Stories of Mighty Women

The Woman's Hour: The Great Fight to Win the Vote

This real-life political thriller tells the story of the nail-biting climax of one of the greatest political battles in American history: the ratification of the constitutional amendment that granted women the right to vote. In August 1920, 35 states have ratified the Nineteenth Amendment, twelve have rejected or refused to vote, and one last state is needed — after a seven-decade long crusade, the future of women's suffrage comes down to Tennessee. Over one hot summer, opposing forces converge on the state for a vicious face-off replete with dirty tricks, bigotry, and betrayals. Following a handful of remarkable women who led their respective forces into battle, The Woman's Hour is the inspiring story of activists winning their own freedom in one of the last campaigns forged in the shadow of the Civil War, and the beginning of the great twentieth-century battles for civil rights.

The Last Girl: My Story of Captivity, and My Fight Against the Islamic State

In 2014, 21-year-old Nadia Murad was living a quiet life in her Yazidi village in Iraq, dreaming of a future as a history teacher or salon owner — but all that changed when ISIS invaded, massacring most of her family and neighbors, and kidnapping women young enough to be used as sex slaves. Nadia was taken to Mosul and forced, along with thousands of other Yazidi girls, into the ISIS slave trade. Following months of abuse, she escaped and went on to become one of most vocal advocates for the girls and women left in captivity. Named one of the world's most influential people of 2016 by Time, Nadia tells her harrowing and ultimately inspiring story in a powerful new memoir. This courageous young woman's story is a moving testament of the human will to survive and a call to action to end abuses toward women worldwide.

Hunger: A Memoir of (My) Body

In a culture that fetishizes thinness, a childhood sexual assault prompted this thought for Roxane Gay: "if I made myself big, my body would be safe." The trauma prompted decades of wrestling between mind and body... and then this best-selling book exploring the shame, guilt, and invisibility that faces anyone whose body does not match our culture's ever-narrowing definition of "good.". With staggering honesty and an unflinching look both at herself and at the society around her, Gay tackles difficult issues about body and mind and reminds us that "all of us have to be more considerate of the realities of the bodies of others."

The Unwomanly Face of War: An Oral History of Women in World War II

In the midst of World War II, over a million Soviet women stepped up to serve their country. After the war, however, their contributions were deliberately pushed aside; their efforts had been critical, but they didn't fit the narrative of what a proper Soviet woman ought to be. To capture their side of history, Nobel Prize-winning author Svetlana Alexievich conducted dozens of interviews, speaking to women who had been nurses and doctors, pilots and tank drivers, and even snipers and machine-gunners on the front lines. This powerful book, which now appears in a much-anticipated English translation by Richard Pevear and Larissa Volokhonsky, tells what Alexievich calls "a woman's history" of the war. It is a heartfelt tribute to the strength and courage of women who were willing to give everything for their nation — including the truth of their part in the war.

The Atlas of Beauty: Women of the World in 500 Portraits

Photographer Mihaela Noroc wants the world to reconsider how they define beauty. Over the course of her travels, she developed an online following for what she called an Atlas of Beauty: portraits of women within their communities that celebrate not traditional beauty, but the beauty that is within all of us. In the forests of the Amazon, streets of London, markets of India, and parks of Harlem, these colorful portraits provide a unique, intimate look at women around the world; now, this hardcover photo book encourages people to flip through her photographs and see the artistry of their everyday lives.

Irena's Children: The Extraordinary Story of the Woman Who Saved 2,500 Children from the Warsaw Ghetto

In 1942, a Polish Catholic social worker named Irena Sendler decided she could not stand by and watch the mistreatment of people in Warsaw's Jewish ghetto. As a public health worker with access to the ghetto, she realized that there was something she could do: she could smuggle children facing certain death out of the ghetto and find families to take them in — ultimately, she saved the lives of 2,500 children. Equally importantly, she preserved the real names of the children in hopes of reuniting them with their families after the war. Even after her arrest and torture by the Gestapo, she kept silent to protect the children she had rescued. Sendler's incredible story shows how one person's bravery can change the future of thousands. This book is also available in a new young readers edition, Irena's Children: A True Story of Courage for ages 10 to 14. For films about her heroic story and more books for children, visit our Irena Sendler Collection.

