96 Nonfiction Books to Read this Women's History Month

March is Women’s History Month, celebrated in the U.S. by just about every major institution in the country. Click around a little, and you’ll find all kinds of interesting things going on. For instance, on March 30, the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg will posthumously receive the National Museum of American History's signature honor, the Great Americans Medal.
Here at Goodreads, we like to stick to our lane, and our lane is books. As such, we have collected below 96 nonfiction titles on women in history, recommended by Goodreads regulars and divided into two broad categories: Histories and Biographies, and Memoirs. Each of the books listed here is relatively recent, published within the past ten years.
The authors below have developed a wide range of different approaches to the topic. You’ll find specific profiles of pioneering women—doctors, say, or rocket scientists. Other books chronicle entire historical eras, even some in which women ruled the world. One author has narrowed the focus to particularly treasured anatomical specifics.
Autobiographically speaking, we’ve got Black artists, First Nation writers, pioneering comics, and more. You’ll also find last year’s most talked-about memoir.
Click around and see what you like, add anything interesting to your Want to Read shelf, and feel free to make further recommendations in the comments section.
Top Histories and Biographies for Women's History Month
Comments Showing 1-50 of 111 (111 new)
 Wake is not about women-led revolts. It is about the author's search and lack of information she was able to find on the topic. The title is misleading.
      Wake is not about women-led revolts. It is about the author's search and lack of information she was able to find on the topic. The title is misleading.
     Kaya W. wrote: "Wake is not about women-led revolts. It is about the author's search and lack of information she was able to find on the topic. The title is misleading."
      Kaya W. wrote: "Wake is not about women-led revolts. It is about the author's search and lack of information she was able to find on the topic. The title is misleading."I think the effort the author put into the idea would be enough to still qualify it for women's history month and this list; the author is a woman and her topic was women, and the lack of information is relevant.
 I'm disappointed that The Real Valkyrie: The Hidden History of Viking Warrior Women by Nancy Marie Brown isn't on this list. The discovery that some warrior skeletons in Viking graves are female are re-writing history and women's role in it.
      I'm disappointed that The Real Valkyrie: The Hidden History of Viking Warrior Women by Nancy Marie Brown isn't on this list. The discovery that some warrior skeletons in Viking graves are female are re-writing history and women's role in it.
     Mackenzie wrote: "Helen Macdonald is non-binary :)"
      Mackenzie wrote: "Helen Macdonald is non-binary :)"via her twitter, it says She/They.
Therefore having her in a female list is ok.
 Carole wrote: "Mackenzie wrote: "Helen Macdonald is non-binary :)"
      Carole wrote: "Mackenzie wrote: "Helen Macdonald is non-binary :)"via her twitter, it says She/They.
Therefore having her in a female list is ok."
thats not at all how being nonbinary works -_-
 Katie wrote: "Might be too new but Maame should be on this list"
      Katie wrote: "Might be too new but Maame should be on this list"that is a fiction book, this list is non fiction
 I count two books that are not set in the UK or Europe. Where is the diversity on this list? Why so many stories about Americans?
      I count two books that are not set in the UK or Europe. Where is the diversity on this list? Why so many stories about Americans?
     Broad Strokes: 15 Women Who Made Art and Made History
      Broad Strokes: 15 Women Who Made Art and Made HistoryBridget Quinn written in 2017 should be included too.
 Tanvi wrote: "I count two books that are not set in the UK or Europe. Where is the diversity on this list? Why so many stories about Americans?"
      Tanvi wrote: "I count two books that are not set in the UK or Europe. Where is the diversity on this list? Why so many stories about Americans?"Goodreads is an American site, based in San Francisco, and nearly half of its users are Americans. Of course it's going to focus on our writers more than others.
 CJ wrote: "Tanvi wrote: "I count two books that are not set in the UK or Europe. Where is the diversity on this list? Why so many stories about Americans?"
      CJ wrote: "Tanvi wrote: "I count two books that are not set in the UK or Europe. Where is the diversity on this list? Why so many stories about Americans?"Goodreads is an American site, based in San Francisc..."
