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Best Books to Read for International Women’s Day

February 28, 2024

Leading up to International Women’s Day, we asked Sophia vom Bauer Jackson, service manager at the Salt Spring Island Public Library, to make a list of contemporary female-focused books. This is her Top 5 (fiction and non-fiction) plus some extra recommendations (all titles, and many more, are available at the library).

Non-fiction

Eve - How the Female Body Drove 200 Million Years of Evolution (Cat Bohannon, 2023). A sweeping revision of human history and an urgent and necessary corrective for a world that has focused primarily on the male body for far too long. Picking up where Sapiens left off, Eve will completely change what you think you know about evolution and why Homo sapiens has become such a successful and dominant species.

Her Space, Her Time: How Trailblazing Women Scientists Decoded the Universe (Shohini Ghose, 2023). Award-winning quantum physicist Ghose brings together the stories of Women physicists and astronomers from around the world who have transformed science and society to celebrate their indelible scientific contributions.

Off With Her Head – Three Thousand Years of Demonizing Women in Power (Eleanor Herman, 2022). Exploring the history of misogyny against women with power, from Cleopatra to Kamala Harris.

On Our Best Behavior: The Seven Deadly Sins and the Price Women Pay to be Good (Elise Loehnen, 2023). A groundbreaking exploration of the ancient rules women unconsciously follow in order to be considered “good,” revealing how the Seven Deadly Sins still control and distort our lives. Loehnen shows a path toward a more balanced and spiritually complete way to live.

Unbroken - My Fight for Survival, Hope, and Justice for Indigenous Women and Girls (Angelas Sterritt, 2023). A remarkable work of memoir and investigative journalism focusing on missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls, written by an award-winning Gitxsan journalist who survived life on the streets against all odds.

Fiction

The Power (Naomi Alderman, 2017). A feminist and thought-provoking novel imagining a world where women develop the power to release electric jolts, changing the dynamics of gender and societal norms forever. 

When Women Were Dragons (Kelly Regan Barnhill, 2022). A fiery feminist tale, exploding notions of a woman’s place in the world, expanding minds about accepting others for who they really are.

Your Body Was Made For This (Debbie Bateman, 2023). Bateman’s stories look at the largely unexplored private world of a crucial stage in virtually every woman’s life. These stories are linked by their characters as well as the visceral themes of food, sex, exercise, beauty, and aging. The women in these stories want full authority over their bodies and their lives.

The Women's March - A Novel of the 1913 Woman Suffrage Procession (Jennifer Chiaverini, 2021). A historical novel about the women’s suffrage movement inspired by three courageous women who bravely risked their lives and liberty in the fight to win the vote.

Lessons in Chemistry (Bonnie Garmut, 2022). Laugh-out-loud funny, shrewdly observant, a great cast of characters, Lessons in Chemistry is as original and vibrant as its protagonist, the chemist Elizabeth Zott.

Young Adult

I am a Feminist: Claiming the F-Word in Turbulent Times (Monique Polak, 2016). A YA book explaining what feminism is about and why it’s still relevant and important.

More non-fiction recommendations:

Blackie, Sharon (2022): Hagitude – Reimagining the Second Half of Life.

Butler, Judith (2023): Who Is Afraid of Gender.

Eilenberger, Wolfram (2023): The Visionaries: Arendt, Beauvoir, Rand, Weil, and the Power of Philosophy in Dark Times.

Frederici, Silvia (2018): Witches, Witch-Hunting, and Women.

Gipson, Ferren (2022): Women's Work: From Feminine Arts to Feminist Art.

Gunter, Jen (2023): Blood - The Science, Medicine & Mythology of Menstruation.

Gunter, Jen (2021): Menopause Manifesto - Own Your Health with Facts and Feminism.

Knott, Helen (2023): Becoming a Matriarch – A Memoir. LaPointe, Sasha taqwšeblu (2023): Red Paint: The Ancestral Autobiography of a Coast Salish Punk.

McLachlin, Beverly (2019): Truth to be Told - The Story of My Life and My Fight for Equality.

Morin, Brandi (2022): Our Voice of Fire - A Memoir of a Warrior Rising.

Polak, Monique (2016): I am a Feminist: Claiming the F-Word in Turbulent Times.

Solnit, Rebecca (2017): The Mother of All Questions.

Wells, Karin (2023): More Than a Footnote: Canadian Women You Should Know.

Blog Archives

New to Salt Spring, Devon is excited to engage with the local community. As a certified teacher and registered counsellor, she works with students both on Salt Spring and across BC, offering social and emotional instruction, support, and skill development. Her extensive experience in both educational and recreational settings has given her a strong appreciation for the critical role that meaningful connection with others plays in the development of children and youth. A strong advocate for social-emotional learning, Devon views it as the foundation for all other areas of growth and is particularly inspired by the programs offered by The Circle Education.

