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BOOK REVIEWS

Five books you should read this

Women’s Month

BY MICHELLE L. RAYMOND

In honour of Women's Month, I have
selected five highly recommended books
from five amazing female authors.

These are absolute must-reads, even if you are
not a bookworm. Some will tickle your sense of
adventure, while others might appeal to your more
conservative side. Either way, there is something
for everyone here. And since reading is a Covid-
friendly activity, I feel quite shameless in my
overindulgence in it. The hardest thing for me was
choosing only a handful to share.

1. The first author needs no introduction. Elizabeth Gilbert's
latest book City of Girls is truly charming.

The story takes place in 1940 and follows the extravagant life of
New York City's showgirls. Elizabeth's research and inspiration
for the book came from (what I can only imagine being wildly
entertaining and captivating) conversations with a retired dancer.
And much of the story is based (somewhat loosely) on this
woman's life and love experiences.

What is not common knowledge is that while writing this book,
Elizabeth was going through a traumatic time watching her
partner and best friend fight cancer. The book became an
escape from the inevitable reality of losing someone she
loved dearly.

It was hard to choose just one Elizabeth Gilbert book. Honestly,
I'd recommend any of them. She is a reader’s delight!

2. This next one is more for the left-brain oriented types.
Remember Suze Orman? Love her or not, the woman knows
about money and how to manage it.

I recommend this book to all women, especially my younger
clients who are just starting their careers or are thinking of
getting married. I have even considered gifting this book as a
wedding present, but it might not be received well by some.
(It’s a testament to the perfectly practical and simple-to-use
guides that empower women to own or co-own their financial
well-being). Suze Orman's Women and Money is filled with
the stuff they don't teach you in school and university. The book
has been adapted for the South African climate and includes
Rand values and how to check your credit score with TransUnion.

Although it may not be a book you will read with a good
glass of wine in a bubble bath, you will realise its value from
the first page.
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