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You are here: Home / Healthy Living / Self Care / Empowering Women / 11 Self Empowerment Books for Women

11 Self Empowerment Books for Women

April 11, 2018 By Adreanna Green Leave a Comment

Self empowerment books are powerful tools. They can help you build your confidence and tap into the motivation you need to reach your goals. We’ve rallied up our favorite self empowerment books for women by female writers whose travels, endeavors, and life journeys will inspire you to find your empowered self. Add the following books to your reading list and start feeling empowered!

Self Empowerment Books Every Woman Should Know

1. One Thousand Wells by Jena Lee Nardella

Finished this book last month and now I want to pass it on. Thank you Jena for your story. Thank you for your challenge. I want everyone to take a moment and be thankful for the things you have and the opportunities ahead of you and then take another moment to think and pray how you can make a difference in the world. Make an actual difference, not complain but put your words into action. #jenaleenardella #onethousandwells #jarsofclay

A post shared by Leah Lamos (@llamos) on Feb 6, 2017 at 5:01pm PST

Most people either want to change the world or live a peaceful yet indifferent life. However, neither of the two was the case for One Thousand Wells. It’s one of the many self-empowerment books that will make you view life from a different perspective. It tells a story of a fresh graduate who wanted to change the world by building 1,000 wells across Africa. However, despite the author wanting to build change, the book also tells people to learn to love the world instead of changing it.

2. Beauty Myth: How Images of Beauty Are Used Against Women by Naomi Wolf

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/388646642829440930/
The standard of beauty is subjective and has always been a debatable issue. The Beauty Myth is among the women empowerment books that tackle beauty and the false ideas revolving around it. It discusses how the false idea of beauty affects a woman’s self-worth and confidence. This book is definitely a must-read for all of us who want to combat society’s negative and twisted sense of beauty.

3. #GIRLBOSS by Sophia Amoruso

Starting off the day with some coffee and and a good read ☕️📖 #GIRLBOSSbySophiaAmoruso • • • • • #girlboss #entrepreneur #sophiaamoruso #womenempowerment #goodlife #livelifeonpurpose #changetheworld #millennial #dowhatyouwant #createyourownlife

A post shared by Jenn Monsey (@jennmonsey) on Nov 30, 2016 at 7:54am PST

People would often assume that the corporate world is headed only by powerful men in thousand-dollar suits. However, #GIRLBOSS talks about how Sophia Amoruso, the author, never lost sight of her goals despite the challenges. The book revolves around the author’s life, her struggles, hard-earned wisdom, and how she created a multi-million dollar fashion business. The author pointed out that the book is not exactly a feminist manifesto. But it is indeed a feminist book—it simply encourages young women to be themselves and work hard for what they want.

4. Thrive by Arianna Huffington

It only seems fitting that on #internationalwomensday I dedicate my first Instagram post for my upcoming endeavour to an amazing book written by an amazing female leader. I picked this up on a whim back in January while on vacation in Australia. Written by Arianna Huffington, she articulates the concept of “The Third Metric”, a measure of what builds a truly meaningful life outside of today’s standard of success. Her introduction defines a third women’s revolution that I hope to be a part of as so many amazing women have begun to move forward. If you have the chance to read this book, I highly encourage you to do so. Even if you come out of it skeptical, I guarantee it’ll prompt you to reconnect with yourself and the people and things that really bring meaning to you.

A post shared by Christine (@thevisualframe) on Mar 8, 2018 at 10:31am PST

Arianna Huffington, the president of the Huffington Post Media Group and mother of two wonderful children, shares her experience in Thrive. She tackles what it means to succeed in today’s society as shared her struggle in balancing both career and family.

5. Love, Life, and Elephants by Daphne Sheldrick

What an absolutely beautiful book! So glad I finally bought it, and I can't put it down! @dswt

A post shared by Natalie (@nmarshall526) on Dec 7, 2013 at 9:20am PST

Love, Life, and Elephants tells a story about nature and our environment. This memoir narrates the beautiful journey of conservationist Daphne Sheldrick as she cares for multiple orphaned elephants across Kenya. Additionally, Daphne has played a key role in campaigning against animal poaching. The heartbreaking and touching story of this brave woman is something we can all learn from.

6. Diving Into the Wreck by Adrienne Rich

Adrienne Rich’s poetry speaks to so many women I know. Beautiful words from a beautiful woman. * #adriennerich #divingintothewreck #bookstagram #poetry #feminism #reading

A post shared by Sara Salem (@radical_reading) on Mar 13, 2018 at 9:55am PDT

Self empowerment books from women in the mid-1900’s often talk about war and poverty. Diving Into the Wreck is a collection of stunning and inspiring poetry written by feminist and political poet Adrienne Rich. The poems were written in different times during the Vietnam War, the feminist movement, and the civil rights movement. This book is definitely a must-read for anyone who wants to take a look at history through the eyes of a woman.

7. The Freedom Writers’ Diary with Erin Gruwell

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Next in this collection of top women empowerment books is The Freedom Writers’ Diary. This best-selling novel tells the story of Erin Gruwell and how she was able to change the lives of students people considered “hoodlums.” Instead of giving up on them, she used literature, creativity, and art to inspire and motivate them. This is definitely a must-read for anyone who has ever felt troubled by the daily challenges of life.

