Order History
Premium Membership & Rewards
Help Center / FAQ
13 Inspiring and Heroic Books that Live on Leslie Knope’s Bookshelf
Some facts about our favorite Parks and Recreation character’s book-nerd lifestyle that are probably true: Leslie Knope’s books are organized by color AND author’s last name—which, yes, might seem impossible, but she started a letter-writing campaign to every publisher on Earth until she could make it happen. Leslie Knope marks all the best passages in each book with those tiny neon Post-It flags and remembers them for when her friends need a specific literary pick-me-up. Leslie Knope’s collection is 95% kickass lady authors (honestly, we made this list and WITHOUT EVEN TRYING ended up with nearly all female authors. It feels right). Leslie Knope knows the secrets of how to become a power player in Washington, D.C., will be revealed to her in due time if she simply reads enough political memoirs. Leslie Knope’s bookshelf, much like Leslie Knope, the beloved heart and soul of Parks and Recreation, is right nearly all the time, except when it’s not—and when it’s not, it’s still pretty insistent that it’s right. So you should read everything on it, basically.
Here’s a closer look at what we imagine might be on that glorious piece of furniture (which was probably hand-crafted by Ron Swanson at some point and, obviously, stands directly below Leslie’s Wall of Inspirational Women).
Ships in 1-2 days.
Lean In, by Sheryl Sandberg
Because whether she’s turning a pit into a park or knocking back a plate of whipped cream, waffles, and whipped cream from JJ’s Diner, nobody’s leaning in harder than Leslie Knope (except maybe Sheryl Sandberg herself…but since we’re not sure how fast she can eat a plate of waffles, this is still inconclusive).
Ships in 1-2 days.
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, by Maya Angelou
Maya Angelou’s gorgeous, inspiring book is a salve for the soul—but we find this quote especially appropriate: “Instead, pursue the things you love doing, and then do them so well that people can’t take their eyes off you.” And then get recalled from city council anyway, right? Right? Anyone? (We’re still not over it.)
Ships in 1-2 days.
Every Harry Potter book, by J.K. Rowling
Ok, sure. The series might be named after a boy wizard, but those of us who love our color-coded binders more than most humans know the truth. Hermione Granger is the story’s true unsung heroine. If Hermione lived in Indiana, she’d have a lifetime membership to the Pawnee Goddesses for sure. Ten points to Gryffindor every day for the rest of eternity for having the best character ever within its house.
Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret, by Judy Blume
This is the quintessential coming-of-age book for women over the age of 30. It’s a work of art covering friendships, our changing bodies, religion, and just so, so many feelings. Judy Blume is perfection. We want to be friends with her and perhaps even write about what SHE has on her bookshelf. We’ll maybe set that thought aside for later…but Judy and Leslie within close proximity of each other thrills us to no end.
No Higher Honor: a Memoir of My Years in Washington, by Condoleezza Rice
The lesson here? The love of powerful ladies cannot be contained by party lines or political ideologies. It is real, it is lasting, and it is all-inclusive.
Anne of Green Gables, by Lucy Maud Montgomery
Smart, spunky, and eager to please! Kind of like a ginger version of someone else we know and love—who, we might add, also has a best friend named ANN (sans “e”). See how it’s all coming together?!
Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott
Little women, growing up to stand on their own two feet—being a writer, being a mother, being a rich guy’s wife—all the March girls choose their choices! Except Beth. Poor, poor Beth. Still, despite the sad part…this book is an obvious yes.
Ships in 1-2 days.
Wild, by Cheryl Strayed
Nature. Hiking boots. A blond woman on a journey. We like to imagine Ben trying to talk Leslie out of doing a 1,000-mile hike of her own. Although you know she could if she wanted. For the record. She won’t. But she could.
Ships in 1-2 days.
It Takes a Village, by Hillary Rodham Clinton
Because, in Leslie’s own words, “That’s why people respect Hillary Clinton so much, because nobody takes a punch like her. She’s the smartest, strongest punching bag in the world.”
I Am Malala: How One Girl Stood Up for Education and Changed the World (Young Readers Edition)
Malala Yousafzai
Hardcover
$18.99
Ships in 1-2 days.
I Am Malala, by Malala Yousafzai with Patricia McCormick
Leslie definitely read this entire book in one sitting, sobbed, then called all her friends and read portions of it out loud to them. At 3 a.m. While still sobbing.
To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee
The ultimate story of one person with an unshakable conscience vs. a big, bad world. Perhaps Leslie is the Atticus Finch of Pawnee? After all, that town barely know what it wants unless it’s a 512-ounce soda from Paunch Burger! They need someone with a moral compass that constantly points north (AWAY from the soda)!
Waffles: Sweet & Savory Recipes for Every Meal, by Martha Stone
Obviously.
Ships in 1-2 days.
Pawnee, the Greatest Town in America, by Leslie Knope, Amy Poehler
Double obviously (although we’d prefer it with the giant “Joan’s Book Club” sticker on it and maybe a few “Gotcha!” dancers surrounding it, too, just for fun).
What books do you think you might find on Leslie Knope’s bookshelf?