April 17, 2018

Heather Harpham’s Top 5 Inspirational Stories

Heather Harpham, the author of our April Book Pick, has some amazing suggestions for inspirational stories from extraordinary women.

Story By: Heather Harpham

Heather Harpham’s Top 5 Inspirational Stories

Heather Harpham, the author of our April Book Pick, has some amazing suggestions for inspirational stories from extraordinary women. Story By: Heather Harpham

Singin’ and Swingin’ and Gettin’ Merry Like Christmas by Maya Angelou

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This memoir reverberates with the exuberance Angelou brought to her young adult life as a performer and single mother, defying expectations and refusing to accept rejection. Her determination to see herself as both fallible and powerfully female is an enduring narrative gift.

Light Can Be Both Wave and Particle by Ellen Gilchrist

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One of the first authors I read compulsively, with razor sharp wit and abundant charm, Gilchrist weaves scientific theory through the personal dilemmas of her characters. In her hands, physics is alive with metaphor and meaning, an unbiased phenomenon that affects everyone equally.”

Strength to Your Sword Arm by Brenda Ueland

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Ueland was born in 1891; her world would be unrecognizable to us, and vice versa. In this collection of writing, she describes her life as an early feminist, devoted journalist and all-around firebrand. Her advice, 127 years after her birth, remains essential and fresh.

Don’t Let’s Go to the Dogs Tonight by Alexandra Fuller

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Fuller’s depiction of a Rhodesian childhood is astonishing for its total lack of recrimination towards the adults in her world, especially her unstoppable mother. This book is an act of bravery and a testament to one woman’s willingness to look back with an unswerving eye and say what she saw.

The Light of the World by Elizabeth Alexander

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Alexander spins beauty out of her husband’s sudden death. Left to console their two young sons, she honors their Eritrean father, Ficre, by re-animating her husband’s life. This book is proof that even the most excruciating experience, told with heart and craft, can transform into grace that lingers in the imagination.

We’re taking our copy of Gone Before Goodbye on a little coffee date this weekend ☕📖 
Link in bio for book tour tickets and to get your own copy!

Where are you reading yours this weekend?
Had the most amazing time connecting with the Reese’s Book Club community IRL at #ShineAway2025 last weekend! ✨ @RaeganRevord and @TembiLocke picked up some incredible book recs that we are immediately adding to our TBR. Drop your must-reads below!
This Thursday's coffee and current read is an iced matcha and our new favorite eco-fiction mystery, Bog Queen by @AnnaNorthBooks. Talk about a perfect combo!
Bog Queen is now available, including at our link in bio.
We’re incredibly lucky to have the incomparable and inspiring @Malala join us on Bookmarked, the Reese's Book Club podcast. 💛

She's a powerful voice for so many—championing causes like girls’ education and women’s rights. In her new memoir Finding My Way, Malala Yousafzai turns inward, exploring the messy, beautiful journey of rediscovering yourself after the world has already decided who you’re supposed to be.

In this episode, @DanielleRobay and @Malala's conservation has all the heart—and then some. Listen now on the @iHeartPodcast app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you love to listen. 🎧
Did not see that coming! Gone Before Goodbye by @ReeseWitherspoon & @HarlanCoben is here and you don't want to miss another second. 

Start reading at our link in bio.
Diving back into the brilliant Anita de Monte Laughs Last after hearing @XochitltheG’s powerful conversation with @DanielleRobay at Shine Away.

Feeling deeply inspired by the vibrant storytelling and the beauty woven into every word.
Sorry, we're booked.

It's official! Pick up your copy of Gone Before Goodbye by @ReeseWitherspoon & @HarlanCoben at our link in bio.
Shop the Reese's Book Club Space with us at #ShineAway2025! ☀️@ZibbysBookshop brought the perfect vibes and of course, so many fantastic reads to add to our TBRs.

Which three books would you chose and why?
Today we honor Indigenous voices like our September Pick author @ElianaRamage. ⭐

With honesty and heart, To The Moon and Back shows us what it means to search for a sense of self—and emerge proud.