Feminist reads: a celebration of womanhood

This year has been a challenging one for most, if not all of us. As we approach the end of the year, here’s to hoping we find time to sit, take stock of what the last twelve months have brought… and relax. How better to do that than to curl up with a book on women’s empowerment? To get you started, we’ve put together a list of some of the greatest feminist thinkers of recent years. Our end of year wish is that these diverse writers inspire you, give you food for thought, and above all, bring you plenty of joy.  

soft magic. – Upile Chisala

Writer Upile Chisala draws on her experiences growing up Zomba, Malawi to present soft magic., her debut collection of poetry and prose. Reflecting on the past and dreaming into the future, Chisala explores notions around the self, joy, blackness, gender, matters of the heart, the experience of Diaspora, spirituality and survival in a collection which inspires others to confront and shape a beautiful future, together.

Sister of my Heart – Chitra Barnerjee Divakaruni

Sister of My Heart by award-winning author Chitra Barnerjee Divakaruni is a story of two women told across continents, between San Francisco and Calcutta. Anju, the daughter of a privileged and notable family, and Sudha, the daughter of the black sheep of that same family are bonded at the heart as best friends and sisters whose lives are radically upturned by marriage. Their stories tell of the power of connection, womanhood and difference as the two women navigate their interconnected and divergent lives, in a complex and beautiful tale of friendship.

Questions for Ada – Ijeoma Umebinyuo

Iljeoma Umebinyuo’s collection of poems Questions for Ada is a powerful depiction of womanhood, celebrating the path through pain, passion and love to great healing and transformation. Her voice delivers bold truths and expressions that will live on in the heart of the reader, as she guides us from the most vulnerable emotions through to strength, pride, and courage.