Chasing Light: Michelle Obama Through the Lens of a White House Photographer

Inside the White House, photographers capture the inner workings of a presidency — and the personalities of the First Family. Amanda Lucidon spent four years covering First Lady Michelle Obama, and in this new book, she shares 150 of her favorite photographs, along with reflections about what it was like to be so close to one of the most admired First Ladies in history. Lucidon follows Obama through her work to combat childhood obesity, promote girls' education, and support military families; watches her as she travels with her children; and observes the quiet moments between the First Lady and the President that most people never see. This intimate and vibrant book is a celebration of the values that made Michelle Obama an icon to so many people around the world.

Sisters First: Stories from Our Wild and Wonderful Life

Jenna and Barbara Bush were used to being in the public eye growing up in a political family — but when their own father became president, the scrutiny reached a whole new level. The sisters found their typical teenage mistakes making news across the country, saw pictures of themselves appear on tabloid covers, and had to go to college with Secret Service agents in tow to watch over them. In their new memoir, the sisters share their story of what life was like before, during, and after the White House — and about what the bond of sisterhood has meant to both of their lives. Funny, poignant, and personal, this is an intimate look at the inside story of the former first daughters.

Lab Girl

Hope Jahren is an acclaimed geobiologist, but her first book is much more than a textbook on plants and dirt: it's also a story of work, love, and the way a partnership can transform both. It begins with a childhood in Minnesota with an uncompromising mother and a father who encouraged "play" in his classroom's labs. Then, as an adult, she meets Bill, a brilliant but wounded person who becomes her lab partner and her best friend. Their adventures would take them to the North Pole, Hawaii, and across the North American continent on a quest for knowledge about the remarkable details and processes that lurk within the simplest of things. Full of a love of science and discovery, Jahren's book also captures the passion and tenacity it takes to make a career and a life out of what you love.

Peggy Seeger: A Life of Music, Love, and Politics

Peggy Seeger may have seemed destined for success in folk music, given her family, but that didn't mean she was going to follow an already beaten path! Seeger not only helped drive folk revivals in both the US and the UK, but she also devoted her time to important causes like environmentalism and feminism. Along the way, she left a legacy of festivals, recording studios, and mentored artists, all of which have cemented her influence in the music world and beyond. Author Jean Freedman's candid and in-depth biography is sure to be a hit with fans of this groundbreaking artist and woman.

The Woman Who Smashed Codes: A True Story of Love, Spies, and the Unlikely Heroine Who Outwitted America's Enemies

Elizebeth Smith was an expert in Shakespeare when a 1916 job changed the course of her life — and American intelligence history. Smith's boss, a tycoon with connections to the US government, turned her language skills to code cracking. Along the way, she would meet groundbreaking cryptologist William Friedman, her future husband, and the couple would be critical to the development of the NSA. Smith would help catch gangsters and smugglers during Prohibition, expose Nazi spy rings in South America, and help crack multiple versions of the German Enigma machine. This intriguing story explores the development of modern intelligence through the life of one unforgettable woman.

The Crown: The Official Companion, Volume 1

Fans of the Emmy-winning Netflix drama The Crown will love getting to dive deeper into the history of Queen Elizabeth II with this official companion! Elizabeth Mountbatten was crowned queen at 25; she was already a wife and mother and faced additional challenges, from the doubts of family members to the resentment of her husband. Nevertheless, resolute Elizabeth was determined to ensure that the crown — and her country — came out on top. Royal biographer Robert Lacey, the show's official consultant, adds historical detail to the show's depiction of the years 1947 to 1955, and includes both archival photographs and stills from the production.

Charlotte Brontë: A Fiery Heart

In many biographies of Charlotte Brontë, she seems like a melancholy figure, growing up with a demanding father who kept his children's incredible creative gifts a secret. But Claire Harman reveals a portrait of a woman whose fierce ambition and quiet rebellion led her to become a key figure in English literature. Not only did Brontë help her sister Emily get her work to publication, but her novel Jane Eyre had all of London asking: who wrote this novel demanding justice for a seemingly ordinary heroine? Her intelligent heroines would transform English literature, and her success would become one of her proudest accomplishments. This groundbreaking and unique look at a beloved author will shed new light on this remarkable woman.

