I’m Kayla, and I read these with coffee rings on the pages and bus rides in between. Some made me braver at work. Some made me call my mom. A few made me sit very still and breathe. If you want to widen the stack on your nightstand even further, take a peek at this comprehensive list of influential books for women that spans genres, eras, and voices.
Here’s the thing: I didn’t pick them for “perfect taste.” I picked them because they stuck to my ribs. For the skimmable version you can save for later, check out my no-fluff Popdex roundup.
How I chose them (real quick)
- I’ve finished each one. No skimming, no fake notes.
- I used my local library, Libby for audiobooks, and a tiny used shop near my gym.
- I highlighted lines, and yes, I cried on public transit. Twice.
If you love tracking what’s trending in culture almost as much as you love curling up with a good book, go browse Popdex for a quick pulse on the titles and ideas everyone’s buzzing about right now.
1) Becoming — Michelle Obama
I read this on a long train ride and missed my stop. Twice. Her story about finding her voice at work helped me prep for a tough quarterly review. I wrote my bullet points like she did—clear and steady. I even stood taller in the elevator, which sounds silly, but it worked.
2) The Gifts of Imperfection — Brené Brown
I kept sticky notes in this one. My favorite said, “courage over comfort.” I used it before a 1:1 with my boss when my hands shook. After, I walked to my car and felt light, like I’d set down a heavy bag.
3) Invisible Women: Data Bias in a World Designed for Men — Caroline Criado Perez
I brought this to our team stand-up and asked why our app buttons were so tiny. We laughed, and then we changed them. Later, I measured my coat pockets and my phone. Guess what? The phone won. This book gave me stats and a spine.
4) Educated — Tara Westover
I listened on Libby while folding laundry. Her grit made me sign up for a free night class at the community college. I also called my brother and said, “Hey, I miss you.” If your new class happens to be a history survey, here’s the 10 best college US history textbooks I’ve actually lugged around—trust me, your back and your GPA will thank you.
5) I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings — Maya Angelou
I read lines out loud, soft and slow. The rhythm wrapped around me like a blanket. One chapter made me sit on the floor and think about the girl I was. I wrote a small note to her and taped it inside my closet.
6) Big Magic — Elizabeth Gilbert
This one got me back to making things. I let fear ride in the car but not touch the wheel—her words, my life. I started a tiny Sunday newsletter for my friends. Six people read it at first. I felt proud anyway.
7) Braiding Sweetgrass — Robin Wall Kimmerer
I read this on my porch with mint tea. It moved at a gentle pace, like rain on a slow day. I began saying “thank you” before meals. I also started a compost bin that makes my niece go “ew,” and then, “cool.”
8) The Color Purple — Alice Walker
I cried on the bus. Quiet tears, but still. The letters taught me to write to myself when I felt small. I keep a purple pen now, just for that. Some chapters hurt, but the strength in them felt like sun on my face.
9) Atomic Habits — James Clear
I wanted better mornings, not a whole new life. I stacked “pour coffee” with “write three lines.” I put my vitamins by the mug. I used a cheap kitchen timer and my Notes app. Tiny steps, big calm.
10) We Should All Be Feminists — Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Short book, big talk. I read it with my teenage niece, and we redid the chore chart at home. We split dishes and trash, not just laundry. It felt fair. It felt simple. For anyone craving a closer, scholarly look at its themes, this in-depth analysis of "We Should All Be Feminists" unpacked layers I’d missed on my first pass. Sometimes change is a small list on the fridge.
What to read first?
Pick the one that fits your season:
- Need courage? Brené.
- Need a steady role model? Michelle.
- Need facts for the next meeting? Invisible Women.
- Need a spark? Big Magic or Atomic Habits.
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You know what? Keep a pencil nearby. Write one line that hits you. Fold the page if you must. I won’t tell. And if you see me on the bus with a book and puffy eyes—yeah, it’s probably number eight. And if Greek-life rush is on your horizon, you can peek at the hardest sororities to get into and everything I learned between laughing and ugly-crying.