Nine Books by Women for International Women’s Day

Posted on by Julia Dath

To celebrate International Women’s Day, I’m sharing some of my favorite books written by women.

Part of me always always knew that I would be a writer one day. I love books, and stories have guided me my entire life. But there was another part of me that didn’t understand why I would write, or if the stories in my head mattered. Filling my shelves with the words of other women showed me that there is so much value in sharinng our unique experiences and imaginations with the world. I read women’s fiction to challenge my world views, explore the historical threads of oppression and privilege, and to engage in a vibrant literary canon that spans centuries.

What I know now is that women’s stories are a fundamental foundation to spur conversation on the diversity of experiences that fall in the category of “being a woman.” There is no singular story that can capture womanhood, which means we must read broadly and diversely to engage in conversations about the experiences of women. For me, choosing to be a writer means sharing my own perspective on women’s issues, experiences, and history. Hopefully some will relate to my words, and others will learn from them.

The literary world has not always made space for women, and even now there are places where our voices are expected to be, and there are types of stories that we’re expected to tell. Today I want to celebrate my favorite writers who both push boundaries in new spaces and contribute to rich women’s writing canons in others.

Women’s writing contains multitudes, and I’m excited to share my favorite stories that capture a small slice of all the work that women writers create. Happy International Women’s Day!

Science Fiction

The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet by Becky Chambers

In a genre that is often publicly perceived to be male dominated, Becky Chambers shakes up traditional conventions by pivoting towards a character-driven story that stays away from dense violent conflict and leans into the mundanity of a life among the stars. This book calls upon readers to examine how we engage with cultural differences, and ultimately calls for the audience to move forward with understanding and empathy. Plus, it’s great fun and highly entertaining!

Also try: Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge: A Crash of Fate by Zoraida Córdova and A Memory Called Empire by Arkady Martine

Fantasy

Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi

Adeyemi’s protagonist is such a richly written, deeply feeling, and truly engaging character. This west-African inspired fantasy’s magic system will capture your attention from the first page, and this rich world is filled with powerful and bold women. If you’re anything like me, you’ll burn through this book and soon be desperately waiting for the final installment of the trilogy to hit shelves.

Also try: The Hurricane Wars by Thea Guanzon and All Our Hidden Gifts by Caroline O’Donoghue

Historical Fiction

Pachinko by Min Jin Lee

An indisputably powerful story that weaves an intergenerational family tale, and focuses heavily on the topic of identity. Lee’s craft is incredible, and this book is so full of depth that you fall so deeply into it.

Also try: Factory Girls by Michelle Gallen and The Return of the Soldier by Rebecca West

Short Stories

Weird Fucks by Lynne Tillman

The collection follows a woman’s series of sexual encounters. The writing is sharp and explores the struggle and power dynamics that intertwine with desire. An interesting look at the mundanity of life and human relationships.

Also try: How Winter Began: stories by Joy Castro and Lesser Known Monsters of the 21st Century by Kim Fu

Gothic Fiction

Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier

This is my favorite book on this list. Truly a story you won’t forget. Exploring the aristocratic world of England’s historic elite, Rebecca is a tale of intrigue, desire, grief, and mystery. The slow pace of the story draws readers into the unsettling world of Manderley, and the foreshadowing and vivid descriptions are truly unforgettable.

Also try: The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson

Memoir

Wishful Drinking by Carrie Fisher

A poignant, honest, and often humorous look at Carrie Fisher’s life growing up in one of Hollywood’s most famous families, and how that experience influenced her adult life. Fisher remains, to this day, one of the only writers that can make me laugh out loud.

Also try: Minor Feelings by Cathy Park Hong, On Chapel Sands: My mother and other missing persons by Laura Cumming,

Nonfiction

Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic by Alison Bechdel

Bechdel’s graphic memoir explores all of the ways in which familial relationships can be complicated. In an exploration of memories, identities, conflicts, and commonalities, Fun Home utilizes everything in its toolbox—stunning art, moving prose, humorous scenes—to tell this family story.

Also try: Cry of Murder on Broadway: A Woman’s Ruin and Revenge in Old New York by Julie Miller

LGBTQ+ Fiction

She Gets the Girl by Rachael Lippincott and Alyson Derrick

I continue to recommend this book for several reasons, the predominant one being its honest take on navigating relationships as a new adult. LGBTQ+ fiction doesn’t need to centralize depictions of trauma to be important, and this romance between two young women during their first year of college is so lovable.

Also try: After Sappho by Selby Wynn Schwartz and Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up With Me by Mariko Tamaki and Rosemary Valero-O’Connell

“Classics” AKA Old Books!

Belinda by Maria Edgeworth

Want to read like Jane Austen? Belinda is a great place to start. This 1801 British epistolary format novel has everything you’d want from the genre: constant lamenting and societal drama. Belinda‘s discussion of gender roles and depiction of interracial marriage made the novel controversial back in the day, but provide opportunity for rich historical analysis for modern readers.

Also try: Evelina by Frances Burney and Claudine by Colette

My further favorite essays, books, short stories, and poems by women:

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