A Woman's Place Is At The Top: A Biography of Annie Smith Peck, Queen of the Climbers

When Annie Smith Peck climbed the Matterhorn in 1895 — at the age of 45 — she didn't win fame for her daring, but because she'd climbed while wearing pants. But the determined suffragist, political activist, and scholar wasn't about to let that stop her from climbing again. Peck became a world-renowned climber, an expert on North and South American relations, and even entered a race to climb Mount Coropuna just before her 60th birthday... competing against Hiram Bingham, the inspiration for Indiana Jones. Despite her amazing achievements, few people know her name. But now, author Hannah Kimberley has dug into Peck's original letters and artifacts to create a new portrait of this courageous woman who was determined to see her way to the top.

Empress of the East: How a European Slave Girl Became Queen of the Ottoman Empire

When a Christian girl named Roxelana was abducted from her home by slave traders, no one could have predicted that she would become one of the most powerful and shrewd rulers of her time. When she was delivered to the harem of Sultan Suleyman the Magnificent in Istanbul, he was fascinated by her: not only did he vow not to keep any other concubines, but he freed her so that the pair could marry. Roxelana's intelligence and daring proved a tremendous asset to Suleyman's rule, forcing him to keep pace with a rapidly changing world — and at the same time, her power allowed her to achieve works of philanthropy that no one else could have imagined. Author Leslie Pierce creates a compelling portrait of an astonishing woman, who went from powerlessness to holding the reins of an empire.

First Women: The Grace and Power of America's Modern First Ladies

Today, the First Lady of the United States is a complex and deeply underestimated role. She must be an inspiring leader of an agenda that she sets herself; a savvy politician; and a coordinator for the many services, special events, and activities at the White House. At the same time, she is constantly under scrutiny for her actions in both these capacities and as a wife and mother. In this fascinating book, Kate Andersen Brower draws on candid sources from friends to residence staff to political advisors to create a unique depiction of what First Ladies from Jacqueline Kennedy to Michelle Obama have faced in their life at the world's most powerful address. From tragic to heartwarming, these stories show a rarely-seen side of women in a prestigious, demanding, and often unappreciated role in American politics.

Eleanor and Hick: The Love Affair That Shaped A First Lady

In 1932, Franklin Roosevelt was taking the presidency, and Eleanor Roosevelt was about to step into the regimented role of First Lady. Then she met Lorena Hickok, a campaign reporter for the Associated Press, who would become a special figure in Roosevelt's life for over thirty years: a caring friend, a professional advisor, a lover, and more. The relationship was also a boon to the country: Hickok reported from the nation's poorest areas and Roosevelt used her reports to push her husband to support New Deal programs. And after FDR's death, it was Hickok who urged Roosevelt to use her own popularity to fight for those in need. This fascinating look at the relationship between a reporter and a First Lady highlights how the bond between these two women truly changed the world for the better. For many books about the pioneering Eleanor Roosevelt for young readers, visit our Eleanor Roosevelt Collection.

Jackie's Girl: My Life with the Kennedy Family

19-year-old Kathy McKeon was a newly arrived Irish immigrant in 1964 when she took a job that would change her life: being the personal assistant to former First Lady Jackie Kennedy. For thirteen years, McKeon spent hours every day either by Kennedy's side or caring for Caroline and John Jr. — enough time that Rose Kennedy nicknamed her "Jackie's girl." It was a position that gave her a unique view of some of the most significant, tumultuous times of the 20th century. Part behind-the-scenes look at the Kennedy household, part memoir of a young immigrants search for identity and belonging, this title is captivating and inspiring.

Play Big: Lessons in Being Limitless from the First Woman to Coach in the NFL

Jen Welter is used to being underestimated: from a young age, she was the undersized athlete who had to fight every step of the way to rise to the top of women's football... and then to play against the men. But in 2015, she took another big step: she became the linebackers coach for the Arizona Cardinals, making her the first woman ever to coach in the NFL. In Play Big Welter uses her own story as an illustration of how you can overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles. With wit, wisdom, and the perspective that comes from looking back on a tough fight, she provides lessons on how to cultivate your own grit and perseverance and achieve your own goals.

Why We March: Signs of Protest and Hope - Voices from the Women's March

On January 21, 2017, millions of people gathered worldwide for the Women's March, one of the largest demonstrations in political history. Together they raised their voices in hope, protest, and solidarity. This inspiring collection features 500 of the most eloquent, provocative, uplifting, clever, and creative signs from marches across the United States and around the world. Each is a powerful reminder of why we march, and as with the new battle cry of "Nevertheless, she persisted," these messages continue to reverberate daily and fortify a movement that will not be silenced.

