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.
To the Women: The New Collection of Wise Words Every Woman Needs - Donna Ashworth
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.
Recent stories by:
Sindeka Mandoyi
Schweppes global pioneers arrive as the brand unveils new identity, iconic skittle bottle, and straight-drinking range in South Africa
5 Summer reads to keep you turning pages
December wedding dress rentals: Chic options for bridesmaids and guests in CPT and JHB
Exclusive: MOLIY on global stardom and her viral hit “Shake It to the Max (FLY) – Remix”
Finding purpose one step at a time: A conversation with the Cape Town Running Late Club
GLAMOUR Recommends
Exclusive interview with acclaimed author Lola Akinmade Åkerström on her novel Bitter Honey
South African BookTokers leading the literary revolution on TikTok
Refilwe Modiselle’s debut book is a love letter to representation, resilience, and childhood
Exclusive Q&A with the author of Book People, Paige Nick