3. OIBPW: Our Hopes for the Future

What book would you recommend to your younger self and/or to a young girl?

“I would have benefitted from even more books with strong female protagonists.”

We’ve established that books instill values and traits in their readers. The books that these women recommended teach qualities that they believe young girls ought to grow up knowing. They hope that the coming generations of readers, change-makers, and women learn resilience, independence, and courage.

Why would you recommend this book?

“[To] encourage more women to accept leadership roles.” ——— explaining Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg

Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes are High is “the single most helpful book about communication.” It teaches “to (1) advocate for what you want, and (2) resolve conflict.”

The Alice Network “tells of the sacrifices and glory of two courageous women.”

The Glass Castle is “a story of resilience.”

“With the alarming rise in mental health issues among this generation’s teens, [The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing by Marie Kondo] could encourage young girls to let go of possessions, and even toxic friends and social media.”

“[…] be yourself, don’t let others influence you.” ——— explaining A Bad Case of Stripes by David Shannon

Educated by Toni Morrison teaches “perseverance, inquisitiveness, facing and overcoming challenges, […], and gaining one’s own insights and perceptions about the world.”

“Fear is sometimes a bigger obstacle than the obstacle itself.” ——— explaining The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho