Malala Yousafzai shares her Women's History Month reading list
Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai, known for her advocacy for education and women's rights, has shared her personal reading list in honour of Women’s History Month. The list includes books that explore feminism, resilience, and the struggles of women in different societies, offering a glimpse into the literature that inspires her.
In an Instagram post, Malala revealed that she recently picked up Dream Count, the new novel by Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, a well-known voice in feminist literature. She admitted that while she had read many of Adichie’s essays, this was her first time diving into one of her novels. “I’ve just started reading it, so no spoilers please!” she wrote.
Malala, who survived an assassination attempt at age 15 for campaigning for girls' education, has become a global icon of women’s resilience. She also shared an unexpected discovery—Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. Initially drawn in by the book’s cover, she later realized its deep feminist themes.
“Maybe we shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, but I learned a lot when I took a chance on Frankenstein,” she admitted.
As a strong advocate for Afghan women and girls, Malala highlighted two memoirs that showcase their struggles and perseverance under Taliban rule. She expressed concern over the gender apartheid imposed by the regime, which has barred women from education, work, and even public spaces.
One of her recommendations, Defiant Dreams by Sola Mahfouz, tells the inspiring story of a young Afghan girl who secretly educated herself despite the Taliban’s restrictions.
“Like me, Sola Mahfouz was 11 years old when the Taliban began threatening families who sent their girls to school,” Malala wrote. “She taught herself English, theoretical physics & philosophy — all while confined to her home. Today, she studies quantum computing at Tufts University.”
Another powerful memoir on Malala’s list is My Beautiful Sisters by Khalida Popal, a former captain of the Afghan Women’s National Football Team.
The book details Popal’s journey and her efforts to rescue female athletes from danger after the Taliban takeover in 2021. Malala praised the book, saying, “No one understands better than Khalida how participating in sports gives women confidence & a sense of freedom, even in a society that polices their every move.”
Ending her post, Malala encouraged her followers to share their own favorite books by female authors in the comments, celebrating the spirit of Women’s History Month. Her reading list not only highlights the work of influential female writers but also serves as a reminder of the ongoing fight for women’s rights worldwide.