Books 

Lessons in Chemistry, by Bonnie Garmus - recommended by Sharon Williams, Chair of the Women Staff Network

'This book is about Chemistry, which is a subject that I am very passionate about. Combining Chemistry with a very confident, smart female character in the 1960s makes the book very enjoyable.'

Send Nudes, by Saba Sams - anonymous recommendation

'These are a recent collection of short stories focusing on a young womans' place in the world, challenging stereotypes with a whimsical, fairytale kind of vibe.' 

Queenie, by Candice Carty-Williams - recommended by Debra Jackson, Skills Programme Manager at Your SU 

'An amazing book which is funny, scary and a snapshot of contemporary life, covering anxiety, self-awareness, and family complications.'

Invisible Women, by Caroline Criado Perez - anonymous recommendation

'Although Invisible Women is not an explicitly feminist book, it provides a lot of statistics, details and case studies on how unconscious biases, institutional sexism, classism, capitalism, and urban/rural planning disadvantages women. On the other hand, there are recommendations and case studies on how institutions can achieve the opposite effect enabling a more equal society. I used it to help me during my bachelor's degree and would highly recommend it to others'

Things We Do Not Tell The People We Love, by Huma Qureshi - recommended by Maryam Ali, Education Engagement Assistant Manager at Your SU 

'I raced through this short collection of stories as they were full of depth and emotion. Qureshi explores a range of human relationships with a deft hand. It starts with a bang, dissecting a boy/girl teen relationship in a community where such closeness is not okay, touching upon consent. There are tales of familial love and romantic love, alongside the troubles of friendship as we age and change.I especially enjoyed “Firecracker” which told of a girl and her friend, that pal who’s always ricocheting to the next thing. Being at a time when people are settling down, it felt fascinating and relatable and helped me reflect on how people can grow apart and that’s okay.'

The Handmaid's Tale, by Margaret Atwood - recommended by Panchami Satheesh, Your Education Officer 

'I came to read The Handmaid's tale as the part of my bachelors degree thesis study in English Language and Literature . As a book worm even I have been read a lot of women centred books one of my favourite is Margaret Atwood's  Handmaid tale. Atwood's masterful narrative serves as a poignant reflection on the complexities of womanhood, offering readers a profound exploration of identity, autonomy, and resistance. In the dystopian world , she paints the tale of societal norms and the importance of safeguarding women's rights. When I read this book I personally felt that it's an invitation for women to explore their voices, rights, and roles in society.'

Girl, Woman, Other, by Bernardine Evaristo - anonymous recommendation 

'A modern, diverse depiction of womens' voices over the years.'

Autobiography of a Geisha, by Sayo Masuda - recommended by Maryam Ali, Education Engagement Assistant Manager at Your SU 

'It is one of those books that will leave a long lasting mark on you. To think someone who received no formal education was able to so meticulously portray her life, her challenges and lessons learned is commendable. I could only wish for the book to not end, but of course it had to. I would have loved to see how her life turned out past the first 30 years, but as I found with further research, the publication of the book caused a havoc in Masuda's personal life. Such a heart-rending tale!'

Wild:  A Journey from Lost to Found, by Cheryl Strayed - anonymous recommendation 

'An easy to read, real life account of a woman seizing an opportunity to buck the trend and learn a lot about herself in the process - could be quite encouraging or inspiring to some.'

Besharam, by Nafeesa Hamid - recommended by Maryam Ali, Education Engagement Assistant Manager at Your SU 

'I am still in the process of completing this short series of poems. But those that I have already read are hauntingly relatable, especially as a woman from a South Asian heritage. The book dives into the age old questions; When does a girl become a woman? When does her world allow her to become a woman? And what kind of woman should she be? The answers aren’t readily forthcoming. As she treads the shifting line between woman and daughter, between Pakistan and the West, between conservative Islam and liberal, Nafeesa has almost had to find a new language to try to communicate the difficulties of her situation.'

Films

Little Women - recommended by Charlie Jefferson, Pharmacology student 

'It's a representation of the many different kinds of lives a woman can want and is allowed to want. You can get married and settle down, you can stay with your family, you can pursue your dreams and be whatever you want to be.'

Suffragette - anonymous recommendation

'shows women risking it all and shows the importance of political activists'

King Richard - recommended by Owolabi Temitayo Abidemi, International Business Management student

'I am recommending it because it showed that women can be recognized for our hard work and we can reach the apex height in life no matter the struggles.'