Next on My Reading List: 6 Must-Read Female Authors

Since March is the month we celebrate International Women’s Day, I would like to highlight six authors whose books are either already on my nightstand or on hold at the library.

Bonnie Garmus - Lessons in Chemistry

I think I have never heard anyone say they disliked this book, so it's at the top of my list of my reading list.

What's the book about?

Chemist Elizabeth Zott is no ordinary woman, and in the 1960s, her all-male team at Hastings Research Institute doesn't share her views on equality—except for one, Calvin Evans, a brilliant but lonely scientist who falls for her mind. But life takes an unexpected turn when Elizabeth becomes a single mother and the star of a popular cooking show, Supper at Six. Her scientific approach to cooking sparks a revolution, but not everyone is pleased, as Elizabeth's impact goes beyond the kitchen—she's challenging the status quo.

There’s also an Apple Miniseries that adapted the book and debuted in 2023.

Tori Dunlap - Financial Feminist

I'm currently reading this book because one of my goals is to learn more about money and investing. There are so many books and courses available, but I like Tori’s straightforward approach on Instagram, so I decided to give it a try. Since she's American, I’ll have to see how her advices can be adapted to the Canadian financial system.

“I’m SO overwhelmed. Where do I start?"I took that question and thought long and hard about how I could build something that would give you the answer you’re looking for. The step-by-step guide to mindful spending, earning, and investing — without the overwhelm, shame, or jargon. That's why I wrote financial feminist." (From her website)

Elizabeth Strout - Tell me Everything

I've come across this book many times, and one of my favourite podcast hosts (OK, America?, a German podcast) recently named it her favourite book of this still-young year.

What's the book about?

"It’s autumn in Maine, and the town lawyer Bob Burgess has become enmeshed in an unfolding murder investigation, defending a lonely, isolated man accused of killing his mother. He has also fallen into a deep and abiding friendship with the acclaimed writer, Lucy Barton, who lives down the road in a house by the sea with her husband, William. Together, Lucy and Bob go on walks and talk about their lives, their fears and regrets, and what might have been. Lucy, meanwhile, is finally introduced to the iconic Olive Kitteridge, now living in a retirement community on the edge of town. Together, they spend afternoons in Olive’s apartment, telling each other stories. Stories about people they have known – “unrecorded lives,” Olive calls them – reanimating them, and, in the process, imbuing their lives with meaning.” (From her website)

Lizzie Damilola Blackburn - Yinka, Where is your huzband?

This book is new on my list. It caught my attention in one of the many newsletters I'm subscribed to, but I can't recall which one shared this book. Now it’s waiting for me at the library.

What's the book about?

“Meet Yinka: a thirty-something, Oxford-educated, British Nigerian woman with a well-paid job, good friends, and a mother whose constant refrain is "Yinka, where is your huzband?"

Yinka's Nigerian aunties frequently pray for her delivery from singledom, her work friends think she's too traditional (she's saving herself for marriage!), her girlfriends think she needs to get over her ex already, and the men in her life... well, that's a whole other story. But Yinka herself has always believed that true love will find her when the time is right.

Still, when her cousin gets engaged, Yinka commences Operation Find-A-Date for Rachel's Wedding. Aided by a spreadsheet and her best friend, Yinka is determined to succeed. Will Yinka find herself a huzband? And what if the thing she really needs to find is herself?“ (Penguin Random House)

Bad Feminist - Roxane Gay

In May 2020, when the world watched the murder of George Floyd, I promised myself to read more books written by people of color to learn, educate myself, and above all, listen. Since then, I've been paying much more attention to who's writing a story and if it's really their place to do so. Roxane Gay has been on my list ever since, and somehow I never got around to reading this one, so I’m actively putting it back onto my list.

Roxane Gay is an American writer, professor, editor, and social commentator. She has written several books, short stories and an opinion writer for several magazines and newspapers, including The New York Times.

What's the book about?

In this funny and insightful collection of essays, Roxane Gay takes us through the journey of her evolution as a woman (Sweet Valley High) of color (The Help) while also taking listeners on a ride through culture of the last few years (Girls, Django in Chains) and commenting on the state of feminism today (abortion, Chris Brown). The portrait that emerges is not only one of an incredibly insightful woman continually growing to understand herself and our society but also one of our culture. (Indigo)

Ayana Elizabeth Johnson - What if we get it right?

My climate and sustainability heart could not exclude a climate book from this list. This one was recommended by one of my coworkers, and just recently I had it in my hands at a bookstore. It's a beautiful book. I was looking for something else, so I didn't get it yet, but I would love to read a book that has a more positive take on today's times and a positive lens on how our future could look.

And Dr. Johnson knows what she is talking about. She is a marine biologist, policy expert, writer, and teacher working to help create the best possible climate future. She co-founded and leads Urban Ocean Lab, a think tank for the future of coastal cities, and is the Roux Distinguished Scholar at Bowdoin College.

What's the book about?

"Sometimes the bravest thing we can do while facing an existential crisis is imagine life on the other side. This provocative and joyous book maps an inspiring landscape of possible climate futures. With clear-eyed essays, vibrant interviews, data, poetry, and art, Ayana guides us through solutions and possibilities at the nexus of science, policy, culture, and justice." (from her website)

"This book is an anthology of sorts, a mosaic — 20 interviews, 5 poems, 3 co-authored chapters, 2 artists’ new works, a note from my dad, and a quote from my mom. It includes visionary farmers and financiers, architects and advocates, producers and policy wonks. Mega brains. All stars." - Dr. Johnson

And with that, I'm grabbing my books, taking my cup of tea, and getting cozy on the couch. There's a lot to read, and I can't wait to get these books started. Let me know if you have any recommendations you'd like to share.