Best Women Author Recommendations

“The person, be it gentleman or lady, who has not pleasure in a good novel, must be intolerably stupid.”

—Jane Austen, Northanger Abbey, 1818

Historically, women (and people of color) have been sorely underrepresented on many reading lists. To help change that, we're highlighting women authors who more than deserve your attention. 

Discover classic women authors who flew under the radar with male pen names, and re-discover those who broke the mold and dominated their genres (hello, Agatha Christie!) or invented new ones (see: the history of Mary Shelley writing Frankenstein). 

You can also browse books by Black women, by early Irish female writers, or even books by royal women. For more modern and global women’s fiction, we suggest books that pass the Bechdel test, books by Elena Ferrante, and even books by women crime writers. Regardless of what you’re looking for,  all of the recommendations below will add some much-needed feminine perspective to your reading list.

4af56302c502-birdillustration.png

How Mary Roberts Rinehart Got Her Start—and Invented a New Kind of Mystery

The so-called "American Agatha Christie" revolutionized the mystery genre with her 1908 novel, The Circular Staircase.

The Perfect Mother Author Aimee Molloy on Blending Genres, Motherhood and Kerry Washington

BookTrib and Aimee Molloy discuss the psychological thrills, feminist message, and upcoming adaptation of her hit novel.

Looking Back: Joyce Maynard on Her Career-Launching Essay and Relationship With J.D. Salinger

Joyce Maynard's 1972 essay captured life in 1960s America—and the attention of one of the world's most enigmatic icons.

Spanning Genres: The Lasting Influence of Lois Lowry and Her Work

The author explored both light and heavy subject matter—covering everything from contemporary adolescence to dystopian worlds and the Holocaust.

An Irish Immigrant Gets a Second Chance in Taylor Caldwell's Captains and the Kings

While en route to Pennsylvania, a penniless teenager meets the man who will change his life forever.

10 Bad-Ass Sci-Fi Women

From Katniss to Meg, these heroines have left a mark on the science fiction genre.

11 Madeleine L'Engle Books You May Have Missed

Look beyond A Wrinkle in Time, and discover the true breadth of the Newbery winner's talent.

9 Books for Fans of Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries

These female sleuths would earn Phryne's seal of approval.

Christina Crawford on Why It's So Important to Remember "Herstory"

The author of "Daughters of the Inquisition" tells us why she's so interested in women's history and how, by learning from the mistakes of the past, we can change the future.

6 Must-Read Historical Fiction Books by Rumer Godden

The prolific British author deserves a place on your bookshelf.

28 Books by Black Women for Black History Month

Join the #readingblackout movement and discover must-reads by WOC.

2018 Carnegie Medal Winners: Sherman Alexie and Jennifer Egan

Both authors were awarded Carnegie Medals for "literary excellence" by the American Library Association.

In Conversation with Alice Walker

The author of The Color Purple reads three of her poems and answers reader questions about her work, life, and views on society.

Celebrating Author Muriel Spark

On the centennial of her birth, we’re looking back at the writer's exceptional life and work.

Another Margaret Atwood Adaptation is in the Works

Paramount TV has acquired the rights to the MaddAddam Trilogy, a dystopian series by "The Handmaid's Tale" author.

New A Wrinkle in Time Trailer Is Meg-nificent

The latest preview for the adaptation of Madeleine L'Engle's classic story doesn't disappoint.

Gloria Steinem Biopic Will Bring the Icon's Memoir to Life

Oscar-winning actress Julianne Moore is set to star in an upcoming adaptation of Steinem's "My Life on the Road."

Anne of Green Gables Returns to PBS in The Good Stars 

This Thanksgiving, a more grown-up Anne faces more grown-up challenges.