Dorothy Day: The World Will Be Saved By Beauty - An Intimate Portrait of My Grandmother

Dorothy Day is rightly hailed for her social activism and work on the part of the poor — but she was also a person, full of all the beauty and flaws that any human being presents. In this unique biography, Day's granddaughter Kate Hennessy creates a multidimensional portrait of this radical and determined woman: full of compassion and desire for service on the one hand, dogmatic and sometimes judgemental on the other. Hennessy tackles Day's life both before and after her conversion to the Catholic church, and depicts how she was simultaneously a great champion for her faith and its greatest challenger. Complex and deeply personal, this biography is a much-needed addition to the history of a little-known hero.

A Woman's Work: The Storied Life of Pioneer Esther Morris, the World’s First Female Justice of the Peace

When Esther Morris organized a tea party in Wyoming, she had no idea that it would become what some call "the second most important tea party in America" — the meeting that would lead to her state become the first in the country to grant women the vote. But that was only one of Morris' many achievements: over her remarkable life, she would make a difference on three different frontiers and make history as the first female justice of the peace. In this historical novel, author Marian Betancourt tells the compelling story of a woman whose life paralleled the progress of the 19th century — and who insisted on being at the forefront of the wave of change.

Broad Strokes: 15 Women Who Made Art and Made History (In That Order)

For centuries, women artists have been ignored in galleries and excluded from art history texts, their contributions minimized or omitted. In this book, art historian Bridget Quinn provides an entertaining, educational, and intelligent look at a few of these artists and their works that you’ve been missing! Fifteen female artists, along with beautiful reproductions of their works, are featured in these pages, and accented with contemporary portraits of each woman by illustrator Lisa Congdon. From 1600 to the present, this is a fascinating and long overdue examination of the female side of art history!

Victoria: The Queen - An Intimate Biography of the Woman Who Ruled an Empire

When Victoria was born in 1819, monarchy was the way of the world; by the time her reign ended, the Industrial Revolution was complete, women were rising to claim power, and democracy was becoming the way of the future. In the midst of this upheaval, a teenage girl came to the throne and overcame the bullying of her mother and her advisors to rule according to her own mind. She fell head over heels in love with her husband, Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, and then, after his death, began a controversial relationship with her servant John Brown. She defied eight assassination attempts to rule an empire where the sun never set and established the idea that women could be in charge. Drawing from previously unpublished sources, Julia Baird creates an intriguing portrait of a woman who was unexpectedly thrust into power and went on to rule the most powerful country on earth with a decisive hand.

The Firebrand and the First Lady: Portrait of a Friendship - Pauli Murray, Eleanor Roosevelt, and the Struggle for Social Justice

Pauli Murray was a writer turned Civil Rights activist, whose grandmother had been a slave; Eleanor Roosevelt was a First Lady who could trace her ancestry back to the American Revolution. The two seemed an unlikely pair, and yet when 28-year-old Murray wrote a letter to Roosevelt protesting segregation in the American South, Roosevelt wrote back, the beginning of a close friendship that would last twenty-five years. Patricia Bell-Scott uses letters, journals, interviews, and unpublished manuscripts to create a new portrait of an unexpected relationship that changed the course of American history. Her examination of how Roosevelt and Murray supported and challenged one another shows how friendships and collaborations between people of different backgrounds can create great things. For many books about the pioneering Eleanor Roosevelt for young readers, visit our Eleanor Roosevelt Collection.

In this final volume of Blanche Wiesen Cook's definitive biography of Eleanor Roosevelt, she explores the challenges Roosevelt faced in maintaining her central principles when her husband and her country were not ready to follow along. Even as FDR sidelined many of the issues she considered most important, such as economic security, New Deal reforms, and racial equality, Roosevelt continued to fight for them, increasing the chasm in their marriage that only ended with FDR's death. After that, she became the focus of the spotlight as she became a crucial player in the founding of the United Nations and the adoption of key policies like the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. A fitting and eloquent conclusion to Eleanor Roosevelt, Volume 1: 1884 - 1933 and Eleanor Roosevelt, Volume 2: The Defining Years, 1933 - 1938, this is the perfect gift for any admirer of this unique and groundbreaking woman. For many books about this remarkable trailblazer for young readers, visit our Eleanor Roosevelt Collection.

