Cultivating healthy habits can be key to a successful routine, and reading is no exception.
In addition to improving critical thinking, fighting stress, and increasing imagination, reading is a wonderful way to get carried away by stories, get inspired, and learn in a unique and pleasurable way.
Why not make the most of this habit by reading inspiring stories of women who are changing the world? Join us on this list of books that can help you make an impact in your field.
1. Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead
Sheryl Sandberg
Sheryl Sandberg, recognized as one of the ten most powerful women in the world by Forbes magazine, is a Harvard-educated executive who has held high-profile jobs such as vice president at Google and a C-level position at Meta. In 2015, the tech executive published the book “Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead,” in which she investigates why women’s career growth has been stagnant for so many years, offering practical solutions for them to reach their full potential.
The book encourages women to dream big, take risks, and pursue their goals without fear. Additionally, the author shares her successes and mistakes in her career, resulting in a fundamental book for thinking about impasses and gender issues in the workplace.
2. Women in Tech: Take Your Career to the Next Level with Practical Advice and Inspiring Stories
Tarah Wheeler
Tarah Wheeler is an executive, tech, and cybersecurity author, and the writer of this fantastic book!
In “Women in Tech,” Tarah highlights a sad statistic: In 1984, 38% of computer science degrees were awarded to women, but by 2010, that number had dropped to 10%. Tarah discusses cultural unconscious gender bias and suggests ways to make the tech industry more appealing and less mysterious for women. This book is perfect for women who want to start a career in the tech market or those looking for a career boost.
3. Hardball for Women
Pat Heim, Tammy Hughes, and Susan Golant
This book is a classic! Since its publication in 1992, it has been updated and provides valuable tips for women in business. Given the predominantly male culture that many companies still have, this book shows women how to break patterns of behavior that put them at a disadvantage. This must-read book covers topics such as assertiveness, leadership, leading both men and women, building confidence, and much more.
4. Invisible Women
Caroline Criado Perez
How does the collection and use of data contribute to the imbalance between men’s and women’s experiences in society? And how can this data contribute to more inclusive organizations?
In this book, award-winning British feminist writer, journalist, and activist Caroline Criado Perez argues that the data collected from our experiences and observations of the world do not include women. The predominant view always considers men to be the standard and women to be atypical. Even when the data do cover the female universe, they are often ignored in practice, deepening gender inequality at its foundation.
This book is a transformative and unforgettable must-read that will change the way you see the world.
5. Innovating Women
Vivek Wadhwa and Farai Chideya
Despite comprising half of the population, only 14% of engineers in the United States are women. Innovating Women argues that the future of technology depends on the active participation of women and men working together and that women must be educated and encouraged to enter the tech sector.
Written by Vivek Wadhwa (named a “Top 100 Global Thinker” by Foreign Policy Magazine) and award-winning journalist Farai Chideya, this book features a series of essays by women leaders worldwide sharing their experiences, challenges, and stories of success and inspiration.