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“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.
Best known for her Albert Campion series, Margery Allingham was a contemporary of Agatha Christie – and is well worth investigating.
An intimate look at the late literary icon.
By Carolyn Cox
The so-called "American Agatha Christie" revolutionized the mystery genre with her 1908 novel, The Circular Staircase.
BookTrib and Aimee Molloy discuss the psychological thrills, feminist message, and upcoming adaptation of her hit novel.
By BookTrib
The upcoming miniseries is sure to be your summer obsession.
Joyce Maynard's 1972 essay captured life in 1960s America—and the attention of one of the world's most enigmatic icons.
By Olivia Mason
The author explored both light and heavy subject matter—covering everything from contemporary adolescence to dystopian worlds and the Holocaust.
While en route to Pennsylvania, a penniless teenager meets the man who will change his life forever.
By Olivia Mason
From Katniss to Meg, these heroines have left a mark on the science fiction genre.
By BookTrib
Look beyond A Wrinkle in Time, and discover the true breadth of the Newbery winner's talent.
By Olivia Mason
These female sleuths would earn Phryne's seal of approval.
By Olivia Mason
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.
Overlooked? Yes. Forgotten? Not on our watch!
The prolific British author deserves a place on your bookshelf.
Join the #readingblackout movement and discover must-reads by WOC.
By BookTrib
Both authors were awarded Carnegie Medals for "literary excellence" by the American Library Association.
The author of The Color Purple reads three of her poems and answers reader questions about her work, life, and views on society.
On the centennial of her birth, we’re looking back at the writer's exceptional life and work.
Paramount TV has acquired the rights to the MaddAddam Trilogy, a dystopian series by "The Handmaid's Tale" author.
By Olivia Mason
The latest preview for the adaptation of Madeleine L'Engle's classic story doesn't disappoint.
By Carolyn Cox