Fire on the Track: Betty Robinson and the Triumph of the Early Olympic Women

At the 1928 Olympic Games, Betty Robinson took the starting position and won gold... and it was only her fourth-ever organized track meet. She had been spotted running for a train in rural Illinois; with no formal women's athletic system, her raw speed was still remarkable. After becoming the fastest woman in the world, though, a plane crash nearly killed her, and other women stepped forward to the Olympic starting blocks, including stars like Babe Didrikson and Stella Walsh, who proved to the world that women could achieve athletic feats that few thought them capable of. And then, a near miracle: Robinson went from fighting to walk to the 1936 Olympic team, once again inspiring the world of women's athletics. This fascinating, novelistic telling of the history of women athletes in the early Olympic Games highlights just how far the world of women's sports has come.

Fastpitch: The Untold Story of Softball and the Women Who Made the Game

Tens of millions of athletes play fastpitch softball, and yet many people simply think of it as the "women's version" of American baseball. This book sheds new light on softball's 129-year history, from its invention in 1887 to the rise of professional-caliber teams in the 1940s and '50s. Because it was one of the few team sports women were allowed to play — and it allowed women athletes to make money and travel in a way that they could not have done before — softball has a unique place of importance in the story of women's athletics. This celebration of an often-overlooked sport teaches readers the names of the remarkable women who made up softball's history and its important place in both the past and present. Entertaining and inspiring, this book will make you want to pick up your own ball and bat and get playing!

Forward: A Memoir

Abby Wambach has always pushed the boundaries, achieving great feats — like the record for the most international goals scored in the history of soccer by either a man or a woman — and capturing the heart of a country as she helped lead the 2015 Women's National Team to victory in the FIFA Women's World Cup. But behind the professional successes were many struggles that fans didn't see, including a fight against addiction and fear about coming out as a lesbian. These struggles, though, have driven her to achieve as a professional athlete and as an advocate for equality and women's rights. Frank and fascinating, this is a unique look at this groundbreaking athlete. This memoir is also available in a young readers edition which is suitable for ages 9 to 12.

Sex Object: A Memoir

Jessica Valenti, who has been writing about gender, politics, and feminism for over a decade, illuminates the effects of sexism on women's lives, from dealing with groping on the bus to struggles about identity, motherhood, and self-esteem. Valenti uses her own experiences to highlight these issues, capturing how even the most self-assured feminists can be rocked by the responses they get from the rest of society. Honest and raw, this book will encourage all readers, male and female, to take a closer look at how society treats women and the unexpected ways that treatment affects all of us.

Shrill: Notes From A Loud Woman

When you are smart, outspoken, and tackle topics that make people uncomfortable, you might be called brave... or, if you're a woman, you might be accused of being shrill. In this book, writer Lindy West starts a conversation about a world where people decide whether or not to hear your story based on your appearance, position, and sex. She tackles topics like body image, pop culture, social justice, and more, all with a combination of heart and humor that will both touch you and galvanize you into action. Her message is a rallying cry: things need to change, and the only way to do it is to speak up. And if people call you shrill, that just means you've got their attention.

Why I March: Images from the Women's March Around the World

What began as a protest highlighting women's rights became a worldwide movement: the Women's March. Around the globe, people in 82 countries galvanized in support of issues such as immigration, health care, environmental protections, LGBTQ rights, racial justice, freedom of religion, and workers’ rights — all of which had been cast into high relief by the 2016 American election. This book captures images from the Women's Marches around the world, as a visual reminder of the moment that 5 million people marched to say, "We stand together."

Game of Queens: The Women Who Made Sixteenth-Century Europe

In the sixteenth century, women held nearly unprecedented power in Europe. Some of these women ruled directly; others were the power behind the throne. From Isabella of Castile, her daughter Katherine of Aragon, and her granddaughter Mary Tudor, to Catherine de Medici, Anne Boleyn, and Elizabeth Tudor, these women were both allies and enemies, mentors and protegées: a sisterhood of rulers who, for the first time in centuries, claimed political power for their own. In this thrilling group biography, author Sarah Gristwood examines women who would be both acclaimed and reviled for their insistence on holding the reins of their countries — and who left their mark on Europe's history, with influence still lingering today.

