Women's History Month: Recommended Reads

three women reading

March is Women's History Month! We hope you'll enjoy this list of recommended reads from SPL staff. 

The image of three women reading above is from the Donald C. King Family Photographs in our local history collection. View the collection online at Digital Commonwealth!


dostie cover

Formation: a Woman's Memoir of Stepping Out of Line, by Ryan Leigh Dostie

Formation tells the story of Dostie's experience growing up, joining the army, serving her tour overseas in the early 2000's and the PTSD she experienced afterwards and for years to come. A captivating book that will keep you turning the pages.

Recommended by Heidi, Reference Librarian


irby cover

We Are Never Meeting in Real Life, by Samantha Irby

Reading Irby is like listening to a good friend share her personal ordeals, with bold, usually self-deprecating, and always no-limits humor!

Recommended by Mary, Reference Librarian


women make movies

Women Make Movies, Volume 1: a Zine, by Alex Kittle and Pan + Scan Illustration

This zine features 15 inspiring women filmmakers throughout history, from Lois Weber to Ava DuVernay. Each entry includes an illustrated portrait, biography, a quote, and a list of notable films.

Recommended by Tim, Technology Librarian


sarton coverThe Education of Harriet Hatfield, by May Sarton

In late 1980s Somerville, Massachusetts, newly widowed Harriet Hatfield opens up a "women's bookstore" and is subsequently outed as a lesbian by a city newspaper interviewer, thereby beginning Harriet's "education."

Recommended by Jim, Head of Circulation


kindred coverKindred, by Octavia Butler

A twentieth-century black woman is repeatedly pulled back into America's brutal past to save the life of her slave-owning ancestor, because if he dies, she will never be born.

Recommended by Annie, Senior Substitute Librarian


ruby cover

Thirteen Doorways: Wolves Behind Them All, by Laura Ruby

It's historical fiction (which sounds dull to some), but it's also a ghost story, a girls' story, an all-kinds-of-love-and loss story (romantic love, familial relations, friendships, society's injustices towards girls & women), and if you read the epilogue, you'll learn it was inspired by the true story of the author's grandma in-law being sent to an orphanage during the depression.

Recommended by Meghan, Children's Librarian


screen queens cover

Screen Queensby Lori Goldstein

At a Silicon Valley app incubator camp -- where the prize is a highly-sought-after internship -- the first female-only team faces challenges that extend beyond building a winning app. 

Recommended by Karen, Generalist Librarian


dumpling dreams coverDumpling Dreams: How Joyce Chen Brought the Dumpling from Beijing to Cambridge, by Carrie Clickard

Biography of the iconic Joyce Chen, who made Chinese food popular in the greater Boston area.

Recommended by Alison, Interim Head of West Branch


night you were born coverOn the Night You Were Born, by Nancy Tillman

Celebrating the birth of a child while conveying the message to children that they are loved and that "You are the one and only ever you." 

Recommended by Brigid, Literacy and Volunteer Coordinator


louisiana's way home coverLouisiana's Way Home, by Kate DiCamillo

A wonderful story  about a girl overcoming a difficult situation and building lasting relationships. Well written! For readers of all ages!

Recommended by Annamarie, Children's Librarian


 

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