Books are a great way to find stories that inspire new ideas and lessons that can be applied in real life. Successful entrepreneurs know this and take advantage of it. The enterprising woman also has books that tell stories that deal with the particular vicissitudes of the female gender.
It is not that these texts “be only for women”. In fact, anyone can read them and learn from them. But the following list has stories that can particularly captivate female entrepreneurs.
Some titles might seem strange to you, but they all have lessons that you can take advantage of.
11 books for the entrepreneurial woman
The following books tell compelling stories of women who have led or faced the toughest global and personal conflicts.
As a note, if the title is written in Spanish, the text is available in this language.
one. With own lightby Michelle Obama
In this book, the former first lady of the United States gives practical advice to face the volatile world in which we live.
Why we like it: Are you a leading female entrepreneur and want to help your team stay hopeful? Nothing better than the tips of a highly intelligent woman who was at the pinnacle of power in the world’s greatest power.
2. The Queen: Her Lifeby Andrew Morton
Elizabeth was not meant to be queen. Hers her uncle Edward VIII hers renounced the crown and set her on the path to seize the reins of a great empire. She supported her father in World War II and was crowned when she was just 25 years old. This is her story.
Because we like it: Elizabeth II’s life is exciting. She was the longest-reigning person in England and during the 70 years of her service she faced scandal and the disillusionment of much of the British Empire. A must-read for the modern female entrepreneur.
3. Agent Josephine: American Beauty, French Hero, British Spyby Damien Lewis
Josephine Baker was one of the biggest stars of silent movies and television. Belle Epoque. But she was much more than a singer in a “banana skirt”: Josephine was an Allied spy in Nazi-occupied France.
Because we like it: It shows that no one can be defined by just one facet of their history or personality. Baker went down in history as one of Hollywood’s first big stars, but during World War II she was a nurse and a spy who helped save thousands of lives.
Four. What My Bones Know: A Memoir of Healing from Complex Traumaby Stephanie Foo
The author, the journalist Stephanie Foo, investigates what is behind the traumas and the post-traumatic stress that they generate. It was one of the best-selling books of 2022 for the very personal way in which the possibility of healing is discussed.
Because we like it: If you have a past that haunts you or from which you want to recover, this book is for you. Foo not only narrates how her parents abandoned her when she was a teenager after years of abuse, but also how she has been on her way to find peace and understand how trauma affects entire families.
5. Making Space for Women: Stories from Trailblazing Women of NASA’s Johnson Space Centerby Jennifer M. Ross-Nazzal
Many debate whether the space race was won by the United States or the Soviet Union, but few stop to think that the conquest of the last frontier would have been impossible without women. This book tells the stories of the scientists who gave us the stars.
Because we like it: This text doesn’t just talk about how women helped NASA in the space race. It also points out all the sociocultural changes that they had to live in the 60s and 70s. The book shows that there are no limits for the enterprising woman who decides to pursue opportunities.
6. Newsroom Confidential: Lessons (and Worries) from an Ink-Stained Lifeby Margaret Sullivan
Have you ever stood up to a sexist industry that claims it’s no place for women like you? This book is for you. Sullivan tells how she had to make her way into the legendary New York Times as the first female public editor of the mythical newspaper.
Because we like it: I am a journalist, but I believe that this story can be very close to any woman who has felt that she must work twice as hard to be recognized for half as much. It’s a shrewd look at how women make their way into spaces where they aren’t necessarily ready to receive them.
7. Sisters of Night and Fog: A WWII Novelby Erika Robuck
As you can see, WWII stories are my passion. This novel by Erika Robuck tells the story of two women who couldn’t be more different than, due to different circumstances, they must defend their countries from a nightmare enemy.
Because we like it: The adventures and misadventures of Virginia and Violette (the protagonists) show the resilience that women have, not only when they fight in the resistance, but also when they have to survive in the Ravensbrück concentration camp.
8. Pride and Prejudiceby Jane Austen
It is one of the most recognized novels in history. Jane Austen does a wonderful analysis of the importance of not assuming things and not allowing pride to cloud our vision.
Because I like: It is a classic love story with great lessons about vanity and the importance of defeating our main enemy: ourselves. If you tend to self-sabotage, this book is a must.
9. Flor del Desierto: Its story has moved millionsby Waris Dirie
Being very honest, this story is not for everyone. the life of the supermodel Waris Dirie will shake you and make you feel angry. The author narrates how she was subjected to genital mutilation when she was just a child and how in the midst of all the physical and emotional pain she had to literally rebuild herself.
Because I like: If you want a book that makes you feel and inspires you to face the world, Waris Dirie’s autobiography will fill you with a deep sadness for what other women still live and with enormous strength for the ability of our gender to recover from any tragedy. .
10. I am malalaby Malala Yousafzai
On October 9, 2012, a young woman was shot by the Taliban for “daring” to go to school. This is the story of how Malala Yousafzai became the youngest ever nominee for the Nobel Peace Prize.
Because I like: Malala is a tireless fighter for the educational rights of women around the world. A battle that almost cost him his life. This book shows why we cannot sit idly by when society attacks the weakest.
eleven. I’m glad my mother diedby Janet McCurdy
These are the memoirs of Jannet McCurdy, a young Nickelodeon star who was abused by television producers when she was just a child and a mother who used her to fulfill her own dreams. The author recounts how her mother’s actions left lasting psychological scars on her entire family and how she has worked to come to terms with her past.
Because I like: This book was a best-seller in 2022, not only because of the morbidity caused by the gossip about what happened on Nickelodeon’s star shows in the 2000s, but also because Jennet McCurdy’s story is full of black humor and candidness about the maternal abuse that she experienced for years. He’s pretty good at discovering the importance of independence and little independences like being able to wash your own hair.
March Violante Martha Elena Violante (March Violante) is editor-in-chief and co-founder of Emprendedor.com and has a 10+ year career in digital journalism. She has interviewed figures such as Randi Zuckerberg, Daniele Lamarre, Zoe Saldana, among others. She has worked in media such as Entrepreneur in Spanish and English, Alto Nivel, Cine PREMIERE, México Desconocido, among others. “We are entrepreneur.com”