Summary: In today's article, I have carefully handpicked 20 of the best books for women that I think will leave a lasting impression and spark deep reflection. Here are my top 3 choices:
- The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
- Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
- The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood
Books for women often offer fresh perspectives, tackling themes like identity, empowerment, relationships, and personal growth. They give women a chance to see their own experiences reflected in stories that might resonate with their lives. These books can inspire, challenge, and create a sense of connection, all while offering both entertainment and meaningful insights into the complexities of womanhood. Reading them helps build empathy, broaden viewpoints, and encourages women to embrace their strength and uniqueness.
TOP 20: Best Books for Women
- The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
- Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
- The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood
- The Women by Kristin Hannah
- Girl, Woman, Other by Bernardine Evaristo
- The Book of Gutsy Women by Hillary Rodham Clinton and Chelsea Clinton
- 500 Great Books by Women: A Reader's Guide by Erica Bauermeister, Holly Smith, and Jesse Larsen
- The Color Purple by Alice Walker
- The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins
- Women Don't Owe You Pretty by Florence Given
- Butts: A Backstory by Heather Radke
- The Wedding People by Alison Espach
- The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion
- Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty
- The Help by Kathryn Stockett
- Circe by Madeline Miller
- The Night She Disappeared by Lisa Jewell
- The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett
- A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara
- The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt
1. The Nightingale
- Author: Kristin Hannah
- About: A powerful historical fiction about two sisters in Nazi-occupied France during WWII and their different paths of survival and resistance.
- Style of writing: Richly descriptive, emotionally engaging, and gripping.
- Length: Approx. 160,000 words
- Year written: 2015
- Emotional impact: The story deeply resonates, leaving readers reflecting on human strength, sacrifice, and love.
- Difficulty level: Medium (moderate emotional depth with historical context).
- Why read it: It’s a beautifully written story about love, loss, and survival during one of history's most difficult times.
2. Where the Crawdads Sing
- Author: Delia Owens
- About: A coming-of-age mystery set in the marshlands of North Carolina, following Kya Clark, a girl abandoned by her family, as she grows up isolated and becomes a suspect in a local murder.
- Style of writing: Lyrical, poetic, and immersive.
- Length: Approx. 105,000 words
- Year written: 2018
- Emotional impact: A poignant exploration of loneliness, love, and human nature, leaving a lasting emotional imprint.
- Difficulty level: Medium (easy to read, but with emotional depth).
- Why read it: A beautifully written, heartfelt novel with vivid settings and a compelling mystery that draws you in.
3. The Handmaid's Tale
- Author: Margaret Atwood
- About: A dystopian novel set in a totalitarian society where women have lost all rights and are controlled by a religiously driven regime, focusing on one woman’s quest for freedom.
- Style of writing: Dark, thought-provoking, and chillingly vivid.
- Length: Approx. 95,000 words
- Year written: 1985
- Emotional impact: It leaves a lasting impact by exploring the loss of freedom and the consequences of a patriarchy-driven society.
- Difficulty level: Medium-High (deals with heavy, often uncomfortable themes).
- Why read it: A compelling and haunting exploration of gender, power, and autonomy that remains relevant today.
4. The Women
- Author: Kristin Hannah
- About: A deep dive into the lives of women during the Vietnam War, focusing on the Army Nurse Corps and their experiences of love, fear, and survival in a war zone.
- Style of writing: Engaging, emotional, and vividly detailed.
- Length: Approx. 115,000 words
- Year written: 2021
- Emotional impact: A poignant, emotional read that deeply explores the sacrifices and challenges women faced during wartime.
- Difficulty level: Medium (emotionally charged with historical depth).
- Why read it: A gripping and emotional story about female resilience in a historically significant time.
5. Girl, Woman, Other
- Author: Bernardine Evaristo
- About: A novel told through the voices of twelve women, exploring race, gender, and sexuality in modern Britain.
- Style of writing: Conversational, modern, and fragmented in style.
- Length: Approx. 115,000 words
- Year written: 2019
- Emotional impact: A thought-provoking read that highlights diverse female experiences and challenges societal norms.
- Difficulty level: Medium (complex themes with multiple perspectives).
- Why read it: It’s an exploration of intersectional feminism, providing a unique and modern lens on women's lives.