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Christina Adair is a dedicated professional serving as a District Child and Youth Worker for SD64. With an extensive background spanning over 15 years, Christina has acquired substantial experience working with children and youth in diverse capacities. Her unwavering commitment lies in fostering youth leadership and advocating for their rights. Christina has demonstrated her dedication through 13 years of volunteering with Scouts Canada, where she successfully led youth groups and facilitated adult meetings. Christina takes immense pride in her role as a caregiver and mentor to countless young individuals, with her two grown children serving as a testament to her nurturing capabilities.

Dan has been working in the credit union system for over 22 years, the last 8 with Island Savings, a division of First West Credit Union.  His latest role is as a Branch Manager for the Salt Spring branch.

He has a long-time passion for giving back to his community, particularly where children are concerned.  He has been a scout leader for the last 19 years and has taken part in 2 Pacific Jamborees.  Once as a participant and the latest one as the treasurer.

He also volunteered for 12 years with the PACE program in Victoria.  PACE is a musical theater program through the school system for children ages 5 – 17 that puts on two shows every year.

While new to Salt Spring, having moved here in the spring of 2021, he is excited to get involved with the community and proud to be involved with The Circle Education.

Lisa grew up in Cochrane, Alberta, and has recently come to live on Salt Spring Island, after having lived abroad for 25 years.  She studied fine arts at the Wackers Academie in Amsterdam, had a son in Denmark and a daughter in the UK. She served as Chair of the PTA of Holy Trinity Primary School in Wimbledon for 5 years, which was a registered charity entity separate from the school. She learned about the Pass it On Boys program when her son showed an interest in joining it. Being new to the community she asked fellow parents about the program to find out how it was viewed. After hearing only good things about it, she registered her son and the next logical step was of course to join the board, as she always strives to be an active member of the community by providing support based on her broad life experience.

Lyyli Kennedy was a Pass it On mentor at Gulf Islands Secondary School and has been drawn to the idea of working with The Circle Education for a long time. She had been waiting for a facilitator role that aligned with her schedule as head baker at Francis Bread, and this role with the Pass it On Program is the perfect match. With her background leading diverse kitchen teams and working as a classroom education assistant, Lyyli (pronounced Loo-Lee) is committed to fostering respectful relationships and inclusive spaces.

Patrick Howlett moved from Australia to Canada in 2019. Nine years earlier, he switched careers from communications to outdoor education. He worked with young people at The Great Aussie Bush Camp and Camp Tanuga in Michigan, USA, and helped students run their Senior Leadership Challenge at Camp Summit in Squamish. His work with youth taught him the value of patience, the ability to see the best in people, the importance of clear communication and empathy.

Marcia is our Communications and Event Coordinator since July 2021. She moved with her husband and two daughters – who are both attending high school in SD64 now – from the Netherlands to Salt Spring Island in 2012

As a swim team coach for the Salt Spring Stingrays, Marcia knows and understands youth realities of living on a small island.

Marcia has 25+ years of experience in writing and communication for Dutch and Canadian media outlets – most recently the Driftwood – and non-for-profits.

Kate has been working with The Circle since 2010, serving as a facilitator and contributor to program development. Her extensive experience in developing and implementing curricula has supported the organization's ability to address youth needs effectively.

Kate's unique approach combines her background in theatre, play building, and improv with a deep understanding of youth development. This blend of skills allows her to create engaging, interactive experiences that resonate with young people across various age groups.

Students consistently praise Kate for her compassion, attentiveness, and ability to create a warm, welcoming atmosphere.

Nick MacKinnon has a background in cancer research and biomedical engineering and in working with medical device startup companies as a founder and director. As a former educator, Nick has a strong commitment to STEM advocacy. He has served as a director and advisor on multiple boards and advisory committees, including the biomedical engineering programs at BCIT and UBC and professional associations in both BC and internationally. Nick has also been involved with non-profit cooperatives in British Columbia, particularly in the housing and car-sharing sectors. Notably, as a director, he helped lead the development and construction of the 54-unit Arbutus Housing Co-op in Vancouver. Now retired, Nick continues his longstanding dedication to education and social justice. As a director with The Circle Education, his interest is in governance, financial management, and fundraising.

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Janine started her career with the Ministry of Education in Victoria, B.C. in 2000 as an education officer in the area of accountability and system performance. Since moving to SSI, Janine has taught as a teacher-on-call with School District #64, delivered parent support sessions as a trained Virtues Project Facilitator and worked for Volunteer and Community Resources Society (VCR) in support of the island’s not-for-profit sector.

Janine is a dedicated member of the Salt Spring Island community. She sat on the Board of The Lady Minto Hospital Foundation for six years, served as chair of the SSI Foundation Grants Advisory Committee for six years, coordinated the local Terry Fox Run for eight years, served as a board member and then president of the Salt Spring Island Aquatic Society for a total of eight years, and in 2018, she founded the local chapter of 100 Women Who Care.