Breaking the Rules: 8 Books That Rethink What It Means to Be a Woman Today
From hustle culture to parenting myths to beauty standards, these authors expose the lies—and show a better way.
It’s a good time to be a woman. It’s also not an easy time to be a woman. Women face unreasonable expectations and standards while navigating a societal obstacle course—and it’s exhausting! Fortunately, women are also amazing. They are strong, adaptable, and working together to make the world more equitable.
These books by empowering female thinkers remind women of how capable and worthy they truly are. So if you’re a woman, take power from these pages to help boost your confidence, go easy on yourself, and feel amazing amid imperfection.
How to Stop Trying: An Overachiever’s Guide to Self-Acceptance, Letting Go, and Other Impossible Things
By Kate Williams
An unflinchingly honest and sometimes hilarious look at hustle culture, exploring the forces that have shaped a generation of overachieving women who now find themselves in search of a better way forward. Listen to our Book Bite summary, read by author Kate Williams, in the Next Big Idea App or View on Amazon
The Good Mother Myth: Unlearning Our Bad Ideas About How to Be a Good Mom
By Nancy Reddy
Timely and thought-provoking, Nancy Reddy unpacks and debunks the bad ideas that have for too long defined what it means to be a “good” mom. Listen to our Book Bite summary, read by author Nancy Reddy, in the Next Big Idea App or View on Amazon
Likeable Badass: How Women Get the Success They Deserve
By Alison Fragale
Behavioral scientist Alison Fragale offers powerful new insights and a practical playbook for women to advance in any workplace, full of tips, tricks, and strategies to help secure that elusive corner office. Listen to our Book Bite summary, read by author Alison Fragale, in the Next Big Idea App or View on Amazon
Pixel Flesh: How Toxic Beauty Culture Harms Women
By Ellen Atlanta
A generation-defining exposé of toxic beauty culture―from Botox and Instagram filters to lip flips and editing apps―and the realities of coming of age online. Listen to our Book Bite summary, read by author Ellen Atlanta, in the Next Big Idea App or View on Amazon
Holding It Together: How Women Became America’s Safety Net
By Jessica Calarco
Other countries have social safety nets. The U.S. has women. Holding It Together chronicles the causes and dire consequences. Listen to our Book Bite summary, read by author Jessica Calarco, in the Next Big Idea App or View on Amazon
When You Care: The Unexpected Magic of Caring for Others
By Elissa Strauss
Journalist Elissa Strauss explores the powerful role caring for others plays in our individual and communal lives, weaving together research about care and stories from parents and caregivers with a feminist bent. Listen to our Book Bite summary, read by author Elissa Strauss, in the Next Big Idea App or View on Amazon
Tough Broad: From Boogie Boarding to Wing Walking―How Outdoor Adventure Improves Our Lives as We Age
By Caroline Paul
A funny, inspiring, deeply researched exploration into the science and psychology of the outdoors and our place in it as we age. Listen to our Book Bite summary, read by author Caroline Paul, in the Next Big Idea App or View on Amazon
Make Money Move: A Guide to Financial Wellness
By Lauren Simmons
The youngest person ever to trade on the New York Stock Exchange provides winning tips for women to help them shift their financial mindset, become confident about their money, set them on a path to financial security, and live their best lives. Listen to our Book Bite summary, read by author Lauren Simmons, in the Next Big Idea App or View on Amazon
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