Women in Politics: 6 Must Reads
Posted on September 7, 2020
by Allison F
There’s a presidential race!
Congress keeps yelling at itself!
Nancy P. has masks that match every outfit!
Ok, that last one may only be important to me, but no one can deny that things! are! happening! And after the news about Senator Kamala Harris securing the VP spot, making her the first Indian American and Black woman to hold that position in our history, I thought I’d take a moment to list for you the best books by or about females in politics to get you in the election year mood. Because whether it be RBG dissenting her way into our hearts or Michelle Obama showing us how to be classy as heck, the ladies of American politics deserve to be celebrated.
The Truths We Hold
By Kamala Harris
Let’s start with the woman of the hour and her political memoir The Truths We Hold. From raising minimum wage to prosecuting big banks and big oil, Kamala Harris has been stepping up to the plate for Americans for years. Identifying as both Indian American and Black, she’s been a prosecutor, the second Black woman elected to the U.S. Senate, and now the first as a Vice Presidential candidate. If you want an in-depth look at her stances and record, this is the book.
Notorious RBG: The Life and Times of Ruth Bader Ginsburg
By Irin Carmon
She’s stands all of five feet tall, works out three times a week, and can eviscerate you with her words and intellect. Ruth Bader Ginsburg has been a force to be reckoned with for her entire life while remaining remarkably down to earth and relatable. A role model to women of all ages, read this for an account of her life from her early years to her ascent to the Supreme Court to see what a true hero looks like.
Dirty Sexy Politics
By Meghan McCain
Though she is now known as the conservative voice on The View, Meghan McCain was born into politics as the daughter of the late Senator John McCain. This memoir is her account of the 2008 presidential election in which her father lost his bid to President Obama, but she gained real insight into the dog-eat-dog world of American politics. Hilarious and irreverent, Dirty Sexy Politics is the view (ha!) of politics you didn’t know you needed to read but will be glad you did.
Democracy: Stories from the Long Road to Freedom
By Condoleezza Rice
From its inception in 1776 to modern day, the idea of a democratic state has never been an easy one, and yet all over the world it persists and grows. Condoleezza Rice channels all her knowledge and experience as a scholar, policymaker, and devoted U.S. citizen into the history of democracy and what it takes to start and run one in our globalized world. You’ll come away from this one empowered to do your part and VOTE.
The Education of an Idealist
By Samantha Power
You may not be familiar with Samantha Power’s name, but her input and genius has touched much of American foreign policy in the last 25 years. An immigrant, Power moved from Ireland to the U.S. as a child and immediately fell in love with America and all the hope and promise the country provides its citizens. Through hard work and frankly, some questionable trickery, she set out to do what she could to make it, and the world at large, a more just, safe, and equal place. This is her account of life from birth to the end of Obama’s presidency and the many ways in which she has used her skill and savvy to move the world toward progress.
Becoming
By Michelle Obama
THE QUEEN. In beautiful language, Michelle Obama tells her life story from her early years in Chicago to her eight years as first lady, highlighting the struggles of being a politician’s wife to the joys of a multigenerational household. I don’t need to tell you that her poise and eloquence is something to aspire to, but I will tell you to READ THIS BOOK and see for yourself just how amazing she is. (If you want to really do yourself a favor, listen to the audio, and let her mellifluous voice calm you to your very core.)
Did you like this blog post? Keep up to date with all of our posts by subscribing to the Library’s newsletters!
Keep your reading list updated with our book lists. Our staff love to read and they’ll give you the scoop on new tv-series inspired titles, hobbies, educational resources, pop culture, current events, and more!
Looking for more great titles? Get personalized recommendations from our librarians with this simple form.