6. The Book of Gutsy Women
- Author: Hillary Rodham Clinton and Chelsea Clinton
- About: A collection of stories about women who have made a significant impact on history and the world, told by a mother-daughter duo.
- Style of writing: Informal, inspiring, and factual.
- Length: Approx. 100,000 words
- Year written: 2019
- Emotional impact: Uplifting and empowering, showing the strength and courage of women across history.
- Difficulty level: Easy (nonfiction, straightforward).
- Why read it: For an inspiring read on the women who have shaped history with their guts and determination.
7. 500 Great Books by Women: A Reader's Guide
- Author: Erica Bauermeister, Holly Smith, and Jesse Larsen
- About: A comprehensive guide to notable books written by women across the world, covering a variety of genres.
- Style of writing: Informative, concise, and organized by genre.
- Length: Approx. 150,000 words
- Year written: 2003
- Emotional impact: Not an emotional read itself, but it provides a deep appreciation for the contributions of women authors.
- Difficulty level: Easy (reference guide).
- Why read it: It’s a great resource for anyone looking to explore the best of women’s literature.
8. The Color Purple
- Author: Alice Walker
- About: A novel set in the early 20th century that tells the story of Celie, an African American woman who overcomes oppression and finds love and empowerment.
- Style of writing: Emotional, raw, and deeply poetic.
- Length: Approx. 80,000 words
- Year written: 1982
- Emotional impact: Profound, with themes of trauma, love, and resilience.
- Difficulty level: Medium-High (heavy themes with deep emotional intensity).
- Why read it: It’s a classic of American literature that offers a raw, emotional exploration of survival and empowerment.
9. The Let Them Theory
- Author: Mel Robbins
- About: A self-help book that encourages taking control of one’s life, offering practical tools for personal growth and mindset shifts.
- Style of writing: Motivational, straightforward, and practical.
- Length: Approx. 65,000 words
- Year written: 2021
- Emotional impact: Motivational and energizing, leaving readers feeling empowered.
- Difficulty level: Easy (self-help).
- Why read it: For anyone looking for inspiration and practical advice on personal development and living authentically.
10. Women Don't Owe You Pretty
- Author: Florence Given
- About: A feminist manifesto that challenges beauty standards and societal expectations of women, focusing on self-love and empowerment.
- Style of writing: Bold, direct, and empowering.
- Length: Approx. 55,000 words
- Year written: 2020
- Emotional impact: Empowering, with a strong message of self-acceptance and rejecting societal pressures.
- Difficulty level: Easy (straightforward and to the point).
- Why read it: It’s a refreshing and empowering call to reject unrealistic beauty standards and embrace individuality.
11. Butts: A Backstory
- Author: Heather Radke
- About: A cultural exploration of the human fascination with women’s buttocks, exploring history, society, and body image.
- Style of writing: Informative, witty, and engaging.
- Length: Approx. 85,000 words
- Year written: 2022
- Emotional impact: Thought-provoking and humorous, offering a new lens on body image and cultural norms.
- Difficulty level: Medium (a mix of humor and deeper cultural insights).
- Why read it: For an insightful, unique, and funny look at body image and societal standards.
12. The Wedding People
- Author: Alison Espach
- About: A darkly comedic novel exploring the lives of a group of friends as they navigate love, relationships, and life during a wedding.
- Style of writing: Sharp, witty, and darkly humorous.
- Length: Approx. 100,000 words
- Year written: 2022
- Emotional impact: Lighthearted yet poignant, leaving readers reflecting on relationships and life choices.
- Difficulty level: Medium (humorous with emotional undercurrents).
- Why read it: A funny, clever take on love and relationships in the context of major life events.
13. The Rosie Project
- Author: Graeme Simsion
- About: A quirky, heartwarming story about a socially awkward genetics professor who embarks on a project to find a wife, only to find love in unexpected ways.
- Style of writing: Charming, witty, and quirky.
- Length: Approx. 85,000 words
- Year written: 2013
- Emotional impact: Uplifting and funny, with a deep emotional connection to the characters.
- Difficulty level: Easy (light-hearted with emotional depth).
- Why read it: It’s a sweet, endearing love story with a unique protagonist and plenty of humor.