That means over half of its users are not American, as in, the majority. That the company is based in the US shouldn't mean much since it caters to an international audience and has millions of non-American books on its site. Someone researched and compiled this list, they could have easily done so and include more stories from and about women in other parts of the world.
 @CJ a) Europe is not in America, last I checked.
      @CJ a) Europe is not in America, last I checked. b) GR's fiction lists usually have diversity, so I was quite disappointed in this one as I was wanting non-fiction books that focused on women globally. We
make up half the planet and IWD is in March. I realise WHM is largely American - however this does not preclude a celebration of women worldwide.
 
      
   
The Unwomanly Face of War: An Oral History of Women in World War II
One of the best history books I have ever read
 Louisa wrote: "CJ wrote: "Tanvi wrote: "I count two books that are not set in the UK or Europe. Where is the diversity on this list? Why so many stories about Americans?"
      Louisa wrote: "CJ wrote: "Tanvi wrote: "I count two books that are not set in the UK or Europe. Where is the diversity on this list? Why so many stories about Americans?"Goodreads is an American site, based in S..."
Louisa wrote: "CJ wrote: "Tanvi wrote: "I count two books that are not set in the UK or Europe. Where is the diversity on this list? Why so many stories about Americans?"
Goodreads is an American site, based in S..."
Sounds like you don't know much about how percentages work. There is no other country that even comes close to the U.S. in numbers of users. Yes, the non-Americans are slightly more than half - because it includes the entire rest of the world, hundreds of different countries, each making up a tiny slice of the pie. Most of which publish books that aren't in English and aren't going to be featured prominently on a site that, again, is an American site and used mostly by English-speakers. If you want books that are more relevant to your country, maybe you should find a site based in that country, or start one yourself.
 Tanvi wrote: "@CJ a) Europe is not in America, last I checked.
      Tanvi wrote: "@CJ a) Europe is not in America, last I checked. True, which makes it especially odd that in your first post you said you counted 2 books that aren't based in the UK or Europe, then complained about how American the list was. I didn't try to parse the logic.
 Let Me Be Frank: A Book About Women Who Dressed Like Men to Do Shit They Weren't Supposed to Do
      Let Me Be Frank: A Book About Women Who Dressed Like Men to Do Shit They Weren't Supposed to DoWish my 2022 book was on this list. Happy Women's History Month!
 Urgh - I was interested to read this list until I realised most of the books are American - like history happened nowhere else. Now I know GR is an American co. and the users are 1 in 2. but that doesn't mean you can't expand your reading to the outside world.
      Urgh - I was interested to read this list until I realised most of the books are American - like history happened nowhere else. Now I know GR is an American co. and the users are 1 in 2. but that doesn't mean you can't expand your reading to the outside world.Also every second book on this list is about WW2 - history is 1000's of years - maybe a bit more diversity, yeah?
 @CJ - yes, I meant to say that every non-American book is in Europe, except the two Egyptian ones - both on the same topic and by the same author.
      @CJ - yes, I meant to say that every non-American book is in Europe, except the two Egyptian ones - both on the same topic and by the same author.Regardless, my point still stands. You obviously understood the point well enough, yet chose to take issue with my wording and harp on about how America this, that and the other.
 I'd recommend to add to this list:
      I'd recommend to add to this list:- The Dressmaker of Khair Khana by Gayle Tzemach Lemmon
- I Am Malala: The Story of the Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban by Malala Yousafzai & Christina Lamb
- Not without my daughter by Betty Mahmoody
 It's WHM, not American WHM. You can't ignore all of Asia...
      It's WHM, not American WHM. You can't ignore all of Asia...I recommend "Cixi: The Concubine who launched modern China" by Jung Chang.
 Sophia: Princess, Suffragette, Revolutionary. By Anita Anand.
      Sophia: Princess, Suffragette, Revolutionary. By Anita Anand.Very disappointed this book is not on the list.
 Invisible Women: Data Bias in a World Designed for Men
      Invisible Women: Data Bias in a World Designed for Menby Caroline Criado Pérez
I highly recommend this book. And while the author is from the UK, she does bring in data from around the world (Japan, India, etc). I think the Transportation chapter was my favourite. <3
 Mackenzie wrote: "Helen Macdonald is non-binary :)"
      Mackenzie wrote: "Helen Macdonald is non-binary :)"Thank you for bringing this to our attention. We reached out to the author and have removed their book on their request.
