Jump into some of the most powerful, informative, and challenging novels and works of non-fiction that will open your eyes to gender identities, societal constructs, and the imbalances in our world. Whether humorous, hard-hitting, and wrapped up in a powerful story, this list of titles is perfect for the feminist at heart, or anyone looking to learn more about feminism and fighting for gender equality. These powerful female writers are some of the best feminist audiobooks and stories that highlight strong female women who break the norms set upon them.
Award-winning author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie delivers this powerful and thought-provoking essay titled “We Should All Be Feminists” to life in an engaging narration that strikes at the heart of gender politics, imbalances, and societal constructs, and how we should all begin to see, disregard, and breakthrough these boxes set upon women.
Not only are her words powerful, but Adichie delivers them with strength and purpose, in a spoken-word style that drives her message home, and hits at the heart of her argument. A must-listen experience.
Full-Frontal Feminism is another unapologetic work of female writing that questions beliefs and norms and forces the listener to examine their own ideas of femininity and gender. Feminist icon Jessica Valenti examines how feminism, - and the discussion of feminism has changed over the years, and the way we view both genders in society, but those that use their voice to address the problems inherent in a male-dominant societal structure.
This audiobook is narrated by Julie McKay who delivers the content with all the same passion and emphasis that Valenti has, adding another strong voice to the message.
Half the Sky looks at the oppression and treatment of young girls across the developing world and calls listeners to take action and make change happen. Pulitzer Prize winners Nicholas D. Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn relay the stories and tales they learned as they travelled their way across Africa and Asia, discovering the ways in which young girls and women are still repressed or disregarded in many countries and communities. Through their eyes we see the inequality in so many situations, forcing the listener to see the hard truths.
We cannot turn a blind eye to these issues, and Kristof and WuDunn provide suggestions and potential solutions to shifting this scale and restoring equality. By shining a light on the brutal treatment and unfair disregard of so many women and young girls, Half the Sun forces listeners to acknowledge, and ultimately to act.
Gender Outlaw by Kate Bornstein similarly takes a look at gender, and how it was traditionally defined and labelled as binary, especially in North American society. With humor and a strong sense of self-awareness, Kate examines the difficulties with exploring and attempting to define one’s gender - especially when the traditional labels don’t fit.
For anyone who has or is struggling with their gender identity, or finding their inner self or anyone who knows someone in a similar situation, this audiobook is a powerful tool to help listeners either feel heard or understand the difficulties inherent in a binary society. Bornstein tackles these difficult issues with levity, but without diminishing their importance, making the information extremely ingestible for listeners whether they are familiar with gender politics or not.
The Handmaid’s Tale - although not a nonfiction work - is full of themes and ideas about smashing the patriarchy and analyzing the repression of women. Margaret Atwood is a forerunner of feminist writing and ideologies, and The Handmaid’s Tale is one of her most notable works that brought her feminist movement from a collection of essays to a full-fledged work of fiction.
Because this is a fiction title, it is one of the easiest ways for listeners to become exposed to feminist ideas and theories - especially for those less familiar with feminism. Atwood uses overarching governments and rulers full of misogyny and male dominance to emphasize the sexism and imbalance not only in the world of The Handmaid’s Tale, but in our world, too. Though dystopian, this story hits a little too close to home in terms of the way women are treated and perceived in their own societies. A masterpiece of feminist fiction, The Handmaid’s Tale is a classic for feminists for a reason.
Another queen of feminist writing is Sylvia Plath. Known for writing fiction about repressed or struggling young women, Plath uses her very personal stories to deliver feminist theory in a fiction-based way. Though not overtly theoretical, her stories depict women struggling with their roles, identity, or inner self. Often this is linked to ideas of depression, but there is also a strong sense of these women feeling lesser, or pressed down by their male counterparts. These women are usually unconventional and unapologetic, the staple of early feminists discovering their own voice.
