March 8 is International Women’s Day (IWD), which serves as an opportunity to highlight and reflect upon the status of progress made towards achieving gender equality. This year's theme is #EmbraceEquality.
We shouted out to our Library staff in honour of International Women's Day 2023, asking them for some of their favourite picks from our collection and famous quotes to share on the big day.
Here are some of our selections for now and year-round #GirlPower inspiration!
Alys' Picks
Alderney Gate Public Library
Last Night at the Telegraph Club
Through the main character Lily Hu, this book allowed me to witness aspects of the Red scare, growing up Chinese-American, and lesbian culture in the 1950s, all revealed through a sweet and (at times) sad love story.
Author Naomi Novik writes very sophisticated and rewarding fantasy books. I have re-read this one several times, because I find it so funny, moving, and powerful.
Anna's Pick
Marketing & Communications
This 1915 novel by Charlotte Perkins Gilman is a classic piece of feminist literature—one that's stayed with me since I read it in school! Despite being over 100 years old, it does a great job of playing with the construct of gender roles and femininity in ways that resonate to this day.
Åsa's Pick
Chief Librarian & CEO
It's hard to believe that Louisa May Alcott's Little Women was first published over 150 years ago. Jo Marsh, the aspiring writer with a strong will who challenged social expectations, feels just as relevant today.
Ashley's Pick
Marketing & Communications
The Handmaid's Tale is a classic, time tested, quintessential feminist book. Atwood digs into the oppression of women, unapologetically, in this dystopian world that bears parallels to modern day issues. The protagonist, Offred, is an unstoppable powerhouse who will leave you feeling fired-up and empowered.
Chanae's Pick
Eastern District
Black Girls Must Die Exhausted
Black Girls Must Die Exhausted by Jayne Allen is first of a 3-book series. It is an incredibly powerful and thought provoking novel about racism, mental health, and the Black experience for young women. The story follows the journey of four Black girls, each of whom have different struggles and come from different backgrounds. Through the story, readers are taken on a journey of the struggles and joys that come with being Black.
Colleen's Pick
Marketing & Communications
This is a story of survival under the male gaze and perseverance through social obligation, in which "a guileless young woman becomes ensnared by a malevolent conman." While The Hare is at times, difficult to read (and I suggest looking into content triggers before picking it up), its core message immediately came to mind when thinking about #GirlPower. It's part thriller, part meditation on what it means to be a woman, mother, friend, and fighter.
Cynthia's Pick
Collection Development & Access
This beautifully written, fascinating memoir, tells the story of English-born Markham, who spent most of her life in East Africa as an adventurer, a racehorse trainer, and a pilot-she became the first person to fly nonstop from Europe to America in 1936, (crash-landing in Cape Breton!), thus defying all expectations of how a woman should live.
Diane's Picks
Bedford Public Library
The Secret Lives of Church Ladies
This book highlights the lives of girls and women in beautiful writing.
An empathy-based approach to leading by a truly inspiring woman.
Elliott's Pick
Eastern District
Through the lens of dystopian fiction, Jessamine Chan’s chilling debut examines our collective understanding of ‘the good mother’ and the agony of living up to impossible expectations.
Jeannie's Picks
Tantallon Public Library
This is a beautiful story of love, magic and personal growth. There is so much depth in the many stories that are woven together. It is a must read for everyone.
I love her strength and creativity in how she tricks the dragon! And of course, how she rejects the price for not approving of her appearance despite the fact that she saved him!
I love that this book is based on real life and how amazingly brave the women spies were.
Laurel's Picks
Marketing & Communications
I gift this children’s book to every new parent. It’s got everything; a delightful, sing-songy rhyme, beautiful artwork, and lessons on trying hard, overcoming setbacks, and finding kind mentors that believe in you. Young Rosie is an inspiration to every age! Looking for more, check out all Andrea Beaty’s books that feature the bright students of Miss Lila Greer’s grade two class.
Mary's Picks
Halifax Central Library
All these titles, and so many more great books written by and about women, can be found in our Library.
From the last lines of The Summer Day by Mary Oliver:
