Former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern’s long-awaited memoir, A Different Kind of Power, is finally out. With her signature warmth and candour, the former New Zealand Prime Minister shares her journey from a small-town upbringing to global leadership, all while navigating motherhood, crises, and burnout.If Ardern’s refreshingly human approach to power resonates with you, here are five must-read memoirs by women who shattered glass ceilings in politics.1. A Different Kind of Power by Jacinda Ardern Photo: amazon.inMuch like her political career, Ardern’s memoir is hardly conventional. The former Prime Minister of New Zealand captivates with her warmth, humour, and vulnerability, opening with the moment she discovers her pregnancy while negotiating a coalition government. Ardern’s leadership, which was marked by empathy, crisis management (her swift response to the Christchurch mosque attack), and her identity as a working mother in office, stands in stark contrast to traditional political narratives.She candidly discusses fertility struggles, the pressures of public scrutiny, and the toll of leading through a pandemic. Yet, the book avoids deep policy debates, focusing instead on her humanising approach to governance. By the end, readers may mourn a political era where kindness and compassion seemed not just possible but powerful.Also Read | Bean there, read that: 7 books every coffee lover should check out2. The Truths We Hold by Kamala Harris Photo: amazon.inBefore becoming the first female, Black and South Asian US Vice President, Kamala Harris penned The Truths We Hold, a memoir-manifesto blending personal history with policy convictions. From her upbringing in Oakland to her career as a prosecutor and senator, Harris reflects on justice, equality, and the “truths” she believes should guide democracy.The book is both a call to action and an intimate portrait, which discusses her mother’s influence, her prosecutorial reforms, and her vision for a fairer America. While some critics wanted more personal revelations, Harris’s sharp legal mind and progressive ideals shine through, making this essential reading for those interested in modern American politics.3. My Truth by Indira Gandhi Photo: amazon.inIndia’s first and only female Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi, remains a polarising yet monumental figure. My Truth, compiled from interviews, offers rare insight into her life, from her privileged yet politically charged upbringing as the daughter of the first Prime Minister of Independent India Jawaharlal Nehru’s to her controversial tenure, including the 1975 Emergency.Story continues below this adGandhi speaks candidly about her struggles as a woman in power, her relationship with her father, and her vision for India. While critics accuse her of authoritarianism, supporters praise her strength in navigating a fractured post-colonial nation. This book is a must-read for understanding South Asian politics and the complexities of female leadership in a patriarchal society.3. Daughter of Destiny by Benazir Bhutto Photo: amazon.inBenazir Bhutto, the first woman to lead a Muslim-major nation, recounts her extraordinary life in Daughter of Destiny. From her privileged yet turbulent childhood as the daughter of Pakistan’s Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto to her own rise and fall in power, Bhutto’s story is one of resilience amid political violence.The autobiography details her education at Harvard and Oxford, her father’s execution under a military regime, and her eventual election as Prime Minister, only to face corruption charges and exile. Tragically, Bhutto was assassinated in 2007, adding weight to her reflections on democracy, sacrifice, and the cost of leadership in a volatile world.Also Read | 5 feminist reads that put women’s voices front and center5. Freedom: Memoirs 1954–2021 by Angela Merkel Photo: amazon.inAngela Merkel, Europe’s most powerful leader for 16 years, breaks her usual reticence in Freedom. The memoir traces her journey from a pastor’s daughter in East Germany to the helm of unified Germany, guiding the EU through crises like the 2008 financial crash and the refugee influx.Story continues below this adMerkel’s analytical, understated style reflects her leadership, which was said to be pragmatic yet principled. She discusses the challenges of balancing German interests with global demands, her relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin, and the rise of populism. While she avoids sensational revelations, the book is a masterclass in steady, deliberate governance.