There’s nothing better than a summer day spent reading in the sun. But the abundance of book releases can make finding a great story tough. Luckily, the Canadian Women’s Foundation staff and supporters have done some reading and are ready to share their recommendations!

Each book celebrates strong women whose stories will stick with you long after you read the last page. Let us know what you’ve been reading and what you think of our picks in the comments below!

FOUNDATION STAFF’S RECOMMENDATIONS

The Best Kind of People by Zoe Whittall
“When Sadie’s father is arrested for sexual impropriety, a small town reels, the media descends, and her seemingly perfect life unravels. This page-turner confronts many topical issues surrounding sexual assault, illustrating how one case plays out in family, a community, and the justice system.”
– Jessica Howard
Senior Writer, Public Engagement

Out Standing in the Field by Sandra Perron
“In her revealing and moving memoir, Sandra Perron, Canada’s first female infantry officer and a member of the Royal 22e Régiment describes her fight against a system of institutional sexism. Though repeatedly identified as top of her class, she was subject to harassment by her male colleagues.”
– Beth Malcolm
Director, Community Initiatives & Grants

All the Single Ladies: Unmarried Women and the Rise of an Independent Nation by Rebecca Traister
“I never thought I would be this excited to read a piece of non-fiction. All the Single Ladies is a fascinating look at the past and present of unmarried women, and how class and race impact the supposed freedoms we’ve had during various parts of history. At times, it reads like a love letter to friendships between women – and a love letter to ourselves, really. Check this out if you want to learn a little something about the underestimated role women play in our world.”
– Sarah Cassellis
Philanthropy Coordinator

One Day We’ll All Be Dead and None of This Will Matter by Scaachi Koul
“Buzzfeed writer Scaachi Koul’s first book is further proof that she’s not just Queen of Twitter, she’s a national treasure. ODWABDANOTWM is a collection of essays that touches on family, race, rape, the politics of body hair, retail jobs, and online harassment. Koul’s tone throughout is seriously funny and natural—she’s someone you’d like to know. ODWABDANOTWM is a great read if you’re looking for a sharp and entertaining guide to some pretty heavy topics this summer.”
– Kate Hawkins
Coordinator, Public Relations and Online Engagement

The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
“This book is narrated by two sisters who have almost nothing in common except for mutual strength and selflessness. Set in Nazi-occupied France, the book follows the sisters as war forces them to make impossible choices and risk everything. I love that the author shows the wide range of roles women had in World War II through her two very different main characters.”
– Brittni Jacobson
Public Engagement Placement Student

FOUNDATION SUPPORTERS’ RECOMMENDATIONS

Runaway Wives and Rogue Feminists: The Origins of the Women’s Shelter Movement in Canada by Margo Goodhand

This book by a seasoned journalist chronicles the untold history of emergency women’s shelters in Canada. The story is told through extensive interviews with the feminists who came together to open the first five shelters in the country. We can’t wait to learn about this important part of our history when the book launches in September 2017.
Coasters will be sold at the national launches of the book this fall, and proceeds will be donated to the Foundation.
Good Enough by Anne Day and Amy Vodarek

We know that there are many factors impacting the confidence of women and girls in both their personal and professional worlds. In this book, heartfelt stories and thought-provoking insights come together to help women embrace who they are and unleash their brilliance.
Anne (Founder of Company of Women) and Amy will be donating a portion of the proceeds from their book sales to the Foundation.

The Bad Girls Collective donates a portion of their book club event ticket sales to the Foundation. Here are three of their favourite books right now:

Brain on Fire: My Month of Madness by Susannah Cahalan
Susannah Cahalan, 24, was just starting her adult life when she was suddenly faced with a debilitating and mysterious mental illness. Cahalan had to depend on hospital records, diary entries, and the memories of her family members to write the memoir, as she is unable to remember much of her time spent in hospital. Her experience shines a light on how the medical system can doubt and ultimately harm its most vulnerable patients, particularly young women.

It’s What I Do: A Photographer’s Life of Love and War by Lynsey Addario

War photographer Lynsey Addario’s passion drives her to document some of the most dangerous conflicts of the 21st century. Despite her undeniable bravery, she must still fight to have her work taken seriously in a male-dominated field.

Women Who Run With the Wolves: Myths and Stories of the Wild Woman Archetype by Clarissa Pinkola Estés

This book looks at the characterization of women in myths, folklore, and other cultural stories, and was a hit with Bad Girls Book Club members. Pinkola Estés argues that the strength and power of these wild women exists in every woman, but that society effectively prevents us from recognizing it in ourselves.

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