7 Books For Kick-ass Feminists
Dear reader,
today I will be personally recommending you some great books with awesome female leads and awesome kick-ass storylines. I said feminist in the title because although all these books are written from the perspective of a female, they all are girls who are encouraging feminism in their own world and in their own way. These are all characters I personally look up to because they are totally inspiring and stand for what I stand for. An equal world witches. Let's begin.
Contemporary fiction:
1- Moxie by Jennifer Mathieu
This is what I like to call a 'stick it to the man' book.
Here's the synopsis, take a look:
Vivian Carter is fed up. Fed up with her small-town Texas high school that thinks the football team can do no wrong. Fed up with sexist dress codes and hallway harassment. But most of all, Viv Carter is fed up with always following the rules.
Viv’s mom was a punk rock Riot Grrrl in the ’90s, so now Viv takes a page from her mother’s past and creates a feminist zine that she distributes anonymously to her classmates. Pretty soon Viv is forging friendships with other young women across the divides of cliques and popularity rankings, and she realizes that what she has started is nothing short of a girl revolution.
Viv’s mom was a punk rock Riot Grrrl in the ’90s, so now Viv takes a page from her mother’s past and creates a feminist zine that she distributes anonymously to her classmates. Pretty soon Viv is forging friendships with other young women across the divides of cliques and popularity rankings, and she realizes that what she has started is nothing short of a girl revolution.
Sick, right? Having read this book in my early years maybe 10 or 11, I think I was on an aeroplane to visit my nan in Ireland when I picked up this book. I got off that plane with new strength in my steps- I had just discovered the true force of girl power and I loved it. My first taste of feminism and I was ready for more, it also had an amazing romance in it that gave me all sorts of butterflies. If you haven't picked up this book then I strongly recommend you do.
Link to buy off amazon here:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Moxie-Zoella-Book-Club-novel/dp/1444940635/ref=sr_1_1?crid=GGJV6464SNYH&dchild=1&keywords=moxie+jennifer+mathieu&qid=1591967393&sprefix=moxie+jen%2Caps%2C317&sr=8-1
2- It only happens in the movies by Holly Bourne
Not your typical romance...
Synopsis here:
Audrey is over romance. Since her parents' relationship imploded her mother's been catatonic, so she takes a cinema job to get out of the house. But there she meets wannabe film-maker Harry.
The greatest love story ever told doesn't feature kissing in the snow or racing to airports. It features pain and confusion and hope and wonder and a ban on cheesy clichés. Oh, and zombies...
The greatest love story ever told doesn't feature kissing in the snow or racing to airports. It features pain and confusion and hope and wonder and a ban on cheesy clichés. Oh, and zombies...
Oh my lord, can me please with these crappy synopsis's off Goodreads, they are literally the worst haha. I promise you this book is better than that synopsis made it sound. It's quite mature so I would say don't be reading this if you know your not old enough to be reading sex scenes and for those of you who can't monitor that for yourself I would say 14+. This book talks about the real stuff that comes with relationships and how it really isn't like the movies. I added it to this list because our main character doesn't let herself be treated like trash by this guy, I would say this is one of the only romance books I've read that have kept it real from start to end. It's also really funny and their not kidding about the zombies. Give it a read!
Link for amazon here:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1474921329/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_tu00_p1_i2
3- The seven husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Marilyn Monroe with a whole lotta depth.
Synopsis:
Hollywood movie icon Evelyn Hugo is finally ready to tell the truth about her glamorous and scandalous life. When she chooses unknown magazine reporter Monique Grant for the job, no one in the journalism community is more astounded than Monique herself. Her husband, David, has left her, and her career has stagnated. Regardless of why Evelyn has chosen her to write her biography, Monique is determined to use this opportunity to jumpstart her career.
Summoned to Evelyn’s Upper East Side apartment, Monique listens as Evelyn unfurls her story: making her way to Los Angeles in the 1950s and of course, the seven husbands along the way. As Evelyn’s life unfolds—revealing a ruthless ambition, an unexpected friendship, and a great forbidden love—Monique begins to feel a very a real connection to the actress. But as Evelyn’s story catches up with the present, it becomes clear that her life intersects with Monique’s own in tragic and irreversible ways.
Summoned to Evelyn’s Upper East Side apartment, Monique listens as Evelyn unfurls her story: making her way to Los Angeles in the 1950s and of course, the seven husbands along the way. As Evelyn’s life unfolds—revealing a ruthless ambition, an unexpected friendship, and a great forbidden love—Monique begins to feel a very a real connection to the actress. But as Evelyn’s story catches up with the present, it becomes clear that her life intersects with Monique’s own in tragic and irreversible ways.
Hm, that one was a little better. I look up to Evelyn because she is crazy, gorgeous and really unique. Her character grows throughout the story and I would totally consider her a kick-ass female lead. I have a review for this book which you can find if you put Evelyn Hugo into the search icon. This is a fantastic adult book that will not onto inspire you but educate you on the harsh shadow cast by the bright lights of Hollywood.
