In an issue that celebrates women in so many ways, Carole Beu of The Women’s Bookshop shares four fabulous reads, each unmissable in its own special way.
Lessons in Chemistry
Bonnie Garmus
Fantastically funny and feminist! Elizabeth Zott is one of the most original, stunning, and forthright literary characters I have ever encountered. Being a scientist was a nightmare for a woman in the 1950s and ’60s. Zott is uncompromising, outspoken, and subversive in this bitingly satirical novel. Brainier than her bosses, she makes the patriarchy look ridiculous and TV cooking shows extremely unusual and exciting! Brilliant!
Booth
Karen Joy Fowler
A fascinating, sweeping historical novel that focuses on the whole Booth family, not just the ninth child, John Wilkes Booth, who assassinated President Lincoln. A marvellously theatrical family (the father and three of the sons were famous for performing Shakespeare all over the USA), they were torn by different beliefs and values – very relevant to what is happening in our world today. The author is renowned for her earlier novel We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves.
Manifesto
Bernadine Evaristo
Honest, forthright and very personal essays from the first Black woman to win the Booker Prize (with Girl, Woman, Other). Through her life experiences, often on the margins, and her determination to never give up, Evaristo produces a manifesto for courage, optimism, resourcefulness, and tenacity. It’s a marvellous book to encourage women to have faith in themselves – inspiring and uplifting.
Power: A Woman’s Guide To Living and Leading without Apology
Kemi Nekvapil
Now a highly respected executive and personal coach, Kemi Nekvail often had the doors to validation and opportunity closed to her because of her race and gender. Here she combines inspiring stories with reflective coaching practices to provide tools for women to navigate the challenges that impact who we are and how we lead.