This stunning autobiographical memoir by the award-winning activist Maya Angelou. Angelou is known for being a voice for black women and for speaking her truth, and this novel is no different. I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings is a powerful and emotional story that looks at issues of race, abandonment, class, and ultimately identity. The audiobook follows Maya as she learns to deal with the feelings welling up inside her, addresses her own experiences, and ultimately comes to the point where she learns to find her voice, becoming the outspoken voice of women of color that she is today.
Angelou narrates the audiobook in her own voice, adding a level of authenticity and power to her story. By speaking her own truth, the words take on extra weight and importance and translate with power to the listener. This is an absolute must-add to any listener library.
This classic Virginia Woolf addresses a number of feminist issues such as a woman’s role in a marriage, their lack of reproductive rights, and the thought that a woman must simply be a mother or wife, and is rarely given to opportunity for creativity or perusing her own desires. This essay turned audiobook showcases how a young woman is not given the opportunity to express her talent, and thus there is a perception that women are not creatively talented.
This politically charged piece explores the power that women have - or could have - if given the opportunity, a room of their own, rather than being forced to adhere to a quite agreeable position that society asks of them. Woolf’s essays are some of the earliest of first-wave feminism which pushed women’s rights to the forefront and called for others to examine the biases inherent in social structures.
Another powerful female writer is Toni Morrison. She has written countless fiction and nonfiction books that centre around the female position and the African American female identity. One of her most famous and acclaimed novels is Beloved. This bestseller tackles issues of slavery, and the loss of identity and self-worth. A pillar of American women’s literature, it is powerful, suspenseful, and full of poignant phrases and storylines. Despite obtaining freedom, Beloved looks at how the confines of one’s past can haunt them and trap them even when they are far removed from that terrible situation.
Though this story relates to literal slavery, it also speaks to the slavery of the mind and soul that comes with constant repression, silencing, and the beating down of one’s own self-worth. In this and other titles such as The Bluest Eye and Song of Solomon Morrison addresses femininity in America, in black culture, and in society at large, addressing difficult issues without apology. the result is a powerful, moving and impactful story that translates far beyond the audiobook, becoming a movement and a message that is at the very heart of feminism and the fight for equality.
Rebecca Solnit has written a number of comics, books, and essays about mansplainers and self-doubt and silencing that is inflicted on so many women. Her works are centered on political views and active voices as she works to subvert this idea that women are lesser, dumber, should remain quiet, or simply don’t have an opinion worth hearing.
An excellent addition to any list of feminist works, this listen will help encourage anyone that has silenced their own voice to get out there, try new things, and speak up - about anything and anything they see fit.
Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston is another powerful story of a woman who didn’t take no for an answer. Originally released in 1937, it broke norms and forcibly shattered expectations of what a woman - especially an African American woman - should or shouldn’t be and do. Using aspects of myth and black folklore, Hurston asserts an identity and voice not often heard at the time. The controversial topics and themes of the time are still poignant today, which continues to make it a powerful and important listen.
Now in audiobook format, Their Eyes Were Watching God is reaching a whole new audience again. It is narrated by Ruby Dee, who delivers this important story with all the significance and power it deserves. A timeless coming-of-age story, it has hit home with listeners for decades and continues to be a powerful message of the strength and resilience of women well into the 21st century.
The Red Tent is a sometimes controversial, but always powerful story of women in biblical times. Taking the well-known stories of the bible but telling them and viewing events from a female perspective, The Red Tent is derived from the mention of Jacob's (of the book of Genesis’) only daughter, Dinah.
From there this audiobook continues to fill in the women of the bible that are so often left out, or mentioned in passing. Pairing spirituality with femininity, Anita Diamant’s groundbreaking work celebrates the feminine mystique, rather than hiding it as is so common in biblical writing. A blatant act of feminist activism, this retelling of the famous tales of the bible is a powerful assertion of female writers, and the woman’s voice, and is a must-listen for any feminist at heart.
