We asked the landmark Women & Children First bookstore in Chicago’s Andersonville neighborhood to tell us which books they’re excited to dig into this spring. Here are five to put on your must-read list.
Eloquent Rage: A Black Feminist Discovers Her Superpower
Brittney Cooper
The popular Cosmopolitan.com columnist embraces the “mad black woman” stereotype and points out that as a woman, and a woman of color, she’s got a right to be pissed off. She believes we can make this world a better place if we harness our anger into productivity, and her energy is galvanizing.
An American Marriage
Tayari Jones
This complex, character-driven novel tells the story of a man who’s wrongly convicted of a crime, and his wife who is left to create a new life for herself while her husband is incarcerated. As in real life, the plot is further complicated by institutional discrimination.
Feel Free
Zadie Smith
The novelist’s second essay collection approaches topics like freedom, art, politics, race, and family with equal brilliance and thoughtfulness. Smith’s passion is truly contagious, and her essay about Joni Mitchell is a real standout.
What Are We Doing Here?
Marilynne Robinson
The essays in this collection manage to be academic and highly engrossing all at once, offering deep thoughts on our current political and cultural climate from a Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist.
The Female Persuasion
Meg Wolitzer
This isn’t just a mesmerizing novel about a young woman dealing with relationships, career, and her mentor, a Steinem-style feminist icon; it also interweaves an astute critique of modern feminism and the women’s rights movement.
More from Make It Better:
- 9 of the Best Beach Reads to Pack for Spring Break
- 12 Must-See Plays on Stage in Chicago This Spring
- Sarah Paulson Talks Auditioning, Playing Unsympathetic Characters, and the Women Who Inspire Her
Danielle McLimore is a Chicago-based writer and editor who has worked in book publishing since 2009. She lives with her husband, two sons, and a very misbehaved dog. She proudly supports the Center for Reproductive Rights.