Clear some space on your bookshelves, because Emma Watson is officially starting a revolution—one chapter at a time!
The Harry Potter alum and UN Women Goodwill Ambassador sent the internet into a total frenzy this week when she announced the official launch of her feminist book club, “Our Shared Shelf.”
Fans have been waiting with bated breath since Watson first teased the idea on X (formerly Twitter), and now, the first selection is finally here.
“It’s official – ‘Our Shared Shelf’ is up and running,” Watson tweeted to her millions of followers. “First book – My Life on the Road.”
The inaugural pick is Gloria Steinem’s memoir, a deeply personal look at the legendary activist’s life of travel and leadership.
The choice feels perfectly aligned with Watson’s own advocacy for gender equality, and the response from her famous friends was almost instantaneous.
One Tree Hill star Sophia Bush was one of the first to jump on board, responding to the announcement with a resounding “yes please. In.”
Bush even flexed her creative muscles by suggesting a few names for the group, including “We for She,” “She for She,” and the pun-tastic “fEMMAnism.”
Other stars joined the virtual cheers, with singer Kate Voegele, British YouTuber Tanya Burr, and soccer legend Abby Wambach all expressing their excitement for the new community.
While Watson and her “Shared Shelf” members dive into Steinem’s journey, the buzz has sparked a renewed interest in feminist literature across TikTok and Instagram.
If you’re looking to bulk up your own library alongside Emma, there are plenty of essential reads to get you started.
For those looking for the classics, The Second Sex by Simone de Beauvoir remains a cornerstone. De Beauvoir famously wrote, “One is not born, but rather becomes, a woman,” a sentiment that still resonates today.
If you want a deeper look at intersectionality, Audre Lorde’s Sister Outsider is a must-read. Lorde challenges readers to embrace differences in race, gender, and sexuality, noting, “I do not have to be you to recognize that our wars are the same.”
For a more modern, rock-and-roll vibe, Carrie Brownstein’s Hunger Makes Me a Modern Girl offers a raw look at being a woman in the male-dominated music scene.
And for anyone who feels the pressure to be a “perfect” advocate, Roxane Gay’s Bad Feminist is the ultimate relatable guide. Gay famously embraces being “messy” and “human” while still fiercely supporting the cause.
Finally, for a moving exploration of history and the body, Elizabeth Alexander’s The Venus Hottentot uses poetry to examine the objectification of bodies of color with haunting precision.
According to recent industry data, the “Emma Watson effect” is real; book clubs centered on social issues have seen a massive % spike in engagement among Gen Z and Millennial readers over the last year.
Happy reading, everyone! We’ll be seeing you in the comments of “Our Shared Shelf.”
Would you like me to create a reading schedule or a list of discussion questions for these books?
