7 empowering, feel good reads

Dominicana by Angie Cruz

#FLODown: Dominicana is the ultimate story to absorb, inspire and empower. It tells of 15-year-old Ana and her marriage to 30-year-old Juan Ruiz, who is, like Ana, from Dominican Republic but lives in New York City. Ana is lonely and miserable, trapped in a city she doesn’t know where they speak a language that she doesn’t, yet her strength of self and determination shine through and continue to grow throughout the course of the novel. It’s utterly un-put-downable.

Mr. Loverman by Bernardine Evaristo

Image: Penguin Books

#FLODown: Many of you by now, I hope, have read Girl, Woman, Other, the Booker Prize winning novel by Bernardine Evaristo but have you tried any of her other fiction?

I cannot recommend Mr. Loverman enough if you want a laugh. The novel follows Barrington Jedidiah Walker who despite being 74 years of age, still has the sense of humour of a cheeky teenager. He’s a husband, father and a grandfather, but he’s also having an affair with his lifelong friend Morris. Although Mr. Loverman covers some serious themes – namely the Caribbean experience in London – it is hilarious, warm-hearted and will make you feel all fuzzy inside.

 The Hobbit by J.R.R Tolkien

Image: George Allen & Unwin

#FLODown: It’s no secret that the film adaptations of the classic J.R.R Tolkien book weren’t hugely loved by fans – but the book remains one of the most magical tales you’ll ever read. It is the prequel novel to the fantasy trilogy that begins with The Lord of the Rings, set in Middle Earth. The Hobbit introduces well-loved (and not so well-loved) characters Bilbo Baggins, Gandalf and Gollum. Tolkien actually wrote the story for his own children but it’s equally as exciting for adults and will offer the perfect form of escapism from reality.

Jog On: How Running Saved My Life by Bella Mackie

Image: HarperCollins Publishers

#FLODown: Running, and particularly Couch To 5K seemed to take off hugely throughout the first lockdown. But as we move into winter, and now into our second lockdown in the UK, our motivation for physical exercise may be waning – and so Bella Mackie’s hugely popular autobiographical look at running seems all the more timely. Bella writes in her usual honest and funny style, sharing details of her divorce, mental health problems and love of the bad things in life: cigarettes, alcohol and ice cream. One day she decided to go out for a run and actually ended up sticking with it, finding that her mood was lifted for the first time in years. This is an inspirational, funny and at times, sad read that might even have you joining Bella by putting on your trainers on and hitting the road!

 

Women Don’t Owe You Pretty by Florence Given

Image: Andrews McMeel Publishing

#FLODown: Florence Given is an internet sensation and the perfect person to turn to if you want to feel empowered, emboldened or unafraid to be yourself. Women Don’t Owe You Pretty is really the ultimate feel-good, self-help book that covers dating, sex, relationships, body image, the male gaze and a plethora of other intersectional, feminist topics. The imagery, colours and illustrations throughout the book are completely gorgeous and only add to the experience.

The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan

Image: G. P. Putnam's Sons

#FLODown: The Joy Luck Club is the ultimate tale of female empowerment, strength and determination. The relationship between mothers and daughters is such a unique and dynamic one to explore, and Amy Tan does it beautifully in her debut novel. The Joy Luck Club follows four Chinese mothers who immigrate to San Francisco and the chapters alternate between the mother’s and then the daughter’s perspective, which gives insight into the generational and cultural differences between the two. The mother’s meet every week to play mahjong and share stories of what they left behind in China. There are constant explorations of Chinese history, folklore and myths which are so beautiful to read, allowing a glimpse of a culture so different to the UK.

 

Doughnut Economics: Seven Ways to Think Like a 21st-Century Economist by Kate Raworth

Image: Random House

#FLODown: Kate Raworth’s comprehensive look at mainstream economics might seem like a strange choice to include on an ‘empowering, feel good’ reads list. However, understanding and education are the best ways of empowering and bettering yourself – and what better place to start than the economy. Note: unfortunately, this is not an in-depth study on the economics of making, eating or selling doughnuts. Rather, Raworth proposes a radical remodelling of the economy through a drawing of a giant doughnut, modelling the world's current 'shortfalls' (critical human deprivation) and 'overshoots' (critical planetary degradation). While this may sound like doom and gloom, the author paves an alternative way for our generation, showing us exactly how we can be transformative and even radical in making the shifts necessary to respond to the challenges of the 21st century. This starts with mindsets and attitudes: this starts with the economy.

Inspirational and motivational, this book leaves you with a desire to get up and do something. With the aid of the supplementary explanatory diagrams, you will begin to understand seven critical ways that mainstream economics have led us astray, what really makes the economy tick, the dangers of ignoring nature and the far-reaching implications for continuous economic growth. It is the perfect book for expanding your mind and your understanding of our world, especially with coronavirus having already had a huge impact on our economy.

Words by Mollie Kate Cohen