Maybe you started buying holiday gifts in August. Maybe you Amazon Prime in the nick-of-time. If you’re somewhere in between, now is the time for a little #giftinspo.

What do you get your gal pals and boss babes all too familiar with Notorious RBG? More fire reads authored by icons and experts of color, LGBTQ individuals and women to keep their literary game lit and our society moving forward.

Kicking the list off with our former First Lady, below are 13 books to support, inform, motivate, comfort and even distract your besties that want it—or need it—most.  

Becoming- Michelle Obama

Michelle Obama, the first black first lady, has left the White House and has a few things to share. But like any Supreme Being, her story doesn’t start in 2009. Becoming is Michelle’s candid journey; from hearing about the childhood mentors that impacted her to her adulthood challenges conceiving children. This story dishes the essential ingredients needed to make Michelle Obama.

Everything's Trash, But It's Okay, -Phoebe Robinson

Brought to you by comedian, writer and actor Phoebe Robinson, most recently known for co-creating the 2 Dope Queens podcast. She brings her signature abbreviated lingo and it doesn’t disappoint; her collection of essays include tough love coverage of feminism that feels like a best friend trying to bring out your best.

Styling South Asian Youth Cultures: Fashion, Media & Society-Lipi Begum, Rohit K. Dasgupta, Reina Lewis

This book is for fashionistas, #stylebloggers and culture vultures. Fashion across South Asia has been making big moves, impacting and playing an important role for youth across Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. This visual and textual book dives into how gender, sexuality, class, the media and faith impact fashion for the youth in these regions.

I Might Regret This- Abbi Jacobson

Last summer, Broad City co-creator Abbi Jacobson drove solo cross country to get lost in the world and maybe find out something new about herself. The trip, inspiration for I Might Regret This, is a series of essays and illustrations that spill life guts about her getting heartbroken by a woman, dealing with success and reflecting on the world around her.

Minority Leader- Stacey Abrams

Before she ran for Georgia governor, Stacey Abrams, one of The New York Times “14 Young Democrats to Watch,” gained national attention for registering voters of color, conquering civil rights issues and creating opportunities and jobs for small businesses. Read the intimate story of her fight to drive impact in the United States.

Surpassing Certainty- Janet Mock

Until she was in her 20’s, Janet Mock would expose or conceal details about herself depending on the audience. Even with her closest friends, she wasn’t sure how they would respond if they knew she had a sex change when she was 18. Today Mock is an advocate, journalist and author—and this is her story.  

My Family Divided: One Girl's Journey of Home, Loss, and Hope- Diane Guerrero

You might know her as the best friend from Jane the Virgin or as an actor from Orange is the New Black. Diane Guerrero is also the daughter of two undocumented parents that were detained and deported when she was 14 years old. Her book is her story of struggle, resilience and a hidden American reality.

Coyote Doggirl- Lisa Hanawalt

Half coyote. Half dog. Expert equestrian and creator of crop tops. As Coyote and her horse, Red, ride West they sure do have a few run-ins with unsavory cowpoke, but it’s nothing the two can’t manage. Find out why the two are on this rough-and-tumble journey in this absurd, beautiful and oddly relatable graphic novel.

The Last Black Unicorn- Tiffany Haddish

This book came out early December last year and sold straight out, making it difficult to gift. Luckily, her publishers have your back this year with a restock of the book. Tiffany proves to be as endearing, enduring and open in print as she is in real life. Gift The Last Black Unicorn for a no-holds-barred read of what it’s like to grow up as Tiffany Haddish.

Women, Race, & Class- Angela Davis

How did the United States get to the state it is in today? Women, Race, & Class by Angela Davis breaks down the women’s liberation movement, starting from abolitionist days. This is a must-read for feminists and humans focused on fighting for equality. A book you can always return to for answers in confounding times, it’s informative, well-researched and totally aware.  

Not That Bad- Roxane Gay and others

At the height of the #MeToo movement, the critically acclaimed Roxane Gay combined her original essays and others from published authors and creatives to create Not That Bad. The collection covers the global spectrum of the injustices women face, from child molestation to the rape epidemic. It is the reminder of what can no longer be ignored.

Look Alive Out There- Sloane Crosley

One of the New York Times Best Sellers 2018, Sloane Crosley’s Look Alive Out There is a collection of essays detailing her wayward adventures. For a reprieve from reality, crack open this paperback companion and expect to laugh, cry and poke fun at the hilarity of life.

By: Lola Catero

Lola Catero is a digital marketer and content creator interested in culture, community and communication. She’s a Forbes contributor and recently had her LGBTQ-themed nail art featured in Teen Vogue. Lola is the creator of The Majority Group which is focused on supporting brands run by people of color, LGBTQ individuals and women.   

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