If there’s one thing books have taught me, is that it can empower you in ways you wouldn’t even imagine.
I’ve often turned to books for inspiration, strength, clarity, and a reminder of what’s possible, especially during very low periods in my life.
A book can be your best friend, wise guide providing you insights, unlocking your thought process in various dimensions, improve your creativity and vocabulary.
In this post, I’m sharing 25 of the most empowering books for women and I truly believe these books have earned a place in your bookshelf or are a good starting point if you wish to begin a reading habit.
This reading list contains books on personal growth, productivity, mindset, self-love and fictional reads that offer practical wisdom that stays with you long after the last page.
25 Must-Read Books for Women
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Books for Women’s Mental Health
Women Who Think Too Much by Susan Nolen-Hoeksema
Psychologist Susan Nolen-Hoeksema dives deep into the habit of overthinking and why it affects women more than men. It perfectly described the spiral of worry, regret, and mental replay I sometimes get caught in. What stood out most is how clearly the book explained the emotional toll of overthinking and research-backed ways to break the cycle.
Radical Acceptance by Tara Brach
This book helped me realize how much energy I’d spent trying to fix or improve myself, when what I really needed was to start accepting myself as I am. If you’ve ever struggled with perfectionism, people-pleasing, or that constant feeling of you’re not enough, then please read this. Personally, it absolutely shifted something important within me.
It’s Not Supposed to Be This Way by Lysa TerKeurst
Lysa TerKeurst is raw and real about her personal struggles and the moments when life doesn’t go according to plan. She gently reminds us that healing often looks like surrender more than resolution. This is a faith-based book but even if you don’t share her spiritual beliefs, the themes of hope, resilience, and trusting through uncertainty will certainly resonate.
Top Books for Female Entrepreneurs
The $100 Startup by Chris Guillebeau
The $100 Startup makes entrepreneurship feel approachable and doable, even if you don’t have investors, a fancy degree, or a huge budget. Chris Guillebeau shares real stories of people who turned small ideas into successful businesses, many starting with little more than a laptop and a lot of passion.
It’s full of checklists, simple strategies, and smart advice on turning your skills into income. It reminds you that you can start right where you are, with what you have.
Blue Ocean Strategy by W. Chan Kim & Renée Mauborgne
Reading Blue Ocean Strategy will completely change how you think about competition and building a business. Instead of fighting for space in crowded markets, what the authors call “red oceans”, this book shows you how to create entirely new spaces, or “blue oceans,” where you can stand out and thrive on your own terms.
The Lean Startup by Eric Ries
This book is especially helpful if you want to build something but don’t want to overthink or over-plan every aspect of your business.
Eric Ries shares a really practical approach to building a business through small, smart experiments instead of big, risky leaps.
He introduces the idea of creating a “minimum viable product”, something basic that lets you test your idea before pouring tons of time or money into it.
Start with Why by Simon Sinek
This book is for anyone trying to create your business, product or service with intention. It helped me dig deeper into the reason behind my goals, my projects, even my everyday choices.
Simon Sinek’s message is simple but powerful: people don’t just buy what you do, they buy why you do it. And if you’re clear about your “why,” everything else falls into place with more meaning and direction.
Crushing It! By Gary Vaynerchuk
Crushing It! is one of those books that fires you up. Gary Vaynerchuk brings his no-excuses energy to show you exactly how people have built personal brands and thriving businesses using social media.
If you’re looking to grow your brand or business through platforms like Instagram, YouTube, or podcasts, Crushing It! is like a roadmap and a motivational boost rolled into one.
Self-Love Books for Women
You Are a Badass by Jen Sincero
Motivational coach and best-selling author Jen Sincero doles out some actionable advice, with a few ahem… swear words in ‘You Are a Badass’.
Sincero’s voice is bold, funny, and full of energy and she doesn’t sugarcoat the truth. She calls out the limiting beliefs that hold us back and shows us how to shift our mindset so we can actually start living the life we want. If sarcastic humor is your cup of tea, you’ll love reading this one. Get your You Are a Badass here.
Untamed by Glennon Doyle
Glennon Doyle writes with raw honesty about what it means to live fully, truthfully, and unapologetically as a woman. Her journey of breaking free from expectations, roles, and self-doubt felt deeply personal.
Her message that the voice inside us, the one we often quiet or ignore, is usually right.
The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck by Mark Manson
This book was a breath of brutally honest fresh air. Mark Manson’s writing is blunt, funny, and at times uncomfortable, but in the best way. It challenges you to focus more intentionally on what matters.
It embraces the simple fact that struggle is part of the human experience, but that strength comes from choosing your struggles wisely.
Year Of Yes by Shonda Rhimes
Year of Yes was one of the most fun, honest, and unexpectedly moving books I’ve read. I’ve always admired Shonda Rhimes for her creative genius, but in this memoir, she is open about her fears, anxiety, and saying “no” to anything outside her comfort zone.
And then one day, she decided to say “yes” to everything that scared her for a full year. What followed was transformation not just professionally, but emotionally, socially, and spiritually.
