March is Women's History Month and we've put together a list of books with empowering and inspirational stories to celebrate!
Extraordinary women have held positions of power throughout history. But, aside from the select few, why do we not hear about them? By weaving a vivid and evocative picture of the lives of the women who influenced their society, we discover not just why these remarkable individuals were removed from our collective memories, but also how many other misconceptions underpin our historical narratives, altering the course of history, upholding the oppressive masculine structures of their present, and affecting our contemporary view of the past.
Bloody Brilliant Women by Cathy Newman
In this freewheeling history of modern Britain, Cathy Newman writes about the pioneering women who defied the odds to make careers for themselves and alter the course of modern history - women who achieved what they achieved while dismantling hostile, entrenched views about their place in society. Learn about a developmental biologist, a World War One correspondent and an engineer, among others.
Make More Noise by miscellaneous authors
An incredible collection of short stories, from ten of the UK's very best storytellers, celebrating inspirational girls and women. Published to commemorate the 100th anniversary of women's suffrage in the UK.
On Women examines the oppression of women and the tools necessary for liberation. 'Sontag is one of the most influential critics of her generation' New York Review of Books First written in the 1970s during the height of second-wave feminism, Sontag's essays examine the double standard for ageing and the struggle for real power.
As First Lady of the United States of America, Michelle Obama helped to create the most welcoming and inclusive White House in history, whilst also establishing herself as a powerful advocate for women and girls around the world. Here she describes her triumphs and her disappointments, both public and private, telling her full story as she has lived it - in her own words and on her own terms.
The Victorian Letters by Helen Rappaport
At only 18 years old, Victoria ascended the throne as a rebellious teenager and gradually grew to become one of the most memorable, unshakeable and powerful women in history. The extensive writings she left behind document this personal journey and show how she triumphed over scandal and corruption.
1944, in the ruined wine cellar of a Tuscan villa, as bombs fall around them, two strangers meet and share an extraordinary evening. Ulysses Temper is a young British soldier, Evelyn Skinner is a sexagenarian art historian and possible spy. She has come to Italy to salvage paintings from the wreckage and relive memories of the time she encountered EM Forster and had her heart stolen by an Italian maid in a particular Florentine room with a view. Evelyn’s talk of truth and beauty plants a seed in Ulysses’ mind that will shape the trajectory of his life – and of those who love him – for the next four decades.
Effia and Esi are two sisters with two very different destinies. One is sold into slavery; one a slave trader's wife. The consequences of their fate reverberate through the generations that follow, and through their lives we learn the very story of America itself.
A moving memoir of a young woman growing up in the 1950's and 60's in provincial Britain. She describes her escape from her family and social conventions into books and education.
The 3 Incredible Women Who Founded Calibre Audio
This Women's History Month we're celebrating Calibre Audio's founders and how they created our service.
In 1974, three North London women had an idea; to create an audiobook library so that James, the sight-impaired son of one of the friends, could enjoy the benefits of reading as much as any other child. Susan Beazley, Monica McMullan (pictured), and Ros Thornton started recording books on ordinary audio cassettes, and Calibre (made from the words ‘cassette library’) was born.
Without these three incredible women, Calibre would not have become as successful as it is today, with over 16,000 books in our collection. Find out more about our history here.