Whether you are a lover of fiction, poetry, or real-life memoirs, there are many books written by talented women to invest your time in. No matter how far back you wish to go in time, you will be able to find some great books to read.
Reading and recommending more books by women authors will help bring more recognition to these authors. In addition, you will be able to read some great pieces of work from talented women that can inspire and motivate you. Here are some of the best books written by women, for women.
1. A Room of One’s Own by Virginia Woolf
Probably being one of the first feminist books to be written, this book by Virginia Woolf was first published in 1929. It is based on two lectures that she did at Cambridge University and focuses on matters such as the discrimination women have faced over the years and their lack of freedom.
A very popular quote from this book, “A woman must have money and a room of her own if she is to write fiction”, greatly expresses this issue. Private residence by Donna Mondi is a great Project to look into if you want to put together a home office of your own. Talented women have been suppressed over the centuries, and we have lost so much important art because of this situation. Woolf makes sure to point out this discrimination and express the suppression women have endured in male-dominated societies.
2. We Should All Be Feminists by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Based on her very popular TEDx talk with the same title, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie redefines the idea of feminism in our day. The best way to understand such an important cause is to become better educated on the topic. This is one of the best books for women and everyone else interested, that can help you achieve this goal.
If you do not wish to read a book review on this piece, you can also watch her TEDx talk that inspired this book. It is shorter and straight to the point and can help you get in the mood to read more. The Nigerian writer will help you visualize her story and background a lot better, and you will better understand her work.
3. I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou
Maya Angelou wrote a total of seven autobiographies and this book was her very first one. As an African-American woman living in the 1930s and the 40s U.S., she encountered many difficulties. This book follows the racism she and her brother encountered while living with her paternal grandfather.
At just eight years old, Maya was sexually assaulted and raped by an older man. She had to carry the weight of this traumatic experience all her life and learn how to live with it. Through the years though she learned how to love herself and even managed to have her child, by the very end of the book.
4. Slouching Towards Bethlehem by Joan Didion
If you’re a fan of women authors that write nonfiction, this book is a must-read for you. This collection of seminal essays depicts a very vivid image of 1960s California with a focus on John Wayne and Howard Hughes. It shows how a girl grows up in Northern California, balancing the good and bad of living in that time in America.
As Joan Didion’s first nonfiction work, it is a great representation of women’s independence throughout the years. Even though this book has been around for some time, it can show women of all ages a lot about that era.
5. I Am Malala by Malala Yousafzai
The story of Malala Yousafzai is one worth reading by every woman of every age. The young activist from Pakistan took very brave steps towards fighting the Taliban that was active in her country. This fight was in the name of allowing her and other girls and women to have a right to education.
The terrorists ended up shooting Malala in the head, but she managed to make a full recovery and continue her journey. In 2014, the young activist got her Nobel Peace Prize for her actions. In her autobiography, you will also get a better glimpse into her life with her family and the support she received during these hard times.
Finding the perfect book to fill out your free time
Whether you are still working from home or you have some free time on your hands, a good book is the best remedy for boredom. These are some of the best books by women authors which every woman of every age can read and gain things from. Women write passionately, no matter the genre, and they create amazing work worth reading.
The more people learn about women authors and spread the word, the more women will be recognized for their writing. Choosing a book written by women authors for and about women is a great way to show support. It’s very important to educate ourselves about the challenges and achievements of women throughout the years and the right book can help us achieve that.
Which of these books are you looking forward to reading first, and which have you already read?
Guest Contributor Bio:
Nicole Garrison is a content strategist, writer, and contributor at TrustMyPaper and a number of platforms for marketing writing specialists such as Supreme Dissertations. She is a dedicated and experienced author who pays particular attention to quality research. At her free time, Nicole is a passionate runner. Moreover, she runs her own blog LiveInspiredMagazine.