 First of all, please clarify what a woman is. I am afraid that goodreads is bigot, and excludes some women, because they are not "real women". Thanks
      First of all, please clarify what a woman is. I am afraid that goodreads is bigot, and excludes some women, because they are not "real women". Thanks
     Sharon wrote: "Mackenzie wrote: "Helen Macdonald is non-binary :)"
      Sharon wrote: "Mackenzie wrote: "Helen Macdonald is non-binary :)"Thank you for bringing this to our attention. We reached out to the author and have removed their book on their request."
I love Helen Macdonald's writing, but that just seems idiotic. Why would you want your book to get less exposure and be read by fewer people? It's not like there's a separate non-binary month to be featured in. I guess maybe June for Pride month?
 Tracy wrote: "Let Me Be Frank: A Book About Women Who Dressed Like Men to Do Shit They Weren't Supposed to Do
      Tracy wrote: "Let Me Be Frank: A Book About Women Who Dressed Like Men to Do Shit They Weren't Supposed to DoWish my 2022 book was on this list. Happy Women's History Month!"
Tracy wrote: "Let Me Be Frank: A Book About Women Who Dressed Like Men to Do Shit They Weren't Supposed to Do
Wish my 2022 book was on this list. Happy Women's History Month!"
Lol, that's such a great title. Added to my want-to-read list.
 Tanvi wrote: "@CJ - yes, I meant to say that every non-American book is in Europe, except the two Egyptian ones - both on the same topic and by the same author.
      Tanvi wrote: "@CJ - yes, I meant to say that every non-American book is in Europe, except the two Egyptian ones - both on the same topic and by the same author.Regardless, my point still stands. You obviously ..."
Okay fine, looking at the list again (I just skimmed it yesterday) I agree that it's bizarrely lacking in books about other cultures. There are so many about women that could be featured. Just off the top of my head,Last to Eat, Last to Learn: My Life in Afghanistan Fighting to Educate Women and Between Good and Evil: The Stolen Girls of Boko Haram.
 Elsary wrote: "A Ghost in the Throat
      Elsary wrote: "A Ghost in the ThroatA GHOST IN THE THROAT SHOULD BE ON THIS LIST AND I AM SO ANGRY IT ISN'T
It's beautiful, heartbreaking, insightful, and one of the most strongly feminine tex..."
I absolutely agree!
 CJ wrote: "I love Helen Macdonald's writing, but that just seems idiotic. Why would you want your book to get less exposure and be read by fewer people? It's not like there's a separate non-binary month to be featured in. I guess maybe June for Pride month?"
      CJ wrote: "I love Helen Macdonald's writing, but that just seems idiotic. Why would you want your book to get less exposure and be read by fewer people? It's not like there's a separate non-binary month to be featured in. I guess maybe June for Pride month?"Exactly. I don't understand why lists like that can't be "women and nonbinary writers"; I've seen feminist anthologies, etc. that follow that. Ughh. But I guess if the author doesn't want to be included, idk. It just seems like a tricky situation to put an author in.
 CJ wrote: "I love Helen Macdonald's writing, but that just seems idiotic. Why would you want your book to get less exposure and be read by fewer people?"
      CJ wrote: "I love Helen Macdonald's writing, but that just seems idiotic. Why would you want your book to get less exposure and be read by fewer people?"Gosh, I have no idea why someone wouldn't want to be misgendered. It's not like gender identity is all that important, right? Not when compared to book exposure!
/s
That being said, this reminds me that I really, really need to read H is for Hawk. Been on my TBR for way too long.
 I am literally rolling my eyes to this thread of posts. The point is celebrating women. Maybe next year will have more European and all the other wonderful women of all the wonderful countries that are feeling underrepresented on this list. I have read lots of books representing women that are not in my country; as well as books not set in and not about my country. Isn’t there something more constructive to talk about. Those that feel underrepresented, please suggest some titles about the women in your country. I would truly appreciate it. I’m interested in learning and reading about all women.