Girl Logic: The Genius and the Absurdity

For breakout comedian Iliza Shlesinger, Girl Logic means a particular way of thinking: "GL is the desire to be strong and vulnerable. It's wanting to be curvy, but rail thin at the same time. It's striving to kick ass in a man's world while still being loved by the women around you." But Shlesinger argues that women's supposed obsession with detail and desire considering the possible consequences of every choice actually represents a complex way of thinking — one with its own strengths which can allow women to achieve success in a male-thinking world. Subversive, funny, thought-provoking, and fascinating, Shlesinger's essays on friendship, relationships, singlehood, and more provide a confident look at Girl Logic.

Unstoppable: My Life So Far

When 17-year-old Maria Sharapova defeated Serena Williams at Wimbledon in 2004, it seemed like she'd appeared out of nowhere — but the truth is that it had taken years of determination and sacrifice for her and her father to go from a small Russian town to the international tennis scene. Further tournaments proved that her success wasn't a fluke... and then at the peak of her career, in 2016, the ITF found the recently banned substance meldonium in her test for the Australian Open and she was suspended for fifteen months. For many athletes, it would have been an insurmountable obstacle, but Sharapova has never been one to give up. This powerful memoir of determination and the will to win despite all the odds will fascinate readers.

Rise of the Rocket Girls: The Women Who Propelled Us, From Missiles to the Moon to Mars

When the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, founded in the 1940s, needed clever mathematicians for calculations, they recruited a group of young women whose penciled equations about velocities and plot trajectories would propel the science of space exploration. Over two decades, these dedicated women would transform rocket design, allow the creation of the first American satellites, and eventually, make it possible to explore our solar system — and yet few people know their story. Nathalia Holt tells the story of these groundbreaking "human computers" who broke new ground for both women and science in a compelling and exciting way. Inspiring and thought-provoking, this book will change the way you look at the history of space travel — as well as its future.

In Search of Buddha’s Daughters: The Hidden Lives and Fearless Work of Buddhist Nuns

When people picture the inhabitants of a Buddhist monastery, the people who live there are male, but there is a 2,500 year old tradition of Buddhist nuns who are nearly unknown… except to those whom they help. Journalist Christine Toomey sought out these dedicated women to learn more about the lives and challenges of these women. From police officers to musicians to Bollywood stars, they gave up their homes and careers in search of a life of service and enlightenment – and yet despite their dedication, they are rarely given equal status with the male monks. This book offers a fascinating look at these little-known communities of women, from Nepal to California, who share the risks and blessings that come to those who sacrifice possessions and careers in exchange for an exploration of faith.

Dust Bowl Girls: The Inspiring Story of the Team That Barnstormed Its Way to Basketball Glory

In the midst of the Great Depression, basketball coach Sam Babb offered hardworking young women a unique opportunity: free college education in exchange for playing on his basketball team. Together, they built the Cardinals, a team of talented newcomers whose passion for their sport and loyalty to their coach and one another helped them win time after time. Author Lydia Reeder tells a fascinating story about how these women defied common misconceptions about the inappropriateness and danger of competitive sports for women and fought their way to the top of their game.

Sign My Name To Freedom: A Memoir of a Pioneering Life

Betty Reid Soskin has witnessed dramatic changes to American culture in her 96 years — and she's helped to create plenty of that change, too! Today, she's the oldest park ranger in the history of the National Park Service, sharing her perspective by leading tours of the Rosie the Riveter National Park. In this absorbing memoir, Soskin describes a life watching the course of American 20th century history, complete with tremendous strides in women's and civil rights. Conversational and fresh, this book will make you look at the world around you with new eyes.

The Best We Could Do: An illustrated Memoir

After the fall of South Vietnam, Thi Bui's family fled and faced both the challenges of escape... and the longer, more subtle challenges of building a new life. In this illustrated memoir, Bui explores her family's history through the lens of her new role as a mother, with the new understanding it brings her about the sacrifices and doubts that come with being a parent. With a gentle but clear-eyed tone, Bui explores the gifts and flaws of her family and herself in this graphic novel, telling a complex story with heart and love.

