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Best Audible Books for Women Who Want to Stop Playing Small

  • Writer: Eng. Evans Nusu
    Eng. Evans Nusu
  • 7 hours ago
  • 4 min read

After reading 1,000+ books, I know which ones are genuinely worth your time. Some links on this page are affiliate links—if you sign up for Audible through them, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This helps fund the curation work that goes into every Evans Book Club recommendation.


Intro

If you’ve been feeling like you’re capable of more—but somehow keep holding yourself back—you’re not alone.


Playing small doesn’t always look obvious. Sometimes it shows up as overthinking, waiting for permission, staying quiet in rooms you deserve to lead, or shrinking your ambitions to fit what feels “safe.”


The truth? Most women don’t lack potential—they lack the right mental frameworks and reinforcement.


That’s where the right books come in.


After reading (and listening to) over 1,000+ books, I’ve curated the ones that consistently spark real transformation—not just motivation that fades in a week.


You don’t need more hustle. You don’t need to “fix” yourself.

What you need is:

  • A shift in identity

  • A new relationship with fear

  • And permission to take up space unapologetically


The books below are designed to help you do exactly that.


Quick Summary Table

Book

Author

Best For

Length


you are a badass

You Are a Badass

Listen for FREE

Jen Sincero

Confidence + self-belief

~6 hrs

Glennon Doyle

Breaking expectations

~8 hrs


the confidence code

The Confidence Code

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Katty Kay & Claire Shipman

Building real confidence

~9 hrs


playing big

Playing Big

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Tara Mohr

Women stepping into leadership

~6 hrs


girl, stop apologizing

Girl, Stop Apologizing

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Rachel Hollis

Taking ownership of your life

~7 hrs

Elizabeth Gilbert

Creativity + courage

~5 hrs


dare to lead

Dare to Lead

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Brené Brown

Leadership + vulnerability

~8 hrs


atomic habits

Atomic Habits

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James Clear

Building powerful habits

~5 hrs


Book #1You Are a Badass by Jen Sincero

This is the ultimate wake-up call for women who know they’re capable of more but keep sabotaging themselves. It blends humor, mindset shifts, and direct action in a way that actually sticks.


Perfect for: Women who struggle with self-doubt, procrastination, or undercharging for their value.


Book #2Untamed by Glennon Doyle

A powerful memoir-meets-manifesto about breaking free from societal expectations and living life on your own terms.


Perfect for: Women who feel boxed in by roles, expectations, or fear of judgment.


Book #3The Confidence Code by Katty Kay & Claire Shipman

Backed by research, this book explains why women often feel less confident—and more importantly, how to fix it.


Perfect for: Women in careers or business who feel like they’re not “ready enough.”


Quick reminder: Every book on this list is available on Audible. If you haven't tried it yet, Audible offers a free 30-day trial that gives you full access—meaning you can start listening to any book on this list today, completely free.

Book #4Playing Big by Tara Mohr

This book is specifically written for women who are ready to step into leadership but feel held back internally.


Perfect for: Women who want to speak up, lead, and stop second-guessing themselves.


Book #5Girl, Stop Apologizing by Rachel Hollis

A direct, no-excuses guide to owning your ambition and going after what you want—without guilt.


Perfect for: Women who downplay their goals or feel guilty for wanting more.


Book #6Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert

A refreshing take on creativity, fear, and living a more inspired life without perfectionism.


Perfect for: Women who feel stuck creatively or are afraid to pursue passion projects.


Book #7Dare to Lead by Brené Brown

A deep dive into leadership, courage, and vulnerability—essential for women stepping into bigger roles.


Perfect for: Women leading teams, businesses, or wanting to grow into leadership.


Book #8Atomic Habits by James Clear

While not written specifically for women, this is one of the most powerful books for building systems that support growth.


Perfect for: Women who want consistent progress instead of relying on motivation.


Every book Eng. Evans Nusu recommends is available on Audible. New members get 30 days completely free—which means this entire Evans Book Club collection is yours to explore before spending a penny.

FAQ Section

Is Audible worth it?

Yes—especially if you struggle to find time to read.


Audiobooks allow you to learn while commuting, working out, or doing daily tasks. For most people, this turns “no time to read” into 5–10 books per month effortlessly.


How does the Audible free trial work?

Audible offers a 30-day free trial for new users.


During this period, you:

  • Get full access to the Audible library

  • Can download and keep your first audiobook

  • Cancel anytime with no cost


This makes it completely risk-free to try.


Reading—or in this case, listening—is one of the highest-return investments you can make in yourself.


The Audible free trial removes every excuse.

Thirty days. No cost. Instant access.

The only thing left to do is choose your first book.


 
 

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