If you are tired of the ever-typical male dominant role in TV shows and books here is a compilation of my favourites which empower women! From TV, non-fiction, and fiction books these are the essentials to add to your list this spring.
Unwell Women
Elinor Cleghorn begins this journey of female oppression within medicine and history, discussing the origins of mysticism surrounding women’s health. Looking back over an entire history of myth, legend, and patriarchal beliefs, Cleghorn assesses the discrimination faced by women today in medicine. For me, this book is outstanding collection of stories that are both horrifying and eye-opening in equal measure. From witches, midwifes, clitoridectomy in female genital mutilation, Hysteria and the Suffragettes, to our modern era where we still encounter numerous barriers to female healthcare, Cleghorn encompasses a range of history. This makes it an insightful read for philosophers, historians, scientific minds, and the general population, with language not too scientific or difficult to read. I would re-read this book over and over again; it fuels me with equal anger and pride for being a women and I SO recommend it to everyone!
Untamed
My second non-fiction book must-read is another eye-opener, this time by Glennon Doyle. Captured perfectly by the subtitle “stop pleasing, start living”, this book details Doyle’s own life, personal struggles and how she overcame these barriers. By removing labels and living outside of people’s expectations of you, she proposes a happier, better life where you can please yourself rather than everyone else. Her book chapters centre around personal memories that captures a particular moment of oppression, struggle and finally freedom from the barriers she faces. It challenges societal labels, how others perceive you versus how you see yourself, and what the key to living freely is. I devoured this book in two days and was so absorbed by how much the content resonated with my own life; it made me realise how important it is to stop pleasing others and live for myself.
The Bold Type
As soon as you are introduced to the world of Kat, Jane, and Sutton you will be so invested by their story that you just have to watch all 5 seasons (which are now available on BBC iPlayer). Based upon Cosmopolitan, the Bold Type is set in Scarlett magazine, a women’s magazine that explores sex, relationships, fashion, and feminism. But what you will become most engrossed in is the lives of these three employees, their relationships, and their friendship. This is my favourite TV show, and I am a killer for re-watching it on a cosy day, or when I need a feel-good show to empower women. Celebrating the power of female friendship, female voices and female leadership, this show captures everything a feminist wants. 10/10 should be at the top of your winter list of cosy shows to watch.
Good Girls Revolt
An Amazon Original period drama based on true stories from the book, Good Girls Revolt. This show follows the female “researchers” in the Washington newspaper, News of the Week, where the women are delegated low level positions only, and are prevented from becoming writers. Centring on a few female employees, and including women such as Nora Ephron, this show captures the battle for equal rights for women in the American workplace, the patriarchal struggles they face, their unequal relationship and work status, and the fight for women in a male dominated profession. I personally loved this show being a huge period drama fan, but the characters are so engaging, and the storyline keeps you wanting to watch the next episode. The perfect show to empower women in modern society, and raises awareness for gender inequality, the hopes and frustrations of women in a male dominated world, and the collective power of female voices.
You Made a Fool of Death with your Beauty
If you fancy something a little less politically inclined and need something to spice up your reads, this fiction by Akwaeke Emezi is perfect for you. I loved how modern the writing is, how strong the author portrays the female lead (Feyi) and how captivating the storyline is. Such a passionate story, focusing on possibility to regain love after loss, courage to heal, with a good amount of steamy content thrown in the mix! The book empowers any person to have the strength to find love, live in the present, take chances and please yourself. This book was the most anticipated book of 2022 by Vogue, and honestly, I can see why! The style of writing is so refreshing and contemporary and is the absolute perfect read for a bit of you-time.
Everything I know about Love
This memoir by Dolly Alderton is an honest, open, and witty account of growing up. One of the most relatable books I’ve ever read, you will find yourself recollecting similar awkward, funny and sometimes tragic encounters of your childhood, adolescence and young adult life navigating relationships, sex, friendships and independence. From her first experience awkwardly online messaging guys, to dates, being dumped and finding love, Alderton recounts her own experience in leading a normal life and what she has learned about love. What I found most refreshing is how true it is, and how nice it is to sometimes read about just a normal, average life full of mishaps, awkward experiences and learning gradually how to be an adult without the glitz and glam of many romcoms nowadays. Such a good read for a cosy evening or a picnic in the (hopefully) warm weather. Its memoir form makes it an easy read to delve in and out of and you will soon find yourself in Waterstones searching for her subsequent books!