The Ultimate Feminist TBR
‘TBR’ or “to be read” is a term that resonates deeply within the literary community, signifying the books that readers are eager to explore. In the realm of feminist literature, a carefully curated TBR can serve as a powerful tool for understanding the diverse experiences and voices of women throughout history and across cultures. This article presents the ultimate feminist TBR, showcasing the essential reads that challenge societal norms, celebrate women’s achievements and inspire readers to campaign for gender equality. So grab a blanket, put on a brew, and get ready to explore what gender really means, through the words of some of literature’s most incredible authors.
1. Rizzio, Denise Mina
Overview: Set in the tumultuous backdrop of 16th-century Scotland, ‘Rizzio’, tells the story of Mary Queen of Scots, and how the murder of her associate, Rizzio, was used to undermine her authority.
Themes: Woven into the story are themes of betrayal, power and an account of the challenges faced by women in positions of authority throughout history.
Why Read It: Mina’s historical fiction novel shines a light on the historical struggles of women, illustrating the intersection of gender and politics.
2. Medusa, Jessie Burton
Overview: ‘Medusa’ is a modern retelling of an ancient myth which challenges the traditional narrative surrounding the infamous figure. An evocative read, the book asks its reader to reflect on the biased portrayal of gender in our most familiar tales. Furthermore, readers are able to draw parallels with the dismissal of gender-based crimes in society even today.
Themes: This book features themes of female agency, transformation and recovery.
Why Read It: It invites readers to reconsider the portrayal of women in mythology as well as offering a fresh perspective on womanhood, maturation, strength and victim-blaming.
3. The Deviants, C.J. Skuse
Overview: The storyline follows the secrets and scars of a friendship group and the town that keeps them. ‘The Deviants’ mainly focuses around main character Ella’s trauma and how she hides it from the world, making this an extremely emotional and heavy book. A final twist at the end of the book completely shatters its readers, and will stay with them for days.
Themes: Whilst there are many dark themes interwoven in the plot, perhaps the most prominent is gender-based abuse and the main character’s experience coping with it. A devastating yet important read, this book reminds us of the monsters that hide in plain sight.
Why Read It: Compelling and thought-provoking, this novel deals with dark themes in a sensitive manner uncommon for Young Adult Books.
4. All The Things We Never Said, Yasmin Rahman
Overview: Rahman’s novel follows three teenagers’ struggles with their mental health and how they learn to heal together. Told from alternating perspectives, we are allowed a glimpse into each girl’s secrets and how they act as a driving factor for their choices near the start of the book.
Themes: Yasmin Rahman deals maturely with themes of mental health, sexual violence and prejudice in a way that genuinely affects the reader on an emotional level.
Why Read It: This book is a powerful statement about mental health and trauma, and will help any reader gain awareness for the society we live in. The book highlights the importance of communication, particularly for the girls that carry the weight of unexpressed feelings.
5. The Way I Used To Be, Amber Smith
Overview: This powerful coming-of-age story addresses the aftermath of rape and the journey towards healing. It reminds readers of the need for a support network of relationships and challenges readers to become this for others as well.
Themes: Smith carefully nurtures themes of trauma, internal blame and self-growth.
Why Read It: The protagonist’s journey is a testament to the strength of survivors and the importance of addressing issues of consent and recovery.
6. Feminists Don’t Wear Pink (And Other Lies), Scarlett Curtis
Overview: A collection of essays from various feminist contributors, this anthology challenges stereotypes and celebrates feminism and femininity in all its forms.
Themes: This empowering collection fosters themes of diversity, empowerment through personal narratives.
Why Read It: Curtis redefines what it means to be a feminist in today’s world, making it an essential read for anyone interested in the movement.
7. Milk And Honey, Rupi Kaur
Overview: This bestselling poetry collection explores themes of love, loss, trauma and femininity.
Themes: A narrative commenting on the female voice, Kaur successfully brings together cultural and gender experiences of trauma, healing and empowerment.
Why Read It: Kaur’s accessible yet profound poetry resonates deeply with readers, making her work a staple in contemporary feminist literature.
8. The Seven Husbands Of Evelyn Hugo, Taylor Jenkins Reid
Overview: Centering on the life of iconic Hollywood actress Evelyn Hugo, the author depicts a glamorous yet tumultuous life story.
Themes: Love and sacrifice interplay throughout this emotional plot.
Why Read It: The book offers a new portrayal of women and fame, celebrating individuality, sexuality and identity.
10. What Kind Of Girl, Alyssa Sheinmel
Overview: A gripping narrative that explores the impact of gender-based violence in relationships.
Themes: This book is a very poignant account of societal expectations and judgements, and the importance of community and justice.
Why Read It: This novel addresses critical issues facing young women today and raises awareness for abuse in relationships, making it a particularly relevant and moving read.
11. The Lovely Bones, Alice Sebold
Overview: A haunting narrative of a young girl who watches from her personal heaven after being assaulted and murdered, exploring the impact of her abduction and death on her family and community.
Themes: This is a heavy book underscored by serious themes of grief, child abuse and the consequences.
Why Read It: Sebold’s poignant storytelling sheds light on the societal issues surrounding the aftermath of violence, and this is emphasised through the choice for the narrator to be the murdered victim.
12. An Untamed State, Roxane Gay
Overview: This novel tells the harrowing story of a woman kidnapped in Haiti and the trauma she endures, both during and after her captivity.
Themes: Gay’s story weaves in stories of survival, trauma and the complexity of human identity.
Why Read It: This unflinching portrayal of resilience and recovery makes it a statement feminist read.
13. Off The Record, Camryn Garrett
Overview: Teen journalist Josie Wright is invited into the world of movie stars, but soon uncovers scandals and secrets that threaten the freedom of female actors.
Themes: This book deals with themes of body image, anxiety and friendship, as well as the sexual exploitation behind the scenes.
Why Read It: This book tackles the intersection of fame and gender violence in Hollywood.
14. The Burning, Laura Bates
Overview: Written by the founder of the Everyday Sexism Project, ‘The Burning’ narrates the story of slut-shaming and cyber-bullying, drawing comparisons to the historical witch hunts of the UK.
Themes: This is an emotive narrative that discusses consent, digital identity and the repercussions of harassment online and offline.
Why Read It: This book discusses the various forms misogyny can take, making it an informative must-read for any feminist.
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This article has been written by a HASSL Ambassador as part of our community content initiative. While all ambassador contributions are reviewed for clarity, tone, and alignment with our values before publication, the views expressed are those of the individual author and do not necessarily reflect the views or official position of HASSL.
These articles are intended to amplify personal perspectives, lived experiences, and knowledge from our wider community. They are not authored by the HASSL team, and HASSL does not claim ownership over the content.
Please note that the information provided is for general awareness and educational purposes only. It should not be taken as professional, medical, or legal advice. If you require support or guidance in any of these areas, we strongly recommend consulting a qualified professional.
