Half the Sky
By Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn

In this engrossing book, Kristof and WuDunn report stories of gender inequality around the world. "I give this book to every woman I know," says Bello, who studied peace and justice education at Villanova and has since worked with women in Kosovo, Darfur, the Congo, and Haiti. She was impressed by the writers' reporting, of course, but also by the ideas they give for helping women in precarious situations. "Sometimes we go to a place of, 'Oh, it's gonna take billions of dollars to make an impact,'" says Bello, "but Nick and Sheryl write about the small things people can do, and I realize I just have to do my own little bit—whatever that is."
Memorable quote: "Women aren't the problem but the solution. The plight of girls is no more a tragedy than an opportunity."

Bello's next pick: Darkness Visible by William Styron