Fiction & Biography
The Female Founders Reading List
Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts
Recommended by Ayna Pirkuliyeva (Matchstick)
“Shantaram is a masterpiece, music to all your senses. Adventure, storytelling, brilliant character development, life lessons - it's got it all.”
On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong
Recommended by Rosie Kopman (My Pearl Co.)
"It's a novel written by a poet, so every word, punctuation, etc holds meaning that can be felt. All five senses are ignited during this read”
Recommended by Lucia Gutierrez Castro (Pay Transparency Experts)
“It is spectacularly written, not one word extra (only 100 pages). Themes: British class system, racism, women's success at work”
The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery
Recommended by Jane Faust (Faust PR)
“A 'hidden gem' in the UK but much loved by Muriel's fellow French countryfolk, quirky, amusing and heart-warming, and very Parisian in the old fashioned way”
These Impossible Things by Salma El-Wardany
Recommended by Laura Jardine Paterson (CONCAT Tech)
“Because its a very powerful dialogue between men and women of different faiths written by an incredible woman”
Recommended by Lydia Esler (Studio90 Media)
“It is a biography of a woman who against all odds, made a success of her life”