How to Be a Woman by Caitlin Moran tackles all the hard topics, and does it with a sharp sense of humor and wit. She makes no apologies and dives headfirst into all the topics we so often steer clear of. From discussions of mansplaining to issues of abortion, body image, or women in the workplace, she covers all the top topics of feminism and gender.
Caitlin narrates the audiobook adaptation herself, delivering the content with perfect humor and levity. She does not shy away from anything but also delivers just the right amount of humor to lift some of the heavier topics and make her ideas and truths easily accessible. Poignant, funny, and direct, it is a great listen for anyone looking to hear more about gender roles and a woman’s identity.
I am Malala: How One Girl Stood Up for Education and Changed the World is an audiobook that does just that - stands up for young girls and their rights. Often thought of as the second sex or lesser sex by Pakistan’s government, women generally do not have the same rights as men in Malala’s home country. She tells the powerful story of how she was shot point-blank in the head at age 15, but went on to survive, and become an activist for girls' education, and women’s rights. She is now a member of the UN, she stands up for her beliefs - backed by supportive parents - and is a champion for others who do not have a voice.
Powerful, brave, and moving, this story is a vindication of the rights of women, highlighting the need for us all to do more to fight for those who cannot fight for themselves. Archie Panjabi narrates this audiobook version, bringing all the depth and importance this incredible story deserves. I Am Malala will move you, challenge you, and hopefully spark a change.
Dive into The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin for a science fiction tale that challenges everything we know and think about gender and identity. The story takes place on a whole new planet where individuals are neither more nor female but fluctuate between the two. Known for books that had feminist influences, this otherworldly tale was before its time, in many ways, breaking the stereotypes and assumption of gender, and how gender is so closely associated with identity.
For the beings of The Left Hand of Darkness, it simply isn’t. Many non-binary individuals or trans women and men have felt a strong connection to this story, for its rejection of gender norms. Though science fiction, it forces listeners to view identity and sex from a whole new lens, and then to reflect on how they may or may not let those things impact their own lives. Inventive, challenging, and entertaining, this is a must-listen title.
With race politics continuing to be such a poignant topic, there is no better time to discover Assata. Assata was the godmother of Tupac Shakur, the founder of the Black Liberation Army, and a former Black Panther. She was also the first-ever woman to ever make the FBI's most wanted terrorist list. In this open and honest autobiography, Assata Shakur looks at what it means to be a black woman in today’s society - from the civil rights movements of the 70s, through the 20th century to the current political upheaval across the globe.
Issues of race, gender, and discrimination are tackled in this challenging story that does not shy away from anything but faces all the hard truths head-on. Dynamic, engaging, and challenging, Assata is a powerful listen.
Diane Guerrero, star of the hit TV shows Orange is the New Black and Jane the Virgin may seem like she is living the American dream. But for her, and so many others, the reality is a harsh and dark one. As the daughter of illegal immigrants, she saw her parents detained and deported when she was only 14 years old. Then as a young girl she had to navigate life on her own, building herself up, fighting for survival, and ultimately overcoming extreme hurdles and hardships to become the strong independent woman she is today.
In this open honest and difficult look at her life, Guerrero addresses issues of identity - of both being a Latina woman, and being an American, in a society that often treated her as lesser, or of little value. A powerful story of resilience and overcoming extreme hardships, this story will move you and enlighten you.
Delusions of Gender: How Our Minds, Society, and Neurosexism Create Difference by Cordelia Fine rounds out our list of the best feminist audiobooks. Fine uses neuroscience and fact to flip myths and stereotypes on their head, forcing listeners to examine realities - not the assumptions of gender. Women aren’t inherently more one thing, while men all have another trait. Life and identity are not nearly that binary, and Fine uncovers the science to prove it.
Even if you’re already of the thought that gender is fluid, her arguments and factual findings are extremely interesting and help to back up what many feminists have always believed - that men and women are equal, and its society that tries to tell us otherwise.