The most recommended books about sexism

Hayley is thrilled to be accepted to a prestigious summer program for aspiring teen animators. But then only boys are chosen to direct the participants’ short films, and that might only scratch the surface of the boys’ club culture within the program. The multiple forms of sexism Hayley experiences throughout are so real, they were painful to read (in the best, truest way), as I reflected on my own experiences with misogynistic gatekeeping—but the community and solidarity that develop throughout this fantastic novel are very satisfying. 

This heartwarming novel is full of soccer, touching family dynamics, and girl power. It stars a feisty sixth-grader named Bea who has to adjust to a new house, a new school, a new blended family, and a new neighbor who’s gunning for her position on the soccer field. At first, Bea is determined to look out for herself and protect her turf, but then she and her neighbor team up to fight against sexism and form the first-ever all-girls squad. The team dynamics in this book will make any reader cheer. Soccer fans will love the on-field action, but this gem of a novel also has humor, emotional depth, delightful and inspiring characters, and even references to the beloved Katherine Paterson novel Bridge to Terabithia!

Elaine Brown served as head of the Black Power Party during the incarceration of the founder Huey P. Newton. 

This memoir is written with all the qualities that made Elaine Brown give herself wholeheartedly to the Black Panther Party, passion, brilliance, keen intelligence, and fearlessness. Brown plumbs the depths of her motivations, the Party’s accomplishments and failures, and fissures that despite her ascent included sexism and brutality.

Brown had incarnations as a writer and singer before joining the Party and in telling her story and the story of a pivotal moment in social history she brings the skill of an artist.

This is the best scientific novel I have ever read. The story is fiction (not 'science fiction' in the sense of fantasy, but a story that could easily take place in the real world right now), but its portrayal of how science is done, by a bunch of completely believable characters, is really true-to-life. It's a great way for young people considering a research career to taste what they are really like, and a great way for everyone to ask why we do science the way we do, while enjoying a well-paced multi-layer story, that is written with real wit. [Declaration for transparency: I know the author as a scientific collaborator, but this is nothing to do with my recommendation of her fiction]. 

I love hearing about how other writers work, what shaped their way of seeing the world, and what inspires or enrages them. I want to learn from their approaches and their stories. And who better to learn from than Malorie Blackman, one of the best storytellers for children and young people around and a champion for libraries, reading for pleasure, and diverse books that reflect their readers?

This book is written as if she is talking to you. Among other things, she talks about her childhood, vividly describes experiences of homelessness and poverty, calls out racism and sexism as she sees it, and explains how she responds to abuse and doesn't give up.

It's a great read, not just for aspiring writers but for anyone who loves a good story.

This is the book to which I turn for all the details of Christine’s life. Willard shows that Christine, who lived from 1364-1430, was an immensely courageous woman who, against all odds in an age that disparaged the female sex, succeeded in making her living as a writer and gained so much respect among the nobility that she was able to comment with impunity on the major political events of her time.

Christy Harrison, host of one of my favorite podcasts Food Psych, explores the history of diet culture and the multi-billion dollar diet and beauty industries that profit from it. She clearly lays out all the ways in which diet culture robs us of our time, money, health, and happiness. You’ll learn how to recognize all the sneaky forms of diet culture – including all the ways in which it now infiltrates the health and wellness world. Backed by strong scientific research and filled with stories from people who’ve reclaimed their bodies, minds, and lives. 

In the preface to the fourth edition of This Bridge Called My Back, editor Cherrie Moraga writes that the anthology was created with a “hope for revolutionary solidarity.” This groundbreaking collection of essays, poems and artwork remains a moving testimony of the experiences of women of color in America.

Patriarchy has silenced women for generations, and in my first book, I uncover how women have been taught to “play nice” and be “care-givers” rather than “care-receivers.” Uncovering women’s emotional reality, I expose the culture of female service and how no one is looking after mothers, not even mothers themselves. This book provides exercises to help women claim their voice, needs, and rights in all of their relationships.

As an academic familiar with marginalized identities and intersectionality in science role models, I was eager to review this book when approached by Columbia Press.

The book offers diverse portraits of women scientists, highlighting the gender gap in promotions and their shared determination to pursue science despite hardship, personal struggles, and discrimination. The scientific field is known for its intense competition, where only the most dedicated thrive.

What I appreciated was that the book thoughtfully presented portraits of women scientists without imposing conclusions. These profiles emphasized their diverse backgrounds—many non-academic—yet all shared a common passion and curiosity that propelled them out of their comfort zones to embrace science.