Books for the Modern Feminist

In the past 10 or so years, a revolution has been reignited. Not so different than that of the "bra burning" women of the 60s, or the suffragists of the early 20th century, women are demanding equality. Today, we call them modern feminists. What is a modern feminist? Well, really, it's anyone who believes in equality despite gender. A modern feminist can be a woman, or a man, of any age, ethnicity, or sexual preference. In a world where the tides are changing and women are becoming as successful and influential as men, it's the right time for the right questions to be asked.

An educated person understands the importance of economic, social, and political equality among the sexes is someone who will constantly question authority. The authors of these books for modern feminists have become the voice of this movement. Women and men alike are encouraged to read these books to open your mind to the world of sexism that we live in, and engage in conversation about how to solve for it.

“I'm not here to tell you how to be a feminist, or whether you should be one at all. I call myself a feminist to fuck with people, and because it's a great way to weed out the creeps in bars, but feminism isn't an identity. Feminism is a process. Call yourself what you like. The important thing is what you fight for. Begin it now."

Unspeakable Things removes the blindfold on how gender can affect power, even in the 21st century. Through her own experiences, journalist Laurie Penny recounts events in both British and American history, from Occupy Wall Street to the rise of online dating, even freedom of speech, and the short end of the stick that women have received throughout. Unspeakable Things provides a harsh critique, but is also eye-opening in the alternatives it considers. For anyone who believes sexism is dead, read this book. Penny doesn't shy away from the truth, no matter how ugly it truly is. These events are "unspeakable" for a reason, which just makes it more impressive that Penny speaks them. Ultimately, she asks the difficult questions that a matriarchal society needs to hear answers to. A must read book for modern feminists to truly learn the history of sexism in society, so that we can be fully informed moving forward.

"The girl sitting quietly in class or waiting for the bus or roaming the mall doesn't want anyone to know, or doesn't know how to tell anyone, that she is locked in a tower. Maybe she's a prisoner of a story she's heard all her life-that fairest means best, or that bruises prove she is worthy of love.”

Fairy tales and feminism have always been at odds. From our youth we are taught that our mission in life is to be the most beautiful in the land, and only after we attain that, can we land our prince charming. Poisoned Apples: Poems for You, My Pretty is Christine Heppermann's collection of poems that puts the ideals of fairy tales inside the life of a modern teenage girl. Using fairy tale tropes, Poisoned Apples explores how girls are taught to think about themselves, their bodies, and their friends. The poems consist of modernized classic tales that go from deadly funny to deadly serious. The beautiful black and white photographs that accompany these poems compliment them in a haunting perfect fashion. In Poisoned Apples Christine Heppermann confronts society head on, challenging that you can want the prince, you just don't need him.

“Most women fight wars on two fronts, one for whatever the putative topic is and one simply for the right to speak, to have ideas, to be acknowledged to be in possession of facts and truths, to have value, to be a human being.”

If men are from Venus, and women are from Mars, Rebecca Solnit is a Venusians transplant. Communication between men and women is not a new problem, but that doesn't make it any less relevant to the modern feminist. In Men Explain Things to Me, Solnit tries to bridge the gap, but in a way that empowers women, not degrades them (sorry Steve Harvey, but we're looking at you). After extensive research in her own life, Solnit writes how men often wrongly assume they know know everything and in turn, often assume that women know nothing, hence "Men Explain Thing to Me." But this isn't a man-bashing session. Instead, she examines why this happens, how this aspect of the gender wars works, and what we as women can do to fix it.

“I have three pieces of advice I want you to remember: Don’t ever grow up. Don’t become a bore. Don’t let The Man get to you. OK? Cool. Then let’s do this.”

Sophia Amoruso is the founder, CEO, and creative director of Nasty Gal, a $100 million plus online fashion retailer. I was a fan of the site before I learned about the badass woman behind it, and now I have an even greater appreciation. In #GirlBoss, Amoruso speaks for the misfits. Her triumph with NastyGal proves that being successful isn’t about how popular you were in high school or where you went to college—if you even went to college, that is. Instead, success is about trusting your instincts and following your gut, knowing which rules to follow and which to break. If you're a modern feminist, somewhat of a black sheep, this book will speak to you. It delivers the message that every young woman needs to hear, which is always to stay true to yourself and your beliefs no matter what those around you might say. #Girlboss delivers true girl power.

A seemingly pathological obsession with pop culture characters, bodily functions, and political heroines. Mockery of Scott Baio. Pro-choice, feminist politics.

Forget about the Gospel of John, this is the real New Testament. The Book of Jezebel comes from Jezebel.com, a website that has become famous for its outspoken feminist voice and no-holds-barred attitude. These ladies are not afraid to start controversy and we will gladly learn from them. This encyclopedia of pop culture promotes how to be a modern feminist in a society that objectifies women in in almost every area of life, including the entertainment industry, the fashion industry, and the world of technology. Jezebel has often as be described as a group of extreme feminists, who often are on the attack of men in roles of power. To that, we say, good! Feminism has recently become a dirty word. You can believe in girl power, but you can't be too much of a feminist because, then you're "extreme." Who cares? You know who says feminist are too extreme? Men. If you don't believe sexism exists in almost every facet of a woman's life then you are sadly mistaken. These ladies have no problem being the voice of feminism, and they wear the crown proudly. We should all have the, for lack of a better word, balls.

