Women's History Month Picks: Barbari's Literary Tributes to Female Authors

In honor of Women's History Month, the cherished Barbari team has compiled a selection of their preferred reads authored by women, celebrating the strength of womanhood. This extraordinary collection spans fiction, non-fiction, poetry, prose, and ancestral wisdom, influencing how we perceive and understand the world. Don't miss out—add these gems to your GoodReads list!

"Braiding Sweetgrass" by Robin Wall Kimmerer 

Recommended by: Valarie Sakota, Barbari Co-Founder 

This book explores the tension between the author's inherited Indigenous knowledge and the tools of her profession as an ecologist. The prose of her storytelling is perhaps best experienced in audiobook form, where you can hear Kimmerer deliver her revelations directly as spoken word. "Braiding Sweetgrass" beautifully emphasizes the importance of reciprocity with our natural world while giving the reader a sense of curiosity and gratitude.

"How Remarkable Women Lead: The Breakthrough Model for Work and Life" by Susie Cranston & Joanna Barsh

Recommended by: Geraldine Mae Cueva, Sales & Partnerships Powerhouse

A great book compiled of real stories from women in leadership roles. I appreciate this book because it gives insight into how our natural existence as women (nurturers, emotionally in tune, collaborative) is actually the foundation of strong leadership. I learned a lot from this book and recommend it to every woman I know for inspiration, motivation, and empowerment.

"I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" by Maya Angelou

Recommended by: Elizabeth Sidi, Email Strategist Guru

I would recommend this book for its lyrical prose and raw honesty, which not only illuminate Angelou's personal journey to self-acceptance but also offer a powerful testament to the strength of the human spirit in overcoming adversity.

"I'm Glad My Mom Died" by Jennette McCurdy

Recommended by: Margaret Harrington, Designer Extraordinaire 

This proved to be an incredibly enriching read, particularly resonant for those who, like myself, navigated difficult and complex parent-child relationships. Jennette is as articulate and clear-sighted in person as she is in her writing. I admire her handling of challenging subjects, employing a nuanced and ironically detached approach while uncovering humor within her darkest moments.

"The Skin and Its Girl: A Novel" by Sarah Cypher

Recommended by: Meryl Montgomery, Barbari Co-Founder 

The rich, prosaic writing of this storyteller hooked me from the first page. It's a modern-day folktale, the story of a queer Palestinian American woman exploring themes of sexual identity, exile, and lineage, unraveling the secrets of her great aunt in a poignant family saga. It demonstrates that even when we feel at our most alone or disconnected from ourselves, our ancestors, and our loves, our lives are like a patchwork quilt, blanketing us in connection through our most transitional times.