Feminist Reads

Feminism is more than fighting for gender equity. It is about retelling the stories that define us, recognizing the place of woman in our shared history, now and into the future. This collection of study guides features fiction, nonfiction, and poetry all about women and their tales of triumph, pain, love, and everything in between.

Publication year 2018

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality, Society: Community, Identity: Gender

Tags Gender / Feminism, Trauma / Abuse / Violence, Historical Fiction, Women's Studies (Nonfiction), Modern Classic Fiction, Religion / Spirituality

Miriam Toews’s Women Talking (2018) is a novel set in the fictional Mennonite colony of Molotschna. It follows a group of the colony’s women as they discuss how to respond to the discovery that many of their menfolk have been anesthetizing and raping them for years. The book is inspired by actual events that took place between 2005 and 2009 in a remote Mennonite colony in Bolivia. There, eight men were discovered to have been... Read Women Talking Summary


Publication year 1992

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Themes Identity: Gender

Tags Gender / Feminism, Women's Studies (Nonfiction), Philosophy, Philosophy, Psychology, Psychology, Fantasy, Self Help, Religion / Spirituality

Women Who Run With the Wolves (1992) is the most well-known book by author Clarissa Pinkola Estés. It became a New York Times bestseller and appeared on the bestseller lists of USA Today, Publisher’s Weekly, and Library Journal. Other books by the same author include The Gift of Story (1993), The Faithful Gardener (1996), and Untie the Strong Woman (2011). Estés has also recorded numerous audiobooks on related topics. She holds a Ph.D. in psychology... Read Women Who Run with the Wolves Summary


Publication year 2015

Genre Autobiography / Memoir, Nonfiction

Themes Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Fear, Emotions/Behavior: Hope, Emotions/Behavior: Regret, Identity: Femininity, Identity: Gender, Identity: Mental Health, Identity: Race, Relationships: Mothers, Relationships: Siblings, Self Discovery, Society: Community, Values/Ideas: Equality, Values/Ideas: Fame

Tags Self Help, Gender / Feminism, Memoir / Autobiography

Year of Yes: How to Dance it Out, Stand in the Sun and Be Your Own Person (2015) is a memoir by television writer and producer Shonda Rhimes. The book recounts the life changes that Rhimes made in 2014 when she committed herself to saying “yes” to opportunities and invitations. In 2013, Rhimes was immersed in both a successful career and a busy life, parenting three daughters. An off-hand comment by her older sister complaining... Read Year of Yes Summary


Publication year 2009

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Themes Identity: Gender

Tags Gender / Feminism, Natural Disaster, September 11 Attacks, Creative Nonfiction, Women's Studies (Nonfiction), Modern Classic Fiction, History: World, Biography, Politics / Government

Zeitoun is a nonfiction narrative recounting the trials and ordeals of the Zeitoun family during Hurricane Katrina and its aftermath. Abdulrahman Zeitoun is a Syrian American who has built a successful business in New Orleans. With his wife, Kathy, an American who converted to Islam as an adult, and their children, Zeitoun feels a strong connection to his adopted city and country. He’s proud to be a builder and to help restore New Orleans in... Read Zeitoun Summary