Women's History Month at the Library

Reading lists

We've collated these resource collections of fiction, non-fiction, films, and documentaries about women's history. Our lists have a mixture of digital and physical resources. Read and watch online or visit us to borrow physical items. Delve in to discover your new favourite book or film, and find out more about women's history.

Women's history resources

Book giveaways

Our book giveaway will run during March on our social media channels. You can find out when we're giving books away by viewing the Women's History Month events on the events diary. To be in with a chance of getting one, follow us on Instagram @uwelibrary, we will post clues about where books are hidden on our Instagram stories.

2023 book giveaway titles

• Women don't owe you pretty by Florence Given
Florence Givens barrier shattering debut discussing such topics as insecurity projection, finding comfort in other women's flaws, and the harmful implications of the male gaze and how to rebel against it!
• Zami: A new spelling of my name by Audre Lorde
This is a thought-provoking coming-of-age memoir set in the 1950s that explores the author's experiences as a Black lesbian woman. A story of feminism, queerness and race that keeps unfolding page after page is waiting for you in this fast-moving chronicle by Audre Lorde.
• The radium girls by Kate Moore
A harrowing true story depicting what happens when unregulated businesses collide with an era defined by misogyny. Where hundreds of women endlessly toil just to put food on the table, fabricating the newest craze, radium-dial watches.
• Kim Jiyoung, born 1982 by Cho Nam-Joo
The catalyst for Korea’s new feminist movement, international bestseller ‘Kim Jiyoung, born 1982’ portrays the psychic deterioration that rigid misogyny can cause. It is a powerful commentary on gender inequality and the expectations placed on women; a must-read for anyone interested in women's rights and the ongoing fight for gender equality.
• Circe by Madeline Miller
Madeline Miller's second breath-taking mythological retelling which follows Circe, daughter of Helios god of the sun and Perse a captivating sea nymph. However, Circe isn’t like other gods. Although heir to tremendous power and beauty she inherits neither. As such she remains trapped between the realms of gods and men.
• When we had wings by Ariel Lawhon, Kristina McMorris and Susan Meissner
Written by three bestselling authors, this true-story-inspired novel When we had wings is a story of freedom and survival. It is a gripping and emotional book that explores the lives of three women during the civil rights era. Told from different perspectives, the story follows the journey of a young African American woman, a white civil rights advocate and a mother who is forced to confront the prejudices of her past.
• Her body and other parties by Carmen Maria Machado
Carmen Maria Machado genre bending, mind warping portrayal of the realities of the lives of women and the violence that far they too frequently face.
• The immortal life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot
This book tells the story of a woman whose cells were taken without her knowledge and used for scientific research. Intimate in feeling, astonishing in scope, and impossible to put down, The immortal life of Henrietta Lacks captures the beauty and drama of scientific discovery, as well as its human consequences.

Social media celebration

Join us on our social media accounts as we celebrate women's history, achievement and culture.

• Twitter @UWELibrary
• Instagram @uwelibrary