Roundup: Supporting Lady Tech Writers

Yes, they exist

I joined a book club recently whose unofficial theme has been to read through the (short but we’ll take it) feminist tech canon. I am delighted that there are now enough books being written by women in tech to keep us busy for the next six months, but also totally crushed that the recurring theme for these books tends to be “woman screwed over in tech world.” It’s 2020, and ouch. 

But it’s Friday, so instead of being a downer and going into everything that’s wrong about how women in tech are paid, leveled, and evaluated at work, or how women are systematically left out of important decisions despite their relevant expertise, or how just about every woman I know who works in tech has had to adjust their behavior in some way (less aggressive, more vulnerable, less emotional, hotter please) to match what is ahem, expected, of us, and so on and so on, I’ll just leave you with the list of books that we’ve got on deck to read, and you can read all about the pitfalls and perils of being a lady in tech from these authors directly. 

A caveat! You should know that while I have read some of the books on this list, I haven’t read all of them, yet. Still, I’m going to go ahead and endorse them all anyway, because at this rate every book purchased from this list is a vote that more women’s voices should be heard — even if we’re upset by the stories they have to tell.

Without further ado: 

• Uncanny Valley - Anna Weiner. A memoir and neatly cinematic look at the tech industry, filled with keen observations and uncomfortable compromises. 

• Whistleblower - Susan Fowler. A straightforward telling of a series of discriminatory events that no one should have to endure.

• Reset - Ellen Pao. The story of Pao’s experience with sexism in Silicon Valley and her lawsuit against Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byer

• Brotopia - Emily Chang. A glimpse into the male-driven culture of Silicon Valley and how women get left behind.

What did I miss? Tell me all about your favorite lady tech writers and I’ll add them to the list.