9 Books to Empower & Inspire You This Spring
The first green shoots of the season inspire me. Those plants persevere through the long winter until the earth warms enough to venture forth. I find myself embracing renewal and growth.
I’ve asked my team to share books by women that have inspired them—stories that spark reflection, healing, and change. I hope these titles help you cultivate resilience, kindness, and commitment to a chaotic world that needs deep healing.
Shake loose expectations to live in your truth.
If you’re feeling stuck, check out these powerful reads about navigating expectations and being yourself in a world that may tell you to sit down and be quiet.
They Called Us Exceptional: And Other Lies That Raised Us
By Prachi Gupta
This book hit close to home for me. As a first-generation South Asian woman, I know the unspoken pressure to succeed, to belong, to keep up the appearance of having it all together—no matter the personal cost. Gupta’s raw honesty about the struggles within immigrant families is both heartbreaking and comforting.
This book is a must-read for anyone who has ever felt stuck between two worlds, trying to figure out how to be themselves while meeting others’ expectations.
Recommended by Avanti.
Stop Waiting for Perfect: Step Out of Your Comfort Zone and Into Your Power
By L’Oreal Thompson Payton
I love supporting local stores whenever I can. I stumbled upon this Chicago-based author and the title of this book spoke to me! I have all of these great ideas and goals, but I hold myself back. "You don't know what you're doing" or "It's a waste of time" are thoughts I have when I think about doing something big or out of my routine to support my dreams.
The author really brings it home with her truth while incorporating her own experience. I applaud her for being real, and it's REALLY refreshing to hear someone say the things we've all been thinking about!
Recommended by Jackie.
Year of Yes: How to Dance It Out, Stand In the Sun and Be Your Own
By Shonda Rhimes
I absolutely loved this book Her honesty, humor, and vulnerability made me feel like I was having a conversation with a friend—one who just happens to be a powerhouse storyteller. I resonated so much with her journey of stepping out of her comfort zone and saying yes to things that scared her, challenged her, and ultimately changed her. After a year of breast cancer treatment, this message hit even deeper for me. It’s a powerful reminder that growth and joy come when we embrace the unknown, and I walked away feeling inspired to say yes to myself in a whole new way.
Recommended by Avanti.
Let fiction inspire you and lift your spirits.
If you need a break from the present day, try one of these reads to give you a different perspective. From historical fiction about a woman in 15th-century China to fantasies with whimsy or swordplay, you’ll be rooting for the characters in these books.
Lady Tan’s Circle of Women
by Lisa See
I was completely drawn into Lady Tan’s Circle of Women—a story centered around a woman physician in 15th-century China. I loved reading about Tan Yunxian’s journey, from learning the art of healing to navigating the constraints placed on women of her time. Her resilience, intelligence, and dedication to caring for other women felt both inspiring and deeply relatable.
Lisa See brings her story to life with such rich historical detail, reminding us that women in medicine have always had to fight for their place—and that their impact endures centuries later.
Recommended by Avanti.
Howl’s Moving Castle
by Diana Wynne Jones
I recently recommended the movie version of this story, but the book is just as magical! Howl’s Moving Castle follows Sophie Hatter, who accidentally angers the Witch of the Waste and gets cursed into an old woman. To break the spell, she seeks out Howl, a powerful (and very dramatic) wizard who’s rumored to be heartless. But as Sophie gets to know him, she realizes there’s more to Howl—and her own magic—than she ever expected.
The adventure, humor, and unexpected love story make this such a fun read. If you enjoy fantasy with strong characters and a bit of chaos, this book is for you!
Recommended by Jackie.
Protector of the Small Series
by Tamora Pierce
I return to Tamora Pierce's books again and again. This series features one of my favorite characters–Keladry of Mindelan. She faces discrimination as the only girl trying for her knighthood. Her grit, determination, and heart continue to inspire me. The cover is intense, but there’s a lot of laughter and joy in these books.
If you like multiple series set in a universe, there’s plenty here! The young protagonist of an earlier series, Alanna, appears in Keladry’s books in her later years. I love seeing characters in this universe age naturally.
Even if you’re wary of teen fiction, I recommend these!
Recommended by Ruth.
Shift your way of thinking.
Our brains get stuck in the same patterns of thinking. Try on these different perspectives about food, nature, and the changing world around us to renew your sense of resilience and possibility.
Emergent Strategy: Shaping Change, Changing Worlds
by adrienne maree brown
This is hands down the most inspiring book I've read about co-creating a better future in a constantly changing world. adrienne maree brown writes from a queer, deeply feminist perspective. Her work is informed by practical experience organizing and facilitating change, making it grounded in reality rather than wishful thinking.
If you’re feeling unmoored by current times and wondering how activists keep the faith, I want to put this book directly in your hands.
Recommended by Ruth.
This is Your Brain On Food: An Indispensable Guide to the Surprising Foods that Fight Depression, Anxiety, PTSD, OCD, ADHD, and More
by Uma Naidoo, MD
I have been gravitating towards self-help books recently, so I wanted to try this book from Uma Naidoo, MD that explains the relationships between food and the brain. She covers topics from anxiety to insomnia and even offers some delicious recipes to incorporate into your daily life to combat mental health symptoms. She weaves cooking and science so beautifully in a way that is easy for the reader to understand!
You don't even need to read the book entirely, you can skip to the sections that pertain to you the most. For me, it was anxiety, ADHD, OCD, and fatigue.
Recommended by Jackie
Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants
by Robin Wall Kimmerer
Rarely have I read a book so full of beauty, clarity, and gentle invitation to being part of the world. Kimmerer is an enrolled member of the Citizen Potowatomi Nation and a botanist. She shares how she navigates the indigenous wisdom of plants with her scientific training in a series of compelling essays.
I read this book during a difficult year in my life. It greatly inspired me. The message and Kimmerer’s voice narrating the audiobook were potent salves with impacts that still ripple through my life.
Recommended by Ruth.
Each of these titles—shared by the women on my team—offers a powerful reminder that we’re not alone in our questions, our struggles, or our growth. I hope one of these books will inspire you to breathe in spring’s renewing energy.
Be well,
Avanti Kumar-Singh, MD
