20 Must Read Empowering Books for Women
The one thing about reading books that I truly love is that it can change you. Its like having a friend who is sharing with you all their experiences so that you are more knowledgeable. So in this post I am sharing with you 20 of my best read empowering books. And I feel these are great addition of empowering books for women reading lists and a must read books for women in their 20s. These are a mix of mindset books, motivational books for women and self help books for women that you will enjoy as much as I did.
Malala Yousafzai said “I will read thousands of books and I will empower myself with knowledge” and I can’t agree anymore to the fact that reading empowering books can change you for good.
1. You Are a Badass – Jen Sincero
This is one of those books that feels like a pep talk from a no-nonsense friend. It’s all about realizing your power and letting go of self-doubt. Jen Sincero shares her life experiences with humor, a talks a little bit of tough love, which I found to make the book a fun to read. If you are someone who need a push to stop holding back and start living boldly, you should read this book. She breaks down mindset shifts in simple ways that actually feels doable.
2. The Gifts of Imperfection – Brené Brown
If you struggle with perfectionism just like me, you must read this book.It is a comfy book wrapped in wisdom. It a reminder to yourself that you don’t have to be perfect to be worthy and loved.
Brené shares the power of embracing who you truly are, your flaws and everything about you and stop seeking for approval. Through her research and personal stories, she encourages to live wholeheartedly, trust yourself, and must importantly to have self-compassion. I mean like seriouly self compassion, is that even a thing (I didn’t know about it.)
3. Untamed – Glennon Doyle
Untamed will make you pause, reflect, and rethink everything you’ve ever been told about who you should be. It is a raw and deeply personal that feels like a heart-to-heart conversation with someone who understands you. She shares her journey of breaking free from expectations and embracing her true self. I find it every empowering in the sense that it tells you don’t have to fit into society’s mold. If you feel trapped in roles and rules placed on you, this is a must read.
4. Radical Confidence – Lisa Bilyeu
Radical Confidence by Lisa Bilyeu is for every woman who has ever felt stuck, unsure, or not “good enough”.This book is real and understands that confidence is not something you’re just born with but shows you how to build it, step by step. She share her journey from a stay-at-home wife with self doubt to the co-founder of a billion-dollar company. This book shares practical advice on tough love and mindset shifts that helped her transform her life. She talks in a way that makes you feel like, Yes, I can do this too!
5. The High 5 Habit – Mel Robbins
The High 5 Habit by Mel Robbins is very famous book on self empowerment. It like having your own personal cheerleader reminding you that you’ve got this! This book caught my attention from the famous high five in the mirror excersie I saw somewhere. I liked this book because it breaks down the science behind celebrating yourself (instead of criticizing yourself). It very logically explains how you can rewire your brain for confidence and success. She shares personal stories, real-life examples, and practical steps to help you build self-trust and motivation in a way that actually sticks. So if you are someone who need facts to belive in things you must give this book a read.
6. Lean In – Sheryl Sandberg
If you are working women, solopreneur, enterpreneur or in simple words a girl boss who want to get ready to step up, take your place at the table, and own your ambition without apology. This is the book for you. Sheryl was COO of Meta and she shares her personal experiences, research, and powerful insights on why women often hold themselves back and how we can push forward with confidence. She talks about the challenges women face in leadership, the importance of having a strong support system, and how to navigate careers while balancing personal life. This book feels like a mentor giving you the best career advice with a mix of encouragement and real talk.
7. The 4-Hour Workweek – Tim Ferriss
If you are small enterpreneur or someone working on a side hustle to build something that can help you quit your job. You must read this book. I have build this blog while working full time and it was not easy. But the freedom of time you get after making something that free you from your 9-5 is unparallel. The 4-Hour Workweek by Tim Ferriss is a book that changed my attitude towards time. It’s not just about working less—it’s about working smarter so you can create more freedom and fulfillment in your life. He shares practical tips on automating income, outsourcing tasks, and escaping the traditional work mindset that keeps so many people stuck. He challenges the idea that success means working long hours. And this was something that I really needed, I am more of a A grade student who has all life believed in working more.
So, if you’ve ever dreamed of time freedom, starting your own business, or simply having more time for the things you love, this book will make you rethink everything you thought you knew about work and success.
8. We Should All Be Millionaires – Rachel Rodgers
We Should All Be Millionaires by Rachel Rodgers is the money mindset shift every woman needs. It’s bold, unapologetic, and packed with powerful advice on building wealth, breaking free from limiting beliefs, and building financial success. She doesn’t just talk about money—she talks about why so many women, have been conditioned to play small when it comes to wealth. She share real stories, actionable steps on how to change your relationship with money and step into a millionaire mindset.
9. Start with Why – Simon Sinek
Start with Why by Simon Sinek is one of those books that makes you stop and rethink everything—your goals, your career, even the way you lead your life. Most often we make goals and decisions of life just without knowing what we really want. We don’t realize so many of the things that we do are under the influence of what others think about us. This book helps you find your why, the deeper purpose that drives you and how to use it to inspire action, for every area of your life.
