Powerful reads to celebrate women this August

As Women’s Month unfolds, there’s no better way to honour the strength, wisdom and voices of women than through stories that speak directly to our lived experiences. Whether you’re seeking inspiration, empowerment, or a deeper understanding of identity and heritage, these powerful books, all written by women, for women, belong on your bedside table this August.

lifestyle

Book Review: Journey Kwantu: Exploring African spirituality and identity by Vusumzi Ngxande

To the Women: The New Collection of Wise Words Every Woman Needs - Donna Ashworth, Image: Supplied

If you’re looking for a book that feels like a warm embrace and a gentle rallying cry all at once, To the Women is it. Donna Ashworth has a gift for weaving honesty, hope and encouragement into poetry and prose that feels both deeply personal and universally relevant. This collection speaks to every stage of womanhood, from heartbreak and healing to motherhood, menopause, and the everyday beauty of being a woman in a complicated world. Keep it on your nightstand for a daily dose of soul-nourishing wisdom.

And So I Roar - Abi Dare

From the bestselling author of The Girl with the Louding Voice comes And So I Roar, a bold and emotive collection of writing that blends fiction and truth. Abi Daré explores what it means to find your voice as a woman in a world that often demands your silence. Raw, rousing, and written with lyrical intensity, this is a book for every woman who has ever been told to shrink herself, and chose to rise instead.

When We Ruled - Paula Akpan

Historian and journalist Paula Akpan offers a compelling reclamation of Black women's histories in When We Ruled. Through a mix of research, narrative, and cultural insight, Akpan shines a light on African queens, matriarchs, and revolutionaries whose legacies have been overlooked for far too long. This book is a timely reminder of the power and leadership that women of colour have always embodied, even when history tried to forget them. It's both an education and a celebration.

Why It Matters

This Women’s Month, make space for words that uplift, challenge and connect us. These books aren’t just stories, they’re tools for self-reflection, empowerment, and collective healing. They remind us that women’s voices, past and present, are essential, not just in August, but every day.