Top 8 empowering books written by female authors

08: How to Make it Happen: Turning Failure into Success – Maria Hatzistefanis

How to Make it Happen is a punchy, easy-to-digest book that teaches the reader how to become self-motivated, while harnessing the drive and energy to make meaningful change happen. This book is ideal for anyone striving to grow their business, no matter where they sit on the corporate ladder. Through the book, Maria shares guidance, tips and celebrity stories, while highlighting her three golden rules: set your goals; plot your trajectory; make it happen!

07: Women and Leadership: Real Lives, Real Lessons – Julia Gillard and Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala

Almost every year, new findings are published about the way people see women leaders compared with their male counterparts. Women and Leadership presents a lively and readable analysis of the influence of gender on women’s access to positions of leadership, the perceptions of them as leaders, the trajectory of their leadership and the circumstances in which it comes to an end. By presenting the lessons that can be learned from women leaders, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and Julia Gillard share knowledge that inspires the reader to take action against gender bias.

06: Invisible Women: Exposing Data Bias in a World Designed for Men – Caroline Criado Perez

If you haven’t read Caroline Criado Perez’s book Invisible Women yet, then you’re in for an eye-opening experience. Invisible Women explains why some things in life just seem a little easier for men and that as a society, we are systematically ignoring half the population – exposing the gender data gap. From iPhone screens being too big for the average woman’s grip to life-saving medicine that’s only been tried and tested on men. Upon reading Invisible Woman, you’ll understand why a lot of life’s little annoyances have come to be. 

05: Why Has Nobody Told Me This Before? – Dr Julia Smith

If you’re struggling to manage anxiety, cope with criticism, build self-confidence or you’re constantly battling low moods, Why Has Nobody Told Me This Before? by Dr Julia Smith may be able to help you out. 

Drawing on years of professional experience as a clinical psychologist, Dr Julie Smith shares all the skills you need to get through life's ups and downs. Dr Julie's simple but expert advice and powerful coping techniques will help you stay resilient no matter what life throws your way.

04: Girls Just Wanna Have Funds: A Feminist Guide to Investing – by Camilla Falkenberg, Emma Due Bitz, Anna-Sophie Hartvigsen

Are you one of the 68% of women worldwide earning less than a man doing the same job? Then you need to make your money work harder, with a little help from Girls Just Want to Have Funds. Whether you want to master the art of setting realistic goals, demystify financial jargon, gain independence, or finally get excited about your financial future, this book is the one for you. Even if you only have a $1 savings fund, you’ll learn how to have a rewarding, limitless life by investing in yourself and starting your journey to financial success.

03: Little Black Book: A Toolkit For Working Women – Otegha Uwagba

This book does what it says on the tin, by providing a modern guide that every career-driven woman needs. Whether you’re just starting out or already have years of experience, Little Black Book: A Toolkit For Working Women is filled with fresh ideas and no-nonsense practical advice. Writer, Otegha Uwagba, takes you through everything you need to build a successful self-made career: from negotiating a salary to a crash course in networking.

02: My Life in Full: Work, Family and Our Future – Indra Nooyi

As the first woman, person of colour, and immigrant to run a Fortune 50 company – and one of the foremost strategic thinkers of our time — Indra Nooyi has become one of the most admired CEOs of all time. In her book, she shares her life journey, from the events that shaped her in her childhood, to her rise as PepsiCo CEO. She also gives an exclusive insight into how she steered PepsiCo, one of America’s most iconic companies, to create healthier and more environmentally-conscious products.

01: 1. The Entrepreneurial Quotient – Dax Grant

Boardroom conversations in high-performance FTSE, Fortune 500, and venture-capital-based organisations have shifted. Yesterday’s good performance is today’s average. Dax Grant’s book is igniting a global conversation about societal leadership, entrepreneurial skill and humanising business as a source of commercial advantage. If you want to be at the leading edge of C-suite leadership, or to influence those who are leading today’s organisations, this book is for you!