Mikki Kendall

Hood Feminism: Notes from the Women That a Movement Forgot

REVIEWED BY: Molly Hodge, Communications & Events Partner at Grocery Girls

‘For anyone looking to learn more about intersectional feminism – this is the book for you.

This book delves into issues such as the housing crisis, hunger, gun violence, providing a solid understanding of these issues, while connecting how women – especially women of colour – are almost always disproportionally affected by social inequalities and injustices.

Hood Feminism draws attention to the areas mainstream feminism often forgets, providing a stark reminder that feminism is about more than just securing equal pay for women. All in all, a fantastic resource for learning how to be more inclusive.’

Dr Shahzadi Harper & Emma Bardwell

The Perimenopause Solution

REVIEWED BY: Molly Hodge, Communications & Events Partner at Grocery Girls

‘Perimenopause can consume the best part of a decade, yet many women in their thirties and forties don’t even realise it’s happening. This transitional phase can be a time of shifting priorities and tricky symptoms – hot flushes, insomnia, anxiety and weight gain to name but a few.

Bringing together the expertise of a medical doctor and a nutritionist both specialising in women’s health, The Perimenopause Solution is here to help you take back control. This guide will not just help you survive the journey to menopause, it will empower you to thrive.’

Torrey Peters

Detransition, Baby

REVIEWED BY: Molly Hodge, Communications & Events Partner at Grocery Girls

‘Detransition, Baby is a story about three women – transgender and cisgender – whose lives collide after an unexpected pregnancy forces them to confront their deepest desires around gender and motherhood. It poses questions around a multiple of concepts such as womanhood, motherhood, fatherhood and queer parenting.

While it’s pretty chaotic, and at times an uncomfortable read, it’s also incredibly well-written, funny and provides an insight into the challenges transwomen face everyday, both internally and externally. A different read to what we usually recommend, but definitely a must-read. ‘

Etaf Rum

A Woman is No Man

REVIEWED BY: Molly Hodge, Communications & Events Partner at Grocery Girls

‘Set in Brooklyn, New York – A Woman Is No Man is a story about three generations of Palestinian-American women and provides an intimate glimpse into a controlling and closed cultural world. It’s a universal tale about family and the ways silence and shame can destroy those we have sworn to protect.’

Yaa Gyasi

Homegoing

REVIEWED BY: Molly Hodge, Communications & Events Partner at Grocery Girls

‘This is some of the best fiction I’ve read in a long time.

The story starts with two half-sisters – one marries a slave trader and the other is sold into slavery. The rest of the book follows the descendants of the two sisters, spanning multiple generations. The narrative alternates between Africa and America, highlighting the legacy of the slave trade on the enslaved and the complicit.’

Front cover of The Home Stretch by Sally Howard

SALLY HOWARD

THE HOME STRETCH: WHY IT'S TIME TO COME CLEAN ABOUT WHO DOES THE DISHES

REVIEWED BY: CAT GAZZOLI, CEO AT PICCOLO FOODS

‘Reading the history behind women fighting for recognition of the amount of hours we do at home, be it if you have kids or not. There’s more workload during a pandemic on that front.’

Front cover of Lessons in Stoicism by John Sellars

JOHN SELLARS

LESSONS IN STOICISM

REVIEWED BY: EMMA HEAL, MD AT LUCKY SAINT

‘It’s about how you use adversity to grow. This is so key, especially in the current and ongoing uncertainty of our times. I found this book extremely helpful for reframing challenges into opportunities to develop.’

Mirror Thinking: How Role Models Make Us Human front cover

FIONA MURDEN

MIRROR THINKING: HOW ROLE MODELS MAKE US HUMAN

REVIEWED BY: HESTER LONERGAN, COMMS PARTNER FOR THE GROCERY GIRLS

‘At GG we’re big fans of psychologist, author and all-round oracle Fiona Murden. Mirror Thinking gives a fascinating insight into how much we’re influenced by those around us and how we can find and acknowledge positive role models. Fiona is a wonderful role model herself, and we recommend listening to her podcast, Dot to Dot Behind the Person for some genuine lightbulb moments.’