8. We Should All Be Feminists by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

Book 4. ‘Feminist: a person who believes in the social, political and economic equality of the sexes.’ – (Chimamanda Ngozi Adiche – We should all be feminists) #igreads #chimamandangoziadichie #weshouldallbefeminists #feminism #book #bookstagram #readersofinstagram

A post shared by Elien V. (@booksonamission) on Mar 27, 2018 at 10:20am PDT

In this book-length essay, award-winning writer Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie shares her unique definition of feminism in the 21st century. Adichie’s work is an adaptation of her 2012 Tedx Talk of the same title. She draws insights from her personal experiences on what it means to be a woman in contemporary times. It presents a distinctive edge on women’s empowerment because it does not only center women but also include men and society as a whole. She also explores how masculinity is built and how this affects gender divide.

9. I Am Malala by Malala Yousafzai

Soaking it up, Sunday ☀️📖🌲 book 6 of 2018 ✨ #sunday #funday #familyday #thesunshine #knowledge #iammalala #empowering

A post shared by Ryli Rapelje (@rylirapelje) on Mar 26, 2018 at 11:19am PDT

Malala Yousafzai, through her riveting memoir I Am Malala, tells her story of how she fought for her right to education in a place where the Taliban bans girls from going to school. Her story shows us a glimpse of a society that values boys more than girls and how, despite all that, her parents encouraged her to still get an education. It’s a story of love, hope, and bravery, a concrete example that even one, unwavering voice of a child may still influence and effect change.

10. Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg

LADIES! ✋️ read. This. Book. Are you holding yourself back?! Like most women do? Why do we do that to ourselves? Find out why here. Are there strategies to overcome us getting in our own way? Yes. Read this now. 🤓📚Thank you, @sherylsandberg for 'leaning in' ❤️

A post shared by Court Furman (@court.furman) on Sep 13, 2017 at 6:03pm PDT

Sheryl Sandberg in Lean In, part-memoir and part-self help book for women, shares insights and anecdotes on being a female leader in the workplace. The current chief operating officer of Facebook had held several positions of power in many other companies, which are mostly dominated by men. She explores the gender bias that is still occurring in workplaces and encourages women to forge ahead, effecting change in a universal scale, despite the challenges.

11. The Gifts of Imperfection by Brene Brown

I'm reading this book for the second time: The Gifts of Imperfection. Brené Brown is one of my favorite uplifting authors ✨ If you've never read it, I totally recommend it. (Obviously, right? Since I'm reading it for the second time 😜) The big message that I take away is that it's okay to be vulnerable and makes mistakes, because that allows us the freedom to be who we really are. And that in turn gives people around us permission to be themselves as well 💖 Have you read it? What did you think?? @brenebrown #acupuncturelove#acupuntura #acupuncture #acupuncturist#acupuncturehour#Acupunctureworlddomination#acupunctureworks #AcupunctureStudent#AcupunctureSchool#Acupuncturephysician #Marketing#AcupunctureMarketing #MarketingTips#YogaEveryDamnDay#thegiftsofimperfection #YogaFlow#HolisticHealth #HolisticHealing#HolisticEntrepreneur #FlashesOfOfDelight#giftsofimperfection #WholeFoods#Namaste #morepatients #FLSAOM#Practicebuilding #morepatientsmorefun#buildyourpracticefast #buildyourpractice #buildyourempire

A post shared by Michelle Grasek, L.Ac. (@michellegrasek) on Mar 18, 2018 at 3:04pm PDT

The Gifts of Imperfection: Let Go of Who You Think You’re Supposed to Be and Embrace Who You Are is one of best self esteem books for women on Amazon. In this book, author Brene Brown shares empowering tips to women who want to reestablish or improve their worthiness. She also included activities that can plumb into our emotional well-being, ultimately leading us to enhance courage and compassion for ourselves.

 

Looking for more self-empowering tips? Watch Elizabeth Gilbert and Marie Forleo discuss how to live a creative life in this video.


There are times when we simply need to read a few great self empowerment books to get a boost of confidence and motivation. There are more novels where women from all over the world share their beautiful, heartbreaking, and life-changing stories. Read these self-improvement books to boost both your understanding of yourself and your confidence.

What are your favorite self empowerment books? Feel free to share them with us in the comments section below.

Up Next: Healthy Food Swaps For A Balanced Diet

Editor’s Note: This post was originally published in November 2017 and has been updated for quality and relevancy.

Filed Under: Empowering Women, Healthy Living, Kindness And Compassion, Self Care

Adreanna Green

About Adreanna Green

I'm a working mother and wife who strives to give the very best to my family. I like to spend quality time at the dinner table with my family without cell phones or gadgets but I admit I love referring to social media for new ideas and connect with friends. I believe in supporting small businesses, but am also aware of the fast-paced society we live in. My parenting goal is to teach my children to see the grace in their everyday lives while respecting cultural goodness outside of their backyard. I worry about the planet and all the chemicals in our food and I wish everyone was a little kinder. All in all, I'm a modern mother that whole-heartedly believes in slowing down to enjoy the journey, but also keeping up with the technologically-savvy world around us. I hope you join my family and me in our journey towards a more peaceful, sustainable every day.

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