This week’s book review is in honor of Women’s History Month. I wasn’t quite sure what direction to take with this. After some thought, I decided to recommend a memoir about a woman’s life, the autobiography of a significant historical woman, a fiction book featuring exclusively female characters, and a book discussing the ongoing issues women face today.

• The Glass Castle by Jeanette Walls: Possibly one of the greatest memoirs I’ve ever read, Walls uses this beautifully written book to discuss her nomadic upbringing and childhood in poverty. She discusses how her childhood was further complicated by her unconventional parents who often made questionable decisions that deeply impacted her. She discusses her school life and her experiences with men and, eventually, her experiences as a writer. She explores how all of this shaped her into the woman she became. This book is a powerful testament to childhood, family, trauma, and perseverance—certainly a must-read.
• Story of My Life by Helen Keller: This important memoir follows the life of the famous Helen Keller. Having become blind and deaf at a young age, Keller struggled greatly to communicate. The book also includes accounts and letters from her teacher, Anne Sullivan, who helped her adapt to a world without sight or sound. Keller grew up to become an activist for women’s rights and suffrage, as well as inspiring countless disabled people. She would eventually become a great writer and lecturer, as well as the first woman to receive an honorary degree from Harvard. This memoir is enlightening and offers far more insight into Keller’s life than what is typically taught in school. A lovely and truly necessary book which speaks volumes about disabled women in history.
• I Who Have Never Known Men: This unique mystery sci-fi novel follows a young, nameless girl who was taken from her home at a young age and raised in captivity alongside 39 other women. She and her cellmates have no idea how they ended up there and only vague memories of their lives before. With the only speaking characters being women, this book explores the complexities of female relationships and the effects of isolation, all through the lens of our unnamed, unidentified protagonist—who has never known men.
• Men Who Hate Women by Laura Bates: This book is exactly what the title states: an exploration of men who hate women. Bates leaves no stone unturned as she examines the history of misogyny and how it manifests today. She goes to great lengths to investigate the unseen side of the “manosphere” and its role in upholding female oppression. This book is focused and eloquent while remaining digestible and accessible. Bates delves into the disturbing, horrifying, and often hidden ways misogyny operates in society, affecting both women and men in an ongoing cycle of oppression. A fantastic read for any feminist.

Happy Women’s History Month! This is your sign to research the women who have shaped history and those who continue to push us forward today. Keep reading, TC!