To buy the book on Amazon click here:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Seven-Husbands-Evelyn-Hugo-Novel/dp/1982147660/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1591969453&sr=1-1
4- Watch us rise by Renee Watson and Ellen Hagan
Chelsea and Jasmine won't shut up till they change the world.
Synopsis:
Jasmine and Chelsea are sick of the way women are treated even at their progressive NYC high school, so they decide to start a Women's Rights Club. They post everything online—poems, essays, videos of Chelsea performing her poetry, and Jasmine's response to the racial microaggressions she experiences—and soon they go viral. But with such positive support, the club is also targeted by online trolls. Jasmine and Chelsea will risk everything for their voices—and those of other young women—to be heard
So I am currently reading this book, I'm about 200 pages in and I am really enjoying it. These girls have such strong personalitys and I am learning so much abot feminism through both of them and their friends and teachers. I will be posting a review when I finish but for now, here is the link to pick it up off amazon if your interested:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Watch-Us-Rise-Renée-Watson/dp/1526600862/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=watch+us+rise&qid=1591971758&s=books&sr=1-1
5- Hidden figures by Margot LeeShetterly
Okay I know, It's not Contemporary fiction its actually no-fiction science history. I am here recommending the book and the movie because both are fantastic.
Synopsis below:
The never-before-told true story of NASA’s African-American female mathematicians who played a crucial role in America’s space program. Before Neil Armstrong walked on the moon, a group of professionals worked as ‘Human Computers’, calculating the flight paths that would enable these historic achievements. Among these were a coterie of bright, talented African-American women. Segregated from their white counterparts, these ‘coloured computers’ used pencil and paper to write the equations that would launch rockets and astronauts, into space. Moving from World War II through NASA’s golden age, touching on the civil rights era, the Space Race, the Cold War and the women’s rights movement, ‘Hidden Figures’ interweaves a rich history of mankind’s greatest adventure with the intimate stories of five courageous women whose work forever changed the world.
Yes, It is as good as it sounds. These ladies are amazing and smart and the perfect face for feminism. If you are not interested in the book I will link the movie trailer and link to rent or buy or amazon along with the book. Non-fiction is agreeably sometimes hard to read but you will find some of the most interesting and fact speaking novels amongst this genre so I ask you to try.
Trailer (youtube):
https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=youtube+hidden+figures+trailer&view=detail&mid=93F4990A1634F6C686DA93F4990A1634F6C686DA&FORM=VIRE0&ru=%2fsearch%3fq%3dyoutube%2bhidden%2bfigures%2btrailer%26form%3dEDGEAR%26qs%3dAS%26cvid%3d862daf7051194cc3a350df876a4b2193%26cc%3dGB%26setlang%3den-GB%26plvar%3d0%26PC%3dHCTS
Buy book:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Hidden-Figures-Untold-African-American/dp/0008201323/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=hidden+figures&qid=1591970585&s=books&sr=1-2
Buy movie:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Hidden-Figures-Taraj-P-Henson/dp/B01MZFCG87/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=hidden+figures+movie&qid=1591970746&s=instant-video&sr=1-1
Fantasy books with some bad-ass female leads:
6- Throne of Glass by the one and only
Misssss Sarah J Mass
The inventor and queen of Bad-ass herself.
If you don't know the plot of this book by now I really should ask where you've been for the last 8 years.
But anway here is the synopsis:
After serving out a year of hard labor in the salt mines of Endovier for her crimes, 18-year-old assassin Celaena Sardothien is dragged before the Crown Prince. Prince Dorian offers her her freedom on one condition: she must act as his champion in a competition to find a new royal assassin.
Her opponents are all men-thieves and assassins and warriors from across the empire, each sponsored by a member of the king's council. If she beats her opponents in a series of eliminations, she'll serve the kingdom for four years and then be granted her freedom.
Her opponents are all men-thieves and assassins and warriors from across the empire, each sponsored by a member of the king's council. If she beats her opponents in a series of eliminations, she'll serve the kingdom for four years and then be granted her freedom.
But then one of the other contestants turns up dead ... quickly followed by another. Can Celaena figure out who the killer is before she becomes a victim? As the young assassin investigates, her search leads her to discover a greater destiny than she could possibly have imagined.
Celaena is pretty much the coolest famale fictional charector in...the world? GIve me one person that tops that witch. This is the kind of book you finish and feel like you can take on the world with only you left pinky toe. Which is why this book is perfect for the feminist movement. Because girl you could always take on the world with year left toe but you just need someone to set an example, perfect example- Celaena Sardothien. And then you'll get completely hooked and find a bunch more kickass fems in these books for example:
this scary as witch. Ah lol that's the first time i've said witch instead of bitch and actually been acurate haha.