14. Big Little Lies
- Author: Liane Moriarty
- About: A captivating mystery revolving around a group of women in a tight-knit community, where secrets and lies unravel, leading to a dramatic conclusion.
- Style of writing: Engaging, with a mix of humor and suspense.
- Length: Approx. 115,000 words
- Year written: 2014
- Emotional impact: Gripping, with a powerful emotional climax that stays with readers long after they finish.
- Difficulty level: Easy (engaging and accessible).
- Why read it: It’s a page-turning mystery wrapped in complex character dynamics and social commentary.
15. The Help
- Author: Kathryn Stockett
- About: Set in 1960s Mississippi, this novel explores race, class, and relationships through the lives of African American maids working in white households.
- Style of writing: Heartfelt, rich in dialogue, and deeply human.
- Length: Approx. 150,000 words
- Year written: 2009
- Emotional impact: Moving, emotional, and eye-opening, with a strong sense of social justice.
- Difficulty level: Medium (historical context with emotional depth).
- Why read it: A thought-provoking look at race, inequality, and personal courage, with a powerful narrative.
16. Circe
- Author: Madeline Miller
- About: A retelling of the Greek myth of Circe, the powerful sorceress, exploring her life, struggles, and empowerment through her own lens.
- Style of writing: Lyrical, immersive, and mythic.
- Length: Approx. 110,000 words
- Year written: 2018
- Emotional impact: A deeply immersive read that redefines myth and empowers the female protagonist.
- Difficulty level: Medium (literary and philosophical depth).
- Why read it: A beautifully written, feminist retelling of a classic myth that reimagines Circe’s story with depth and humanity.
17. The Night She Disappeared
- Author: Lisa Jewell
- About: A gripping thriller about the mysterious disappearance of a young woman, delving into the secrets of a small community.
- Style of writing: Suspenseful, engaging, and fast-paced.
- Length: Approx. 90,000 words
- Year written: 2021
- Emotional impact: Tense and emotional, with unexpected twists that keep readers hooked.
- Difficulty level: Medium (thriller, mystery elements).
- Why read it: A fast-paced mystery that combines intrigue with an emotional core, perfect for fans of suspense.
18. The Vanishing Half
- Author: Brit Bennett
- About: A multi-generational novel about twin sisters who go in vastly different directions in life, one passing as white and the other embracing her Black identity.
- Style of writing: Deeply reflective, nuanced, and literary.
- Length: Approx. 110,000 words
- Year written: 2020
- Emotional impact: Profound, with powerful reflections on identity, race, and family.
- Difficulty level: Medium-High (complex themes and writing style).
- Why read it: A thought-provoking exploration of race, identity, and the choices that shape lives, offering rich characters and emotional depth.
19. A Little Life
- Author: Hanya Yanagihara
- About: The story of four friends in New York City, focusing on one man’s traumatic past and its impact on his present.
- Style of writing: Deeply emotional, raw, and unflinching.
- Length: Approx. 250,000 words
- Year written: 2015
- Emotional impact: Intense, heart-wrenching, and difficult to forget—leaves a deep emotional mark.
- Difficulty level: High (heavy emotional and thematic content).
- Why read it: It’s an incredibly powerful and emotional exploration of trauma, friendship, and survival.
20. The Goldfinch
- Author: Donna Tartt
- About: A Pulitzer Prize-winning novel following Theo Decker, a boy who survives an explosion at an art museum and steals a painting that shapes his life.
- Style of writing: Lush, detailed, and complex.
- Length: Approx. 250,000 words
- Year written: 2013
- Emotional impact: Deeply immersive and impactful, leaving readers with lingering thoughts on fate and loss.
- Difficulty level: High (dense and layered).
- Why read it: A masterful, epic story of grief, art, and survival that blends rich writing with a captivating plot.
Conclusion
Books for women offer powerful, emotional stories that stay with you long after you’ve finished reading. The Nightingale, Where the Crawdads Sing, and The Handmaid’s Tale are three standout choices, and I truly think they’re some of the best out there. Each one draws you in with unforgettable characters and gripping plots, while exploring themes of love, survival, resilience, and freedom. Whether you're in the mood for a historical drama, a heartfelt coming-of-age story, or a thought-provoking dystopian narrative, these three books are must-reads that will leave a lasting impact.
