10 inspirational books by women, for women

Yes Please by Amy Poehler

“It’s called Yes Please because it is the constant struggle and often the right answer”

Actress and comedian Amy Poeler bares all in this no holds barred autobiography. The comic timing coupled with the stew of personal stories tackles love, parenthood, friendship, and sex. Her classic S.N.L charm and wit make this book one full of words to swear by.

Follow Every Rainbow by Rashmi Bansal

“Young people should experiment with life, have a dream and make it come true”

Follow Every Rainbow narrates stories about strong and enterprising women who have raised a family, as well as a company with love. The book explores their individual stories.The women are bound together by their patience and faith towards building a valuable company and their sense of giving back to society. The inspiring stories of these 25 women entrepreneurs assure us that India’s future is well placed.

Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead by Sheryl Sandberg

“In the future, there will be no female leaders. There will just be leaders.”

Lean In is not just a book, it’s a revolution. It is a thought provoking and encouraging book that grew from a TED Talk Sandberg gave in 2010. The book is an anecdotal account of her personal experiences that provides practical advice and lessons on leadership, and infuses confidence in women at the work place. Sandberg is quite vocal about male dominance that prevailsin the corporate world. Her message to women is simple: with grit and determination women can get ahead in the work place. Lean In is a brave call to working women around the world to embrace the challenges and fight them head on.

Nice Girls Don’t Get the Corner Office by Lois P Frankel

“There is something you must always remember. You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.”

Dr. Lois Frankel has a psychological take on why lesser women occupy the mighty corner office. It is a contrast study of how some women soar in their careers while others peak too early. In her book Dr Frankel brings out some unique behaviours that are instilled in women, and which prevent them from flourishing in their careers. Dr Frankel’s insightfully researched guide should help women eliminate these habits that prove to be career blocks in organisational growth.

Hard Choices by Hilary Clinton

“Learn to take criticism seriously but not personally.”

If any woman has a shot at being a leader of the free world, my money is on Hilary Clinton. With insight into the mind of her tenure as US secretary of state, this book carries a lot of weight. But if readers are expecting Hard Choicesto be a memoir of Clinton’s illustrious political career and her time at the White House as First Lady, they will be disappointed.The book delves into the growth and challenges faced by Hillary Rodham Clinton in her race to arrive where she has.It makes animportant treatise about women asserting their presence as leaders, and promises to boost the working woman’s confidence.

Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert

“It all goes away. Eventually, everything goes away”

In search of our true self, we are often lost. Eat, Pray, Love is a sincere memoir that dives into the soul of the reader. Elizabeth Gilbert leaves behind the comfort of a modern successful life and immerses herself in a spiritual journey that seeks to unmask the freedom she yearns. Gilbert travels the highest waters to explore the art of devotion in India, the art of pleasure in Italy, and finally sets her mind free on the Indonesian Island of Bali. It has the right balance of humour and insight to irk your mind and wonder if the life you have truly is the life you want.

Bossy Pants by Tina Fey

“Whatever the problem, be part of the solution. Don’t just sit around raising questions and pointing out obstacles.”

With feathers like Saturday Night Live and Thirty Rock in her cap, Tina Fey is an incredibly funny actress and writer. This book doesn’t dive deep, but swims the edges of her life with humorous anecdotes and accounts that will glue you to the pages. She gently unmasks the sexism that female comedians face and how these experiences helped her shape her career. Bossy Pants makes for a great read, neither to be taken seriously nor to be thrown aside.

What I know for Sure by Oprah Winfrey

“Turn your wounds into wisdom.”

It’s Oprah. Enough said.

Thrive by Ariana Huffington

“We think, mistakenly, that success is the result of the amount of time we put in at work, instead of the quality of time we put in.”

Thrive is a refreshing book that everyone should read. The crux of the book has Ariana spelling out how one can live a balanced and healthy life. Her advice stems from years of experience wearing many hats. Huffington attempts to redefine the success she has amassed and tell her story with wisdom and wonder. In a world driven by social media and technology, Huffington’s biggest advice to readers is to unplug and unwind. I think the advice doled out by Huffington touches the heart of the reader.

#Girlboss by Sophia Amoruso

“The energy you’ll expend focusing on someone else’s life is better spent working on your own. Just be your own idol”

Like you’d expect from any highly successful entrepreneur, Amoruso’s style of writing is direct and filled with candour. There are often moments you feel as though you are engaged in a conversation with the author. #Girlboss is an introspective account of how she built Nasty Gal into the million dollar enterprise it is. Overall, the book is balanced and throws light on the struggles, trials and tribunals of entrepreneurship.