Discover titles that celebrate women, champion their stories and give voice to their unique and varied experiences
As we celebrate International Women’s Day, we recognize the accomplishments, impact and hard-won triumphs of women everywhere, as they tell their stories and speak their truths. International Women’s Day serves as a great reminder to celebrate the women in our lives, listen to their experiences and join the conversation about the continued pursuit of gender equality.
As March 8th approaches, we’ve put together a list of inspirational listens that celebrate the female experience and spotlight critical issues facing women globally. To help you discover exactly what you’re looking for this International Women’s Day, we’ve broken them up into three categories: titles by women, which focuses on female authors and celebrates the current and historical accomplishments of women in literature including female novelists and strong female characters or heroines; titles about women, exploring gripping memoirs and biographies of inspirational and successful women; and titles for women, non-fiction titles that address key issues faced by women. These may include tips, advice, or books about activism surrounding women's rights.
Join us here at Audible Canada in celebrating International Women’s Day!
By Women: Celebrate the Cultural Impact of Women in Literature
Women creators have historically been denied their seat at the table by a predominantly male establishment. Thanks to historical and current trailblazers, however, that paradigm is starting to shift. Women everywhere are sharing their experiences and celebrating the titles that empower them, and we’re happy to be a part of the conversation. From new books, ground breakers, and classics, these titles pushed the boundaries in order to celebrate women in all their fullness.
Take Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women. Created in 1868, at a time when few women were allowed a public opinion much less an entire work of literature, Alcott broke through with her story of sisterhood and self-exploration. Jo March, her protagonist (and, many say, an autobiographical Alcott herself) was a smart, stubborn and individualistic young woman in a way that only male characters of the time were. It’s no wonder the story was a bestseller and continues to be loved by women everywhere. Listen to our Audible Original Drama Little Women, performed by recent Oscar winner Laura Dern and a cast of veteran narrators.
Speaking of trailblazers, in 2011 Esi Edugyan was the first black woman to win the Scotiabank Giller Prize with her harrowing, electric Half Blood Blues. And she made headlines again in 2018 by becoming only the third person in history to win a second Scotiabank Giller Prize, this time for Washington Black, the powerful story of a boy who escapes slavery at a Barbados sugar plantation to travel the world. Her award winning books are powerful, impactful, and strong examples of women's achievements in literature.
In recent years, many of The New York Times best sellers for fiction were by women, from Delia Owen’s heartbreaking coming-of-age tale, Where the Crawdads Sing to Ann Patchett’s powerful portrait of siblings in the Second World War, The Dutch House.
This International Women’s Day, celebrate the cultural impact of these trailblazing creators by setting aside time to hear their stories.
About Women: Listen to Memoirs & Biographies Highlighting Women’s Experiences
In a time when so many blockbusters and biopics focus on male heroes it’s still radical for women to make their own spaces and tell their own stories. It’s also critically important. Memoirs, biographies and autobiographies that celebrate the varied lives and experiences of incredible women send a clear message to other female creators: not only are your thoughts and feelings valid, but they’re shared.
High School is a prime example. In this moving, revelatory coming-of-age memoir, Canadian singer-songwriter sisters Tegan and Sara tell their true story of growing up in Calgary in the 90s. Amid the flannel-clad grunge era, they chronicle their first loves, first creative sparks and coming to terms with their queerness. If you grew up female, grew up questioning your sexuality, or if you just grew up as an awkward teenager, this audiobook will speak to you!
Ali Wong’s hilarious love letter to her daughters, Dear Girls, will make you laugh-until-you-literally-cry. In this memoir, Wong balances personal anecdotes about sex and race with advice on how to make it as a woman in the workplace. It’s not the pretty picture of femininity you often see – in fact, it’s liberatingly gross – and it’s all the better for it.
Take time on International Women’s Day to hear women’s stories, told in their own words. If you’re a woman, you may find your experiences heard and validated. And for the men out there, it’s especially important: sometimes what’s needed most from you is to clear a space and simply listen.
For Women: Explore Non-Fiction Books that Address Important Aspects of Womanhood
Problems particular to women need solutions particular to women.
In the inspirational and energetic Work It Out, for instance, best-selling creator Mel Robbins offers hard-hitting solutions for how women can get ahead in the workplace. To women who feel invisible at work, passed over for promotions or undervalued, Robbins offers her signature blend of witty advice and tactical strategy.
And in the precisely examined Why We Can't Sleep, Ada Calhoun uncovers a new form of mid-life crisis affecting women of Generation X. A generation of women told they could “have it all” are facing exhaustion, precarious employment and failing relationships. By exploring the problem, Calhoun aims to offer solutions to the fear and confusion Gen X women feel. And, in doing so, ensure that women in future generations don’t have to go through those same crises.
A fundamental part of celebrating International Women’s Day is understanding what makes women unique. It’s clear from the eclectic and diverse literary greats mentioned above, it’s their talent and their power to move us. Whether they are sharing relatable stories and experiences, helping us work through life’s challenges or rocking our worlds with their creative talent, it’s clear that there is a lot to celebrate, remember and strive to keep changing. These women role models offer a wealth of knowledge that can help both men and women learn, grow, and become more accepting and understanding of others.
