Reading ‘Strong Female Characters’ by ‘Female Authors’ this International Women's Day
Hello friends!
Women’s Day is just this Friday, what better way to honor the occasion than by diving into some remarkable literature that celebrate the strength, resilience and spirit of women?
I’ve got you covered with these 12 books (and some them are must-watch!) for Women’s Day this March.
🛒 Little Women" by Louisa May Alcott : Kinokuniya Malaysia | Amazon | Kindle e-Book | Audible Audiobook
Book 1
This book is my all time favourite, in fact must be the first book that my mother introduce to me about womanhood. It’s a classic coming-of-age novel following the lives of the four March sisters—Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy—as they grow up during the Civil War era; this book explore themes of sisterhood, love, and independence among women in this age
🛒 Dear Girls by Ali Wong : Kinokuniya Malaysia | Amazon | Kindle e-Book | Audible Audiobook
Book 2
I know Ali as a stand-up comedian; and she also has a short series on Netflix callled Beef - and she is hilarious! This is a non-fiction and a memoir of Ali Wong. It gives an idea on how Asian woman survive in the western countries, how she as a women can thrive in the challenging world dominated by men.
🛒 The Convenience Store Woman by Sayaka Murata : Kinokuniya Malaysia | Amazon | Kindle e-Book | Audible Audiobook
Book 3
Murata is one of my newly found writer that is my all time favourite list. This book is beautifully written about life of a woman in a world that’s constantly influenced by ‘society pressure’. You will learn how our main girl, Keiko who was always feel isolated from her family and the community grown to deliciously becoming at peace with herself through all pressure and expectation. I think all millenial woman should (or woman of any age!) should at least read this book once.
🛒 Becoming by Michelle Obama : Kinokuniya Malaysia | Amazon | Kindle e-Book | Audible Audiobook
Book 4
I admire Michelle so much! This book is a memoir of her as the former First Lady of the United States. We’ll dive into reflecting on her life, experiences, and journey to becoming one of the most influential women in the world.
🛒 The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank : Kinokuniya Malaysia | Amazon | Kindle e-Book | Audible Audiobook
Book 5
The diary of Anne Frank, to be honest, I have yet to read her book, but I have seen her documentary and read a few essays about it. Anne is a Jewish girl hiding from the Nazis during World War II, providing a firsthand account of her experiences, thoughts, and emotions during one of history's darkest periods. Imagine a life in a small room, with high, small windows just enough to let in a beam of daylight
🛒 Animals by Emma Unsworth : Kinokuniya Malaysia | Amazon | Kindle e-Book | Audible Audiobook
Book 6
I read this book last year when it was recommended by Margot Robbie, during her interview about books. Unsworth nailed it! This book is definitely about feminism, a group of young woman in their 20s who become not just friends but partner in crime, cheering and admiring each other. I love their friendship although I don’t enjoy their wild adventure (too wild for me, though!)
🛒 Hidden Figures by Margot Lee Shetterly : Kinokuniya Malaysia | Amazon | Kindle e-Book | Audible Audiobook
Book 7
This is a non-fiction book that tells the untold story of the African-American women mathematicians who played crucial roles at NASA during the Space Race, overcoming racial and gender barriers. My bestfriend recommended me to watch the film instead of reading it, and I watched it more than twice and I cried each time (because it is also based on actual events)! If you like a story about an odd girl who turned out being intelligent
🛒 The Forty Rules of Love by Elif Shafak : Kinokuniya Malaysia | Amazon | Kindle e-Book | Audible Audiobook
Book 8
This is poetic novel describing the life of woman in the 13th century. Beautiful writing, nuanced descriptions of Rumi’s personality from different perspectives offers foundation for further reflection of a women’s life. I enjoyed this book and I think it is a great book to give others as a gift for Women’s Day too.
🛒 Julia: A Retelling of George Orwell's 1984 by Sandra Newman : Kinokuniya Malaysia | Amazon | Kindle e-Book | Audible Audiobook
Book 9
If you have heard or read 1984 by George Orwell, Julia is written from a woman’s perspective by a woman writer. It’s an interesting retelling by Newman turning the universe originally created by Orwell in the lens of a woman called Julia ~ I need to mention that, Julia works as a mechanic! She can fix many things, and I am loving her so much. While she initially appears to conform to the oppressive regime's rules, she eventually reveals her rebellious nature by engaging in a secret relationship with the protagonist, Winston, and participating in acts of defiance against the Party. All in all, Julia demonstrates how woman’s lives under this totalitarian state inevitably differ’s from men’s point of view. Imagine a world of surveillance and having minimal to zero private life as a woman.
The next and final book, I am yet to read but it’s definitely have been under my radar for awhile now. Most slightly will pick this up before end of this year (hopefully before end of March!)
Update : I managed to read Julia in Feb and here is the booknotes
Related blogpost : Booknotes : Julia - 1984 by Sandra Newman
🛒 Daisy Jones & The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid Kinokuniya Malaysia | Amazon | Kindle e-Book | Audible Audiobook
Book 10
Taylor Jenkins is telling you to fuck patriachy, and be all feminist you want! If you familiar with her work, this book inherit similar theme to The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo - our girl, Daisy is a singer in the late sixties and this book is about her life story with the rock stars band. You find are so many strong messages about women empowerment, women who take no one’s shit and demanding credit where it’s due. There smaller characters who I love so much to like Karen, Camilla, and tiny lil’ Julia - they are all beautiful inside out, real feminist, unique and authentic. I’m listening on Audible, and I love how the books are narrated by multiple different voices to suit the characters in this book!
🛒 The Handmaid's Tale" by Margaret Atwood: Kinokuniya Malaysia | Amazon | Kindle e-Book | Audible Audiobook
Book 11
A dystopian novel set in a totalitarian society where women's rights are severely restricted, focusing on one woman's struggle for survival and resistance against oppression.
🛒 The Stranger: Not Available on Kinokuniya Malaysia | Amazon | Kindle e-Book | Audible Audiobook
Book 12
This one, I couldn't put it down. It's about a woman named Chelsea, the person of interest of the town ruler, Granger. After her mother died of sickness, her father was pushed out of the locked gates of the city. The townsfolk believed they (people in the city and outside of the town) were contagious and dangerous, cutting off all connection with the outside world. Then, 'The Stranger' arrives and changes all the rules in town, helping Chelsea rise as a female leader to transform the town for the better.
And,
Many more!!!!
There you have it, my personal recommendation for your next books to read for this Woman’s Day (or anytime of the year, really!)
What are you planning to read for the Woman’s Day? Share it with me in the comment below. Till next time, friends. You have a fantastic week and Happy Woman’s Day!
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If you’re thinking of buying the books from this book lists, order yours using this link : 🛒 Order from Kinokuniya Malaysia | Amazon | Kindle e-Book | Audible Audiobook
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