The Gifts of Imperfection by Brené Brown
Brené Brown gently unpacks what it means to let go of perfection, and instead choose authenticity, self-compassion, and wholehearted living.
As someone who’s often wrestled with self-expectations and the need to “do it all,” this book helped me realize that trying to be perfect is a barrier to connection, creativity, and joy.
Get Rich Lucky Bitch by Denise Duffield-Thomas
The pertinent question this book answers is why most women undervalue themselves? Most of us will be familiar with this feeling. It’s due to the fact that there are certain inherent money blocks we have within us which stops us from unlocking our full potential.
In this book Denise gives you simple strategies to overcome your limiting blocks and beliefs when it comes to money. Grab your copy of Get Rich Lucky Bitch here.
Mindset & Personal Growth Books
Atomic Habits by James Clear
Atomic Habits by James Clear has single-handedly transformed my life. Do I sound too dramatic? Okay! but it’s true.
If you haven’t read this book I urge you to stop whatever you are doing and just give it one read. The basic premise of this book is if you want better life form better habits, as your habits are critical to your success.
Atomic Habits takes a scientific approach towards habit formation and explains it with various interesting concepts like:
- Compound effect of habits
- 4 laws when forming habits
The One Thing by Gary Keller (with Jay Papasan)
As women multi-tasking is like our second nature, while that may be a compulsion in your personal life, when you are working you must maintain your focus on one thing at a time.
The One Thing is all about concentrating one thing at a time, getting it right before moving on to the next set of tasks. Three biggest takeaways from this book for me has been
- Start with the most challenging task in the morning
- There is a difference between being busy and being productive.
- Take action now because later you don’t want to reflect at life and regret not doing things you love.
Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear by Elizabeth Gilbert
This book is for all those who need some inspiration to get over a creative block. But perhaps the single most important takeaway for me has been to accept my creative inclination.
Even if I am not a best-selling writer or I don’t get invited to famous events and practically no one knows me, I have a gift I can write and that simple fact is so powerful. It is one of those books that moves you deeply from within.
The author urges you to get started with your creativity because there is no perfect time really to make your ultimate masterpiece. Get your copy of Big Magic here.
The Confidence Code by Katty Kay & Claire Shipman
The Confidence Code dives into something so many of us struggle with but rarely talk about openly: confidence. Katty Kay and Claire Shipman break down why women often hold back, doubt themselves, or feel like they’re not ready, even when they are more than qualified.
If you’re a woman building a business, a brand, or just yourself, this book is packed with empowering takeaways that help you stop waiting and start doing.
Smart Women Finish Rich by David Bach
I had read David Bach’s ‘The Automatic Millionaire’ and loved it! So had to read ‘Smart Women Finish Rich’ as well.
This is especially geared towards women to be better at personal finance. It lays down a step-by-step guide to understand money better and master your personal finances. This book will help you know where you stand financially, in terms of your income, assets and liabilities.
Girl on Fire by Cara Alwill Leyba
Cara encourages women to ditch the rulebook, speak up, and create success on their own terms. She’s bold, unapologetic, and incredibly motivating, especially if you’re tired of playing small or worrying about what people will think.
If you’re ready to show up as the boss you know you can be, this book delivers the mindset shift you need.
Empowering Fictional Books for Women
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo is a glamorous tale of old Hollywood. This book explores so many themes, queerness, fame, power, aging, and the cost of keeping secrets. If you love stories about complicated women who take ownership of their lives, this one won’t disappoint.
The Color Purple by Alice Walker
Reading The Color Purple was an emotional experience. The story revolves around Celie, a Black woman in the early 1900s American South, who faces abuse, trauma, and silencing from a young age. But through sisterhood, self-discovery, and love, she evolves from someone who sees herself as worthless to a woman who finally knows her power and worth.
Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
Lessons in Chemistry is smart, sharp, and deeply empowering. The story follows Elizabeth Zott, a brilliant chemist in the 1960s who refuses to let a male-dominated world tell her what she can and cannot do. If you’re looking for a feminist fiction read that’s both heartfelt and clever, this one is a must.
A Doll’s House by Henrik Ibsen
Though it was written in the late 1800s, the emotional impact and themes still hit hard today. Nora, the central character, lives in what seems like the perfect home. But beneath that surface is a woman beginning to realize how confined she truly is.
The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood
Margaret Atwood’s dystopian world in The Handmaid’s Tale feels eerily plausible, which makes it all the more chilling. It imagines a society where women are stripped of their rights and reduced to their biological function. And yet, in the middle of all that oppression, there are women who are quiet, observant, and remarkably resilient.
Wrapping Up Empowering Books For Women
Putting this list together was such a joy because every one of these books has impacted me in some meaningful way.
If you’re a woman trying to grow into her fullest self, I hope you find a book (or a few!) that speaks to your heart and reminds you of your strength.
And if you’ve already read one of these, share this list with someone who might need a little inspiration.
Here’s to growth, courage, and owning our stories, Cheers!