A few books to read this International Women’s Day for & from the XX
I don’t call reading a hobby anymore. Reading is a pride and the right to read is a basic human right. It’s a sin to know that with my limited leisure reading time every week, I will probably die without reading most of the written work. That said if I have a few extra days in my life, I know how I will be spending those.
International women’s day 2020 is right around the corner. As I am growing older, I find more reasons to celebrate this day. Maybe the appreciation of empowering women comes as the taste of the real world gets wilder. I have written two posts in the past two consecutive years on my experiences being a XX— This Women’s Day- What’s your #metoo? and Concerns of a twenty-something this International Women’s Day. To hit the hat-trick, this year I sat down to write up about a few good books that were a part of my empowerment reads.
These books have inspired me a lot this past year to prioritize, value wisdom, have a better work-life balance and finally appreciate what I have while being focussed on life priorities. The list is too exhaustive to be read on woman’s ‘day’ ;) but if it inspires you to be on your reading list, this blogger will be blessed. So……
Books are many, one to guide every way. Days are short, and shorter is the time to read. One guide is enough, if you have the tenacity to follow it through your way!
- Playing Big by Tara Mohr
The book speaks about achieving goals and seeking more fulfillment. Women are big critics of themselves. Playing big teaches us to learn the voice of the inner mentor not the inner critic. Tara speaks about channelizing your energy to your north star and acknowledging the fact that north star shows you the way not your destination. The book this year taught me to look for mentorship in every walk of life, especially when you fight your inner critic.
2. The Cross Roads of should and must by Ella Luna
This book by Ella Luna has been a favorite since grad school days. It was a re-read and I am much biased to put it on this list because of its pleasing graphics and a light tone(The Designer-y eyes). The book talks about Ella leaving her fancy job and making a career change. And last time I read this book it inspired me to change my job. I didn’t make any career changes recently but my takeaway this time was to explore the unforeseen territories in my life, aka the road less traveled. Read this book to get some confidence to lead the voice and explore the foggy road.
3. You are a Badass by Sincero
I like light reads and this book by Sincero will not keep you a straight face with some hilarious anecdotes! This book makes me challenge my belief system which often hinders from me from achieving what you I wanted- “Remember the meeting where you didn’t speak up because you thought you were the lamest one in the meeting room, recall the last career discussion with your manager where all you could do was sugarcoat your frustration”.
Sincero pushes us to leave our negative self-image behind and lookout for the best opportunities with your best self. It asks you to take risks while being at it with confidence. If I had to rename this book I would call it “Its time to be a Badass now”
4. Thrive by Auriana Huffington
Auriana Huffington explains success with well being, wisdom, wonder and charity. She makes me think of my eulogy and draws our attention to what we want to be remembered as. It was inspiring to think of success that is not material but more based on the pillars of substantial human emotions. The chapter on charity made me smile. My family has taught me to share and so the charity has been a big part of my adult life which I often do in conjunction with my mom and dad. But, having it reinstated in the book made me be proud of my little contributions.
The world is large and maybe the pond is too big for all the fishes to be saved. But with my efforts, I am sure some will find their safe heaven….
5. Becoming by Michelle Obama
Michelle Obama has become the leading women of our era and one woman who is not overshadowed by her equally strong counterpart. This book is nicely written and holds the reader through all its stories. Being one of the most public figures in media, many of the stories were not a surprise but the book nevertheless seeks to inspire with all the smaller details. This book was my girl gang favorite and we couldn’t disagree that the ordinary becomes extraordinary when ordinary just does something extraordinary. So don’t get stopped by your humble economic, financial or educational backgrounds. Opportunities are around the corner, find them and make your call!
6. Option B by Sheryl Sandberg
Sheryl Sandberg is my living icon and I will like to work for her one day. Option B is a powerful, inspiring, and practical book about building resilience and moving forward after life’s inevitable setbacks. It’s her personal story and is not a book of tips on how to build resilience. But this book is a huge lesson on (1) what is resilience and (2) how can we react best when someone is going through adversity. This was an eye-opener in so many levels, adversity is a huge part of life and life happens. Our reactions to our friends, colleagues and family when they go through the hardest times in their lives shape them. We have a role to play in the resilience of others and we better get our act together. Earlier this year, I wrote up a blog on my personal resilience.
7. The Forest of Enchantments by Divakaruni
This book by C B Divakaruni speaks the voice from the Indian mythological character of Sita, the wife of Ram, the incarnation of the Hindu God Vishnu. Hindu scriptures are taught in third person and the book impresses you with the first-person voice of Sita. The book ads a feminine flavor to this human incarnation of God with the lens of a “woman” who would have the same desires of love, happiness, sentiments and dreams as any other woman.
The book opens my eyes towards my idols who exemplified womanhood to a new level— Mother Teresa, Margaret Thatcher, Indira Gandhi, Elanor Roosevelt, Maya Angelou, Helen Keller, Frida Kahlo, Cleopatra, Marie Curie, Gloria Steinem, Sheryl Sandberg, JK Rowling, Hillary Clinton, Maya Angelou, Sarojini Naidu, Benazir Bhutto, Arundhati Roy and I can name many more(:)). The fact that they were girls makes me rethink my perception of them — maybe they would have loved to own a Barbie doll, eat chocolate after lunch, get their hair done and like ‘Pink’.
8. Few others which I cannot Not mention- I read ‘My life on the road’ by Gloria Steinem immediately after attending the book read in Seattle on feminism, ‘The Carrying’ by Ada Limon is an oeuvre to give you thoughts on defining your thoughts around fertility, and ‘City of Girls’ from my favorite fiction writer Elizabeth Gilbert is also a must read on unnamed relationships women get into in their lives.
Epilogue
Growing to be a wiser woman everyday and hopefully these reads will nurture the woman in you or the daughter you want to raise and society you want to create.
Dedicating this blog to my squad of awesome women who teach me to be genuine, question my authenticity and push me to be better everyday. Happy International Women’s Day 2020
