22 Books about Women in the Workplace

Books about women in the workplace
22 Books about Women in the Workplace 29

The books about women in the workplace in the post below feature fiction and non-fiction characters alike. Though there are many genres represented, each book also addresses how hard it is to be a working woman.

From the double standards in the workplace to sexual harassment, even the lightest reads deal with the challenges women face.

But don’t think the books below are all women working boring office jobs! We’ve got women in publishing, science, politics, entertainment, chemistry, cleaning, and even female spies!

*Post contains affiliate links. Purchases made through links result in a small commission to us at no cost to you. Some books have been gifted. All opinions are our own.

The Other Black Girl and more books about women in the workplace

Contemporary Books about Women in the Workplace

Sophia of Silicon Valley

Sophia of Silicon Valley by Anna Yen

I loved the insider look at Silicon Valley this book provided. Sophia starts off as a woman who seems incapable and flighty and grows into a serious power player in the tech industry.

There are lots of available discussion points here for a book club but it would make a fun vacation read too. 

the other black girl

The Other Black Girl by Zakiya Dalila Harris

June 2021 GMA Book Club Pick

Wow. I’m still processing this genre-defying novel. It’s a social commentary and a thriller all in one. It makes me want to sit down and discuss it with everyone.

Nella is the only black girl at her publishing house until Hazel is hired. Thinking she’s found an ally, instead, she begins to wonder if Hazel might be an enemy instead.

As Hazel’s career soars, Nella is left questioning her identity, her ideals, and what it means to be a black woman in the business world while trying to uncover who is behind the scary notes she keeps receiving.

The Maid

The Maid by Nita Prose

January 2022 Good Morning America Pick

Molly Gray works as a maid in a grand hotel and gets joy from leaving things orderly and pristine. Molly struggles with reading social cues and has had even more trouble since her gran can no longer help.

When Molly finds a dead body in a room at the hotel, she becomes a prime suspect and will need all her friends to help her.

Why We Loved it: I loved the description of this book and I hoped it would live up to my expectations. It did that and more. I adored every minute of this story and closed the last page smiling.

Find This Book in: The Maid Book Club Questions / Books like Lessons in Chemistry / Best Mystery Books / Feel-Good Book / Books for Book Clubs

Whisper Network by Chandler Baker

Whisper Network by Chandler Baker

Sloane, Ardie, Grace, and Rosalita have worked at Truviv, Inc. for years. The sudden death of Truviv’s CEO means their boss, Ames, will likely take over the entire company. Each of the women has a different relationship with Ames, who has always been surrounded by whispers about how he treats women. Those whispers have been ignored, swept under the rug, and hidden away by those in charge.

But the world has changed, and the women are watching this promotion differently. This time, when they find out Ames is making an inappropriate move on a colleague, they aren’t willing to let it go.

The Helpline and more books about women in the workplace

The Helpline by Katherine Collette

I started reading this book and found that I had a really hard time putting it down.  It is one of those books where the main character is completely imperfect and often infuriating but, will grow on you!

If you loved The Rosie Project or Eleanor Oliphant then you will love this book.  Germaine has lost her job at an insurance company and begins working at a helpline for senior citizens. 

The mayor has a side project for Germaine.  She wants Germaine to help her in the feud between the golf club and the senior citizen center.  Sometimes, as Germaine will find out, things are not always what they seem.

Office Romance Novels

Weather girl 2

Weather Girl by Rachel Lynn Solomon

I’m an avid weather lover, so this was one of my most anticipated Winter 2022 new releases!

In this romance novel, weather girl Ari teams up with sports anchor Russ to get their feuding bosses back together Parent-Trap style.

Along the way, they kindle sparks of their own with lots of fun weather puns! Plus, adorable scenarios for both romantic pairs and love scenes that aren’t for the faint of heart🔥🔥🔥.

The best part of all is that the book deals with REAL life issues like depression, body image, teen pregnancy, and complex families. 

Books Like the Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood

The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood

Olive Smith is a Ph.D. student who does not believe in her ability to be in love. When her best friend develops a crush on someone she dated briefly, she decides to kiss the first man she sees to prove she is over him.

That one kiss happens to be with THE Adam Carlsen, an academic genius, who is also very standoffish. The two decide to fake-date and what starts as pretend, becomes something more- for Olive.

I loved this fake dating book/office romance novel that is also a perfect example of the grumpy sunshine trope. It has a well-earned spot on its list of the best romance novels of all time.

