3 Non-Fiction Books That Have Impacted Me

As a woman in her twenties, I find myself reaching for books that inspire me and help me find my purpose while giving me powerful insight to navigate this scary world. I have always struggled with reading non-fiction growing up because of my love of thrill-inducing books, but I have been reading more and more memoirs and essay collections recently, and I can confidently say they're the pieces of art that have helped me the most in my life and have shaped me into the woman that I am today. Here are a few must-read books about real people with real stories for anyone who seeks comfort or is looking for life-changing advice.

Everything I Know About Love by Dolly Alderton

I knew nothing about Dolly's wonderfully chaotic life before I read this book, but I had heard so much praise for her writing that I couldn't help but pick it up at my local bookshop. Dolly Alderton is a British author and journalist who recounted her experiences growing up in London in the most heartwarming memoir I have ever read. Everything I Know About Love is deeply personal and profound. It's about appreciating life in all its facets and finding love in friendship. It covers topics such as heartbreak, grief, addiction, loneliness, and identity in a thought-provoking way, but reading it feels like a hug. The unique storytelling will instantly draw you in and make you think about your own mishaps through different eyes. It might make you cry, and it will certainly make you laugh. I'm sure everyone will find comfort in Dolly's words and find valuable advice on how to navigate life as a woman.

Conversations On Love by Natasha Lunn

Author Natasha Lunn asked some of the most acclaimed writers, artists, and journalists questions about love in all its forms, and this book is a compilation of their answers alternated by her own life experiences. Much like Dolly Alderton (who is included in this book, too), Natasha Lunn wrote a book on how love is not only the romantic kind but can be found in so many different ways. Prepare to highlight numerous passages, because you'll find answers to many questions you're likely to ask yourself on a daily basis. I find myself coming back to this one quite a lot, especially when I am feeling lonely. It's about romance and sex as much as it's about motherhood, friendship, and partnership. Conversations On Love is raw in its portrayal of the various kinds of relationships, and every voice in it is as honest as it gets. Soak in the advice as much as you can.

Girlhood by Melissa Febos

Girlhood is an essay collection that focuses on women's lives from adolescence to womanhood, written by what I think is one of the most interesting voices in female literature of today. It investigates the challenges women face in a world dominated by men, designed to make women lose themselves and their connection to their own desire. It's filled with heavy topics such as abuse, prejudice, sexual assault, stalking, trauma, addiction, and sex work, to name a few. Febos focuses on what is engraved in women's minds by the patriarchal society, which leads them to prioritize men's comfort instead of their own freedom and safety. Her writing is full of wisdom and authenticity, and I wish men could read it and find it as powerful as I did, and I know every woman will. Girlhood is masterfully crafted with the intent of helping women find themselves in a world that wants them to hide. It's a book that calls for discussion, and I hope every woman will find as much strength in it as I did.