Tori Dunlap’s Top 5 Books For Women Seeking Financial Empowerment
Written by
Laura Bogart
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Kristen Mae
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If you’re a financially motivated woman, you might think the best education in personal finance comes from an online course or a budgeting app. You might scroll through social media looking for experts whose insights speak to you and inspire you to make better financial decisions. And yes, there’s a lot to learn from those sources.
For Tori Dunlap, the author of “Financial Feminist” and the entrepreneur behind Her First $100K, there’s another key resource for women seeking to boost both their confidence and skills with money — you can find it at your local library. As the beloved “Reading Rainbow” song goes, “Take a look, it’s in a book.”
Dunlap recently shared her top five books for women who want to build smarter, stronger relationships with money — and with themselves.
1. “Big Magic” by Liz Gilbert
To say Dunlap is a big fan of author Liz Gilbert would be an understatement. “Is she the queen of my life?” Dunlap asked rhetorically. “One hundred percent.” This title ranks high among Dunlap’s picks because it inspires readers to unlock their creativity and “[helps] you get to a point where you feel like you and your brain are friends, not enemies.” Dunlap calls the book life changing — one of the highest endorsements possible.
Shaking out the cobwebs of your cognition, boosting your self-confidence, and realizing that your creativity is limitless can empower you to make bold moves with your money.
2. “What I Was Doing While You Were Breeding” by Kristin Newman
Despite the provocative title, Dunlap recommends this memoir, penned by a sitcom writer for shows like “That ’70s Show,” as a reminder to women in their 20s and 30s that they don’t have to follow society’s expectations in order to be happy.
The book reassures readers that even if everyone around them is getting married, buying houses, and having kids, it’s fine to prioritize other goals, like traveling — which also requires having financial savvy.
“It reminds you to live your own life regardless of anybody around you,” Dunlap said.
3. “All About Love: New Visions” by bell hooks
Dunlap has already started marking up her copy of hooks’ seminal classic, which explores how we relate to each other and to ourselves. The book defines love, including self-love, as a conscious act requiring intention, care, and commitment. Instead of viewing love as a passive force, hooks presents it as a deliberate practice for yourself and your community.
While the book doesn’t explicitly address money, it does address the idea of choosing to care about others and demonstrate that care — aligning with Dunlap’s belief that one of the core advantages of women amassing wealth is the ability to give freely to causes that align with their values and hearts.
4. “Financial Feminist” by Tori Dunlap
Heck yeah, Dunlap is promoting her own book. As she should, since learning to celebrate your achievements is a cornerstone of anyone’s success, business owners included. Readers looking to organize their finances in the new year and beyond can benefit from Dunlap’s plainspoken yet compassionate take on all things personal finance, like saving money, paying off debt, and starting to invest.
Her book is a judgment-free zone that has helped propel it to the New York Times Bestseller List.
5. “Untamed” by Glennon Doyle
Dunlap said this worldwide sensation by Glennon Doyle changed everything about her life. Without this book, she wouldn’t feel at home enough in her mind and body to do the work she’s doing today. In this memoir, Doyle unpacks what it means to live a life authentically on her own terms, without feeling compelled to martyr herself as a “good” wife or mother.
Readers can take away lessons on honoring their anger, learning to set boundaries, and trusting their intuition.
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