Top 10 Books Every College Woman Should Read by Jennifer Cassetta

1. The Gift of Fear by Gavin de Becker
   
   

   Oprah says that every woman should read this book. Need I say more? Gavin is a bad-ass security expert whose clientele includes A-list celebrities and government agencies. He teaches us lessons in survival signals that protect us from violence.
   
   

2. Hear Me Roar: How to Defend Your Mind, Body and Heart Against People Who Suck by Jennifer Cassetta and Lindsey Smith
   
   Shameless plug, I know. But I wouldn’t include it if I didn’t think that every woman in college should read it to stay strong, safe and confident. Lindsey and I give you tools to help you avoid danger and defend yourself in real life scenarios. There’s even some handy nutrition tips for keeping your body strong through all of those classes! Any woman who wants to enter the workforce should read this book, and the sooner the better. What I love about Sheryl’s leaning in philosophy is that she encourages women to aim for the top in business to help make it easier for other women to do so. After all, she is the COO of Facebook. With more women at the top, more procedures will be put in play to give women the support they need to be successful.
   
   
3. Daring Greatly by Brene Brown
   
   Learning to be vulnerable in a powerful way can make all the difference in your relationships, both personal and professional. Brene teaches us how to overcome shame which stops us from doing great things and to ultimately dare greatly. If you aren’t up for the read, watch her amazing TED Talk.
   
   
4. I Am Malala by Malala Yousafzai
   
   If you want to be inspired, read about this brave young woman now! She was shot in the head by the Taliban for going to school as a girl. Not only did she survive, she now is an advocate for education for girls around the globe. Oh, and she happened to win this thing called the NOBEL PEACE PRIZE!

1. #GIRLBOSS by Sophia Amoruso
   
   As Sophia writes, “I have three pieces of advice I want you to remember: Don’t ever grow up. Don’t become a bore. Don’t let The Man get to you. OK? Cool. Then let’s do this.”Want to be your own boss one day? Read Sophia’s book, she’s young and relatable, which makes it all the more attainable.
   
   
2. Thrive by Arianna Huffington
   
   If you don’t think it’s possible to burn out in college, think again. Balancing classes, exams, an internship, part-time job, sorority and a sport can be tricky. Although Arianna’s book is written for corporate America, it is important to know how to keep your life in balance before you get there. Wellness should be a goal of everyone.
   
   
3. In Defense of Food by Michael Pollan
   
   Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants.
   
   That pretty much sums up Pollan’s Eater’s Manifesto in his easy-to-read short book. You’ll learn why processed food messes us up and how to avoid it. He’ll also teach you what to eat and how to it eat to be the healthiest version of you without obsessing, calorie-counting or stepping on a scale again.
   
   
4. Smart Women Finish Rich: 9 Steps to Achieving Financial Security and Funding Your Dreams by David Bach
   My mom bought me this book when I was in college and I am thankful that she did. She always taught us to be independent and never to rely on anyone else for safety, even the financial kind. David will teach you how to be smart with whatever amount of money you have now to set yourself up for financial independence as you get older.
   
   
5. Not That Kind of Girl by Lena Dunham
   
   Are you a fan of the hit show "Girls" on HBO? Lena is the mastermind behind it and happens to star in it too. Her book showcases her witty and nutty way of experiencing life as a 20-something and she shares some wacky college stories in the book. It’s a good laugh if you’re having a rough streak and a way to know that you’re not alone, going through an awkward stage of life. Enjoy!

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