It's Lit: Books By and About Women

From riding the bus to work over the summer to taking time between classes, I have had the opportunity to read a number of powerful books by, and about, women this year. These are some of the most notable ones, in alphabetical order by author's last name.

#GIRLBOSS by Sophia Amoruso

Sophia Amoruso, the founder of Nasty Gal clothing line, describes the hard work and dedication that she had to invest in order to build a business from the ground--or eBay--up.

Feminist Fight Club by Jessica Bennett

Bennett outlines a roadmap for navigating difficult situations in the workplace and beyond, including speaking up, demanding fair treatment, and banding together with other women to ensure everyone's contributions are recognized.

What Happened by Hillary Rodham Clinton

Often an emotional read, Clinton's book also serves as inspiration to keep going. In addition to addressing serious topics, specifically what really did happen and what to do now, Clinton provides the reader with a look into her personal life, confirming once again that she really loves being a grandmother.

Ada's Algorithm: How Lord Byron's Daughter Ada Lovelace Launched the Digital Age by James Essinger

Ada Lovelace, the first computer programmer, was ahead of her time. She was thinking about programming before there was an actual computer on which to code. Essinger details Ada's upbringing and how, had Charles Babbage listened to her more, he likely would have been more successful.

The Rise and Reign of the Unruly Woman by Anne Helen Petersen

Anne Helen Petersen, a writer at Buzzfeed, was motivated by the 2016 election to craft a collection of essays about women who have been deemed "too unruly" in their own ways. From Serena Williams and Melissa McCarthy to Hillary Clinton, Petersen tells the stories of women in the spotlight who have refused to be defined by outdated, unfair, and sexist societal standards.

Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead and Option B: Facing Adversity, Building Resilience, and Finding Joy by Sheryl Sandberg

Mentioned in both Clinton's book and Scott's book (below), Sandberg is one of the ultimate authorities when it comes to explaining the obstacles and opportunities women are presented with in the workplace. In Lean In, Sandberg breaks down the different reactions to men versus women seeking power and provides advice on how to navigate a career. Option B, which was written after Sandberg lost her husband, tells her story of how she exercised resilience and gives the reader a guide to exercising resilience in her own life.

Radical Candor by Kim Scott

Scott has worked at and with Google, Apple, Dropbox, and Twitter. In her book, she explains to managers in the workplace how to strike a balance between challenging directly and caring deeply for one's employees.

My Life on the Road by Gloria Steinem

The beauty of Steinem's book is the fact that she, someone who has spent her life championing the feminist movement, has not lost her positivity. The book serves as a reminder to appreciate connections with others, in addition to giving the reader a fascinating view into the life of one of the most iconic women of the modern age.

Bonus: Speech by Tracee Ellis Ross