As Women’s History Month comes to a close, the student-led Sustainability Committee would like to share books we’ve found powerful to read. These books cater to a wide-ranging audience, from non-fiction to fiction, easy reads to interesting reads, and empowering to heart-breaking reads. These suggestions were made by the Sustainability Committee. Some of these tell us the sad realities many women from all over the world face, but at the same time how others intervene to ease these injustices.

This compilation just brings home the idea that Empowered women, empower women. Happy reading!

The Blind Man’s Garden, Nadeem Aslam

"This beautiful novel transports you to the heart of Pakistan during the aftermath of 9/11. Following the lives of a successful academic family who are torn apart by the war is inspiring, tragic, heartwarming and desperately sad all at once. Your heart will race and you won’t be able to put this book down whilst uncovering the stories of the boys’ exploits and adventures across the border in Afghanistan, whilst the daily struggles of the heroic women back home may well just bring tears to your eyes.

For me, living my comparatively sheltered Bristol life, this book was an inspirational thriller to read, that not only opened my eyes to another culture but giving me a huge sense of gratitude and admiration for women living through war."

Josephine Adams

What a time to be alone, Chidera Eggerue

"Amazing and inspiring author, it's a great easy read on why you are already enough! In the hustle and bustle of today’s world, it is so easy to try to keep up with what we see on social media or in the virtual world. Sometimes you need a reminder that what you already are, is more than enough."

Tomorrow sex will be good again, Katherine Angel

After the #MeToo movement, so many have been empowered to stick to their guns and say #NoMeansNo. This book is all about consent, self-knowledge, female desire and sexuality. It is definitely worth the read.

Sophie Junnonen

The War On Women and Those Who Fight Back, Sue Lloyd-Roberts

"What a magnificent read. Yes, it is scary, it talks about topics that some might consider taboo. It covers uncomfortable topics like Female Genital Mutilation, forced marriages, and human trafficking.

However, with all the bad the book brings to the forefront it also shows people who fight back against these horrible injustices. Men and women alike who call out unacceptable behavior and do their utmost best to change the narrative.

I found this book a rude awakening. Ignorant to injustices in our own backyards, but I feel so much more informed about the inequalities going on in the world. Yes, even in the 21^st century."

Vanique Kruger

Invisible women, Caroline Criado Perez

"I cannot help but think about the excitement we as women show when clothing items have pockets *insert all the memes on this that live rent-free in my memory*. This book exposes the data bias in a world designed for men.

Yes, you read that right! Everything from smartphones being designed to fit a man’s hands and pockets to home assistants like Alexa and Google Assistant being trained to recognise a man’s voice. Yes, this is really true and this book shows how we are actually living in a man’s world because it was originally designed by individuals who did not take gender differences into account.

This book is very data-heavy, but it is an eye-opening read!"