5 Gloria Steinem Books Every Woman Needs On Her TBR

We may receive a commission on purchases made from links.

Just a few weeks after the world said goodbye to country music legend Dolly Parton, another giant of modern history, Gloria Steinem, passed away on September 2, 2026. The journalist and social activist dedicated her life to dismantling systemic inequality and redefining modern feminism. Over the years, the iconic feminist also wrote 11 books that spanned several genres, and there are more than a few that deserve to be on your TBR.

As the creator of the very first feminist magazine, Ms. magazine in the '70s, Steinem built a career around sharing her own truths all while creating space for others to be heard. "Writing is the only thing that, when I do it, I don't feel I should be doing something else," she famously said. That singular focus was her superpower. For the activist, writing was never just a job, but a sanctuary, an organizing tool, and a way of making sense of a world she was actively trying to improve. In 2013, then-President Barack Obama awarded Steinem the Presidential Medal of Freedom and said (via YouTube), "Because of her work, across America and around the world, more women are afforded the respect and opportunities that they deserve." 

From investigative journalism and sharp cultural critiques to deeply personal memoirs, Steinem has built a body of work that will forever serve as an active message of empowerment and a playbook that proves it's always worth fighting for change. So, it's time to pick up a book, turn the page, and dive into her remarkable and inspiring words. 

Perhaps Gloria Steinem's most well-known book, "Outrageous Acts and Everyday Rebellions," which was published in the early '80s is the definitive introduction to her sharp journalistic lens and foundational feminist philosophy. In an updated release of the book, Emma Watson, whose book club's best picks are feminist staples, wrote the foreword. She said Steinem "makes what otherwise can be arduous and depressing reading into something not only relatable, but also enjoyable." 

Watson is right. The feminist icon's prose has a gift for making complex theories, whether political or social, feel like having an intimate conversation with a friend over coffee. The book is a collection of almost 30 essays, investigative pieces, and speeches that span two decades of Steinem's career. Underneath it all, the book explores how systemic sexism operates in all corners of life. Whether it's in politics or subtle moments of our day-to-day routines, it's absolutely present, and Steinem hopes readers will spot it, challenge it, and change it. 

While readers have noted that some of the essays feel a bit dated, many state the philosophy behind them remains relevant as ever. A 5-star Goodreads reviewer in 2012 wrote, "Many of the essays in here were written in the 70s, 80s, and 90s, so inevitably a few topics seem outdated or less urgent. But, unfortunately, so much of this book remains both relevant and revelatory." 

Although Gloria Steinem is best known for her socio-political organizing, the woman had a true gift with words, and her '90s bestseller, "Revolution from Within: A Book of Self-Esteem," proves just how pensive and perceptive her writing could be when she turned her lens inward. Steinem delivered one of the most empowering celeb quotes that will leave people inspired. Her famous line, "Without leaps of imagination, or dreaming, we lose the excitement of possibilities. Dreaming, after all, is a form of planning," originates from this exact book. 

Although the book initially raised eyebrows among critics, Steinem quickly proved that one's inner self and external career, influence, and power are inextricably linked. The legendary activist blends her own candid reflections on burnout and imposter syndrome with historical analysis and interviews to prove that self-worth is the most important factor for change and the foundation to a society making progress. The book serves as a wake-up call and a timeless reminder that low self-esteem is what keeps systemic inequality going. 

Rest assured, this self-help book isn't just for feminists or political scholars. It's a must-read for anyone who has ever questioned their self-worth or felt limited by the unrealistic expectations society places on them. There were so many reviewers who hoped their review would encourage others to read this book earlier in life. One Amazon reviewer even said, "Only if I [had] read this book 20 years earlier! I would have achieved [a] million times more with my life." 

There's always a starting point to life. A childhood will quietly shape who we become, setting the trajectory for every belief, ambition, and path chosen later in life. Gloria Steinem's 2015 memoir, "My Life on the Road," tells the story of a girl who followed her nomadic parents across the country in the backseat of a trailer and then spent her young adult years caring for her mentally ill mother. These experiences would lay the foundation for a lifetime of movement, organizing, observation, and deep listening. 

Our writer read this book after a friend recommended it to her, and she recalls one particular passage that made Steinem's memoir an unforgettable one. "You're always the person you were when you were born...You just keep finding new ways to express it," Steinem wrote. That single observation captures the essence of the entire memoir. There's no lofty pedestal or hint of a big ego in which she acts as if her success is entirely her own. Steinem centers the everyday people who shaped her ever-evolving worldview. 

A 5-star Goodreads reviewer said the book made them "want to hit the road myself in the hope that I could have even a fraction of [Steinem's] experiences." Another reviewer wrote, "The understated prose may make this seem like a light volume of reminiscences, but it demonstrates her main point: you have to listen." 

"The Truth Will Set You Free, But First It Will Piss You Off!" is another great starter book from Gloria Steinem. It's a collection of quotes, essays, and personal anecdotes, which makes it an easy yet thought-provoking read. The book shares her sharp wit, enduring wisdom, and insight into her decades-long unapologetic activism. Despite her experiences and knowledge, Steinem writes without a trace of condescension. She makes things relatable by grounding complex political theories in the most human experiences. 

This is another work of Steinem that many readers hope young readers, especially young women, will read sooner rather than later. An Amazon reviewer gave the book five stars, noting, "Every woman needs to read at an early age!!! Don't wait and find out the hard way [through] experience. Read and be prepared." Another 5-star reviewer said, "Steinem calls it like she sees it, and it isn't always pretty. Some funny, some sad, some just plain scary. She never fails to be interesting." 

The quotes in the book span a lifetime of work and are categorized into thoughtfully curated themes like relationships, aging, and authenticity. Throughout the book, there's an emphasis on humor and how it can serve as a weapon for your personal life and in politics. 

Gloria Steinem was always years ahead, and her 1982 nonfiction, "In Praise of Women's Bodies" is solid proof. Long before body positivity became a movement and brands began hitting back at retouching and embraced inclusivity when hiring models, Steinem was already dissecting how culture, whether intentional or not, likes to police women's outer appearances. Originally an essay and later expanded into this 9-page book, Steinem takes readers on a deep dive into the toxic relationship between unrealistic societal standards and female body image. 

Yes, you read that right. The mini book is a short nine pages, which you could honestly read while sipping an iced latte at your favorite coffee shop. Through Steinem's observations, the feminist activist hoped women would understand and embrace that true liberation begins when you stop viewing your body through the male gaze and start honoring it as your own sacred home. 

A Goodreads reviewer gave the book five stars and said, "Steinem uses a short essay to say a big deal. We still have far to go to forget useless lessons drilled into us that nudity is shameful, that other women are competition, and that our value lies in how much our bodies perform as ornaments for consumption." That is precisely what makes this short read so enduringly powerful. 

To create the quintessential Gloria Steinem reading list, we felt it was important to highlight the full spectrum of her voice and everything she stood for. Whether that was her feminist beliefs, her deep commitment to change, or her innate ability to find humor and humanity in the fight for being treated as an equal. While we included bestsellers, we also selected works published across decades that we felt will forever have lasting cultural impact. 

Each book offers a distinct lens into her life, her philosophy, and her storytelling that will inspire readers to live with courage, intention, and, most of all, empathetic listening. Whenever you're feeling disconnected from or overwhelmed by the world, these Gloria Steinem books will serve as a grounding reminder that progress doesn't have to be big. It's the everyday conversations, shared stories, and empathy that make a worthy difference in life.