10 Books Every Woman Should Read in Their Lifetime

Men — these books should also be on your reading list

As a woman, I can relate when I read stories of brave entrepreneur women or a badass female who accomplished great things in life. As we all need a boost from a bold female character, who changed the pattern and pushed some boundaries to become who they are.

When we read stories about courage, grit, determination, or humour through female characters, there comes a motivation that sparks joy, bravery, ambition, and power in ourselves.

So, within these 10 books are a collection of inspirational, fearless, and successful women. These books have helped me in my journey. As it is expressed within them, women have the power to change whatever they can, and I have started working in my own way despite their judgment. Also, I am hoping these books will help you as well in some way.

1. Becoming by Michelle Obama

Becoming is an inspiring memoir that describes the triumph and disappointments of the former first lady of the United States in her own words. She talks about her public and private life from childhood on the south side of Chicago to a working woman, a mother, and her life spent at the White House.

It's a book that is packed with the meaning and success of Michelle Obama that will motivate every woman to become successful and move forward.

“For me, becoming isn’t about arriving somewhere or achieving a certain aim. I see it instead as forward motion, a means of evolving, a way to reach continuously toward a better self. The journey doesn’t end.” — Michelle Obama

What will you learn by reading it?

This book will help you try new things, as Michelle tried new things when she lived in the prestigious White House. In short, you will learn to be fearless, you won’t get discouraged by people's comments, and you will seize every opportunity to learn and be proactive regardless of the situation around you.

2. The Moment of Lift: How Empowering Women Changes the World by Melinda Gates

The Moment of Lift talks about women’s rights and equality. Melinda Gates discusses that if more power is given to women to make decisions, society benefits and strong communities are built.

Everything will lift in the world, but all it needs is to lift women up instead of pulling them down. Many critical things happen with women in some parts of the world — child marriage, domestic violence, unpaid labour, sex work, forced pregnancies, and whatnot. All these stories are heartbreaking, and we all need to change and rethink and do something about it.

“If you want to lift up humanity, empower women. It is the most comprehensive, pervasive, high-leverage investment you can make in human beings.”— Melinda Gates

What will you learn by reading it?

Read this to know how women suffer in some parts of the world and make a difference by helping. Create a change in society and yourself by fighting for the betterment of women around the world.

3. The Gift of Imperfection by Brene Brown

The Gift of Imperfection will teach you to love your inner-flaws. As we all strive to be something and show the world what they expect from us instead of showing who we are. Brene Brown will help you to get rid of your insecurities and accept who you are.

Sometimes, no matter what we dive into, comparison tells us that we aren’t good enough. And other times we want to stand out from the crowd and look cooler — but a comparison mindset can lead to conformity.

“We cannot selectively numb emotions, when we numb the painful emotions, we also numb the positive emotions.”- Brene Brown

What will you learn by reading it?

You will start expressing your inner voice, and you won’t neglect it because of people’s opinions. Despite going for comparison, you will embrace yourself and be okay with your flaws. This will help you to follow your unique path and become something that will make you proud.

4. Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail By Cheryl Strayed

Wild is Cheryl Strayed's memoir when she took an 1100 mile long trail to Pacific Crest when she was broken in the summer of 1995. The young woman captures all odds of her journey through fear, vigour, hurt and ultimately healed and strengthened herself.

She took this trek all alone when she lost her mother, her family got scattered, and her marriage was destroyed. As there was nothing more to lose, she decided to travel, and it is a fearless story with lots of inspiration.

“Alone had always felt like an actual place to me, as if it weren’t a state of being, but rather a room where I could retreat to be who I really was.”- Cheryl Strayed

What will you learn by reading it?

It is an ideal travel writing novel where she tells people that life doesn’t wait for anyone, and you should keep moving no matter how unfair life treats you. This way, you will acknowledge your surroundings and learn from her personal tragedies.

5. The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo

The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up is a beautiful book to declutter your belongings step by step by organizing things properly in your home. This also leads to increased peace and clarity of your mind, according to Japanese art.

This book is not about being a cleaning freak, but it’s more about mentally detoxing your body. It will teach you to figure out what to keep and what not to keep in your house. It will create a mindset to buy less in the future to keep your surroundings clean.

