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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.

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Art in Fiction: 10 Novels That Take You Beyond The Goldfinch

If you loved Donna Tartt's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, we know what you should read next.

Old Flames Reconnect in This Poignant Novel by Anita Shreve

Where or When explores the joys—and consequences—of rekindling a decades-old romance.

May Sarton’s Greatest Works: 12 Books That Will Move You

Get lost in the words of one of America’s most innovative writers.

8 Anne Perry Books About Sleuths and Murders of the Past

The author's historical mysteries feature lovable sleuths and high society intrigue that'll keep you coming back for more.

[CLOSED] GIVEAWAY: Win Powerful Books by Powerful Women + More!

Together with The Woolfer, we're giving away a tote bag and an Amazon Fire 7 tablet loaded with books by amazing female authors.

9 Female Authors Who Wrote Under Male Pen Names

They broke through barriers to get their voices heard.

Gloria Steinem's Favorite Books, in Her Own Words

The legendary feminist and activist reveals the books that have influenced her life and outlook.

16 Impactful Female Science Fiction and Fantasy Authors

These authors are just a few of the important voices in the sci-fi and fantasy community who have brought us strong, feminist characters.

20 Biographies of Remarkable Women That You Need to Read

These fascinating biographies deserve a spot on your must-read list.

8 Books to Read Based on Your Favorite Stories

Love the oldies, but looking for something new? You’ve come to the right place.

A Chilling Book Comes to Life in This Gothic Mystery by Elly Griffiths 

When a high school English teacher is haunted by her own subject matter in real life, who can she trust? 

The Author of The Other Einstein Brings Hedy Lamarr's Incredible Story to Life

The Only Woman in the Room paints a fictionalized portrait of the Hollywood actress who was so much more than a pretty face.

Rediscover the Magic of P.L. Travers' Mary Poppins

Get reacquainted with the original story that stole the hearts of readers everywhere.

100 Years: The Life and Work of Madeleine L’Engle 

The ability to understand a child’s imagination is just one of the reasons why the A Wrinkle in Time author’s work has stood the test of time. 

Mommie Dearest Author Christina Crawford Opens Up About Her Past and How She’s Moving Forward

To commemorate the 40th anniversary of her groundbreaking book, Crawford talks about abuse, what she hopes readers take away from her story, and new projects on which she’s focused.

Remembering Nature Writer Sue Hubbell, 1935-2018

The acclaimed author of A Country Year and A Book of Bees has passed away at 83.