International Women’s Day is fast approaching, and the theme this year is #EachforEqual. This year across the world on the 8th March men and women will be celebrating all things women and equality. There are thousands of events being held in celebration all across the world, with hundreds in our lovely London. Check out the International Women’s Day Website for more information.

“We can actively choose to challenge stereotypes, fight bias, broaden perceptions, improve situations and celebrate women’s achievements. Collectively, each one of us can help create a gender equal world.”

In light of International Women’s Day and the announcement of the Women’s Prize Longlist for 2020 we wanted to talk about our favourite feminist books to read. Literature can be inspiring, motivating and powerful and feminism is a commonly discussed theme. Some notable feminist novels are The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood, The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath, A Room of One’s Own by Virgina Woolf, The Colour Purple by Alice Walker, and Beloved by Toni Morrison.

But if you’re looking for something a bit different then we’ve also got a growing collection of book reviews on the FLO London website. Many of the books we review are written by female authors and touch either heavily or lightly on the theme of feminism. Here are our top five reads to feel empowered:

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë

#FLODown: Jane Eye is the original feminist hero. Although it is often branded as a romance, we think quite differently. The story follows Jane, through a first-person narrative and her personal growth, courage and self-respect is admirable throughout the course of her life and the novel.

Three Women by Lisa Taddeo

#FLODown: Three Women looks at the lives, loves, desires and sexuality of three women from America. It is a piece of non-fiction that explores sex in an extremely honest and modern way. It’s original and a fascinating look at what women want.

Circe by Madeline Miller

#FLODown: This is a beautiful novel based on Greek mythology and folklore, but it’s main character, Circe, is the epitome of a feminist icon. She is strong, intelligent and powerful, and also never sees her femininity as a negative.

An American Marriage by Tayari Jones

#FLODown: This novel won the Women’s Prize for 2019 and is a beautiful exploration of race, masculinity and femininity, love and justice. It’s raw and sweeps through lots of prominent issues in society in the United States.

Sweetness in the Belly by Camilla Gibb

#FLODown: Sweetness in the Belly is a slow-paced novel but gorgeously descriptive novel that looks at Islam, stereotypes, culture, race and feminism through the life of Lilly. It’s not a particularly ‘plot-driven’ book but it adds a new dynamic to the conversation on feminism and equality.

Words by Mollie Kate Cohen

Illustration by Natalie Hapeshi