Face it: the feminist movement is taking over, if it hasn’t already. If you’re interested in supporting this movement, adding some of these books to your summer reading list may be a good idea for you. Need some proof that feminism is joining the big leagues? From Beyoncé’s hit song “Flawless” featuring feminist language and a moving quote from feminist author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie to men in media such as John Legend supporting the movement, feminism is undoubtedly in the spotlight.
There are so many successful women in media these days, especially women who are fulfilling roles traditionally dominated by males. Comedy powerhouses Amy Poehler, Mindy Kaling, Tina Fey, and Lena Dunham have all made an impressive name for themselves in the television industry. Even if you’re not into the TV industry, these women’s words are guaranteed to inspire you and motivate you to be successful. Check out the following four women’s biographies that would make a worthwhile addition to your summer reading list.
Yes Please by Amy Poehler
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This memoir from comedy queen Amy Poehler is full of laughs, lists, and life lessons. Anyone pursuing big dreams will take interest in the story of Poehler. In Yes Please, she shares insightful stories all the way from her childhood (including stories of sleepovers that she calls “stressful social experiments”) up to her successful show Parks and Recreation, with stories of working at comedy clubs, Saturday Night Live, and more in between. Poehler is entirely honest throughout the book, explaining her experiences with drugs and speaking her mind about her negative feelings towards cell phones.
The LA Times showers Poehler’s book with compliments, calling it “funny, wise, earnest, honest, [and] spiritually ambitious.”
However, the same article also describes the book as “occasionally self-indulgent and structurally messy.” I think that this just adds to the echo of Poehler’s voice, making Yes Please a humorous and the perfect addition to your summer reading list.
You definitely don’t have to be a reading fanatic or comedy aficionado to enjoy Poehler’s writing. “I’m a math major who doesn’t read many books and I like it,” FSU student Morgan Brannen says of the memoir.
Pick up Yes Please from your local Barnes and Noble for $28.99. (It’s worth it, I promise!)
Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns) by Mindy Kaling
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Mindy Kaling is most widely known for her role as the smart and spunky Dr. Mindy Lahiri on her show The Mindy Project. She also wrote for The Office and played the show’s animated chatterbox Kelly Kapoor. In her humorously-titled memoir Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns), Kaling voices her opinions on romantic comedies, her competitive nature, friendships, and more. Aside from that amusement, the book also features hilarious photos from Kaling’s childhood and embarrassing stories that are sure to make your sides split from laughter. Who said summer reading had to be boring?
Kaling also offers supportive advice without being preachy, which is quite the feat. Her observations are nothing but good-natured attempts to lend a hand to her readers. I especially appreciate this remark, which everyone should follow in order to help make the world a happier place:
“If I’m at a party where I’m not enjoying myself, I will put some cookies in my jacket pocket and leave without saying good-bye.”
Pick up Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns) from your local Barnes and Noble for $14.
Bossypants by Tina Fey
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Tina Fey’s downright hilarity shines bright throughout Bossypants, which was a #1 bestseller on the New York Times, Publishers Weekly, and Wall Street Journal. Bossypants is sprinkled with sidesplitting sarcasm, entertaining stories about Tina Fey’s life before SNL and 30 Rock, and feminist opinions. The title of the book itself is inspired by Fey being asked whether she feels uncomfortable being in charge, presumably because she’s a woman. Adding this to your summer reading list will definitely help you feel more motivated once fall semester rolls around again.
Bossypants also talks about unrealistic expectations for women’s bodies. The chapter “All Girls Must Be Everything” discusses contradicting and unfair “deficiencies” that women are expected to correct. She also discusses the myth that women can now freely “embrace their diversity and realize that all shapes and sizes are beautiful.” The entire memoir is remarkable, but this chapter is an especially worthwhile read.
Pick up Bossypants from your local Barnes and Noble for $16.
Not That Kind of Girl by Lena Dunham
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Lena Dunham is as real as it gets. The Golden Globe winner writes, directs, produces, and acts, and is best known for her role in HBO’s Girls. Like the show, Not That Kind of Girl is brutally honest and pushes the envelope of what is stereotypically expected and accepted from women. Dunham’s candor is what makes her memoir an “always funny, sometimes wrenching…testament to the creative wonder that is Lena Dunham,” as Judy Blume puts it.
Dunham discusses issues that women often feel uncomfortable speaking about with such comfort that it feels like your sister is confiding in you. The book is separated into five sections: Love & Sex, Body, Friendship, Work, and Big Picture. Dunham brings up topics that may otherwise be uncomfortable to discuss, such as intercourse, therapy, sexuality, diets, and failed friendships. However, these topics are discussed with such comfort that it feels like your kind older sister is confiding in you and guiding you through the tricky parts of life.
I would recommend telling your friends to addNot That Kind of Girl to their summer reading lists as well; this book brings up a ton of opportunities for discussion.
Pick up Not That Kind of Girl from your local Barnes and Noble for $28.