As we commemorate Women's History Month, it is an opportune time to delve into literature that pays homage to the indomitable spirit and enduring legacy of women throughout history.

Jeff Scott, Washoe County Library Director, spoke to KOLO 8 Book Club to recommend books in honor of Women's History Month. These books are about or written by women, delving into themes of women empowerment.

You Get What You Pay For by Morgan Parker

This Morgan Parker debut essay collection is hailed for its wit and profound insight into the cultural legacy of Black womanhood. Parker delves into themes of loneliness, mental health, and the challenges faced by Black women in a society not tailored to their needs.

Drawing from personal experiences and cultural insights, she explores America's historical treatment of Black Americans, tackling issues such as beauty norms, respectability politics, and the portrayal of figures like Serena Williams. Through poignant anecdotes and incisive analysis, Parker encourages readers to contemplate racial awareness and its impact on mental well-being in contemporary America.

Parker is renowned for her poetry. Speaking to Vogue, Parker shared that the process of writing poetry and essays intertwines closely. Many of the themes explored in her essays are ones she has previously delved into through poetry, leading to a seamless transition of ideas from verse to prose. Despite the differences in format, Parker approaches both forms of writing with a focus on language and lyrical expression.

Scott described the book as very relatable and introspective.

Parasol Against the Axe by Helen Oyeyemi

In this captivating novel, Prague becomes a character in itself, capable of both welcoming and challenging those who venture into its streets. Hero Tojosoa finds herself drawn to the city for a bachelorette weekend with her estranged friend Sofie, unaware of the city's penchant for mischief. As she reads a mysterious book that seems to alter its contents based on the reader and the moment, Hero encounters unexpected companions and confronts tensions from the past.

"Parasol Against the Axe" explores the blurred boundaries between reality and perception, questioning how much stories are shaped by their readers and vice versa. In a tale of friendship and conflict, the novel asks whether it is better to provide protection like a parasol or to confront challenges head-on like an axe.

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Speaking to The Guardian, Helen Oyeyemi shared that she wrote the novel after reading "Magic Prague" by Angelo Maria Ripellino and poems by Vítězslav Nezval. These works inspired her to add to the literary exploration of Prague. However, writing about Prague posed a challenge for her as the city resisted being defined or controlled by external narratives imposed upon it.

Oyeyemi approached the writing not to create a definitive portrait but rather to tell stories where Prague serves as a background. She was challenged by her rapid invention of seemingly factual details with a Borges-like conviction despite lacking a basis in reality.

Publisher Weekly described Oyeyemi's book as a 'metatextual masterpiece.'

Fearless Women by Elizabeth Cobbs

"Fearless Women" chronicles the struggle of women throughout American history who fought for their rights and freedoms. From the nation's inception, women faced legal and societal limitations, such as being legally subordinate to their husbands.

Despite these challenges, women like Abigail Adams advocated for change, urging their male counterparts to recognize women's rights. Women from various backgrounds and beliefs joined the struggle, advocating for rights like education, speaking publicly, and owning property.

Despite their varying levels of recognition, these women persisted in their quest for equality, facing opposition along the way. The book highlights the diversity of the women's movement, emphasizing its inclusive nature and the valuable contributions of women from diverse backgrounds.

In a conversation with Harvard University Press, Elizabeth Cobbs shared that the selection of women to be featured in the book was based on whose work was most transformative or whose life experiences reflected the significant challenges faced by American women during different periods. Each chapter presented a similar set of choices, balancing between well-known figures and those whose contributions were equally substantial but less recognized.

These three books are available in the Washoe County Library.

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