Books to see yourself in by women of colour

Take Care by Chloé Pierre

Chloe Pierre, founder of thy.self, the brand making self-care inclusive, wants to inspire Black women to take time to care for themselves. In this book she consults experts to create an inspiring and practical guide that offers ways to help you be your authentic self, deal with mental health issues, create a supportive community and much more. This warm and empowering guide will help you refocus and put yourself first.

Read this if you need a reminder to make yourself a priority.

Palette by Funmi Fetto

This comprehensive first of its kind book has been called the beauty bible for women of colour. Written by Vogue Contributing Beauty Editor Funmi Fetto, she shares her expertise and experience on beauty advice for women of colour. An inclusive guide to beauty products, with a chatty and warm tone like you’re shopping with a friend.

Read this if you want to rethink your beauty routine and discover products made with women of colour in mind.

Black Skin: A Dermatologist’s Guide by Dija Ayodele

This is an amazing skincare guide for women of colour, covering everything from skincare essentials to the best ingredients for your skin and budget.

Black Skin is written by Dija Ayodele, who is a fully qualified and insured Aesthetician and the founder of West Room Aesthetics, a skincare destination for women of colour. Dija also examines the concept of identity, looking at the way history has shaped how Black women express themselves in beauty and skincare, and debunks common myths and misconceptions.

Read this if you want to understand your skin better and build a routine that really works for you.

Burning My Roti by Sharan Dhaliwal

Part memoir, part guide, Burning My Roti is essential reading for a new generation of South Asian women.

With chapters covering sexual and cultural identity, body hair, colourism and mental health, and a particular focus on the suffocating beauty standards South Asian women are expected to adhere to, Sharan Dhaliwal speaks openly about her journey towards loving herself, offering advice, support and comfort to people that are encountering the same issues.

Read this if you’ve ever felt caught between your culture, your identity and the person you’re becoming.

Sister Outsider by Audre Lorde

This is a fantastic collection of fifteen essays and speeches by black lesbian poet and feminist writer Audre Lorde. Lorde takes on sexism, racism, ageism, homophobia, and class, and propounds social difference as a vehicle for action and change.

Read this if you want to challenge the way you think about identity, difference and what it means to speak up.

Bad Feminist by Roxane Gay

Roxane Gay shares her journey of her evolution as a woman of colour in her funny and insightful essays.

Bad Feminist is a sharp, funny and sincere look at the ways in which the culture we consume becomes who we are, and an inspiring call-to-arms of all the ways we still need to do better.

Read this if you’ve ever felt like you’re not quite getting feminism “right”.

Rest Is Resistance by Tricia Hersey

In this fierce manifesto, Tricia Hersey elevates rest as a divine right, and paves the way towards a more well-rested life that empowers imagination, invention and healing. Featuring both storytelling and practical advice, this book will offer guidance and context to draft a rest practice for long term health.

By founder and creator of The Nap Ministry, Rest is Resistance is a call-to-action for anyone suffering from the toxic urgency of modern-day life.

Read this if you’re tired of feeling like you always need to be doing more.

The Light We Carry by Michelle Obama

The Light We Carry offers readers a series of fresh stories and insightful reflections on change, challenge, and power, including her belief that when we light up for others, we can illuminate the richness and potential of the world around us, discovering deeper truths and new pathways for progress.

Michelle draws from her experience as a mother, daughter, spouse, friend, and First Lady, she shares the habits and principles she has developed to successfully overcome various obstacles-the earned wisdom that helps her continue to “become.”

Read this if you’re going through change and could use a little perspective, reassurance and resilience.

Finding Me by Viola Davis

A powerful read from internationally acclaimed actress and producer Viola Davis. This deeply personal and inspiring memoir tells the story of a little girl named Viola who ran from her past until she made a life changing decision to stop running forever.

Finding Me is a deep reflection on her past and a promise for her future.

A good book does more than entertain it, it can make us question what we’ve been taught and see things a little differently. It can even remind us that we’re not alone and to help us discover something beyond ourselves.

Read this if you’re ready for an honest story about resilience, self-worth and finding your way back to yourself.