Front cover of How To Work Without Losing Your Mind

CATE SEVILLA

HOW TO WORK WITHOUT LOSING YOUR MIND

REVIEWED BY: HESTER LONERGAN, COMMS PARTNER FOR THE GROCERY GIRLS

Cate Sevilla is an insightful and honest journalist who’s had her fair share of tricky work experiences. Her new release, is a beautifully observed, sharp and entirely refreshing take on what it means to be a woman in today’s working world.

Lean In

SHERYL SANDBERG

LEAN IN

REVIEWED BY: HELEN GOODCHILD, TRADING DIRECTOR AT MARS WRIGLEY

‘This was one of the first books I read after maternity leave, recommended by a Mars back to work coach.  It gave me some amazing insights into strategies to drive confidence early on in my career and also the stark reality that every woman feels this lack of confidence at all levels of their career at some stage.  Focusing on what’s important in work and at home, rather than perfecting.’

The Rules of Life

RICHARD TEMPLAR

THE RULES OF LIFE

REVIEWED BY: JANET CRIER, SUPPLY CHAIN DEVELOPMENT AT CO-OP

‘I’m not always a huge fan of self-help books, but I really liked this one because it’s so simple! The basic premise is that some people seemingly enjoy life, coping no matter what is thrown at them. They can do this because they know ‘The Rules of Life’!

The book takes you through about 100 of these rules. It’s the kind of thing you can have in your bag or keep hanging round the house, ready to pick up if you want a bit of a refresh. I found some nuggets really stuck with me and helped me through more challenging days.’

Book cover

SALLY HELGESEN & MARSHALL GOLDSMITH

HOW WOMEN RISE

REVIEWED BY: ADELE BALMFORTH, BUYING DIRECTOR AT CO-OP

‘How women rise was quite a tough read, mainly because it’s like being given some cold, straight feedback from your boss. It focuses on the 12 common habits holding women back from being more successful in their careers which are, not surprisingly, very different to those impacting men. What kept me reading was the recognition of many of the traits in my own behaviour which, at the very least, shone a light in places  before it had been a little hazy.’

Book cover

FIONA MURDEN

DEFINING YOU

REVIEWED BY: HESTER LONERGAN, COMMS PARTNER FOR THE GROCERY GIRLS

‘I was given this book by Fiona, who I met recently and was really inspired by. Hearing about her career as a psychological profiler for retail businesses is fascinating. In this book, she takes everything she’s learnt by interviewing senior leaders and gets you exploring yourself in the same way those leaders do. I’ve only just started reading, but I’m learning so much about myself already!’

Book cover

MARY PORTAS

WORK LIKE A WOMAN

REVIEWED BY: ANNA HARRIS, WOMEN IN GROCERY EXPERT

Mary Portas gets the reader on board very effectively with a strong message about valuing women in the workplace and lots of shocking statistics about the state of play for women in business. These alone are enough to motivate you to keep reading and her early career stories are equally entertaining. However, as Portas continues, the book feels increasingly like a defence of her later career moves and downfall from her ‘Queen of Shops’ persona. Additionally, some of the feminine traits that she favours in the workplace often feel like another form of stereotyping. Overall, I found it a really interesting read.’

Dare to Lead

BRENÉ BROWN

DARE TO LEAD

REVIEWED BY: ROS COLLINS, HEAD OF NEW BUSINESS, FOODSERVICE AND OOH AT SPEEDIBAKE

‘When this book was recommended to me, I was struggling to embrace my own influencing style at work and be comfortable with who I am and what makes me me.

We’re conditioned from a young age to think that vulnerability is something we should be ashamed and embarrassed of. But Brown showed me that it’s fine to be me and that, actually, my vulnerability and openness is one of my biggest strengths.

Acknowledging that was a lightbulb moment for me, and it’s made a really positive impact on my self-belief.’