinctly feminist (and funny) lens.
Favorite quote: “People's reaction to me is sometimes ‘Uch, I just don't like her. I hate how she thinks she is so great.’ But it's not that I think I'm so great. I just don't hate myself. I do idiotic things all the time and I say crazy stuff I regret, but I don't let everything traumatize me. And the scary thing I have noticed is that some people really feel uncomfortable around women who don't hate themselves. So that's why you need to be a little bit brave.”