The link for the first book:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Throne-Glass-Sarah-J-Maas/dp/140883233X/ref=sr_1_2?crid=1GYNI4BZ2CSBV&dchild=1&keywords=throne+of+glass&qid=1591975491&s=books&sprefix=throne+of+%2Cstripbooks%2C171&sr=1-2
The link for the whole set (trust me your gonna need them):
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Throne-Glass-Paperback-Box-Set/dp/1526613891/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1GYNI4BZ2CSBV&dchild=1&keywords=throne+of+glass&qid=1591975579&s=books&sprefix=throne+of+%2Cstripbooks%2C171&sr=1-1
7- Gemina by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff
(fudge it all those books the illuminae files)
Think Charlies angels but in space.
Synopsis for the first book :
Kady thought breaking up with Ezra was the worst thing she'd ever been through. That was before her planet was invaded. Now, with enemy fire raining down on them, Kady and Ezra are forced to fight their way onto one of the evacuating craft, with an enemy warship in hot pursuit.
But the warship could be the least of their problems. A deadly plague has broken out and is mutating, with terrifying results; the fleet's AI, which should be protecting them, may actually be their biggest threat; and nobody in charge will say what's really going on. As Kady plunges into a web of data hacking to get to the truth, it's clear only one person can help her bring it all to light: Ezra.
Told through a fascinating dossier of hacked documents--including emails, schematics, military files, IMs, medical reports, interviews, and more--Illuminae is the first book in a heart-stopping, high-octane trilogy about lives interrupted, the price of truth, and the courage of everyday heroes.
But the warship could be the least of their problems. A deadly plague has broken out and is mutating, with terrifying results; the fleet's AI, which should be protecting them, may actually be their biggest threat; and nobody in charge will say what's really going on. As Kady plunges into a web of data hacking to get to the truth, it's clear only one person can help her bring it all to light: Ezra.
Told through a fascinating dossier of hacked documents--including emails, schematics, military files, IMs, medical reports, interviews, and more--Illuminae is the first book in a heart-stopping, high-octane trilogy about lives interrupted, the price of truth, and the courage of everyday heroes.
Synopsis for the second book:
The sci-fi saga that began with the breakout bestseller Illuminae continues on board the Jump Station Heimdall, where two new characters will confront the next wave of the BeiTech assault.
Hanna is the station captain’s pampered daughter; Nik the reluctant member of a notorious crime family. But while the pair are struggling with the realities of life aboard the galaxy’s most boring space station, little do they know that Kady Grant and the Hypatia are headed right toward Heimdall, carrying news of the Kerenza invasion.
When an elite BeiTech strike team invades the station, Hanna and Nik are thrown together to defend their home. But alien predators are picking off the station residents one by one, and a malfunction in the station’s wormhole means the space-time continuum might be ripped in two before dinner. Soon Hanna and Nik aren’t just fighting for their own survival; the fate of everyone on the Hypatia—and possibly the known universe—is in their hands.
But relax. They’ve totally got this. They hope.
Hanna is the station captain’s pampered daughter; Nik the reluctant member of a notorious crime family. But while the pair are struggling with the realities of life aboard the galaxy’s most boring space station, little do they know that Kady Grant and the Hypatia are headed right toward Heimdall, carrying news of the Kerenza invasion.
When an elite BeiTech strike team invades the station, Hanna and Nik are thrown together to defend their home. But alien predators are picking off the station residents one by one, and a malfunction in the station’s wormhole means the space-time continuum might be ripped in two before dinner. Soon Hanna and Nik aren’t just fighting for their own survival; the fate of everyone on the Hypatia—and possibly the known universe—is in their hands.
But relax. They’ve totally got this. They hope.
I feel really bad about that super boring picture of ella compared to Hannah and Kady but I couldn't find any cool fanart of her, which is a joke because she is just as cool ass Hannah and Kady. #ellamalikovshouldgetmorefanart #butdontlookatmeicantdraw
So the reason I said that you should read gemina for this list is because I personally think hanna is the most kick-ass feminist in these books. And I'm just saying that because in all her scenes she is literally kicking someone's ass. I really want redbubble to have a t-shirt that says Daddy Issues club with Hannah, Ella and Aidan printed on it bahaha.
But anyway, all these books are brilliant for this movement and I hope you pick them up!
Book 1:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Illuminae-Files-Book/dp/178074837X/ref=sr_1_1?crid=HXNGOZ5BN312&dchild=1&keywords=illuminae+files&qid=1591977685&s=books&sprefix=illuminae+f%2Cstripbooks%2C413&sr=1-1
Book 2:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Gemina-Illuminae-Files-Book/dp/1780749813/ref=sr_1_2?crid=HXNGOZ5BN312&dchild=1&keywords=illuminae+files&qid=1591977744&s=books&sprefix=illuminae+f%2Cstripbooks%2C413&sr=1-2
Honourable mentions:
- little women
- the cruel prince
- a very large exspanse of sea
- daisy jones and the six
- a gentlemans guide to vice and vitrue/ a ladies guide to peticoats and piracy
These are all my reccomendations for today if you decide to pick any of them up let me know!
Until next time,
Issy
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