      I am literally rolling my eyes to this thread of posts. The point is celebrating women. Maybe next year will have more European and all the other wonderful women of all the wonderful countries that are feeling underrepresented on this list. I have read lots of books representing women that are not in my country; as well as books not set in and not about my country. Isn’t there something more constructive to talk about. Those that feel underrepresented, please suggest some titles about the women in your country. I would truly appreciate it. I’m interested in learning and reading about all women.
     Monika wrote: "I'd recommend to add to this list:
      Monika wrote: "I'd recommend to add to this list:- The Dressmaker of Khair Khana by Gayle Tzemach Lemmon
- I Am Malala: The Story of the Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban by Malala Yous..."
oh I'm shocked that I Am Malala is not on here!
 Tracy wrote: "Let Me Be Frank: A Book About Women Who Dressed Like Men to Do Shit They Weren't Supposed to Do
      Tracy wrote: "Let Me Be Frank: A Book About Women Who Dressed Like Men to Do Shit They Weren't Supposed to DoWish my 2022 book was on this list. Happy Women's History Month!"
thanks for mentioning this! never heard of it, but now will check it out! esp. it's illustrated!
 CJ wrote: "Sharon wrote: "Mackenzie wrote: "Helen Macdonald is non-binary :)"
      CJ wrote: "Sharon wrote: "Mackenzie wrote: "Helen Macdonald is non-binary :)"Thank you for bringing this to our attention. We reached out to the author and have removed their book on their request."
I love..."
also confused, esp. if the author states they use "she/they", this is not "exclusive-women history month", so it seems to me if you use she, even if not exclusively, you would qualify to be featured here... just my take, but hey, if the author themselves doesn't want to be featured here, for whatever reason, who's to argue?!
 devon wrote: "CJ wrote: "I love Helen Macdonald's writing, but that just seems idiotic. Why would you want your book to get less exposure and be read by fewer people?"
      devon wrote: "CJ wrote: "I love Helen Macdonald's writing, but that just seems idiotic. Why would you want your book to get less exposure and be read by fewer people?"Gosh, I have no idea why someone wouldn't ..."
it's a good book!
 Full Bloom, a biography of Georgia O’Keeffe, and Savage Beauty, a biography of Edna St. Vincent Millay
      Full Bloom, a biography of Georgia O’Keeffe, and Savage Beauty, a biography of Edna St. Vincent Millay
     Natalie wrote: "Can we as a society please chill with the WWII books? It’s been done to death in every genre"
      Natalie wrote: "Can we as a society please chill with the WWII books? It’s been done to death in every genre"I could not agree more. So many of the kindle unlimited options here are centered around WWII as well. Don't get me wrong- it's definitely interesting and their stories should be told, but still.
 This month I am reading America's Women: 400 Years of Dolls, Drudges, Helpmates, and Heroines by Gail Collins
      This month I am reading America's Women: 400 Years of Dolls, Drudges, Helpmates, and Heroines by Gail Collins
     
      
   Invisible Women: Data Bias in a World Designed for Men
Invisible Women: Data Bias in a World Designed for Men An incredibly eye opening nonfiction book to read this month!
 At first I thought, “Maybe it is only Women’s History Month in the USA,” but I then saw that it is celebrated this month in the UK, too.
      At first I thought, “Maybe it is only Women’s History Month in the USA,” but I then saw that it is celebrated this month in the UK, too. World War II relied on women in many capacities that they were precluded from before the War, so I understand the many books listed, and personally welcome stories from that period.
I like the way people put suggestions in the comments for books that others may not find on their own, as suggested by Cybil.
Cybil also mentioned that these books were recommended by “Goodreads regulars” and “published within the past ten years”. It has been narrowed accordingly.
 Elsary wrote: "A Ghost in the Throat
      Elsary wrote: "A Ghost in the ThroatA GHOST IN THE THROAT SHOULD BE ON THIS LIST AND I AM SO ANGRY IT ISN'T
It's beautiful, heartbreaking, insightful, and one of the most strongly feminine tex..."
Thank you, this sounds exciting. I added it to my want-to-read!

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A GHOST IN THE THROAT SHOULD BE ON THIS LIST AND I AM SO ANGRY IT ISN'T
It's beautiful, heartbreaking, insightful, and one of the most strongly feminine texts I've ever read.