Hey Barbie. In Greta Gerwig’s film, the pink, plastic, and fantastic Barbieland captivated us with its endless dance parties, doting Kens, and matriarchal dream society. But when Barbie ventures into the real world, she begins to question her identity and purpose outside of her role as stereotypical Barbie.
Whether you’re looking for a deeper dive into gender roles or just need a good reminder that you’re Kenough, here are 10 books for Barbie fans that celebrate womanhood and individuality, highlight the complexities of gender roles, and encourage self-discovery.
1. Barbie and Ruth by Robin Gerber
If you teared up when Barbie (Margot Robbie) walked arm-in-arm with her creator Ruth Handler (Rhea Perlman) to discuss what it means to be human, you might be interested in learning more about Barbie’s inspiring creator. I for one was very intrigued by her not-so-subtle tax evasion references at the end of the film.
Gerber’s fascinating biography details Ruth’s early life in New York City as the 10th child of Polish Jewish immigrants and how she came to be the creative and visionary that brought the coveted and highly debated doll into the hands of children everywhere.
2. The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan
At the end of the movie, Ruth Handler tells Barbie about her daughter Barbara — the inspiration for the doll — saying that “we mothers stand still so our daughters can look back and see how far they've come,” a sentiment that also rings true in this heartwarming novel centered around the deep, complex connections between mothers and daughters.
Tan’s poignant and witty story focuses on a quartet of Chinese women who emigrated to San Francisco, where they created the Joy Luck Club to talk, play mahjong, and eat dim sum together. Much like Gloria and her daughter Sasha in Barbie, these women have meaningful though sometimes difficult relationships with their daughters, who often feel the tension between their Chinese heritage and their American upbringing.
The Joy Luck Club is a thought-provoking, emotional story highlighting the bonds between mothers and daughters despite generational differences.
3. Anna by Amy Odell
If you were a fan of the carefully curated outfits that made Barbie such a visually appealing film, and if you followed Margot Robbie’s Barbie-inspired press tour outfits, you should check out this detailed biography of the queen of fashion herself — Anna Wintour.
Odell’s biography of a woman who fulfilled her dream of becoming editor-in-chief of Vogue magazine, not to mention eventually running the media company Condé Nast, offers a unique glimpse into Wintour’s path to success.
Covering Anna from London teenager to media mogul (who famously inspired the character Miranda Priestly in The Devil Wears Prada), it shows her vast influence in the world of fashion with interviews from friends and other figures in the industry.
4. Dress Code by Véronique Hyland
Another book on the fashion front — focusing more on how it reflects and shapes the surrounding culture — this essay collection by the fashion features director at ELLE magazine is a must-read.
Described as the “Bad Feminist for fashion,” it’s both a critical look at the industry alongside commentary on how what we wear can signal our social group, gender, economic class, and more.
While Barbie’s clothes are laid out and ready for her to step into, this book will make you stop and think about what your clothes say about you the next time you’re getting dressed.
5. Paris by Paris Hilton
Much like stereotypical Barbie, Hilton was the It Girl in the early 2000s — a wealthy, stylish influencer who seemed to be everywhere and was often criticized for her seemingly shallow nature. But there’s more to the celebrity than most of us have seen.
In this candid memoir, Hilton shares the person beyond the persona, including the pressures of growing up in the spotlight and the struggle with seeking her identity apart from her media persona.
Hilton’s story is a great read for anyone who enjoyed the self-discovery aspects of Barbie, offering a fresh perspective on fame and societal judgment.
6. Beauty Queens by Libba Bray
If you enjoyed the fun-loving dynamics between the badass Barbies of Barbieland, you should check out Beauty Queens — a page-turning novel that details the consequential events of a plane crash that leaves 13 teenage beauty queen contestants stranded on a strange island.
Between the island’s many dangers and the girls’ hopeful rehearsals for a beauty pageant that may never come, you’ll delight in this clever skewering of the beauty industry that the New York Times calls both “a madcap surrealist satire” and “a story of empowering self-discovery.”
7. Vintage by Susan Gloss
A vintage boutique is the center of this heartwarming novel about the women whose lives are shaped by the dresses — and friendships — within its walls.
These include the store’s owner, Violet, who comes from a troubled past, along with an 18-year-old who’s unexpectedly pregnant and an older Indian American woman and skilled seamstress.
You’ll love the way vintage gowns become the connection between these women as they push beyond the pain in their lives to find hope, much like the Barbies of Barbieland connect over the overwhelming standards of womanhood and seek their true purpose.
8. Editor in Chic by Mikki Taylor
Hailed by author and actress Gabrielle Union as a “master class on beauty, wellness, purpose, and what it means to live in your power zone,” this fashion guide from an editor at Essence is a style essential.
Editor in Chic not only offers tips on clothing, makeup, and bargain shopping, but also on living your best life. It’s like having your fellow Barbies on hand to hype you up, whether you’re dressing for a first date or preparing for a work presentation.
9. Skirts by Kimberly Chrisman-Campbell
A social history of the 20th century through dresses? Sign us up. Barbie fans who enjoyed the evolution of the doll — showcased in the end credits — will enjoy reading how dresses and skirts have reflected our changing culture through the decades, from women’s suffrage and the civil rights movement to suits and the little black dress.
Readers will even be treated to a sneak peek at what the future may hold for hemlines as ideas about women’s roles and gender continue to evolve.
10. Play It As It Lays by Joan Didion
Compared to Barbie’s upbeat and joyful energy, Didion’s novel falls on the darker side, though like the film, it tells the story of a woman’s search for meaning in a world that celebrates unrealistic standards of women.
Play It As It Lays follows the life of 1960’s Hollywood actress Maria Wyeth, who feels alienated and questions her purpose in an industry that values superficial beauty.
Didion’s book offers a cynical reflection on the culture at a time where women were often marginalized, exploring Maria’s desire for control amid a chaotic society. This book is a great choice for anyone looking to dive deeper into a history that has shaped gender norms and societal standards that still impact our culture today.
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About the Author: G.G. Andrew
G.G. is a freelance writer and author of romance and women's fiction, including the short story "Everything Left Unsaid" in the collection A Million Ways: Stories of Motherhood. A Texas transplant, she lives outside Houston with her husband and two sons, both of whom are on the autism spectrum. In her spare time, she enjoys browsing bookstores, yoga, paper crafts, cooking, genealogy, and anything related to Halloween. She's probably drinking tea right now.
About the Author: Megan McKeough
Megan is a Brooklyn-based freelance writer who loves reading coming-of-age novels and memoirs. When she’s not reading, Megan is exploring the Brooklyn bike paths, trying out a new recipe, or cheering on the Houston Astros.