If you love this book as much as we did, check out our post: Books Like the Love Hypothesis to Obsess Over

The honey don't list and other faux celebrity and influencer books

The Honey Don’t List by Christina Lauren

This one is for all you Chip and Joanna Gaines fans.⁣  Imagine if behind-the-scenes a beloved TV decorating couple actually hated each other’s guts.

Then imagine that they have decided to put out a book about their marriage and are heading out on tour. How to keep the trouble in paradise under wraps? Bring along a longtime female assistant and new handsome quasi-assistant to monitor the situation.

Let’s just hope the assistants can stay out of each other’s pants long enough to keep their bosses out of trouble.⁣

The Suite Spot by Trish Doller

The Suite Spot by Trish Dollar

This charming story was an absolute delight. I fell in love with Rachel and Mason and their friends-to-lovers story.

Rachel’s little girl is a delight too and I like that the conflict in the romance wasn’t about Mason and Rachel’s relationship so much as something that had to do with Rachel as a single mom.

This sweet story is perfect for a quiet moment of reading; preferably rocking on a swing in the backyard at dusk with twinkle lights overhead.

Remarkably Bright Creatures and more books about women in the workplace.

Historical Fiction Books about Women in the Workplace

Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk

Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk by Kathleen Rooney

This book could be an amazing movie.  It is not the type of book that you “can’t put down” because it takes place on New Year’s Eve 1984 with flashbacks to the past. But, it is an incredibly interesting and very well-written book.

Lillian Boxfish takes the reader with her through a look at New York City through the ages.  I really enjoyed this book.

Rouge by Richard Kirshenbaum and more books about women in the workplace

Rouge by Richard Kirshenbaum

The story of 2 (actually kind of 3) female entrepreneurs who kick-started the beauty industry was well crafted. This historical fiction mostly covered the 30s to 50s as Josephine and Constance constantly try to one-up each other personally and professionally.

These titans challenge each other to push their respective companies to greatness. Their lives parallel throughout the story in unique ways though they remain enemies until their dying day.

water for elephants by sara gruen

Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen

I read this book long before we started the blog and I still recommend this book to everyone as a must-read. 

It is the middle of the Great Depression and Jacob finds himself orphaned just shy of earning his Veterinary degree. He finds himself a job with a circus caring for a menagerie.

Here he meets Marlena, the beautiful star of the show, and an untrainable elephant named Rosie.

I loved everything about this book from the romance and tension, to the beauty of the animals and their relationship with the people around them.

A Woman of Intelligence and more books about women in the workplace

A Woman of Intelligence by Karin Tanabe

A book about a housewife turned female informant for the FBI.? Sign me up! I went in interested to learn about Communism in the 50s but stayed for Katharina’s story.

I can’t imagine being a wife in the 50s. The ideals that society put on women were just too much. Too many constraints, too many rules, and far too much judgment.

I loved seeing Katharina find herself through her undercover work, but sometimes those scenes of her life at home were hard to read about because I came to despise her husband.

We’ve got a list of more than a dozen books about female spies.

Non-Traditional Working Women Books

Lager Queen of Minnesota by J. Ryan Stradal and more than 60 more of the best feel good books

Lager Queen of Minnesota by J. Ryan Stradal

This is another perfect pick from our favorite Indie bookstore.  Main Point Books in Wayne did a fabulous job of matching me up with this book that I might not have read otherwise.  I needed something with a great story that would make me feel good and this was perfect. 

This is the story of two sisters, one farm, and the lives that they share.  I loved this book for its great story, quirky subject, and great writing. 

Lessons in Chemistry and more goodreads choice awards 2022 books

Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus

April 2022 GMA Book Club Pick

I don’t even know where to begin with this unique contemporary fiction story. Elizabeth Zott is a chemist in the 50s when women were expected to know their place in society — their place being the kitchen and the home.

Elizabeth struggles to be taken seriously in her field and as a single mother, in this amazing book. So when an offer to host a cooking show for women is put in her path, she reluctantly takes it.

She uses her no-nonsense attitude and chemistry principles to teach the women in America to not only cook but to follow their dreams outside of the home.

Zott is a quirky character like Eleanor Oliphant with a charming daughter and a dog whose inner monologue is as quirky as hers. An absolutely wonderful book about motherhood! You can also find this book on our list of Books Like The Love Hypothesis as well.

Are you looking for the perfect book for your next book club? Check out our Lessons in Chemistry Book Club Guide. If you love this book and are looking for more, we also have 15 Books Like Lessons in Chemistry.

Remarkably Bright Creatures

Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt

May 2022 Read with Jenna Book Club Pick

I haven’t read a novel with as much heart as this one in quite some time.

