March is Women’s History Month, and what better way to mark it then celebrating some of my favourite books written by female authors!
I’ve included some classics as well as contemporary favourites that have really left a lasting impact on me. There’s romances, historical fiction and mythology included in the list so I like to think there’s a little something for everyone!
My Favourite Books by Female Authors: Classics
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
My all time favourite book. It’s such a cliche to claim Pride and Prejudice as a favourite but I have to stay true to myself! To me, it’s the literary equivalent to comfort food. I love all Austen’s books and Sense and Sensibility comes a close second, but Pride and Prejudice will forever have my heart.
I love the romance, the wit and the social commentary. It might have been written over 200 years ago but it definitely still resonates today. I’ve read it countless times and nobody else has come close to capturing my heart like Jane Austen.
Favourite quote: “My courage always rises at every attempt to intimidate me.”
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
Harper Lee’s timeless classic takes us to the heart of the American South, tackling issues of race, justice, and morality through the eyes of young Scout Finch. It’s a book that stayed with me long after turning the final page. I was left with a renewed appreciation for empathy and for standing up for what’s right.
Favourite quote: “The one thing that doesn’t abide by majority rule is a person’s conscience.”
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë
I originally read Jane Eyre as part of my GCSE English literature course but it wasn’t until I revisited the book as an adult that I truly appreciated the beauty of the story.
Charlotte Brontë’s Jane Eyre is a tale of resilience and independence and is so much more than a love story. Jane’s journey from orphaned governess to self-assured woman is both inspiring and empowering, reminding us of the strength that lies within us all.
Favourite quote: “I am no bird; and no net ensnares me; I am a free human being with an independent will.”
Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
Louisa May Alcott’s classic coming-of-age story follows the lives of the March sisters Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy, as they navigate the challenges of growing up during the Civil War era. Full of warmth, humour, and sisterly love, Little Women is a timeless tale of family, friendship, and following your dreams.
I’ve watched all the Little Women screen adaptations and while I enjoyed them, none of them compare to reading the novel. With every re-read I find myself relating more to a different sister, or at least empathising with them in a way I didn’t before.
Favourite quote: “I’m not afraid of storms, for I’m learning how to sail my ship.”
My Favourite Books by Female Authors: Contemporary Authors
Still Life by Sarah Winman
I recommend this book to absolutely everyone! Still Life is a beautifully written novel that explores the healing power of art and the connections that bind us together. Set in post-war England, it’s a story of love – familial love, romantic love and the love that turns friendships into family. It’s such a character driven story and thankfully the characters are all delightful! Despite knowing nothing about art at all, I fell in love with the story and the characters and I felt bereft when I’d finished reading it.
Favourite quote: “No single act of generosity remains in isolation. The ripples are many.”
The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah
Many people would chose The Nightingale as their favourite Kristin Hannah novel and while I did love it, The Great Alone just tips it for me.
The Great Alone transports us to the rugged landscape of Alaska, where one family struggles to survive in the wilderness. It’s a powerful story of resilience, survival, and the bonds of love that hold us together even in the darkest of times.
Favourite quote: “A girl was like a kite; without her mother’s strong, steady hold on the string, she might just float away, be lost somewhere among the clouds.”
The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller
If Pride and Prejudice is my favourite classic book of all time, The Song of Achilles is my favourite contemporary book (despite being set in Ancient Greece!) I love Greek mythology but nobody writes it like Madeline Miller. Her second novel, Circe, is also brilliant but The Song of Achilles really captured my heart.
The Song of Achilles is Madeline Miller’s retelling of the Greek myth of Achilles and Patroclus. It’s a breathtaking tale of love, honour, and sacrifice and it’s just so beautifully written. I always find it a testament to an author’s skill when you already know the ending and yet it still makes you cry!
Favourite quote: ”I would recognise you in total darkness, were you mute and I deaf. I would recognise you in another lifetime entirely, in different bodies, different times. And I would love you in all of this, until the very last star in the sky burnt out into oblivion”
My Dear Hamilton by Laura Kaye and Stephanie Dray
I’m a big fan of the Hamilton musical despite knowing very little about that period of American history.
My Dear Hamilton by Laura Kaye and Stephanie Dray offers a compelling glimpse into the life of Eliza Schuyler Hamilton, wife of Founding Father Alexander Hamilton. It’s a fascinating blend of history and romance that sheds light on the extraordinary woman behind one of America’s most famous men.
Favourite quote: “Silence is often the only weapon available to ladies. And I wield mine expertly.”
Take My Hand by Dolen Perkins-Valdez
Take My Hand by Dolen Perkins-Valdez is one of the most impactful stories I’ve read in a very long time. It’s loosely based on the real life case of Relf vs Weinberger in 1973, where two sisters, aged 12 and 14, were sterilised without their consent in Alabama. It’s a powerful story about a very dark time in American history.
Favourite quote: “There is no greater right for a woman than having a choice, Anne. And I exercised that right. Fully and consciously.”
Summary
These are just a few of the amazing books I’ve loved that were written by female authors. What’s your favourite? Let us know in the comments!