In Praise of Difficult Women: Life Lessons From 29 Heroines Who Dared to Break the Rules

When women are independent, ambitious, opinionated, or simply insistent that they will take up space, they're often branded with the word "difficult." But in this beautifully illustrated book, author Karen Karbo argues that being "difficult" may not make life easier, but it definitely makes it more meaningful and fulfilling! Her unique narrative tells the stories of 29 iconic women, including figures like Frida Kahlo, Carrie Fisher, Amelia Earhart, and Shonda Rhimes, who forged their own paths in the world. She explores their stories — imperfections and all — and examines the universal themes that connect us to each of these mesmerizing personalities today: success and style, love and authenticity, daring and courage.

Option B

When Sheryl Sandberg, the author of Lean In, was faced with the sudden death of her husband, she didn't know what to do — and it got her thinking about how we as a culture can build resilience and help those who are struggling through crises emerge from the other side. With the help of her psychologist friend Adam Grant, she has written a book about what to do when Option A — the perfect life — is no longer available. Covering topics including how to help others when they're in crisis, how to be compassionate to yourself, and how to create strong and resilient individuals, families, communities, and workplaces, this is more than Sandberg's personal story: it's a rallying cry to create a world where we all work together to make Option B as good as it can be.

The RBG Workout: How She Stays Strong... And You Can Too!

People know Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg for her excellent legal mind and her sharp dissenting opinions... but did you know she also does 20 full push-ups a day? For that, she credits Bryant Johnson, the personal trainer she started seeing to rebuild her strength after cancer treatment. In his new book, Johnson introduces everyone to the workout he created for Ginsburg, leading readers step by step through a simple but challenging series of exercises to build strength and confidence. Illustrated with four-color drawings of Ginsburg in workout gear performing the exercises, and complete with sidebars of Johnson's folksy wisdom about health and fitness, this book will show you how to work out like the Notorious RBG.

This Is Just My Face: Try Not To Stare

Gabourey Sidibe leapt onto the world stage after starring in 2009's acclaimed movie Precious, but that was just a part of her remarkable and unconventional life story. In this memoir, Sidibe writes about her unusual childhood as the daughter of a polygamous father and a gifted mother who sang in the subway to support her family; her first job as a phone sex "talker"; and the strange experience of rising to fame and standing next to fellow stars who owned private islands and giant mansions while she still lived in her mother's apartment. Along the way, Sidibe waves away the haters by celebrating herself and her own confidence that she can accomplish anything. Complete with funny and pointed observations on topics like friendship, race, and weight, this is a celebrity memoir that will delight anyone who loves the unique and different — and imagines what it would be like to achieve their own dreams.

The Education of Will: A Mutual Memoir of a Woman and Her Dog

Patricia McConnell is renowned for her insights into dog behavior and for her compelling writing about her efforts to understand and re-teach aggressive and fearful dogs – but what the world didn’t know was how her work to rescue one dog also helped her rescue herself. Will was a young Border Collie whose outbursts of anger and fear suddenly seemed all too familiar to McConnell, who was suddenly forced to face her own childhood traumas. By helping Will, McConnell also managed to find a way to reclaim her own life and happiness. Hopeful and inspiring, the redemptive message of her journey is that, while trauma changes our brains and the past casts a long shadow, healing, for both people and dogs, is possible through hard work, compassion, and mutual devotion.

Poppies of Iraq

As a Christian child growing up in Iraq, Brigitte Findakly developed an odd relationship with her homeland. She loved the places where she grew up, but she was not blind to signs of oppression — censored magazines, public hangings, even the banning of the color red. Brigitte's father continued to hope that a secular, prosperous Iraq will return, but eventually moved the family to Paris... where Brigitte didn't feel at home either. This gentle and nuanced graphic memoir, illustrated by Findakly's husband cartoonist Lewis Trondheim, explores interesting questions about home and identity.

200 Women Who Will Change The Way You See The World

In this landmark book, 200 influential women from around the world answer five key questions: What really matters to you? What brings you happiness? What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery? What would you change if you could?, and Which single word do you most identify with? The answers are uplifting, inspiring, heartbreaking, and real. Interviewees include Margaret Atwood, Jane Goodall, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Dolores Huerta, Alicia Garza, and more; together, they create a strong and empowering picture of the women of today — and a call to action to push for positive change wherever we are.