Why are we supposed to get Brazilians? Why do bras hurt? Why the incessant talk about babies? And do men secretly hate them?

No one can tell you how to be a woman, and Caitlin Moran certainly isn't going to try. What she does do in her book How to Be a Woman is give you the tools to maneuver when other people in your life try. Moran’s debut novel was an instant bestseller in England, and has since taken off in the states as well. What's most engaging about this book is Moran's brilliant wit. She teaches young modern feminist that our greatest power in this life is a sense a humor, and to not take anything too seriously, while simultaneously empowering us to be the woman we always knew we could be. You know the phrase "I'm not laughing at you, I'm laughing with you"? Moran hilariously points out that most of the world is doing both, so we might as well be able to join in.

“Our men think earning money and ordering around others is where power lies. They don't think power is in the hands of the woman who takes care of everyone all day long, and gives birth to their children.”

Malala Yousafzai is one of the most courageous women on the planet. On October 9, 2012, she was shot in the head at point-blank range while riding the bus home from school by members of the Taliban. When she survived, Malala did not take her second chance at life for granted. Instead she decided to tell her story, and speak about how even in a community where women are looked at as less than nothing, your voice can be heard. I am Malala is the remarkable tale of a family uprooted by terrorism in the fight for women's education. More than just a story for modern feminist, I am Malala is a story for families, and paints the picture of how we are all together in this fight to make the world a great place for everyone, no matter what your gender, age, or sexual preference. The world can be an ugly place, and it sometimes feels like we will never get where we want to go. If you are feeling uninspired, give this one a read. It will give you new life.

“It takes years as a woman to unlearn what you have been taught to be sorry for. It takes years to find your voice and seize your real estate.”

Believe it or not, this is Amy Poehler’s first book. In recent years, Poehler has become one of the most famous comedians in Hollywood, starring in TV and movies alike. Poehler even cohosted the Golden Globes with her partner in crime, Tina Fey, and has been reviewed as one of the funniest hosts to date. What is so inspiring about ladies like Poehler and Fey is that they make it a point to be acknowledged for being the most talented in their fields, not just the most talented women. None of that, "You're funny, for a girl" nonsense. She also stresses the positives of women rooting for each other, rather than against each other. Women are sometimes our own worst enemies, and are often positioned in competition. We will get further together than separately. In Yes Please, Poehler chronicles her career so far in the entertainment industry, including all the obstacles she has faced, with the comedic skill she is so famous for.

"I got hurt by accident a lot that year. He'd get jealous about something I did and would squeeze my arm too hard and I'd get a horrible bruise but of course it was an accident, and he always felt terrible afterward."

This collection of essays from Amy Schumer is exactly what we have come to expect from the comedian. It's bold, smart, and hilarious. In The Girl with the Lower Back Tattoo, Amy uses tales from her teenage years, family experiences, past relationships, and sexcapades to poke fun at the trials and tribulations of being a modern day woman. If you've ever watched Inside Amy Schumer, you can expect the same comedic tone in this book. What you may not expect, is the deep insight Schumer gives to her life before her fame, including an abusive relationship and a strained relationship with her parents. These insights make her more relatable, and respectable than ever.

"I’m already predicting my future shame at thinking I had anything to offer you, but if I can take what I’ve learned and make one menial job easier for you, or prevent you from having the kind of sex where you feel you must keep your sneakers on in case you want to run away during the act, then every misstep of mine will have been worthwhile."

Lena Dunham has become an important voice for the modern feminist in the past few years. In the first seasons of her hit show Girls, Dunham's character proclaims to her parents during a debate about her future that wants to be "the voice of a generation." In Not That Kind of Girl, she has succeeded. Dunham is genuine and thought provoking, trying to answer the questions that every woman asks herself at one point in her life. She often speaks about body image and fat shaming and how to love the skin you are in, despite what the media may say. Advocating self-worth, awkwardness, and a sense a humor, Dunham will continue to be the voice of a generation for years to come.

"A punk is someone who knows how to ask the world uncomfortable questions and does everything possible to make sure the world can't cop out of answering those questions. A punk is a person who lives and breathes astonishment. Astonishing other people and astonishing yourself—that's what art is for us, and without art, life can't exist. It would be too boring."

If don't know who Pussy Riot is, get ready to be schooled on how to be a bad ass bitch. On February 21, 2012, five members of a Russian feminist punk collective, AKA Pussy Riot, staged a performance in the christian church in Moscow. Dressed in brightly colored tights and balaclavas, they performed one of their songs, asking the Virgin Mary to drive out Russian president Vladimir Putin from the church. After just 40 seconds, they were arrested. 40 seconds! As the world watched their trail unfold, the three young women became global feminist icons, refusing to let their voices be silenced. Pussy Riot!: A Punk Prayer For Freedom includes letters from prison, courtroom statements, defense attorney closing arguments, poems, the song itself that got them arrested, and tributes by Yoko Ono, Johanna Fateman, Karen Finley, Justin Vivian Bond, Eileen Myles, and JD Samson. Speaking out for feminism, LGBT rights, and against oppression on such a huge platform will put these ladies in the feminist hall of fame forever. Read this book to get a first hand look at being a member of Pussy Riot!