Genre Deep Dive

This Week in Feminism — Week of March 30, 2026

by Book Report · April 3, 2026 · 4 min read
This Week in Feminism — Week of March 30, 2026

Most Read Feminism Books This Week

The Women by

Published: February 6, 2024

Summary: In a transformative tale set against the backdrop of 1965 Vietnam, nursing student Frankie McGrath's journey reveals how women can be heroes in times of chaos. Her experiences in the Army Nurse Corps not only explore the harsh realities of war but also the trials of returning to a divided America. This novel resonates with readers seeking stories of resilience, friendship, and the often-overlooked contributions of women in wartime.

Stats: 1,651,151 → 1,655,568 (↑4,417)

I Who Have Never Known Men by

Published: May 10, 2022

Summary: In this haunting dystopian narrative by Jacqueline Harpman, forty women are imprisoned underground with no memory of their past. As they grapple with their harrowing environment, a young girl represents hope for escape and survival. This powerful exploration of female solidarity and the human spirit enriches the feminist speculative literature canon.

Stats: 535,312 → 539,472 (↑4,160)

The Lion Women of Tehran by Marjan Kamali

Published: July 2, 2024

Summary: This evocative novel spans decades in Iran's tumultuous history, focusing on the friendship between Ellie and Homa. Their journey through personal and political upheaval reflects how deeply friendship influences a woman’s path and ambitions. Exemplifying the intertwining of personal stories with broader sociopolitical themes, this work contributes to the understanding of feminism in historical contexts.

Stats: 197,200 → 200,603 (↑3,403)

The Mad Wife by Meagan Church

Published: September 30, 2025

Summary: Addressing societal expectations and mental health within the context of motherhood, The Mad Wife explores Lulu Mayfield's deteriorating facade as a perfect 1950s housewife. This psychological drama entwines themes of identity and survival, questioning how far one might go to uphold constructed realities.

Stats: 70,720 → 73,234 (↑2,514)

The Handmaid’s Tale by

Published: April 1, 1998

Summary: Atwood's seminal work continues to resonate, depicting Offred's life in a dystopian society where women's rights have been obliterated. Through its harrowing narrative, this classic challenges notions of autonomy and bodily rights, making it a cornerstone of feminist literature that remains relevant today.

Stats: 2,466,171 → 2,468,664 (↑2,493)

Rising in Feminism

How to Kill a Witch: The Patriarchy's Guide to Silencing Women by Zoe Venditozzi, Claire Mitchell

Published: September 30, 2025

Summary: This incisive nonfiction work critiques historical and contemporary misogyny, delving into witch trials as reflections of societal control over women. Venditozzi and Mitchell expertly weave analysis with dark humor, illuminating the dangers of bias and ignorance in patriarchal societies. It's a timely reminder of past injustices and their echoes in current gender dynamics.

Stats: 10,480 → 12,874 (↑2,394, +22.8%)

Trad Wife by Saratoga Schaefer

Published: February 10, 2026

Summary: This captivating horror narrative fuses traditional gender roles with supernatural elements, as Camille Deming navigates societal pressures surrounding motherhood. Blending contemporary themes with genre tropes, Schaefer's novel critiques the expectations placed on women and the dark turns they can provoke.

Stats: 3,309 → 4,041 (↑732, +22.1%)

Scream With Me: Horror Films and the Rise of American Feminism, 1968-1980 by Eleanor Johnson

Published: September 30, 2025

Summary: This illuminating examination connects feminist discourse with horror cinema, showcasing how films from the late 1960s to the early 1980s have reflected and shaped societal views on women's rights. Johnson’s scholarly yet accessible approach invites readers to reconsider the genre's impact on cultural dialogues around oppression and autonomy.

Stats: 2,660 → 3,099 (↑439, +16.5%)

Propaganda Girls: The Secret War of the Women in the OSS by Lisa Rogak

Published: March 4, 2025

Summary: Offering a captivating exploration of the clandestine roles women played during WWII, Rogak reveals the stories of four women who influenced the war through propaganda efforts. Their narratives illuminate the critical but often overlooked contributions women have made in pivotal historical moments, reflecting the ongoing struggle for recognition and respect.

Stats: 4,566 → 5,184 (↑618, +13.5%)

Women of a Promiscuous Nature by Donna Everhart

Published: January 27, 2026

Summary: This powerful historical fiction sheds light on the unjust treatment of women labeled as "promiscuous" in 1940s North Carolina. Based on real events, the narrative confronts themes of oppression, autonomy, and resilience as women fight back against societal expectations and the painful stigma attached to their identities.

Stats: 2,784 → 3,127 (↑343, +12.3%)

Feminism Pick of the Week

This week’s standout recommendation is How to Kill a Witch: The Patriarchy's Guide to Silencing Women by Zoe Venditozzi and Claire Mitchell. This provocative exploration of the historical witch hunts as manifestations of patriarchal control offers both sharp critique and dark humor. With timely relevance to ongoing gender struggles, it challenges readers to reflect on the societal tendencies to silence women throughout history and today.

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