20 feminist books about women's rights to add to your reading list right now

The only reading list you'll need this International Women's Day

20 books about women's rights to add to your reading list right now
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Feminist books play a crucial role in shaping our understanding of gender, power, and social justice. By amplifying diverse voices and perspectives, these 20 books challenge societal norms, shed light on inequalities, and inspire action toward a more equitable world.

Whether through personal narratives, scholarly analysis, or thought-provoking fiction, feminist literature encourages critical thinking, pushes boundaries, and fosters empathy—something we're increasingly lacking in our individualistic society. In a world where gender biases not only persist but are growing evermore pronounced, feminist books are essential tools for raising awareness, promoting equality, and empowering readers to question the status quo and advocate for change. They offer not just a reflection of the challenges women face but also the strength, resilience, and collective power needed to overcome them.

Here are 20 to add to your reading list right now.

New releases:

Essential reading:

Women and Power: A Manifesto by Mary Beard,was £6.99 now £5.03 | WH Smith

Women and Power: A Manifesto by Mary Beard, was £6.99 now £5.03 | WH SmithWomen and Power is made up of two essays based on Mary’s hit lectures, ‘The Public Voice of Women’ and ‘Women in Power’. Analysing Homer and Ovid, this manifesto traces the roots of misogyny back to Athens and Rome, looking into how history has treated powerful women.

The Feminine Mystique by Betty Friedan,£9.99 | Foyles

The Feminine Mystique by Betty Friedan, £9.99 | FoylesThe Feminine Mystique is a landmark book, challenging the assumption that women could be fulfilled through housework and motherhood alone. It is often credited with sparking the second-wave feminism in the US.

We Should All Be Feminists by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie,£5.99 | Waterstones

We Should All Be Feminists by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, £5.99 | WaterstonesWe Should All Be Feminists is an essay adapted from Nigerian author Chimanda Ngozi Adichie's 2012 TEDx talk, breaking down the definition of feminism for the 21st century.

Best feminist books to buy now:

Mischa Anouk Smith
News and Features Editor

Mischa Anouk Smith is the News and Features Editor of Marie Claire UK.

From personal essays to purpose-driven stories, reported studies, and interviews with celebrities like Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and designers including Dries Van Noten, Mischa has been featured in publications such as Refinery29, Stylist and Dazed. Her work explores what it means to be a woman today and sits at the intersection of culture and style. In the spirit of eclecticism, she has also written about NFTs, mental health and the rise of AI bands.