Ambition is what drives progress and change – these books for ambitious women can help you tap into yours. These books explore the top characteristics of ambitious women and identify their most pressing challenges.

If you want to craft the right mindset, get gritty, build unbreakable confidence, and be a true visionary – grab a copy of one of these books for ambitious women. There are also inspiring non-fiction books about women who have overcome challenges and defied stereotypes, and some have even changed history. They will empower you and get you to think big.

Recommended Reading: The Top Characteristics of Ambitious Women Revealed

Here are some of the best books for ambitious women.

7 Non-fiction Books For Ambitious Women

1. Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg

Facebook’s former COO and one of the most inspiring women in business, Sheryl Sandberg, speaks about how women hold themselves back at work. She discusses gender roles in business and how women can tap into their ambition and succeed.

2. Young and Restless by Mattie Kahn

Young and restless seems like a potent combination, especially if you are an ambitious woman. This ground-breaking and highly acclaimed book shares how women have shaped and built the foundation for some of America’s most historic moments. It explores how teenage girls played a part in the civil rights movement, women’s rights movements, and strikes for climate change. Discover the untold stories of female unity and their most revered traits that could change the world, and that you can leverage.

3. Mindset by Carol S. Dweck

In her groundbreaking book, Carol Dweck explores and popularizes the term “growth mindset.” She encourages us to challenge our fundamental assumptions about our capabilities and see how we can grow and reach new heights by developing a growth mindset. This book can help you let go of perfection and focus on progress instead, which could lead to remarkable results.

4. The Confidence Code by Katty Kay and Claire Shipman

Research has shown that women are much less confident than men in the workplace. This is a revolutionary book for ambitious women. Read it to build unbreakable confidence and reach your biggest goals.

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5. Grit by Angela Duckworth

If you want to understand the role that passion and perseverance play in success, pick up this book. Angela Duckworth explores various people in tough professions, interviews top achievers, and shares their invaluable insights. Grit coupled with a growth mindset could make you unstoppable.

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6. Becoming by Michelle Obama

This is one of the greatest self-improvement books for women. The former first lady shares her remarkable story about how to find your voice in a discriminatory society; and emerge strong, fearless, and confident – making it one of the greatest books for ambitious women.

7. When Women Lead by Julia Boorstin

CNBC’s reporter, Julia Boorsti, dives deep into the top characteristics of female leaders. She interviews more than 60 real-life female leaders and gains fascinating insights into how females run companies and influential women lead. This book will help female leaders and aspiring women leaders make a real and life-changing impact.

5 Inspiring Fiction Books for Ambitious Women

Here are fictional books with ambitious female characters that will inspire you. Some of these books explore contemporary issues for ambitious women, female ambition in sports, and how women can succeed against all odds. Here are some of the best fiction books for ambitious woman.

1. The Girl with the Louding Voice by Abi Dare

This powerful novel tells the story of Adunni, a fourteen-year-old Nigerian girl determined to get an education and escape a life of servitude and poverty. She eventually finds her “louding voice” against a backdrop of hardships. Her spirited journey, search for a good education, and her resilience will inspire other women to advocate for themselves.

2. Carrie Soto Is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid

This nail-biting book explores unfiltered female ambition. Carrie Soto is a somewhat unpopular former number-one tennis player who comes out of retirement to reclaim her title. It shows her intense drive, her sacrifices, and her unapologetic ambition. This book is a testament to the power of determination, grit, and challenges world views on female ambition.

3. The Ten-Year Nap by Meg Wolitzer

This book thoughtfully explores the lives of a group of women who left their careers to raise children and now find themselves wondering what happened to their careers and ambitions. It provides a nuanced look at the choices women make and the societal pressures they face, resonating with many ambitious women. It will make you reflect on the notion of having it all, and your own life.

4. Woman on Fire by Lisa Barr

Jules Roth, an ambitious young journalist, is thrust into a high-stakes world as she investigates the disappearance of a famous painting stolen by the Nazis. Her journey is one of courage, tenacity, and ethical dilemmas. This is a thrilling book for ambitious women and can help you understand the role of moral integrity in your pursuit of success.

5. Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus

Lastly, Lessons in Chemistry will make you laugh out loud and cry with sadness and frustration. Set in the 1960s, this novel follows an ambitious and matter-of-fact female chemist whose career is derailed by a male-dominated society and expectations. It shows her unexpected journey, her flexibility, and her courage to change women’s lives in expected ways.

Which of These Books for Ambitious Women Will You Read Next?

This list of ambitious books for women can help you develop characteristics like resilience, confidence, and determination. Plus, these stories of remarkable women can ignite a fire within you and understand our potential to change ourselves and the world.