As a working woman and mother, I’ve been on the edge of my seat observing the past six months. Some of the revelations across various industries have been a surprise, others, unfortunately, have not. My hope is that in the future we look at the integrity of people in power and support and promote those who exhibit that quality, regardless of gender.
And I also deeply believe in supporting my fellow women. It’s incredibly challenging to do anything well in today’s high-stress, high-achieving society. Women and men are expected to be superhuman. So many people are balancing a lot behind closed doors (family, kids, relationships, health, parents, etc.).
I’m always tickled when I meet a woman “killing it” in her chosen profession: artist, mother, CEO. After all, “One woman’s success is another woman’s inspiration.” I try to use those women’s success stories as personal motivation and I hope you do, too.
In honor of International Women’s Day, we asked a variety of women to suggest some of the top books they wish they had read when they were younger. Interestingly, one book, in particular, resonated with several of us. I’d also like to share a few of my own life-changing recs!
Happy Reading,
-Elizabeth
Goodreads Co-Founder and Editor in Chief
Elizabeth recommends…
This is sort of a kick-you-in-the-butt book—a book to remind you not to sleepwalk through your life. I was touched by the abruptness of the tale. Kalanithi does not even finish writing it before succumbing to lung cancer, and his wife is left to put together the last pieces. Go do your dreams! Now! That is a key takeaway, told in visceral, impossible-to-ignore terms.
If you have creative desires—perhaps it’s a business endeavor, writing a book, playing an instrument—The Artist’s Way provides a regimen and plan for accomplishing those dreams. The answer is not glamorous: self-love, time, discipline, and actually doing the work. Julia Cameron puts you through the steps. Life changing.
At one point in my life I struggled with a dangerous and depressing medical event and during the long and unsure recovery period, I picked this book up as a way to cope. Kabat-Zinn is a specialist in living in the moment. This book will lift you up in a very subtle way and give you the tools to refocus your life. Sometimes savoring is just as important as accomplishment.
Colleen Wachob is the co-founder and Chief Brand Officer at MindBodyGreen.com, a health and wellness website and community dedicated to inspiring mental, physical, spiritual, emotional, and environmental fitness.
I love all of Dan's books on longevity and his most recent book on the habits of the world's happiest people is a good reminder to focus your time and energy on people and experiences that bring you joy.
The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing
by Marie Kondō
Marie Kondō's organization principles help you make your home a sanctuary and make investments in things you love.
Killing It: An Entrepreneur's Guide to Keeping Your Head Without Losing Your Heart
by Sheryl O'Loughlin
We live in an age when entrepreneurship is glamorized. Sheryl O'Loughlin talks candidly about the toll being an entrepreneur can take on yourself, your marriage, and your family—and offers lessons on staying sane during the journey.
There's so much conflicting information around what to eat, but Michael Pollan lays out the ground rules that we can (mostly) all agree on.
I didn't 'discover' Chinese medicine until my early 30s, but it's helped me understand so much about myself and my body. I wish I had gotten onto the acupuncture table decades earlier.
April Gargiulo is the founder of Vintner’s Daughter, a natural skincare line that uses a winemaking approach to beauty.
Body and Soul: Profits with Principles—The Amazing Success Story of Anita Roddick & The Body Shop
by Anita Roddick
Interestingly, I read this book way before I ever had a twinkle in my eye about being in the beauty world. I read it because it was about a woman who had built a global brand with integrity. Sadly, this is not the norm and I was deeply inspired by her work and the foundations she had laid out. She was a true visionary. All of us in the natural world are standing on her shoulders.
Smart Women Finish Rich: 9 Steps to Achieving Financial Security and Funding Your Dreams
by David Bach
I read this as a 22 year old just beginning my career. Someone on the subway was reading it and I thought it sounded like something I should read. I'm not sure how many of the tips I actually put to work, but for me that wasn’t necessarily the point. It was more about understanding how I felt about saving vs. spending and how to align my values around that.
This is a super-fast read and much of it is anecdotal evidence for its main point, which is to say that there are many good companies, but not many great companies. It points out what truly great companies share in their cultures, goals, and values. With Vintner’s Daughter I want to create the absolute highest performing products made from the finest ingredients. I also want to build a great company that changes women’s lives for the better.
This is a book that completely captivated me from the first page. She writes about a very painful time in her life with such grace and truth, it left me unable to be anything but grateful for every moment spent with the people I love, doing the things I love.
Abby Falik is the CEO and founder of Global Citizen Year, a non-profit organization that gives high school graduates from diverse backgrounds fellowships to work and make an impact abroad before attending college.
Sapiens and Homo Deus: The E-book Collection: A Brief History of Humankind and A Brief History of Tomorrow
by Yuval Noah Harari
Together these books transformed my view of what it means to be human, and were a powerful reminder of how small we are in the grand scheme of evolutionary time. Given this, what's the purpose of life if not to find meaning and be happy?!
I read this book when my husband and I were living through the limbo of a medical diagnosis. The author, Paul, was my college classmate who was diagnosed with cancer in his mid-30s and the book chronicles his last years of life. As his brilliant wife Lucy writes in the epilogue, reading this book was like a "nutcracker that cracked the hard shell and brought me back to the nourishing meat of my marriage," but in our very fortunate case, without the heartbreak.
This gem has been a life-long companion in healing my heart and soothing my soul when the going gets rough.
This book changed my life in a very concrete way. At Sheryl Sandberg's suggestion, I now write a "joy journal" every night before bed. The practice of writing down three things that brought me joy helps me scan for what's delightful and inspiring each day—and when I have trouble listing three, I know I need to wake up and notice more!
This book helped me see the opportunity to define success on my own terms (think: more fulfillment, community, and fun, less debt, status, and stuff). I wish I'd learned these lessons sooner!
My friend Reshma does important work teaching girls to code. This book is an important read to inspire young girls to be passionate about technology and science, and know they can do anything they set their minds to.
Malala is my cofounder, friend, and a hero to girls around the world. Her new book Malala’s Magic Pencil shows girls they have the power to be extraordinary in any way they choose.
We are rarely aware of our own mortality, and the gift of life. Paul’s book is a life-giving story of finding meaning while dying.
This Is How We Rise: Reach Your Highest Potential, Empower Women, Lead Change in the World
by Claudia Chan
Claudia shares powerful stories about trailblazing women and how women can come to together to lift each other up.
Adam Braun’s journey as a young entrepreneur striving to improve education around the world is an inspiring example for young people who want to change the world.
What books would you recommend for International Women's Day? Tell us in the comments!
Check out more recent blogs:
23 Big Books of Spring
Elaine F. Weiss' What to Read this Women's History Month
Young Leaders and True Heroes: How a 'Rebel of the Sands' Becomes Both
posted by Elizabeth on March, 07
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