“Keep only those things that speak to your heart. Then take the plunge and discard all the rest. By doing this, you can reset your life and remark on a new lifestyle.” — Marie Kondo

What will you learn by reading it?

If you haven’t cleaned your house or decluttered items for a long time, this book will really help you. It will be therapeutic and will help you declutter in a physical sense and deal with the thoughts in your head. Eventually, you will able to focus on what is more important.

6. Bossypants by Tina Fey

Bossypants is a hilarious book with lots of comedy about Tina Fey's life from childhood to show business. She shared stories of Saturday Night Live and 30 Rock shows. She talks about how people judge working women and what it means to be a woman in that industry.

In this book, she uses humour to illustrate her viewpoints and circumstances about her life. She explains how a child grows into adulthood but still craves to be a child.

“Don’t waste your energy trying to educate or change opinions; go over, under, through, and opinions will change organically when you are the boss. Or they won’t. Who cares? Do your thing, and don’t care if they like it.” — Tina Fey

What will you learn by reading it?

This book will make you laugh with tears and let you understand who Tina Fey is and how she manages being called a Bossypants. Her book cover featuring a man’s arms gives you a glimpse into her memoir — as it is packed with comedy and life teachings.

7. The Power is Within You by Louise Hay

The Power is Within You is a helpful, compassionate journey that brings you to peace. This book reminds us of how strong and powerful we are and that nothing can take us down. It will give you positive vibes and help you to clean your soul.

If you are the one who dwells in the past and is frustrated with personal and professional issues, then this book will definitely help you to heal and overcome your emotional barrier. It will help you express your feelings and break the patterns that don’t help you anymore.

“I found that there is only one thing that heals every problem, and that is” to love yourself.” — Louise Hay

What will you learn by reading it?

This type of self-help book will teach you to nurture yourself, listen to your internal voice, and serve yourself with the goodness you deserve. It will make you aware of how your life will start working when you start planting a new seed of trusting yourself.

8. Very Good Lives by J. K. Rowling

Very Good Lives is an illustrated version of J. K. Rowling's speech at Harvard University in 2008. She mainly discusses two topics — the perks of failure and the significant importance of imagination.

The book is small, but it teaches the value of wisdom. She gives anecdotes from her own post-graduate years as she failed dramatically in various aspects of life, but she realized that failure makes us stronger and teaches us how to survive.

“We do not need magic to change the world, we carry all the power we need inside ourselves already: we have the power to imagine better.” — J. K. Rowling

What will you learn by reading it?

If you have dreams to accomplish and want to stay committed instead of giving up because of people’s opinions or your own insecurities, this book will help you go in the right direction. Also, your failures and imagination on the way will help you to take action and live a vigorous life.

9. Secrets of Six-Figure Women by Barbara Stanny

Secrets of Six-figure Women is a business book with a broad research of interviews of women whose earnings range from $100,000 to $7 million. This way, Barbara Stanny identifies and guides us with a 7 step framework and strategies to become successful and independent.

If you want to be financially successful, this book will help you create that mindset by discussing practical tips and success stories.

“Start by doing what’s necessary, then what’s possible, and suddenly you're doing the impossible.” — Barbara Stanny.

What will you learn by reading it?

This book will teach you how to play to win and how to seize every opportunity that knocks. It will teach you not to take any criticism personally and always keep on going even when you are afraid. And, it will teach you to become successful and earn money as you desire.

10. Three Thousand Stitches: Ordinary People, Extraordinary Lives by Sudha Murty

Three Thousand Stitches is a collection of 11 short stories from Sudha Murty's practical-life experience. She is an Indian Author who is a chairperson of Infosys Foundation who works for the destitute.

She shares knowledge and an incident that took place in her life, combined with her honest reflection that inspires people and readers to feel connected when they read her work.

“I can give you many examples of people who may not have studied much but have done well for themselves because they believed they could.” — Sudha Murty

What will you learn by reading it?

This book will teach how the tiniest acts impress others' lives, and every story is so beautiful that you will be immersed in it, as her writing style is simple and touches people's hearts.