The fall season means new beginnings, and a slew of new books to keep you occupied when you need an escape. We’ve compiled a list either by or about entrepreneurial women that we hope will also energize and inspire you during these chaotic times.
From a new book about the little-known sister of Christian Dior to a dishy tell-all from television personality and journalist Katie Couric, these books show different sides of powerful women across generations. Keep reading to find out what you should be reading this season.
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Going There by Katie Couric
This memoir by the longtime journalist — and the 11-city tour across the country that will kick off its much-anticipated publication in October — takes readers through all the challenges Couric faced as she struggled to break into media, including rampant sexism and an eating disorder. She also gives a behind-the-scenes look at her rise to co-anchor of the Today Show and, later, CBS Evening News and 60 Minutes, where she covered some of the most important stories of our time. (On sale 10/26)
Unbound: My Story of Liberation and the Birth of the Me Too Movement by Tarana Burke
Activist Tarana Burke has always been focused on helping other women who have been survivors of sexual assault. Now, she is at the center of her own story in this autobiography, which traces her personal trials along with the broader #MeToo movement that she founded — and that toppled once-powerful men who got away with abusing their power for far too long. The Bronx-born advocate details her own account of shame as a young victim of abuse, and how she has now found her path through empowering other Black and Brown young women to speak up. (On sale now)
All In: An Autobiography by Billie Jean King
We can’t get enough of tennis legend King, and this new autobiography shows why: after a whopping 20 Wimbledon championships, 39 grand-slam titles and her groundbreaking defeat of Bobby Riggs in the “Battle of the Sexes” in 1973, the 77-year-old feminist and social justice activist remains a true icon. A fierce advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, King also dives into painful chapters in her personal life, including a closeted lesbian relationship that became the subject of a lawsuit. (On sale now)
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How to Be a Badass Female CEO: Slay the Competition and Reach the Top by founder of three companies and angel investor Mimi MacLean
If you’re looking for entrepreneurial advice, nonprofit founder and podcast host Mimi MacLean, who also invests in female-led companies, has a wealth of tips to share in her new book. The mother of five offers tips on how to succeed in male-dominated fields, secure funding and rise in the ranks to their own powerful positions. MacLean is not shy about her own failures as she started her own ventures around health, beauty and wellness, and she sprinkles in advice from the high-level women executives she interviews on her podcast, “The Badass CEO.” (On sale now)
Miss Dior: A Story of Courage and Couture by Justine Picardie
This nonfiction account, which is likely to entice fashionistas and admirers of trailblazing women alike, delves into the life of Catherine Dior, sister and muse of Christian Dior. While Dior is a household name thanks to his contributions to high couture, his sister was a Resistance fighter in occupied France before she was eventually captured by the Gestapo and sent to a concentration camp for women. This book offers a fascinating look at how she had a long-lasting influence on her brother and the House of Dior. (On sale 10/26)
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Windswept: Walking the Paths of Trailblazing Women by Annabel Abbs
This unusual blend of history and memoir traces the paths — literally — of female trailblazers who used walking as a way to connect with the world, and themselves. It follows the footsteps of women including painter Georgia O’Keeffe, through the plains of Texas and New Mexico; author Daphne du Maurier, along the River Rhône; and Simone de Beauvoir, who apparently walked as much as 25 miles a day through the mountains and forests of France. According to publisher Tin House Books, Abbs “discovers how [moving on foot] has helped women throughout history to find their voices, to reimagine their lives, and to break free from convention.” (On sale now)