Our Book Club is open to anyone who loves to read and cares about Together Women Rise’s mission to achieve global gender equality. We feature fiction and nonfiction books related to:
- Gender equality
- International women’s issues
- Global poverty
- Countries where our grantees operate
- Women’s history and accomplishments
- Memoirs/biographies of strong women who changed the world
We use Goodreads to share, review, and discuss books. Goodreads is the world’s largest site for readers and book recommendations. Together Women Rise’s volunteer Moderators post books regularly and generate online discussions.
How to Join
- Go to Goodreads and create your free account.
- Click on the “Community” tab, then “Groups” and search for Together Women Rise.
- Click “Join Group” button below our logo.
- Click on the Book Shelf to view or add books.
- Invite your chapter members or friends to join.
- Attend quarterly Book Club events
- Discuss what you have read with other Book Club members.
Together Women Rise Big Read Events
Each quarter, we select one book that we will feature for Together Women Rise’s “Big Read”, and we encourage everyone to read this book at the same time! We highlight the book in our newsletters and on social media, and host a virtual book club gathering to discuss the book.
2025 Book Club Events
These events are free, but registration is required. All are welcome!
Tuesday, May 6 at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT
Book: The SalviSoul Cookbook: Salvadoran Recipes and the Women Who Preserve Them by Karla Tatiana Vasquez
Guest Speaker: Karla Tatiana Vasquez, Author
Synopsis: This is so much more than a cookbook! This beautifully photographed cookbook celebrates the vibrant culture and community of El Salvador through 80 recipes and stories from 25 Salvadoran women. Food historian Karla Tatiana Vasquez, searching for the recipes of her childhood, decided to document the dishes and traditions she couldn’t find online. What began as a personal project turned into a shared collection of stories and recipes from the women in her life.
The book features dishes like Rellenos de Papa, Flor de Izote con Huevos Revueltos, and various Salvadoran Pupusas, accompanied by personal histories. The women share their experiences of life in El Salvador before the war and their journeys surviving in the U.S., preserving their stories for future generations.
Thursday, September 11 at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT
Book: Why Didn’t You Come Sooner? Compassion in Action: Stories of Children Rescued From Slavery by Kailash Satyarthi
Guest Speaker: TBD
Synopsis: This book shares twelve harrowing stories of children rescued from slavery, revealing the brutality they endured—kidnapping, trafficking, abuse, and forced labor. From Pradeep, who was offered for human sacrifice, to Bhavna, who suffered in a circus, each child’s journey is one of unimaginable suffering and, ultimately, hope. Through Kailash Satyarthi’s mission with Bachpan Bachao Andolan, their stories of rescue and the fight for child rights highlight the resilience of the human spirit and the transformative power of compassion.
Registration Coming Soon!
Wednesday, November 12 at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT
Book: How Beautiful We Were by Imbolo Imbue
Guest Speaker: TBD
Synopsis: Imbolo Mbue’s second novel, How Beautiful We Were, tells the gripping story of a small African village, Kosawa, struggling against the destructive forces of an American oil company. Environmental damage caused by pipeline spills has left the land infertile, and toxic water is killing children, while the promises of reparations and clean-up from the company are ignored. With a corrupt government serving its own interests, the villagers are left with no choice but to fight back, setting the stage for a long, painful struggle.
The novel is told from the perspective of Thula, a young girl who grows into a revolutionary, and her community, as they stand up to the reckless pursuit of profit by Western corporations and the lingering impact of colonialism. How Beautiful We Were explores themes of resistance, sacrifice, and the fight for freedom, highlighting the power of a community’s determination to protect its ancestral land. Through this powerful and emotional narrative, Mbue addresses urgent issues of greed, environmental destruction, and justice.
Registration Coming Soon!
Inspiring Books for Young Readers
The Together Women Rise Book Club Committee has put together a list of book recommendations for the young people in your life. Books have been suggested for different age groups, from toddlers to teens, and include stories about girls’ empowerment, young changemakers, and the different cultures and countries where Rise supports women and girls. Any of these books would make great for children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, or any young person in your life!