The world will be celebrating International Women’s Day on Fri 8th March 2024 and there are plenty of ways you can get involved in London. Whether you fancy sharing dinner at a women-led restaurant in Spitalfields or listening to talks from the women making waves in the worlds of literature, music, comedy, business and beyond, it won’t be hard to stay busy. But, in the meantime, we wanted to give you some brilliant book recs to get you in that IWD mood. Here are five to get on your reading list right now.
Feminism for the 99% | Cinzia Arruzza, Tithi Bhattacharya & Nancy Fraser
Acknowledging intersectionality is crucial and that’s what Feminism for the 99% is all about. In this book, Arruzza, Bhattacharya and Fraser argue that the feminist movement shouldn’t centre around women at the very top of their professions, but work to tackle the biggest issues for the vast majority of women around the world – including unaffordable housing, poverty wages, inadequate healthcare, border policing and climate change.
The Second Sex | Simone De Beauvoir
An undeniably classic piece of feminist literature, The Second Sex is a must-read. Both the movement and the world have changed a great deal since De Beauvoir was writing, but many of the same issues prevail. However you interpret this year’s IWD theme, this time of year is always a good chance to look back at some of the earlier and most influential feminist writings.
Hood Feminism | Mikki Kendall
White feminism (or ‘girlboss feminism’ as it’s even less affectionately known) refers to feminism with blinders, one that can only tackle the issues affecting the more fortunate. With Hood Feminism Mikki Kendall seeks to address the imbalance, calling for a women’s movement that’s driven by intersectionality and accounts for all races, classes, sexual orientations and disabilities. Kendall writes with hope, energy and real insight.
Burn it Down! | Breanne Fahs
For the (rightfully) angry feminist and the not-angry-enough, Burn it Down! is a collection of rallying calls to action that span three centuries and four waves of feminism. The manifestos address the ways that inequalities affect the rights of Queer and Trans people, indigenous women and women of colour, among other groups, as well as pose anarchist and anticapitalist responses.
Bad Feminist | Roxane Gay
Here’s Roxane Gay to ask what makes a ‘bad feminist’. Is it wanting to be independent, but still wanting someone to take care of you? Is it enjoying rap despite the often questionable lyrics? She assures us, and herself, that these things don’t cancel out a dedication to women’s issues. We’re more complex than that.
