2024 Reading Challenge
In 2024 I set myself a challenge to read 40 books - all by women.
Every year I do a reading challenge. And reflecting on the authors I’ve read before, I noticed a pattern: they are mostly middle aged, white men. We have to be conscious of who we are paying attention to - what biases does that create in our thought patterns? So this year I’m trying something different. My inner feminist is taking over, and reading books exclusively written by cis- and trans-women and enbies!
#1 The Moment of Lift - Melinda Gates French
Melinda’s debut is a ballsy call to action for the whole world on gender issues. Having worked in Int’l Development I recognised many of the challenges she discussed.
#2 The Wisdom of Tea - Noriko Morishita
A beautiful tale of how the author has studied and practiced the intricate ceremonies of the famous Way of Tea over 25 years.
#3 No One Is Too Small To Make a Difference - Greta Thunberg
A selection of powerful and inspiring speeches Greta has given to various audiences.
#6 You Matter - Delia Smith
The Queen of Cookery has turned her hand to writing a self help book. A soothing read packed full of Eastern philosophy.
#5 Weathering the Storm - Gael Lindenfield
Well intentioned advice on how to build resilience.
#4 Menopausing - Davina McCall
Every woman should read this - this book gave me the knowledge and confidence to advocate for my needs when discussing perimenopause symptoms with my GP.
#9 Daughter of Fortune - Isabel Allende
Allende is one of my favourite authors - this story takes place in mid 19th century Chile, as goldrush fever captures California.
#8 Investigating Psychology 2 (book 2) - OU team
Read as part of my university degree module DE200.
#7 The Strength of Love - Kate Garraway
This book had me crying on the train into London! Really inspiring in how Kate’s love for Derek never faltered throughout his battle with Covid.
#12 Thorn - Intisar Khanani
A re-telling of The Goose Girl (Brothers Grimm), an entertaining fantasy read about self discovery and justice
#11 The Light We Carry - Michelle Obama
The GOAT follows up Becoming with her practical wisdom on becoming hopeful and balanced in today’s world.
#10 Coach Yourself Confident - Julie Smith
I could not put this book down - packed full of coaching tips, exercises and examples from high performers such as elite athletes, television personalities and entrepreneurs.
#15 Good Habits, Bad Habits - Wendy Wood
If you liked Atomic Habits, you will love this: the actual science behind sustainable habit formation and behaviour change from someone who researches this for a living.
#14 Joy at Work - Marie Kondo
Learn how to apply ‘tidy up’ principles to work, to discover joy. Prompted me to reorganise my office layout and declutter!
#13 Stories of Autistic Joy - Laura Kate Dale
A collection of essays by various autistic folk, including the author herself, exploring ways autistic people feel and express joy.
#18 Investigating Psychology (book 3) - OU team
The last textbook on my module, DE200.
#17 Stressproof - Mithu Storoni
Science-based strategies for beating stress, packed full of research, examples and practical tips.
#16 The Path Made Clear - Oprah Winfrey
A gentle read on discovering your purpose. I came away with a renewed sense of where I was heading in life.
#21 Million Dollar Micro Business - Tina Tower
Packed full of learnings on how to launch an online course, this book gave me lots of ready-to-implement ideas.
#20 The Secret Life of Cows - Rosamund Young
Absolutely loved this book, exploring the personalities and antics of cows, and also chickens, sheep and other farmyard friends.
#19 Gender Swapped Greek Myths - Karrie Fransman
Take the classical Greek myths and swap the genders of the characters: women are powerful, men are beautiful.
#24 Work Like a Woman - Mary Portas
I had the fortune to meet Portas at an event where she gave a fireside chat, read this book following that. We all need more kindness in business.
#23 Work Won’t Love You Back - Sarah Jaffe
Capitalism is teaching us to love our jobs, simply so we can be exploited more and paid less.
#22 The Bluest Eye - Toni Morrison
This book made my heart break. My first read of Morrison’s work, won’t be my last (although I need some time to get over this one).
#27 Idol, Burning - Rin Usami
When the dark side of fan adoration hits reality; painfully reminded me of several teenage crushes I had on boybands back in my youth.
#26 The Ungrateful Refugee - Dina Nayeri
Stories of Nayeri’s life and those of other refugees. Really opened my eyes to the hardship and heartache people go through when fleeing war and persecution.
#25 You Made a Fool of Death With Your Beauty - Akwaeke Emezi
Feyi lost her boyfriend in a tragic accident, then rediscovered love (with a man she can’t have!)
#30 The Cambridge Mysteries - Barbara Cleverly
Four short murder mysteries: a pleasant change from my usual reading genres (plus loved the local references!)
#29 The Girl Who Reads on the Metro - Christine Féret-Fleury
An easy escape into a story about reading and gifting books to strangers.
#28 These Heavy Black Bones - Rebecca Achieng Ajulu-Bushell
Completely full of admiration for Achieng Ajulu-Bushell’s incredible swimming career; this memoir flows - like water.
#33 The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie - Muriel Spark
Read this following the sad passing of Dame Maggie Smith, who appeared in the film production of this book. No doubt the creme-de-la-creme of Spark’s novels.
#32 Frankenstein - Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley
What else could I read in the lead up to Halloween? Classic horror, masterful storytelling. And now I know that Frankenstein is not the name of the monster… or is it?
#31 Mistletoe Between Friends - Samantha Chase
I was getting into the Christmas spirit with this one (even though I read it in October! Again, not my usual genre (rom-com)
#36 Mindset - Dr Carol Dweck
A popularised version of many Dweck-authored papers I read that inspired the subject of my final year BSc project.
#35 Black and Blue: A Memoir of Racism and Resilience - Veronica Gorrie
The story of an Aboriginal woman who joined the police force: so much admiration for her courage and tenacity.
#34 The Bell Jar - Sylvia Plath
I can’t stop thinking about this book.
#39 Orbital - Samantha Harvey
I really wanted to love this: it’s 2024’s Booker prize winner and it’s about space. It certainly captured the mundanity of being an astronaut.
#38 Western Lane - Chetna Maroo
A gripping story about grief, sisterhood and being a young athlete. Broke my heart and repaired it again.
#37 The Witches of Vardø - Anya Bergman
A nice bit of witchy fantasy to escape into over the season (although it’s not at all a comfortable read!)
#41 Fearless - Trinny Woodall
A quick audiobook - inspired me to try out a few things with makeup and styling.
#40 DE300 Investigating Psychology 3
One of the last textbooks I’ll ever read for my psychology degree…
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