May 2025: What all the Badass Women are Reading, Watching, and Listening to this Month

Have you seen the chaos over the Chicago Sun-Times' summer book preview? It featured books that don’t even exist—we’re talking completely made-up titles like Boiling Point by Rebecca Makkai and Nightshade Market by Min Jin Lee, and even a fake book by Taylor Jenkins Reid (who, for the record, is actually on my summer list this year). The whole thing was apparently AI-generated by a freelancer and slipped into the paper without any real fact-checking, which is… wild. If you missed the story, you can check it out here.

In light of that hot mess, I’m extra excited to share my actual summer reading list with you next week—every title handpicked, totally real, and 100% books I can’t wait to read.

But that’s only part of the big news – like every other “influencer” in the world, I am planning to transition this newsletter to the Substack platform.  Not for monetization – this will still be free – but more because of the discoverability factor I think it gives to content.

You won’t have to do anything on your end – the email list transfers pretty seamlessly (I hope!) The format will look a little different – there likely won’t be as many graphics and images, but I’m still feeling my way on that. Thank you in advance for your patience!

And, now – on to our May Recommendations!

I was so honored to host an event earlier this month with Dolen Perkin-Valdez, the author of Happy Land. Dolen is a delight – so warm and engaging!  I can see how she can write such thoughtful characters.

When Nikki gets a surprise call from the grandmother she hasn’t seen in years, she heads to the mountains of North Carolina looking for answers—and ends up hearing the incredible true story of a hidden kingdom founded by freed people, and her own family’s ties to it. What starts out sounding like a fairy tale quickly becomes something much deeper, as Nikki uncovers generations of strength, secrets, and legacy. Happy Land is a moving, multi-generational story about identity, history, and the power of claiming what’s yours before it’s lost. Rooted in historical fact, you can read more and get your copy here.

One fascinating thing Dolen shared with us was a link to a site where she and her research partners collected all the information they compiled about The Kingdom. You can check it out here.

One of Dolen’s earlier books, Take My Hand, was a previous Badass Women’s Book Club monthly pick.  That story – also anchored in historical fact – feels more relevant than ever.

In 1973, new nurse Civil Townsend wants to make a difference in her Montgomery, Alabama community—but nothing prepares her for what she finds on her first week: two young girls, just 11 and 13, being put on birth control without their understanding or consent. Civil gets pulled deep into their lives, trying to protect them, until something unthinkable happens that changes everything. Inspired by real events, Take My Hand is a moving, unforgettable story about injustice, memory, and the responsibility to speak up—even when it’s hard. You can read more and get your copy here.

It’s been a strong month for non-fiction releases! First up is this one I’m very excited to read – dare we have hope for this Supreme Court?

In Lawless, Leah Litman digs into what’s really going on at the Supreme Court—and spoiler: it’s less about law and more about vibes (and not the good kind). With sharp wit and zero sugarcoating, she breaks down how conservative justices are using legal-sounding arguments to push a political agenda, and what the rest of us can do about it. You can read more and get your copy here.

Hello, Cruel World! tackles the big, anxiety-inducing question: how do we raise kids to face a future full of real, messy challenges we can’t fully fix ourselves? Journalist Melinda Wenner Moyer pulls from tons of expert insight to offer practical, science-backed strategies that help kids build resilience, empathy, and a sense of purpose. It’s a grounded, hopeful guide for raising thoughtful humans in a world that often feels like it’s on fire. You can read more and get your copy here.

This book would make a great graduation gift for any civic-minded grad in your life!

When We’re In Charge is a smart, no-BS guide for the next generation of leaders who are ready to ditch outdated leadership norms and do things differently. Amanda Litman shares real talk, practical advice, and insights from over 100 Gen Z and millennial changemakers on how to lead with compassion, set boundaries, and still get things done. You can read more and get your copy here.

For a fictionized twist on Gen Z activism, check out this next new release:

When a new law shuts down the abortion clinic where Angela works and lands her boss in jail, she stages a one-woman hunger strike inside the boarded-up building—armed with nothing but grit, rage, and the leftover exam table paper she turns into a diary. She’s not exactly activist material, but her messy, defiant protest starts to draw unexpected attention, including from her ex and a fierce anti-abortion opponent. State Champ is raw, weird, and powerful—a story about bodily autonomy, burnout, and what it really means to show up for each other. You can read more and get your copy here.

I’ve been using lighter rom-coms as a reality escape lately. This one was a good read.

Andie is still reeling from her father’s death, but landing her dream job as a senior book publicist feels like a fresh start—until she finds out her first big assignment is a book tour with Jack Carlson, the ex-friend who wrecked her life in college. Now she’s stuck traveling across Europe with a man she’d rather avoid, trying to juggle her grief, her job, and some very unresolved feelings. It’s messy, emotional, and maybe... just maybe... a second chance in disguise. You can read more and get your copy here.

MORE BADASSNESS FOR YOU

Lawless author Leah Litman is also one of the co-hosts of the podcast Strict Scrutiny. Hosted by three badass constitutional law professors– Litman, Kate Shaw, and Melissa Murray– Strict Scrutiny provides in-depth, accessible, and irreverent analysis of the Supreme Court and its cases, culture, and personalities. Each week, Leah, Kate, and Melissa break down the latest headlines and biggest legal questions facing our country, emphasizing what it all means for our daily lives. You can check it out here.

I am loving rewatching Hacks Seasons 1-3 with my daughter. We are doing some serious binging to be ready for the Season 4 finale on May 29th. I think it’s also the series finale (boo!) but am loving the chatter about a potential Jimmy and Kayla spinoff!

Sister drama, socialites, and suspiciously perfect fruit baskets? Yes, please. In the new Netflix series summer watch, Sirens, a bird sanctuary gala brings together a glamorous hostess, her mysterious young assistant, and a very skeptical big sister. Cue the secrets, champagne, and real-estate envy. You can watch the trailer here.

How many of us are old enough to remember Stacy London and Clinton Kelly and their What Not to Wear series, where every guest/victim was humiliated by their clothing (and often career and life) choices for most of the episode?  Until Stacy and Clinton “remade” them into beautiful swans at the very end. It was so cringe.  Well, they’re back. And word is their new Amazon Prime show – Wear Whatever the F You Want – is more humane and inclusive.  I hope so!  You can watch the trailer here.