March is pretty much my favorite month (well… second to April and my birthday, I guess). The sun is out, the weather is warming up, I can read outside if I load up on enough sinus medicine, and it’s a month where we celebrate women!
I’ll be honest; I don’t need a month to remind me to read books by women. In January, I didn’t read a single book that was written by a man, and in February, only 2 of my 10 books read were written by men. I just find myself connecting better to characters that are written by women.
So I figured I’d come here and drop some recommendations for anyone looking to celebrate Women’s History Month with books by and about women. Lord knows I love a love story as much as the next girl, but, in an effort to celebrate women, these books all stick to the growth of character and friendships, with the love story being secondary to the greater plot.
Historical Fiction Featuring Real Women in History
The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory is kind of the OG of historical fiction. Philippa Gregory writes history so well, and she has the ability to turn the most minor characters into people of importance.
Lilac Girls by Martha Hall Kelly features a fictionalized story of real-life Caroline Ferriday, who was an American socialite during WWI and is known for bringing the Ravensbrück “rabbits” story to light. It also features Herta Oberheuser, who was a doctor at a concentration camp… her point of view is not the easiest read, but definitely impactful.
The Red Tent by Anita Diamant goes back to Biblical times and features the story of Dinah, son of Jacob and Leah. The best part of this novel is the relationship Dinah has with her mothers. Their friendship and bond put her story in a new light.
My Dear Hamilton by Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie was a long but great read featuring the story of Eliza Hamilton, wife of Alexander Hamilton. Anyone who is a fan of the Broadway play will love this book, but this story truly features Eliza and her struggles and her growth at the center of the plot.
The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah is a bit different from the other books above because this one is inspired by a real woman, rather than using her real name. This fictionalized story of Andrée de Jongh features the main character and her complicated relationship with her sister at the height of WWII.
Powerful Memoirs By Women
It’s no secret that Becoming by Michelle Obama was my favorite book of last year (seriously, if you’ve seen me for five minutes, you probably know that). Her book is emotional and hopeful and so beautifully written. No matter where you fall on the political scale, I can promise you’ll love this book.
Know My Name by Chanel Miller is already on its way to being my favorite book of 2020. Raw and powerful, Chanel Miller tells her story with blinding clarity. This book will make you angry, make you cry, make you want to stand up and scream. A definite sexual assault trigger warning on this one, but it’s worth the read (or listen, if you can get the audio).
If you’re looking for a lighthearted book, Yes Please by Amy Poehler is one of the best celebrity memoirs to hit shelves in the last decade. If you listen to audiobooks, this is a great one that includes guest appearances and scenes from Parks and Rec that will make you laugh out loud.
Educated by Tara Westover is the quintessential story about a woman who overcame her (horrendous) circumstances to make a life for herself. After enduring familial abuse for years, Tara Westover managed to get out and go to college… and her tale is harrowing and hard to believe.
Inheritance by Dani Shapiro was a surprise favorite of mine last month, when I picked it up on Libby randomly. Telling the story of her heritage and the shock that she received after taking a DNA test, this story is one part memoir and one part rumination on the ethics of sperm donors and surprise parentage.
Contemporary Fiction Featuring Strong Women
Queenie by Candice Carty-Williams is an ode to millennial women and what happens when we refuse to address childhood and early adulthood trauma. At least she lives in London, where therapy is free?
Yes, another book by Kristin Hannah! The Great Alone really surprised me in it’s depth of character growth and just how far the main character comes from the child she was at the beginning of the book. Fair warning: I cried through all of Part 3.
Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman features a VERY unlikeable Eleanor, who also has unresolved trauma in her past. This book will make you question your sanity a bit and help your heart grow ten sizes.
Ok, well this one does have a good bit of romance in it. The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid took the world by storm, and for good reason. Evelyn Hugo is telling the story of her life to a young reporter, and we get to travel through time to witness Evelyn’s trials and accomplishments.
The Book of Essie by Meghan MacLean Weir is one book on this list that has definitely NOT gotten enough recognition in the world. Essie’s parents run a megachurch, and her family has their own reality show, and also, she’s pregnant. Essie decides to forge her own path, rather than following her parents’ edicts, and I love her character so much.
What do you think? Any you would add to this list? Let me know in the comments!