Simon shares examples and real-world stories about how having a strong “why” can create motivation, build trust, and lead to long-term success. If you’ve ever felt stuck, unmotivated, or unsure of your next step, this book will help you reconnect with your why.
10. The Confidence Code – Katty Kay & Claire Shipman
The Confidence Code is confidence building 101, especially for women who struggle with self-doubt. Its a mix of science, personal stories, and practical advice to help you stop overthinking and start believing in yourself. They share research on how confidence works, why women often second-guess themselves more than men, and most importantly, how to train yourself to be more confident. The best part that I liked about this book is examples they share of top female leaders, athletes, and scientists. It makes you feel inspired.
11. Girl, Wash Your Face – Rachel Hollis
I picked this book to read just because of the title. I found it so catchy but I must say I was not disappointed. This book feels like a heart-to-heart conversation with a friend who won’t let you keep making excuses. It’s all about ditching the lies we tell ourselves—like I’m not good enough or I’ll be happy when….
Rachel shares her struggles with self-doubt, comparison, and setbacks in a raw and relatable way. The book has humor, and it feels like that one friend who shows tough love and don’t let you cry. This book beautifully reminds you that you are in control of your happiness and success. Each chapter tackles a common limiting belief and practical steps to deal with it.
12. The Year of Yes – Shonda Rhimes
If you want to step out of your comfort zone you must read The Year of Yes. Shonda shares her story of despite her massive success, she used to say “no” to opportunities out of fear and self-doubt. But when she challenged herself to a year of saying “yes” to speaking engagements, social events, and even self-care it transformed her life. This book is about pushing past fear, becoming confident, and to stop holding yourself back or playing small.
13. Becoming – Michelle Obama
Becoming by Michelle Obama is a memoir. It is personal, beautifully written story of growth and resilience. Michelle shares her journey from her childhood to her years as a lawyer, a mother, and eventually, the First Lady of the United States. She shares the struggles, wins and lessons she learned along the way.
14. Women Who Run With the Wolves – Clarissa Pinkola Estés
This not a typical self-help book but a blend of psychology, mythology, and storytelling that helps women reconnects with their wild, instinctual nature. This book uses folk tales, myths, and real-life wisdom to explain about strength, creativity, and resilience that exist within every woman. She explains how society has silenced this inner wildness. When you read this book it feels like sitting around a fire, listening to an elder. If you love listening to stories and want to feel more connected to your inner strength, this book is for you.
15. Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear – Elizabeth Gilbert
This book is my all time favorite. It just inspires you to be creative and not to hold yourself. She share how to be creative without the pressure of perfection. If you want to start writing, painting, designing, or creating anything but felt stuck, you must read this book. Reading it will gradually push you to start doing and enjoy the process without worrying about the output. It just release you of any doubts you have that is holding you back.
16. I Am Malala – Malala Yousafzai
I saw this book at a bookstore and picked it just because I was keen to know more about Malala Yousafzai. I had read somewhere that she got a Nobel Prize for peace. So it was read just out of curiosity. This book is powerful, inspiring, and a reminder of the courage it takes to stand up for what you believe in. Malala shares her journey from a young girl in Pakistan who simply loved learning to becoming a global advocate for girls’ education. Her story is a lesson in resilience. Reading this book made me feel privileged and grateful for so many things in life that others struggle for and, yes, motivated.
17. Educated – Tara Westover
If you feel trapped by circumstances or have self-doubts, you will find this book empowering. Tara Westover shares her journey of self-discovery and resilience. It’s a captivating read; you don’t feel bored reading it. She shares her journey from no formal education and little connection to the outside world to eventually getting into Cambridge and Harvard. Her hunger for knowledge was unstoppable. It’s a book about liberation and breaking free from the beliefs and limitations imposed on us.
18. Know Your Value – Mika Brzezinski
This book is a must-read for every woman. It’s about recognizing your worth and owning it. It is about knowing your value, especially in the workplace, and making sure everyone sees it too. Most of the time, people who are humble and don’t like to show off are mistaken as incapable of big things. If you are someone who struggles with this, you must read this book. Mika shares her own struggles with salary negotiations, self-doubt, and speaking for herself. She shares experiences of successful women across different industries and strategies to ask for what you deserve.
19. Bossypants – Tina Fey
I love this book; it’s a nice blend of humor and wisdom. It is an empowering reminder that you don’t have to be perfect to be successful. You just have to show up, work hard, and own yourself. Her writing is witty and fun yet full of lessons on success, confidence, and finding your own path. Tina shares her journey from awkward childhood moments to her time at Saturday Night Live. She shares the challenges of being a woman in comedy, balancing work and family, and dealing with the pressure of leadership.
20. The Moment of Lift – Melinda Gates
In this book, Melinda shares stories from her travels around the world and meeting women whose lives were changed because of education, family planning, and economic opportunities. She also shares her own journey, from working behind the scenes at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to finding her own voice as an advocate for women’s empowerment. The message that I found unique to this book was that when women rise, everyone rises. We often forget this part: our self-improvement also positively impacts the lives of people around us.
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