The holidays are upon us, and if you're still stumped on what to get the bookworms on your list, take some inspiration from the Women for Women International Book Club. Each book is a celebration of women’s courage and power, and a way to stay connected during cold holidays apart.
(Don’t forget: If you make your gift purchase through AmazonSmile and set Women for Women International as your charity of choice, a part of your eligible Amazon purchases support women’s power at no extra cost to you!)
On All Fronts: The Education of a Journalist by Clarissa Ward
Recently released, Clarissa Ward’s memoir follows her journey reporting from the frontlines of conflict zones. The CNN Chief International Correspondent uses her book to reveal the realities of people living in the hardest places to reach whose stories demonstrate the brutal impact of violence and crisis.
The Girl with the Louding Voice by Abi Daré
Abi Daré’s debut novel follows the story of Adunni, a fourteen-year-old girl growing up in rural Nigeria who longs to continue her education when her father decides to marry her off for money. The Girl with the Louding Voice’s message resonated with readers immediately, becoming a bestseller and winning awards as it demonstrates the importance education plays in women and girls’ futures.
The Place Between Our Fears by Argentine Imanirakunda, Dawn Hurley, and Mapendo Ndongotsi
The Place Between Our Fears follows the friendship between the three authors in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The founders of SHONA Congo demonstrate the power of women’s connections in navigating violence, poverty, disability, and motherhood.
The Last Girl: My Story of Captivity, and My Fight Against the Islamic State by Nadia Murad and Jenna Krajeski
In her autobiography, activist and Nobel Peace Prize Winner, Nadia Murad seizes and wields her own story to elevate the voice of Yazidis, capturing their history, culture, and the genocide they endured at the hands of ISIS. She recalls the atrocities Yazidis endured, from the massacre to the systematic sexual enslavement of thousands, in a call for justice.
The Dressmaker of Khair Khana by Gayle Tzemach Lemmon
Kamila Sidiqi eventually became Afghanistan’s Deputy Minister for Commerce at the Ministry of Industry and Commerce — but she started out as a dressmaker seeking a way to support her family under the Taliban’s regime. Journalist Gayle Tzemach Lemmon chronicles the challenges Kamila faced trying to earn income as a woman and how she opened the door for more women to seize their power.
Trigger warning: In addition to these stories showing the spirit and strength of women, many of these books also address the enormous challenges and dangers women face, including physical and sexual violence, kidnapping, underage marriage, among others.