5 feminist books not on your bookshelf

I first wrote this post for International Women's Day 2018 to celebrate 100 years of women’s right to vote in Britain. Two years later and having read a healthy amount of feminist books since (and by this, I mean absolutely LOOOOOOADS), I thought I'd write my first post on something I am more than comfortable with...

1. The Power by Naomi Alderman

I refuse to take this novel from my original list and you will see, it is the only one I have kept! In this absolutely breathtaking book, Alderman explores concepts of gender, hierarchy and power in a world where women have the power to produce electricity on command. This new-found genetic power enables them to surpass their male counterparts. Great, right?

But this new world is far from Utopian. As uprisings emerge, the initial delight in female empowerment diminishes and a dark side to this new world order rises to the surface.

2. Queenie by Candice Carty-Williams

This book SPEAKS to me on so many levels. So firstly, thank you Candice. I think this is down as one of my favourite books of all time.

Queenie is a rich, funny and relatable character and Candice weaves her personality so beautifully that the book was UN-PUT-DOWNABLE. We live through Queenie's heartbreak, laughing and crying as she navigates her newly single life, as well as her family problems, her jittering mental health but most importantly, her life as a young black woman. Candice sensitively and all-too accurately highlights the institutionalised racism and sexism black women endure on the daily and in so many ways asks society to take a long and hard look in the mirror.

3. Girl, Interrupted by Susanna Kaysen

This Sylvia Plath-esque memoir (trust me, this is the best compliment I could give anyone) is absolute gold. Written in 1993, author Susanna Kaysen retells her experience as a young woman in an American psychiatric hospital in the late 60s, after being diagonised with borderline personality disorder.

Kaysen's memoir recounts an honest and terrifying personal response to mental health and mental health practice in the 1960s. During her two years at the hospital, Kaysen encounters the adventurous mind of Lisa, her vehemence towards hospital staff and her numerous attempts at escape. By comparing herself to other patients like Lisa, Kaysen explores themes of mental health, suicide, sexism and conformity in a refreshingly honest and heartfelt way.

4. Woman at Point Zero by Nawal El-Saadawi

It is SO important to vary what we read, and by this, I primarily mean vary where the book comes from. Not only does it enlighten your mind and your own views, but it is a passport to all walks of life around the world.

So, to this GEM of book - a novel based on Saadawi's research on neurosis and real-life meeting with Firdaus, a female prisoner sentenced to death after murdering a man. We are taken through Firdaus' harrowing life; an abused childhood; FGM; forced marriage; physically abusive relationships; prostitution and the list unfortunately continues. After many years, Firdaus decides ends her career in prostitution but pimp Marzouk refuses to grant her freedom. As he grabs a knife to retaliate, she takes the knife for herself and stabs him to death.

After researching and speaking with numerous female prisoners, Saadawi describes Firdaus as "a woman apart", a martyr because "few people are ready to face death for a principle."

5. Anne Boleyn 500 Years of Lies by Hayley Nolan

Personally, I struggle to read and enjoy non-fiction, however Nolan keeps her facts pertinent to today, with a witty and sarcastic tone to her writing. Despite being silence for centuries, Nolan's exposé revels the intelligence, compassion and power of a woman ahead of her time.

We are introduced to Henry VIII's sociopathy leading to the relentless pursuit of Anne Boleyn, despite her many rejections, and once pursued, his quick dismissal. We see how difficult it was for Anne to make her mark in such a patriarchal world yet we admire her determination and passion to help others, even up to her untimely death.

Now it's your turn! Please comment below on your favourite feminist books or anything travel/books you want me to write about and don't forget to subscribe :)

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Here is a link to the first article in 2018, written for Her Campus Lancs: https://www.hercampus.com/school/lancaster/5-feminist-books-not-your-bookshelf