Books

12 Gifts For The Feminist Book-Lover In Your Life

by E. Ce Miller

I’m not going to lie: 2017 has been quite a year for feminists. There have been lows, some lower-lows, and even a handful of highs for those folks who believe women are — and have always been — equal to men (and should be treated as such: at home, at work, in Hollywood, on Capitol Hill, and beyond!) But fighting the good fight and staying true to the resistance isn’t always easy, which is why the holiday season is the perfect time to recognize all the amazing feminist powerhouses in your life. Perhaps with a few of these feminist holiday gifts, specially selected for those feminist book-lovers you know and love.

It’s definitely been a banner year for feminist books, with new titles from authors like Roxane Gay, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Rebecca Solnit, Jessica Valenti, and others making their way onto must-read lists. But feminist books aren’t the only gifts the feminist book lover in your life will love. There are tons of book-inspired feminist goodies — from totes to tees — that make great gifts this holiday season. Some of them even give back to bookish, feminist causes too!

Check out these 12 feminist gift ideas for people who love to read — and resist! And repeat.

"#Read & Resist" Resistance T-Shirt by Muse Monthly

"#Read & Resist" Resistance T-Shirt, $20, Muse Monthly

As your feminist book-lover already knows, 2017 has been a year all about reading and resisting, reading while resisting, and reading as resisting — which is why she’ll totally love Muse Monthly’s “Read & Resist” Resistance t-shirt. Plus, Muse Monthly is a company that is all about getting more books into the hands of readers. Definitely a cause she'll be glad to sport on her tee.

The Book Hookup: Feminist Literature Subscription

The Book Hookup: Feminist Literature Subscription, $200 per year, Strand Books

I’ll confess: this is a gift I already bought myself this year. (I just couldn’t wait!) From one of the United States’ most iconic bookstores (Stand Books, of course) comes The Book Hookup: Feminist Literature Strand Subscription — a quarterly subscription box that includes a recently released first edition of a new feminist title signed by the author, plus all kinds of goodies from Strand and its partners. I’m obsessed. (Your feminist friend will be too.)

'The Grown-Ass Women's Club Journal' by Meredith Haggerty

'The Grown-Ass Women's Club Journal' by Meredith Haggerty, $12, Amazon

Perfect for the feminist former-Girl Scout, this fun and funny journal is all about affirming YOU — something that we gals definitely do a whole lot less often than we should. The Grown-Ass Women's Club Journal by Meredith Haggerty has plenty of room for regular journaling, doodling, celebrating your achievements and… oh yeah… you get to earn badges for being super cool too.

‘Dear Ijeawele, or A Feminist Manifesto in Fifteen Suggestions' by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

‘Dear Ijeawele, or A Feminist Manifesto in Fifteen Suggestions' by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, $12, Amazon

One of my favorite feminist titles of the year is the slim and straightforward Dear Ijeawele, or A Feminist Manifesto in Fifteen Suggestions by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. Inspired by a letter the author wrote to her friend on how to raise a feminist daughter, Dear Ijeawele reads like a to-do list for not only feminist mothers, but all feminist women. And, it’ll fit in your pal’s purse or pocket, for those moments when she might need a little extra support and encouragement.

"And Still I Rise" T-Shirt by Out of Print

"And Still I Rise" T-Shirt, $28, Out of Print

Maya Angelou’s iconic poem, Still I Rise, went viral this year — with women turning to it again and again every time the headlines made us queasy. From Out of Print, this smart and sassy t-shirt celebrating Angelou’s verse will not only bring a smile to your feminist bestie’s face, she’ll also be thrilled to know that every purchase helps provide a book to a community in need.

Jane Austen: The Complete Works Classics Hardcover Boxed Set

Jane Austen: The Complete Works Classics Hardcover Boxed Set, $108, Amazon

Other than the fact that Jane Austen was a complete literary badass, a woman writer ahead of her time, and someone who transformed the lives of women on the pages of her novels, these editions, from Penguin Random House, are JUST GORGEOUS. Ultimate book luxury.

Virginia Woolf Quote Notebook by Obvious State

Virginia Woolf Quote Notebook, $6, Obvious State

Printed with Virginia Woolf’s iconic quote: “There is no denying the wild horse in us", this notebook makes a perfect feminist gift or stocking-stuffer. It’s also responsibly sourced, using 100% recycled USA paper and vegetable dye inks. (Plus, check out that sassy horse in her hair.)

Banned Books Literary Scarf

Banned Books Literary Scarf, $32, Uncommon Goods

If there’s one thing I know that radical, resisting readers love, it’s banned books. Which is why this Banned Books Scarf Literary Scarf, sold by some fabulous makers on Uncommon Goods and featuring titles like To Kill A Mockingbird, Farewell To Arms, and Nineteen Eighty-Four, will make a fabulous — and stylin’ — gift for any feminist in your life.

‘200 Women Who Will Change The Way You See The World’ by Kieran Scott

‘200 Women Who Will Change The Way You See The World’ by Kieran Scott, $38, Amazon

Part coffee table book, part tome to feminist leaders, 200 Women Who Will Change The Way You See The World by photographer Kieran Scott features interviews and photographs of 200 women making change around the world: including Jane Goodall, Roxane Gay, Margaret Atwood, Alicia Garza, Dolores Huerta, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, and hundreds more.

VIDA: Women In The Literary Arts T-Shirt

VIDA: Women In The Literary Arts T-Shirt, $26, VIDA

A gift that keeps on giving, the VIDA: Women In Literary arts t-shirt not only lets your bestie showcase her support of equal opportunity in publishing, your purchase of her gift also directly supports VIDA’s efforts towards gender parity in the literary landscape and amplifying historically-marginalized voices. Can’t beat that.

"Well-Read Woman" Book Tote

"Well-Read Woman" Book Tote, $20, Strand Books

Available in black and cream, Studio Strand’s “Well Read Woman” tote bag is a fun and feminist way for any book-loving feminist to carry their must-reads around in style. Plus, she’ll love that her gift comes from one of the coolest bookstores around. (Studio Strand features the quote on other merchandise too, if totes aren’t her thing!)

'The H-Spot: The Feminist Pursuit of Happiness' by Jill Filipovic

'The H-Spot: The Feminist Pursuit of Happiness' by Jill Filipovic, $17, Amazon

One last 2017 title to consider adding to your favorite feminist's TBR pile this holiday season is Jill Filipovic's The H-Spot: The Feminist Pursuit of Happiness — an exploration into the ways happiness is shaped by the constraints of gender and a book that makes a strong (and empowering!) case for the prioritizing of women’s happiness: on the personal and the political level.