Elderly, recently widowed Tova loves her job cleaning the aquarium in town in the quiet of the night, especially because of her fondness for Marcellus, the octopus. She finds solace in the aquarium as it makes her feel closer to her son, Erik – a marine life lover – who disappeared on a boat when he was 18.

But when she hurts herself and is unable to return to work at full capacity, she grows close with her replacement, Cameron, a young man newly arrived in town looking for his birth mother.

Meanwhile, Marcellus knows what really happened to Erik and he wants to help Tova find the closure she needs. His narration is interspersed with Tova and Cameron’s for a story that is compelling, heartwarming, and utterly unique.

I will be shoving this book into the hands of everyone who asks for a book recommendation. I’m not exaggerating when I say it’s my favorite book of the year so far.

The Queens of Animation and more books about women in the workplace

Non-Fiction Political Books about Women in the Workplace

From the Corner of the Oval and more books about women in the workplace

From the Corner of the Oval by Beck Dorey-Stein

This memoir about Beck’s life as the stenographer in the Obama White House read like a fiction book. It was like Sex and the City meets Scandal.

I had no idea how juicy things got in Washington! I also appreciated how much Beck respected the Obamas and the work they did for our country. This is one of my favorite non-fiction books about women in the workplace.

first women by kate andersen brower

First Women by Kate Andersen Brower

This non-fiction book about the powerhouse women behind the presidents was fascinating. I had no idea what a job being the First Lady really is…an unpaid one at that! This intimate look at the many hats the modern First Lady plays showcases all the women from Jacqueline Kennedy to Michelle Obama that have been FLOTUS.

I was fascinated to see the differences between Hillary Clinton to Lady Bird Johnson. I know FLOTUS is one job I never want to have, but I have such respect for all the women that have held that office.

becoming


Becoming by Michelle Obama

November 2018 Oprah’s Book Club Pickir?source=bk&t=beyondth06 20&bm id=default&l=ktl&linkId=8490f4bde5448c1a5d7f9c3095a78527& cb=1580518895851

I am so happy that I finally read this book. Michelle Obama is a brilliant woman who has such an incredible story to tell.  I was intrigued listening to her life and her upbringing.

I listened to this book and was so happy to hear the story read by Obama herself. Obama is a brilliant woman and it was a pleasure to hear her story told in her voice. There is something about her voice that is so calming and soothing. This is one of our favorite non-fiction books about women in politics. As nonfiction books for beginners go, this one is a must.

For more stories like these, head to our list of Books about Women in Politics

Non-Fiction Books about Women in the Workplace

The Queens of Animation and more books about women in the workplace

The Queens of Animation by Nathalia Holt

This nonfiction book sheds light on the talent of Disney’s pioneering female animators and the struggles they faced in a male-dominated field. I loved learning about these incredible women – like Mary Blair who created the art for the “It’s a Small World” ride. ⁣

I was appalled by the disparate treatment female in the animation field received, but I was also impressed by their gumption. The author does a tremendous job of showing their struggles put also how these women shaped animation as we know it.

I was heartened to see just how far they have come. The book ends with Frozen and you could clearly see the studio’s growth.⁣

Hidden Figures and more books about women in the workplace

Hidden Figures: The American Dream and the Untold Story of the Black Woman Mathematicians Who Helped Win the Space Race by Margot Lee Shetterly

This true and amazing story of the black mathematicians and their role in the space race reads like a fiction novel.

So many people know this story because of the movie but, the book gives so many more details- as is usually the case with adaptations.

Her Honor and more books about women in the workplace

Her Honor by LaDoris Hazzard Cordell

While I’m always interested in the justice system, I often find non-fiction books about the topic to be dry, too technical, or just plain confusing.

But not Judge Cordell’s book which has a perfect balance of example-based stories and explanation of legal issues without the legalese that can be confusing to those outside the justice system.

Her detailed antidotes about her life on the bench were compelling and troubling, drawing me in, and forcing me to see that our legal system needs to work across ALL divisions.

I spent most of my time listening to this book, which is narrated by Judge Cordell, and I couldn’t pause it.

Nickel and Dimed and more books about women in the workplace

Nickel and Dimed by Barbara Ehrenreich

I read this book in college and I still think of it today. For one year, Barbara set out to live off minimum wage at the lowest paying jobs in America.

Over the course of the year, she is a hotel maid, a waitress, a cleaning woman, a nursing home aid, and a Wal-Mart associate. Her stories of the conditions she lives in and what people need to do to get by on the poverty line fundamentally changed the course of many people’s thinking over the years.

It shows how hard people are working for minimum wage, how little those salaries get you, and just what is wrong with what we value in this country.

Did you find any books about women in the workplace to add to your list?

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