I love books, read constantly, and would love to give my own list of books that empower.  But I must agree that one of my favorite books - Katharine Graham’s Personal History has the ability to not only be a good read but to touch us all.  We have a woman who ran a household for the first third of her life, and then when her manic-depressive husband took his own life, changed horses in mid-stream and became the publisher-editor of the Washington Post.  As could be imagined, stepping up to this position, assuming the responsibility for one of our largest newspapers would be mind-blowing.  Read this book … as she writes to us - not over our heads - as she tells of the chapters of her life in ways that draw us in with her, making us easily imagine any of us in the position and, if you are like me, imagining what you would do when you are expected to be impressive and in command.  Graham is honest, likeable, and your respect for her - both in her coping with marriage and its tragedies, and become the ultimate working executive - knows no bounds.  She rightly received the Pultizer for this book — and I find that this book almost stands alone in its long-term remembrance and impact on all of us.

Nora Ephron in Heartburn has written a semi-autobiographical book of the downhill slide of her marriage to - guess what? - the Washington Post’s Carl Bernstein.  Remember him from the Watergate Tapes?  Again, Nora is brilliant in disseminating her marriage - and somehow mixing in recipes among the most pungent facts of life - even to a non-cook like me - did not totally put me off.  The book’s story is a bit dated — but cheating in marriage is a subject that has even more validity today than it did almost 20 years ago.  I still remember it so it had to have had quite an impact.

Hey, Joni - do we get to tell of our own favorites on these topics?  Joan

One of my votes for an empowering book would be Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert. Achieving a sense a balance is a quest for many women today. I think this book is a wonderful illustration of one woman’s journey toward balance in her life.

I haven’t read Katherine Graham’s Personal History yet, but there is a quote by her that I keep on my desk and absolutely love.

"To do work you love and feel that it matters; how could anything be more fun?"

Thanks to Sara Nelson for this list.

Susan Gabriel (.com)

Katharine Graham’s book is amazing. A book that inspires me is Iran Awakening by Shirin Ebadi. In the UK, Amnesty is focusing on violence against women for International Women’s Day. We’re asking people to change their Facebook status, Myspace headline and tweet to raise awareness of the fact that each year, around 1 in 10 women in Britain experience rape or other violence. Please visit www.oneten.org.uk

Some oldies but goodies.. I find these books empowering and they are wonderful(in my opinion)

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn-Betty Smith

The Color Purple-Alice Walker

To Kill a Mockingbird-Harper Lee

In This House of Brede-Rummer Godden

Suze Orman? Are you kidding me? Here books and advice are horrible! If you don’t believe me - read this analysis:

http://www.erictyson.com/articles/20090127

There are many good financial authors out there who have training, knowledge and expertise - Orman ain’t one of them!

There are many books I have been inspired by and recieved empowerment from, but as a young woman Rita Mae Brown’s "Rubyfruit Jungle", as well as Jeanette Winterston’s "Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit" were as moving to me as they were entertaining. Unlike their dour predecesser "The Well of Lonliness" by Radclyffe Hall (which was an undeniably brave tome for its time), "Rubyfruit" and "Oranges"—while not denying or shrinking away from the difficulties encountered by gays and lesbians—celebrate gay identity and give hope to their readers. Both books convey a similar message: Happiness can be found through self acceptance, and, while being gay is not always easy, it is neither sad nor shameful. Because they give such hope, I would have to say that both these books are LIFESAVERS!