5 Feminist Tomes From The 2020s To Add To Your Book Club Reading List

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There's a rich canon of feminist literature, with readable nonfiction picks like "Feminism is for Everyone" by Bell Hooks and beloved modern classics like Margaret Atwood's "The Handmaid's Tale," offering up great titles for your book club's TBR. But for bibliophiles who enjoy more modern picks, the 2020s have seen a host of compelling releases that explore feminist themes. Whether these books confront pressing issues with empathy and research, or speak to shared experiences with exposing prose, there are a few requirements for making them book club-ready. 

The criteria for a great group read vary from group to group, but ultimately, these picks should serve as catalysts for rich discussion and reflection. In this way, books should include poignant themes, complicated characters, or even ambiguity that leaves itself open to interpretation. Lastly, there are some mistakes to avoid when making a book club selection, and some practical things to consider, like accessibility and length. Given that feminist issues can be dark and often triggering, reader discretion is also recommended.

First up, "The Bandit Queens" by Parini Shroff is a 2023 release that blends feminist themes with a generous helping of dark humor. In the novel, Geeta becomes the pariah of her small Indian village after the disappearance of her husband, with many townspeople believing she actually killed him. While this reputation comes with some unexpected perks, the jewelry maker soon finds herself involved in a series of misadventures when other women begin requesting her supposed widow-making services.

The Goodreads Choice Awards nominee, which has a 3.92-star rating on Goodreads, received praise for exploring feminist themes of domestic violence, patriarchal oppression, and motherhood, balanced with plenty of hijinks and hilarious dialogue. "I think what's impressive about this book is that it is able to give space to those issues and those dark things, but it also tells us a really fun and cozy mystery," bookish creator thisstoryaintover said in a YouTube short, recommending the title for fans of "Dial A For Aunties" by Jesse Q. Sutanto. "The Bandit Queens" has been shelved under the "book-club" tag on Goodreads nearly 500 times, which is a promising sign that it will provide plenty of prompts for group discussion.

Kate Elizabeth Russell's "My Dark Vanessa" is another book club-ready, feminist read with dark, thought-provoking themes. Alternating between two timelines, the 2020 title traces the relationship between a bright teenager, Vanessa Wye, and her manipulative teacher, Jacob Strane, alongside the fall-out that occurs when a former student accuses him of abuse in the present. With these events, Vanessa is forced to confront her perception of her adolescence and the man she viewed as her transformative first love.

Maintaining an average rating of 4.10 stars on Goodreads, "My Dark Vanessa" is noted as being tightly, beautifully written while undertaking very heavy, culturally-relevant issues of abuse, victimhood, and trauma. "I feel like it very much takes a different approach to a lot of modern conversations around sexual assault and especially grooming," said YouTuber A Clockwork Reader. "At the same time, I think it also dismantles a lot of beliefs and stereotypes that people have about people who experience this type of trauma."

I can personally speak to the challenging, upsetting nature of this book, as it includes depictions of CSA and grooming, while deftly exploring these important topics. While it's not necessarily something that everyone should pick up, it has the potential for plenty of discussion for those who do.

Next, "If I Had Your Face" by Frances Cha is a novel centered on beauty standards, envy, and social ranking, and envy in South Korea. Set in Seoul's Gangnam District, the 2020 release follows four women enmeshed in the city's nightlife: Ara, a hairstylist obsessed with a K-Pop idol, Kyuri a "room salon" worker who's achieved an exclusive status after undergoing many cosmetic procedures, Miho, an artist caught up in a romance with a wealthy man, and Wonna, a pregnant woman facing economic uncertainty.

The Goodreads Choice Awards nominee holds a 3.74-star rating on the platform at the time of writing, and its focus on the obstacles and social pressures faced by the novel's central women allows for a thought-provoking book club discussion. Deemed as being both a slice-of-life story and compulsively readable, the title is also praised for being an immersive look into a distinct culture. Seoul-based content creator, Cari Cakes, talked about how accurately the novel depicted the Gangnam District while providing a compelling lens into the city's nightlife.

"The certain details that she pointed out, like certain shops ... [the author] must have set up camp like at my intersection and written this book," she said in a recommendation video. "It was so interesting and accurate, and it was just really a world that I have never had access to." So, for those looking for a book club pick with feminist themes and plenty of rich cultural experiences, "If I Had Your Face" is definitely one to add to the reading list.

While fiction can explore women's issues in a very powerful way, nonfiction offers its own share of book club-worthy selections, too. "Hood Feminism: Notes from the Women That a Movement Forgot" by Mikki Kendall is a 2020 release that offers an inclusive, modern entry point into the genre. Underlining how mainstream feminism neglects socioeconomic issues like food insecurity and healthcare access, this collection of essays argues for the necessity of an intersectional approach to women's rights. 

Readers and reviewers highlight how Kendall pairs feminist critiques with her personal experience, making the collection an accessible entry-point into conversations about intersectional feminism. While the Goodreads Choice Awards nominee has a 4.36 average rating on the website, its challenging topics and direct tone mean that it's not necessarily a breezy read. Most of all, "Hood Feminism" is noted as being essential to those who identify as feminist. 

"Like a lot of non-fiction books that discuss race, this isn't an easy read," user BookishRealm wrote on Goodreads. "It will make a lot of individuals feel uncomfortable BUT that's the purpose. These are the conversations that need to happen." With all this in mind, this feminist tome promises to be a discussion-generating book club selection.

Next, "You or Someone You Love: Reflections from an Abortion Doula" by Hannah Matthews is among the books about the complicated history of reproductive rights. The 2023 release provides a compassionate and comprehensive exploration into abortion care, combining the author's experience as a doula, abortion care worker, and reproductive rights advocate with intersectionality. Ultimately, the social justice memoir outlines how readers can effectively support abortion care and the array of individuals seeking abortion services.

In addition to its 4.36-star rating on Goodreads, "You or Someone You Love" has been recognized by outlets like NPR, Glamour, and theSkimm. Readers mark the title's inclusivity as an essential component, as it examines reproductive rights through racial, sexual, and disability-based lenses. Overall, the loving and compassionate approach to abortion access is marked as a true standout.

"Compassion and empathy. These two words were at the top of my mind as I read this," author Leigh Kramer wrote on Goodreads. "It's beautifully written and does a great job of examining the complexities and where things could improve." With the impact that Roe v. Wade's overturning has had on reproductive rights, such a poignant and compassionate exploration of abortion access makes for a meaningful book club selection.

This list of reads was curated with both feminist themes and book club potential in mind. So, while each title speaks to women's rights issues or centers around different feminine experiences, books were also selected for their potential to generate reading group discussion. Goodreads tags, specifically the "book-club" and "feminist" tags, were used alongside Goodreads entries, published reviews, and YouTube videos to identify such selections. Personal experience with certain titles was also taken into consideration.