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Nonfiction Books for Women:
Gender, Science, and Inequality
A powerful selection of nonfiction women empowerment books that challenge stereotypes, uncover biases, and explore the science behind gender differences in brain structure and function. From sexual differences in the brain to the gender gap in science and gender inequality in social science, these books offer eye-opening insights into how gender shapes our world. Whether you're passionate about breaking barriers or understanding the hidden biases in research, these thought-provoking reads are a must for anyone seeking knowledge and empowerment.
#1 Book Recommendation
In The Vagina Bible, Dr. Jen Gunter sets out to do what the internet often fails at—providing accurate, science-backed information about vaginal and vulvar health. With a clear, engaging, and often humorous voice, Gunter debunks myths, exposes misinformation, and answers the questions many are too afraid to ask. From hygiene and menopause to the latest wellness trends (goodbye, jade eggs!), this book is a comprehensive guide designed to educate and empower readers.
Dr. Jen Gunter is a Canadian OB/GYN, bestselling author, and one of the most trusted voices in women’s health today. Known for her sharp wit and evidence-based approach, she has become a go-to expert for debunking medical misinformation, particularly when it comes to reproductive health. A New York Times columnist and frequent social media myth-buster, Gunter uses her expertise to challenge the pseudoscience that often misleads women.
A Must-Read for Anyone with a Vagina (or Who Cares About Someone Who Has One)
What makes The Vagina Bible stand out is its refreshing honesty and accessibility. Gunter writes with the perfect balance of scientific rigor and everyday relatability, making complex medical topics easy to understand. She tackles everything from STIs and vaginal microbiomes to whether thongs are actually bad for you (spoiler: it depends).
In an era where wellness trends often blur the line between fact and fiction, this book is a necessary and empowering resource. Whether you’re navigating puberty, pregnancy, menopause, or simply looking for reliable information, The Vagina Bible is an essential read—one that challenges myths, encourages self-knowledge, and reminds readers that when it comes to health, knowledge is power.
Understand the female reproductive system
The Vagina Bible
Jen Gunter
Obstetrician Gynecologist, Women's Health Educator
#2 Book Recommendation
For centuries, society has told us that men and women’s brains are fundamentally different—shaping everything from the toys we play with to the careers we pursue. In The Gendered Brain, cognitive neuroscientist Gina Rippon dismantles this deeply ingrained myth using cutting-edge research, exposing how science has been misinterpreted to reinforce outdated stereotypes. Instead of being hardwired for gendered behavior, our brains are highly adaptable, shaped by experience, environment, and cultural expectations.
Gina Rippon is a leading expert in cognitive neuroimaging and a Professor Emeritus at Aston University in the UK. With a background in physiological psychology, her work focuses on developmental disorders such as autism, as well as the broader question of how our brains are shaped by experience. A passionate advocate for scientific accuracy, she challenges the persistent belief in “male” and “female” brains, arguing that these binary labels are not only misleading but also harmful.
Rippon’s approach is both rigorous and accessible, making complex neuroscience understandable without oversimplification. She takes readers on a journey through history, science, and cultural conditioning, revealing how deeply gendered assumptions have influenced both research and real-world outcomes.
The Gendered Brain is more than just a book about neuroscience—it’s a call to rethink how we understand identity, intelligence, and potential. Whether you’re a scientist, a parent, or simply someone questioning long-held beliefs, this book offers a liberating perspective on what our brains are truly capable of when freed from the constraints of gender myths.
gender differences in the brain
The Gendered Brain
Gina Rippon
Professor Emeritus of Cognitive Neuroimaging
#3 Book Recommendation
For centuries, science has reinforced the belief that women are the weaker sex—biologically, intellectually, and emotionally. From Darwin’s assertions about women’s inferiority to modern studies reinforcing outdated gender stereotypes, scientific research has often been shaped by bias rather than fact. In Inferior, journalist Angela Saini unpacks how science got women wrong and introduces the groundbreaking research that is rewriting the narrative.
Angela Saini is an award-winning science journalist with a master’s degree in engineering from the University of Oxford. Known for her meticulous research and engaging storytelling, she has written extensively on science, gender, and race. With Inferior, she investigates how gender bias has influenced scientific research and highlights the scientists—both male and female—who are challenging these deeply ingrained misconceptions.
Saini’s book is both an exposé and a call to action, revealing how biased research has shaped everything from medicine to anthropology. She highlights how even well-meaning studies have perpetuated stereotypes, often ignoring or dismissing evidence that contradicts long-held beliefs. Yet, Inferior is also a hopeful book—it showcases the scientists working to correct these errors and build a more inclusive, accurate understanding of human biology and behavior.
Well-researched, compelling, and deeply necessary, Inferior is a must-read for anyone curious about the intersection of gender and science. It challenges long-standing myths and urges us to rethink what we assume about men and women—not through outdated assumptions, but through real, unbiased evidence.
Inequality in science and the case for a new agenda
Inferior
Angelo Saini
Author
#4 Book Recommendation
Time to add this must-read nonfiction book about gender equality to your reading list. Imagine a world where your phone doesn’t fit your hand, your office temperature is always too cold, and your doctor prescribes a drug that hasn’t been tested on your body. If you’re a woman, this isn’t just an inconvenience—it’s a consequence of a world designed around men. In Invisible Women, Caroline Criado Perez exposes the shocking gender data gap that permeates our everyday lives, showing how women are systematically excluded from crucial research, public policy, and product design. This eye-opening work explores how gender inequality in science and data collection has led to real-world consequences, often putting women’s health, safety, and economic opportunities at risk.
Caroline Criado Perez is an award-winning writer, activist, and feminist campaigner known for her work on gender equality. She has led groundbreaking initiatives, including the campaign to feature a woman on UK banknotes and the installation of the first statue of a woman in London’s Parliament Square. With a background in behavioral and feminist economics, her research highlights the deep-rooted biases in our systems and their impact on women's rights issues today.
Through meticulous research and compelling storytelling, Perez presents a powerful argument for the importance of gender equality in science, technology, medicine, and public policy. Each chapter unveils how deeply ingrained biases shape our world—from crash test dummies based on male bodies to medical studies that ignore female biology. This book isn’t just an exposé of the problem; it’s a call to action, urging individuals and institutions to rethink how we collect and use data to create a fairer society.
Engaging, thought-provoking, and packed with groundbreaking research, Invisible Women is an essential read for anyone interested in nonfiction books about gender equality, the fight for women’s rights, and how we can create a world that truly includes everyone.